Treatment FAQ

how effective are medications on treatment- what kind of reasearch design

by Ms. Beryl Brakus I Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

What is treatment in research?

It is defined here, and how the term is used by researchers is shown. Researchers are most likely to use the word treatment when referring to experimental research, especially when the data from that research were analyzed via analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Can interventions improve medication adherence and clinical outcome?

We included unconfounded RCTs of interventions to improve adherence with prescribed medications, measuring both medication adherence and clinical outcome, with at least 80% follow‐up of each group studied and, for long‐term treatments, at least six months follow‐up for studies with positive findings at earlier time points.

What is an experimental drug or treatment?

The experimental study drug or treatment is given to large groups of people. Researchers confirm its effectiveness, monitor side effects, compare it to commonly used treatments, and collect information that will allow the experimental drug or treatment to be used safely.

What is effective treatment for drug abuse?

Effective treatment attends to multiple needs of the individual, not just his or her drug abuse. To be effective, treatment must address the individual’s drug abuse and any associated medical, psychological, social, vocational, and legal problems.

What is the best study design to determine side effect of medication?

Observational studies have been recognised to be essential for investigating the safety profile of medications. Numerous observational studies have been conducted on the platform of large population databases, which provide adequate sample size and follow-up length to detect infrequent and/or delayed clinical outcomes.

What is the best type of study to test the effectiveness of a treatment?

The randomized controlled trial (RCT) is the most reliable methodology for assessing the efficacy of treatments in medicine. In such a trial a defined group of study patients is assigned to either receive the treatment or not, or to receive different doses of the treatment, through a formal process of randomization.

How studies of treatment effectiveness are designed?

The randomized controlled trial (RCT) is considered the gold standard design for examining the effectiveness of a treatment.

Which study design is best for diagnosis?

The most valid study design for assessing the accuracy of diagnostic tests is a non- experimental cross-sectional study that compares a test's classification of a diagnosis with a reference standard's classification, in a relevant study population.

What are the different types of research design?

The 5 Types of Research DesignsDescriptive Research Design.Correlational Research Design.Experimental Research Design.Diagnostic Research Design.Explanatory Research Design.

What is descriptive research design?

Descriptive research design is a type of research design that aims to obtain information to systematically describe a phenomenon, situation, or population. More specifically, it helps answer the what, when, where, and how questions regarding the research problem, rather than the why.

What is research design for effectiveness?

randomized controlled trials (RCTs)Traditional study designs such as randomized controlled trials (RCTs) can be ideal for testing the efficacy or effectiveness of interventions, given the ability to maximize internal validity.

What type of research design is an observational study?

Observational study designs, also called epidemiologic study designs, are often retrospective and are used to assess potential causation in exposure-outcome relationships and therefore influence preventive methods.

How effective is observational study?

Observational studies can be much larger than randomised controlled trials so they can explore a rare outcome. They can be undertaken when a randomised controlled trial would be unethical. However, observational studies cannot control for bias and confounding to the extent that clinical trials can.

When is it best to use a cohort study?

Cohort studies are particularly advantageous for examining rare exposures because subjects are selected by their exposure status. Additionally, the investigator can examine multiple outcomes simultaneously.

What type of research design best fits your research question?

Questions focused on the cause, prognosis (course), diagnosis, prevention, treatment, or economics of health problems are best answered using quantitative designs, whereas questions about the meaning or experience of illness are best answered using qualitative designs.

What is the best design to study the prevalence of a disease?

A cohort study can measure period prevalence without the problem of recall bias, since health states are recorded as they occur.

Methadone

Methadone is the medication with the longest history of use for opioid use disorder treatment, having been used since 1947. A large number of studies (some of which are summarized in the graph below) support methadone's effectiveness at reducing opioid use.

Buprenorphine

Buprenorphine, which was first approved in 2002, is currently available in two forms: alone (Probuphine ®, Sublocade™, Bunavail ®) and in combination with the opioid receptor antagonist naloxone (Suboxone ®, Zubsolv ® ).

