Study Listing
[Researchers who would like to list a study on this page, please fill out our Study Listing Form (RTF) and send to the ORP Webmaster at ORPWebmaster@rtto.psu.edu or The 330 Building, Suite 205.]
Click here if you would like to see additional information regarding participation in a research project.
If you or your family are interested in participating in research, please view our listing of PSU Research Clinics.
Choose the appropriate gender below to see a listing of studies that are recruiting participants:
Females or Males
Females only
Males only
Narrating in Spanish: Language Learners and Second Language Acquisition
General Description: An analysis of Spanish language acquisition from beginning levels to advanced levels, including Hispanic heritage students who are second and third generation native Spanish speakers.
Brief Explanation: Participants will be asked to narrate two stories, one in English and the other in Spanish.
Inclusion Criteria: Any person who speaks Spanish as either a native and/or heritage speaker or any person who is learning Spanish, from beginning to advanced language learners.
Exclusion Criteria: Anyone who does not speak or is not learning Spanish.
Length of Study: 30 to 60 minutes
Location of Study: PSU DuBois Campus (112 Swift) or through Breeze (by appt.) http://breeze.ds.psu.edu/dsconference
Contact Information:
Dr. Deborah Gill
Associate Professor of Spanish
Pennsylvania State University, DuBois
814-375-4783; djg25@psu.edu
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Effects of Pistachios on Cardiovascular Response to Stress in Type 2 Diabetes: A Novel Intervention for a High Risk Population
General Description: The following study will examine the cardiovascular changes in people with type 2 diabetes caused by eating different diets, including a diet containing pistachios. This study may provide important information about the health effects of adding pistachios to the diet.
Brief Explanation: The study is approximately 12-14 weeks long and consists of a two week run-in diet. This is followed by 2 four-week diet periods with a 2 week washout in between. During the run-in and diet periods, all of your food for the day will be provided to you. It is vital to the study that you are able to adhere to its diet plan and eat one meal a day (Monday-Friday) at the GCRC. After the screening exam, participants will make 9 visits to the GCRC on campus and undergo heart rate and blood pressure monitoring, stress tasks like mental arithmetic, oral glucose tolerance tests, fasting blood draws, and a vascular ultrasound. Vascular Ultrasound involves inflating a blood pressure cuff on the forearm for five minutes to measure artery health. All of our tests pose minimal risk and subjects will be paid $500 for the completion of the study.
Inclusion Criteria: We are looking for men and postmenopausal women between the ages of 30 and 70 who have been diagnosed with type II diabetes more than 6 months prior to entering the study. Subjects must be relatively healthy, non-smokers who have no other chronic diseases besides diabetes.
Exclusion Criteria: Exclusion criteria include taking insulin or blood pressure lowering medications.
Length of Study:10 - 14 weeks
Location of Study: General Clinical Research Center at Noll Laboratory, University Park
Contact Information:
Kate Sauder
814-863-0926
kaf22@psu.edu
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Factors Affecting Subjective Responses to Smoking-Related Material in Cigarette Smokers
General Description: The purpose of this research is to study factors that affect how adults who smoke cigarettes respond to smoking-related information.
Brief Explanation: Fill out questionnaires and follow some instructions on the computer.
Inclusion Criteria: Eligibility requirements: Must be 18-45 years old, must smoke on a daily basis, and must be willing to NOT smoke for 12 hours.
Exclusion Criteria: Does not meet the above-outlined criteria.
Length of Study: 1 - 1.5 hours
Location of Study: 242 Moore Building
Contact Information:
Jackie Gardner
867-2333
smokinglab@gmail.com
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Diet and Early Pregnancy
General Description: The purpose of the study is to learn how or what women and men eat affects the chances of conceiving a pregnancy.
