Three Central Okanagan organizations are looking for people to participate in studies or trials, all in an effort to find cures or improve their lives. Those suffering from metastatic cancer, spinal cord injuries or migraines are the three groups of people sought after: • BC Cancer Kelowna is conducting a behavioral study on the use of alternative health care in metastatic cancer, which is defined as unconventional treatment instead of the traditional standard of care. The study will revolve around the treatment misinformation that cancer patients receive from social media. The study, which is conducted by Dr. Kaethe Clarke, aims to improve healthcare providers’ understanding of what motivates patients to seek alternative healthcare for their cancer diagnosis. If you or someone you know is interested in taking part in this study, please contact the study team at [email protected]. • Dr. UBCO’s Kathleen Martin Ginis hopes to recruit up to 60 participants for a project called “Exercise Guidelines and Promotion and Implementation in Chronic Spinal Cord Injuries.” Anyone who wants to participate must be 18 years of age or older, have chronic pain, and have been diagnosed with a spinal cord injury more than a year ago at C3 or lower. You must do less than 40 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise per week and less than two days per week of strength training. Participants are reimbursed for UBCO lab visits and receive a gift card upon completion of the study. Study participants are also asked to complete an online or telephone questionnaire and attend three in-person visits at UBC Okanagan—at study entry and again at three and six months. During the visits, participants are asked to undergo a physical fitness test, a short pain sensation test and give a blood sample. If you or someone you know would like to volunteer, please email [email protected] or call 236-970-6226 with any questions. • Finally, Okanagan Clinical Trials is conducting a trial to determine the effectiveness of an investigational medication for episodic migraines. To be eligible to participate in the study, volunteers must be 19 years of age or older. About 660 participants will take part in the study. The investigational treatment will not affect provincial medical coverage and all costs associated with the study will be paid by the sponsor. Participants are free to withdraw from the study at any time. To learn more about the study or to volunteer, visit www.okanaganclinicaltrials.com or call Okanagan Clinical Trials at 250-862-8141.