Methadone and Buprenorphine Compared

Methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective at reducing opioid use. A comprehensive Cochrane review comparing buprenorphine, methadone, and placebo found no differences in opioid-positive drug tests or self-reported heroin use when treating with methadone or buprenorphine at medium-to-high doses. 13

Naltrexone

Naltrexone was initially approved for the treatment of opioid use disorder in a daily pill form. It does not produce tolerance or withdrawal. Poor treatment adherence has primarily limited the real-world effectiveness of this formulation.

Buprenorphine and Naltrexone Compared

A NIDA study showed that once treatment is initiated, a buprenorphine/naloxone combination and an extended release naltrexone formulation are similarly effective in treating opioid use disorder. Because naltrexone requires full detoxification, initiating treatment among active opioid users was more difficult with this medication.

Why are active control trials used?

Active-controls are usually used in antibiotic trials, for example, because it is easy to tell the difference between antibiotics that have the expected effect on specific infections and those that do not.

What are the problems with conducting a study?

One problem is that there are numerous ways of conducting a study that can obscure differences between treatments, such as poor diagnostic criteria, poor methods of measurement, poor compliance, medication errors, or poor training of observers.

What are the difficulties in interpreting active control trials?

First, active-control trials are often too small to show that a clinically meaningful difference between the two treatments, if present, could have been detected with reasonable assurance; i.e., the trials have a high "beta-error.".

What is a placebo controlled withdrawal study?

In some cases randomized placebo-controlled therapy withdrawal studies have been used to minimize exposure to placebo or unsuccessful therapy; in such studies apparent responders to a treatment in an open study are randomly assigned to continued treatment or to placebo.

What is pharmaceutical research?

Understanding Pharmaceutical Research Studies. Medical researchers are constantly looking for new or better ways to treat illness or disease. If they discover something that may be helpful, it cannot be put into general use until years of careful testing has been done. Research studies are what link medical research to a drug becoming available ...

What happens at the end of a treatment?

At the end of the treatment period, medication use and symptoms are reviewed. Possible side effects from the study medication are recorded. After completion of the treatment period, many studies have a follow up period to assess how symptoms and possible side effects have changed.

What is phase 2 study?

Phase II studies measure the effect of the new drug in patients with the disease or disorder to be treated. The main purpose is to determine safety and effectiveness of the new drug. Usually several hundred patients participate. These studies are usually “Double-blinded, randomized and controlled”.

What is research study?

What are Research Studies? Research studies are designed to test the effect of a medication or treatment in a group of volunteers, measure a drug’s ability to treat the medical condition, monitor the drug’s safety, and possible side effects.

What is the role of the IRB?

It regulates the conduct of research studies, enforces the laws on the use of drugs, and must approve all new drugs before they are available to the general public. In every university or medical center, the Institutional Review Board (IRB) reviews any study that may be done in that location. The IRB is composed of physicians and lay people.

What is a multi-center study?

A study that is conducted at several different locations is called a multi -center study. Trained doctors, nurses and researchers conduct research studies. The study coordinator is in charge of the day-to-day running of the study. The principal investigator (usually a physician) has overall responsibility for carrying out the protocol.

Who reviews the study protocol?

The IRB is composed of physicians and lay people. They review the study protocol to make sure patients’ rights are protected and that there are no unnecessary risks in the study. Any physician awarded a research study must get approval from the IRB before beginning the study.

What is treatment research?

Treatment Research generally involves an intervention such as medication, psychotherapy, new devices, or new approaches to surgery or radiation therapy. Prevention Research looks for better ways to prevent disorders from developing or returning. Different kinds of prevention research may study medicines, vitamins, vaccines, minerals, ...

What is an experimental drug?

The experimental drug or treatment is given to a larger group of people to see if it is effective and to further evaluate its safety. Phase III trials. The experimental study drug or treatment is given to large groups of people.