Brief Explanation: Couples participate in a baseline session of about 1 hour to fill out surveys, provide blood sample (men and women), urine sample (women only) and DXA scan (women only). Following this both the woman and the man complete 3 24-hour dietary recalls. Women will collect daily first morning urine samples from the time when they begin to attempt pregnancy until they become clinically pregnant, or for 6 menstrual cycles, whichever comes first. A menstrual cycle calendar that records sexual intercourse activity and any use of contraception will be completed for each cycle.. Women who do not achieve pregnancy are asked to complete follow-up activities at 3 and 6 months, if necessary.
Inclusion Criteria: Couples in which the woman is between the ages of 20 and 34 who are planning a future pregnancy. In order to be eligible the couple (one male and one female) must be married, or living as married, and currently be using a method of birth control (barrier method, timing method, or oral contraceptive), but planning a pregnancy in the near future. Eligibility criteria for the women are:
- no prior recognized conception (grava 0, para 0)
- currently having menstrual periods
- no diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- willing to provide blood and urine specimens at baseline and a urine specimen at the end of follow-up
- willing to collect first morning urine specimens for up to six months (or up to 6 months after ovulation is documented, if a recent oral contraceptive user)
- no disability that would prevent collecting daily morning urine specimens
- no plans for extended travel or frequent overnight travel during the study dates
- no prior history of attempting to conceive for 12 months or more without success or of infertility therapy
- no current use of any hormonal therapy or hormonal contraceptive, other than oral contraceptives
- no serious medical condition such as cancer, heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, thyroid disease, clinical depression, or an acute or chronic infection.
Eligibility criteria for the male partner are:
- no prior history of a fertility-related condition (e.g., zoo- or oligospermia, other abnormal semen analysis, cryptorchidism, or testicular cancer)
- no prior history of attempting to conceive for 12 months or more without success
- willing to provide a blood specimen at baseline
- no serious medical condition such as cancer, heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, clinical depression, or an acute or chronic infection.
Exclusion Criteria: outside of the inclusion criteria above
- non-English speaking
- serious medical or psychological condition
- unable to participate in study procedures
- currently pregnant
- history of unsuccessful attempts to become pregnant over a 12 month period
- pregnancy to be the result of artificial insemination
Length of Study: Participants will be involved for up to 6 months or until pregnancy is achieved, whichever comes first.
Location of Study: General Clinical Research Center, Noll Laboratory, University Park.
Contact Information:
Research Assistant: Fawn Patchell
Phone: 814-865-6325
Email: fsp5002@psu.edu
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BOLD (Beef in Optimal Lean Diet) Effects on Metabolic Syndrome: BOLD-X Study
General Description: To test the effects of three different diets containing different amounts and types of protein from lean red meat and vegetable sources on Metabolic Syndrome (MetSyn). In addition, this study will investigate the combined effect of diet and regular exercise on weight loss, and the improvement of heart disease risk factors in MetSyn.
Brief Explanation: This study consists of two controlled feeding phases of 8-weeks (phase 1, weight stable) and 6-weeks duration (phase 2, weight loss), followed by a 12 week free-living phase (phase 3, weight loss). By controlled feeding we mean that we will provide you with all food and drinks, specific to the diet you are randomly assigned (one of three heart-healthy diets). During the weight loss phase (phase 2) we will reduce the amount of calories provided. In addition, you will be given a pedometer and will follow a walking program to facilitate weight loss.
The final phase of the study (phase 3) will be free-living. You will be advised to continue following the diet and exercise assigned to you during phases 1 and 2. You will be provided with dietary and exercise guidance prior to beginning the free living phase.
At the beginning and end of each phase you will undergo a series of tests, including a blood draw, blood pressure, body composition and exercise.
Inclusion Criteria: Overweight, non-smoking, sedentary adults aged 30-60 years with elevated blood pressure, triglycerides or glucose, who are otherwise healthy (without diabetes, stroke, heart, kidney or blood vessel disease) and are not on medication for high cholesterol, blood pressure or glucose
Exclusion Criteria: Additional exclusion criteria are:
Vegetarianism
Inability to exercise
Pregnancy/Lactation
Length of Study: Approximately 6 months:
Phase 1: 8 weeks (break at 3 weeks)
Phase 2: 6 weeks
Phase 3: 12 weeks free-living
Location of Study: Penn State, University Park:
General Clinical Research Center (GCRC) & the Metabolic Diet Study Center in Henderson Building
Contact Information: Call toll free 1 866-PSU-DIET (1-866-778-3438) or email Marcella Smith (mds34@psu.edu). Mention the BOLD-X Study.
