The doctors at AAIR Research Center have been conducting clinical trials together with pharmaceutical companies for over 35 years.

What is a Clinical Trial?

A clinical trial is a controlled scientific study done with an investigational medication to test the medication's effectiveness and safety on human beings. Many years are spent testing medications in the laboratory and in animal research to determine the medication's safety and usefulness before clinical trials are conducted to determine the medication's effect on humans. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires clinical trials on all medication before they will approve a medication for public use. Clinical trials help us find better and new ways to treat illness and disease.

Are There Different Types of Clinical Trials?

Clinical trials are done in four phases. Phase I is the first phase in testing. These studies use healthy volunteers, are short-term and establish the safety and tolerance of the medication in humans. Phase II studies are short to medium length and use volunteers with an appropriate disease for the medication being studied in order to define medication dosages and establish effectiveness of the medication. Phase III studies are the last studies done before the medication is submitted for approval. Phase III studies vary in length from several months to several years and use many volunteers with the appropriate disease for the medication being studied. These studies try to determine the medication's safety and effectiveness with selected dose in a large sample of volunteers and determine guidelines as to how the medication can be used. Phase III studies usually include a placebo (sugar pill) which means that some patients are not on active medication. Phase IV studies are conducted after the medication has been approved . Phase IV studies continue to monitor the safety of the medication in large groups of volunteers. AAIR Research conducts Phase II, III, IV studies, with the majority being Phase III studies.

What Clinical Trials is AAIR Involved With?

AAIR Research has and continues to perform clinical trials in asthma, allergies, arthritis, sinusitis, and auto immune diseases including fibromyalgia, Raynaud's Phenomenon, lupus and Sjogren's Syndrome in adults and children. We are always looking for volunteers to participate in our clinical trials.

Why Participate in a Clinical Trial ?

People join in a study to try to help themselves and to help others. The medication being tested may improve health and quality of life in those being studied. The end result of the study may be a discovery that could help people now and in future generations all across the country and around the world.

What Should a Study Participant Expect?

Clinical trials consist of office visits similar to visits you would make to your own doctor and may include EKGs, x-rays, pulmonary function tests, physical examinations and labwork. Each trial consists of procedures specific for that trial. All study related procedures and medication are provided free of charge. Each trial has its own specific requirements that must be met to be in the study. Trial participants are treated professionally and with respect. Participants receive our personal attention. Participants may receive a payment to cover travel expenses and for their time spent in the study.

You will receive a consent form to read and sign. The informed consent form provides you with information about the study. It is a document that describes the study, including the schedule of visits, what is expected of you, procedures that will be done, the name and phone number of a person you can contact with questions or problems, the amount of monetary compensation, and a discussion of any potential risks and benefits. You are encouraged to show the consent form to your primary care physician. All your questions should be answered before you sign the informed consent and no study procedures will be done before the informed consent is signed.

Your decision to take part in a research study is voluntary at all times. If you decide not to participate in the study, or if you decide to withdraw from the study before it is complete for any reason, there will be no penalty to you. If you are a patient of our medical practice, your decision not to participate in a research study or to withdraw from a study will not affect your medical care from our practice in any way.

AAIR Research has 6 doctors, a nurse practitioner and 6 nurse/medical assistants (clinical research coordinators) conducting clinical trials in a friendly, informal office.

How Can I Find Out More Information?

Please call us at 442-1980 to find out more information about becoming a study volunteer.