What is an inpatient study?

Some is “inpatient,” meaning that participants will need to stay for at least one night in the hospital or research center. Be sure to ask the researchers what their study requires. Clinical trials are a kind of clinical research designed to evaluate and test new interventions such as psychotherapy or medications.

What are some examples of clinical research?

Examples of other kinds of clinical research#N#Many people believe that all clinical research involves testing of new medications or devices. This is not true, however. Some studies do not involve testing medications and a person’s regular medications may not need to be changed. Healthy volunteers are also needed so that researchers can compare their results to results of people with the illness being studied. Some examples of other kinds of research include the following: 1 A long-term study that involves psychological tests or brain scans 2 A genetic study that involves blood tests but no changes in medication 3 A study of family history that involves talking to family members to learn about people’s medical needs and history.

How many phases are there in clinical trials?

Clinical trials are often conducted in four phases. The trials at each phase have a different purpose and help scientists answer different questions. Researchers test an experimental drug or treatment in a small group of people for the first time.

What is phase IV research?

Examples of other kinds of clinical research. Many people believe that all clinical research involves testing of new medications or devices .

What is epidemiological research?

Epidemiological studies seek to identify the patterns, causes, and control of disorders in groups of people. An important note: some clinical research is “outpatient,” meaning that participants do not stay overnight at the hospital. Some is “inpatient,” meaning that participants will need to stay for at least one night in ...

Background and Objectives for the Systematic Review

The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (Public Law 108-173) 1 established the requirements that Part D plan sponsors must meet with regard to drug utilization management, quality assurance, and medication therapy management (MTM).

The Key Questions

We posted an initial draft of the KQs for public comment from March 6 through April 2, 2013, on the Effective Health Care Program Web site. We received comments from 23 professional organizations and individuals. We revised the KQs in response to these comments by:

Methods

Table 1 details the study inclusion and exclusion criteria that we will use for our review.

Review of Key Questions

For all Evidence-based Practice Center (EPC) reviews, KQs were reviewed and refined as needed by the EPC with input from Key Informants and the TEP to ensure that the questions are specific and explicit about what information is being reviewed.

Key Informants

Key Informants are the end-users of research, including patients and caregivers, practicing clinicians, relevant professional and consumer organizations, purchasers of health care, and others with experience in making health care decisions.

Technical Experts

Technical Experts comprise a multidisciplinary group of clinical, content, and methodological experts who provide input in defining populations, interventions, comparisons, or outcomes, as well as in identifying particular studies or databases to search.

Peer Reviewers

Peer Reviewers are invited to provide written comments on the draft report based on their clinical, content, or methodological expertise. Peer review comments on the preliminary draft of the report are considered by the EPC in preparation of the final draft of the report.

How to evaluate a treatment plan?

Evaluation and Assessment#N#The process of creating a unique treatment plan starts with a thorough evaluation and assessment process. This can include: 1 Medical exam, screenings, and tests: These are intended to identify all underlying medical issues. 2 Medical history: Diagnosed medical and mental health disorders will inform treatment for addiction. 3 Drug history: The drugs of abuse and the reason for using them can inform the types of therapies that will be helpful. 4 Screenings: In the absence of a formal diagnosis but in the presence of certain mental health, behavioral, and/or medical symptoms, certain tests and screenings can help to identify the cause of certain issues.

What is the first step in drug detox?

Medical detox is an important first step in drug addiction treatment. For those who experience withdrawal symptoms physical symptoms, mental health symptoms, or both – it is a critical period of transition from active drug use to sobriety. It is not a treatment unto itself, however; thus, if a medical detox program is chosen for treatment, it must be followed with outpatient therapeutic treatment or inpatient care if it will be effective on a long-term basis.

What Are Research Studies?