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The Rheumatoid Arthritis Multi-Dimensional Project (RAMP)
General Description: To investigate associations between emotion, stress, pain, and inflammation among individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. We are studying how such factors affect each other and hope that this study will clarify ways to improve health and well-being among those with chronic pain as well as improve understanding of rheumatoid arthritis.
Brief Explanation: First you will be asked to complete an online or mailed questionnaire. Next, you will be asked to make a total of four (4) 5-hour or less visits to the Penn State main campus General Clinical Research Center (GCRC), a hospital research floor. During each of the 4 visits (which we be scheduled at least 2 weeks apart) you will have your blood drawn four times from a catheter (which will be inserted at the beginning of each visit for this purpose, first using a numbing cream on your arm to minimize any discomfort), along with blood pressure and heart rate measurements. You will also be asked to complete multiple questionnaires, a thinking exercise in which you focus on different emotions and tasks, and will undergo a "pain threshold test" which involves having mild pressure applied to 3 tender joints for 30 seconds each. The combination of the pain threshold test and blood draws enable the researchers to study your body's physiological responses to the "pain threshold test". You also will be asked to allow a brief, one-time clinician assessment of your arthritis severity.
You will be compensated up to $240 for full participation in this study.
Inclusion Criteria: Individuals between the ages of 18-80 who have Rheumatoid Arthritis
Exclusion Criteria: Individuals will not be eligible to participate if they have certain health conditions, such as severe obesity or a recent surgery or hospitalization, or are taking (or have taken recently) certain pain medications with a major impact on immune function, such as anti-TNF therapies like Enbrel (etanercept), Humira (adalimumab), or Remicade (infliximab) or high doses of corticosteroids. Also women will not be eligible if they are currently pregnant or nursing (or have been pregnant or nursing in the past 3 months), taking hormone replacement therapy, or taking certain hormonal contraceptives (such as implanted or otherwise continuous contraception) because of the impact they have on certain physiological measures being assessed in this research.
Length of Study: Once 40 Participants have completed all four visits.
Location of Study: The Pennsylvania State University,
University Park General Clinical Research Center (GCRC)
Contact Information: To apply or for more information, please visit our website at http://bbh.hhdev.psu.edu/labs/stressandhealth/participant.html or contact us at stress@psu.edu, or (814) 867-1682.
Principal Investigator for the study:
Jennifer E. Graham, Ph.D.
Department of Biobehavioral Health
315 East Health and Human Development
E-mail: jeg32@psu.edu
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Diabetes-related Research Studies
General Description: Diabetes-related research studies, under the direction of Dr. Jan S. Ulbrecht and colleagues, are ongoing at the University Park and Hershey Medical Center campuses of The Pennsylvania State University. Past studies have included topics such as: maintaining self-care, sticking to a walking program, healthy eating and diabetes prevention.
Brief Explanation: People with Type 1 Diabetes, relatives of people with Type 1 Diabetes and people with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus are recruited for these studies.
Inclusion Criteria: Males and females with diabetes, of any age, may be needed.
Location of Study: Usually studies are conducted at the General Clinical Research Center in the Elmore Clinical Research Wing on the University Park campus of Penn State or at the General Clinical Research Center at the Hershey Medical Center. Free parking is available at both sites.
Contact Information: If you would like to be contacted and considered for future studies, please call Kathryn Peters or Lauren Kipp at 814-865-1392, toll-free at 1-800-393-0782 or email at kfp1@psu.edu or luk10@psu.edu. Information such as name, further contact information and type of diabetes will be asked and kept in a confidential file in order to notify you of new studies. Potential volunteers are also invited to visit Penn State Diabetes Center's website at http://www.hmc.psu.edu/diabetes/ - click on "PSDC Volunteers."
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Treatment of Hyperandrogenism vs. Insulin Resistance in Infertile PCOS Women
General Description: The purpose of this three-armed randomized study is to establish the relative roles of treatment of hyperandrogenism versus obesity in treating infertility and improving pregnancy outcomes among obese PCOS women. Phase I of this study will be a randomized trial of three interventions in infertile women with PCOS. The first arm will be a combined intervention of medication, meal replacements, and lifestyle modification to improve insulin resistance. Sibutramine is a medication associated with increased fullness and a resulting reduction in food intake. The second arm will be the use of a continuous oral contraceptive pill for 14 weeks with a 2 week break from medication to improve hyperandrogenism. Lo-Estrin will be used in a continuous method for 16 weeks to suppress the ovary. The third arm is the combination of both improved hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance. Phase II of this study will involve ovulation induction with clomiphene citrate with hopeful outcome of pregnancy. Finally, Phase III will involve following the pregnancies for outcomes and complications.
Brief Explanation: The procedures that will take place in Phase I include a pregnancy test, EKG, medical history, physical exam, blood pressure, height and weight measurements, review of medications and adverse events, hirsutism and acne score, dietary and exercise counseling. Blood work will be done to determine sex hormone levels and other hormones in the body at the initial visit, randomization visit, monthly visit, and at the end of phase visit. DXA scanning will be done at randomization and end of phase visits. Transvaginal ultrasound will be done at the screening visit and end of phase visit. Bleeding, exercise, and dietary diaries will be collected at each visit. Phase II procedures will include a pregnancy test, blood pressure, height and weight measurements, review of medications and adverse events, hirsutism and acne score. Blood work will be done to determine sex hormone levels and other hormones in the body at the start of phase visit, monthly visit, and at the end of phase visit. DXA scanning and a treadmill exercise test will be done at the start of phase visit and end of phase visit. Transvaginal ultrasound will be done at the start and end of phase visits and monthly visits. Phase III procedures include blood pressure, height and weight measurements, hirsutism and acne score, blood work to determine sex hormone levels and other hormones, review of medications and adverse events, review of diet and exercise diaries at each trimester visit. A treadmill exercise test will be done at the final visit.
Inclusion Criteria: Periods >=45 days or <=8 periods/yr, Elevated testosterone of >50 ng/dL or hirsutism score of >8, or polycystic ovaries on ultrasound, BMI >-=27 or <=42, Ages 18-40 years of age
Exclusion Criteria: Current pregnancy, Patient on oral contraceptives, Patient with hyperprolactinemia, Patient with known 21-hydroxylase deficiency or other enzyme deficiency, Patient with menopausal FSH levels, Patient with uncorrected thyroid disease, Patient diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, Patient with liver disease, Patient with renal disease, Patient with significant anemia, Patient with a history of deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolus, or cerebrovascular accident, Patient with known heart disease that is likely to be exacerbated by pregnancy, Patient with history of, or suspected cervical, endometrial, or breast cancer, Current history of alcohol abuse, enrolled into another investigational study, Patient taking other medications known to affect reproductive function and metabolism, Patient with suspected adrenal or ovarian tumor secreting androgen, Patient with suspected Cushing's syndrome, Patient who has undergone bariatric surgery procedure in the last year, Patient with uncontrolled high blood pressure, Patient with medical conditions that represent contraindications to sibutramine, OCP, clomiphene citrate, and/or pregnancy
Length of Study: Phase I will include visits every month after a screening visit, randomization visit and a two week follow up visit over a 16 week period. Phase II will consist of up to 4 cycles of ovulation induction. If conception is obtained, Phase III will involve a per trimester basis (3 visits total) and a follow-up visit 3 months post partum for a DXA scan.
Location of Study: The study involves traveling to the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, PA or the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA.
Contact Information: Patsy Rawa, (717) 531-3692, prawa@hmc.psu.edu or Karen Lecks, (215) 349-5201, klecks@obgyn.upenn.edu
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At this time, there are no studies for males only.
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