  1. Research studies are designed to test the effect of a medication or treatment in a group of volunteers, measure a drug’s ability to treat the medical condition, monitor the drug’s safety, and possi...
  2. Pharmaceutical companies or other health organizations may sponsor research studies by providing funding and designing the protocol, which is a set of detailed guidelines. A study th…
  1. Research studies are designed to test the effect of a medication or treatment in a group of volunteers, measure a drug’s ability to treat the medical condition, monitor the drug’s safety, and possi...
  2. Pharmaceutical companies or other health organizations may sponsor research studies by providing funding and designing the protocol, which is a set of detailed guidelines. A study that is conducted...
  3. Trained doctors, nurses and researchers conduct research studies. The study coordinator is in charge of the day-to-day running of the study. The principal investigator (usually a physician) has ove...

How Are Study Subjects’ Rights and Safety Protected?

  1. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the government agency that is responsible for research studies. It regulates the conduct of research studies, enforces the laws on the use of drugs, and mu...
  2. In every university or medical center, the Institutional Review Board (IRB) reviews any study that may be done in that location. The IRB is composed of physicians and lay people. They re…
  1. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the government agency that is responsible for research studies. It regulates the conduct of research studies, enforces the laws on the use of drugs, and mu...
  2. In every university or medical center, the Institutional Review Board (IRB) reviews any study that may be done in that location. The IRB is composed of physicians and lay people. They review the st...
  3. Participants are required to sign an “informed consent” form, which is also signed by the investigator (the doctor conducting the study). It details the nature of the study, the risks involved and...

What Are The Different Types of Pharmaceutical Research Studies?

  • There are three phases, or steps, in doing research studies. All three of these steps must be successfully completed and all results known before a new drug can be approved for public use. 1. Phase I studies are done on healthy volunteers who agree to take the study drug to help the doctors determine how safe the drug is and if there are any side effects. Studies are also done t…
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Who Is Eligible to Be in A Research Study?

  • Almost anyone can be in some type of research study. Each study has certain requirements about health, medications or age depending on what specific questions are being asked. You must meet the requirements of a particular study to be an eligible volunteer
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What Is Involved in Participating in A Research Study?

  1. Participating in a research study is much like a regular visit to a clinic or doctor’s office, but with even greater personal attention. The study subject may be referred by their doctor or may hav...
  2. Preliminary screening for the study is usually done over the phone. Basic criteria of age, symptoms, and medical history are reviewed and the details of the study are discussed. If th…
  1. Participating in a research study is much like a regular visit to a clinic or doctor’s office, but with even greater personal attention. The study subject may be referred by their doctor or may hav...
  2. Preliminary screening for the study is usually done over the phone. Basic criteria of age, symptoms, and medical history are reviewed and the details of the study are discussed. If the caller seems...
  3. The screening visit is done in the a clinic, office or hospital. After reviewing the information gathered over the phone, the informed consent form is signed by the subject and the supervising phys...
  4. At the end of the screening period the patient returns to the clinic for the randomization visit. …

What Are The Risks of Participating in A Study?

  • Risks vary from study to study. Researchers expect certain results but since the treatment is new and is still being studied it is impossible to say exactly what the risks may be. If a side effect or adverse event does occur, it is generally temporary and will go away as soon as the treatment is stopped.
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Why Think About Participating in A Research Study

  1. To help yourself, as you might have a beneficial effect from the study drug.
  2. You will receive a great deal of personal medical attention generally at no cost to you.
  3. To help others, as a great deal of information is gathered during studies, making new treatments available.
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Deciding to Participate in A Research Study

  1. Think it over carefully, weigh possible benefits against risks.
  2. Make sure all your questions are answered by the study personnel.
  3. Discuss the study with your own doctor to see what their feelings may be about it.
  4. If you decide to enter a study, do not do so just out of curiosity. It is important to make a commitment to try to finish the study, unless you develop serious problems.
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Resources For Studies

  1. Current On-going Studies at the UNC Center for Functional GI & Motility Disorders
  2. International Foundation for Functional GI Disorders: www.iffgd.org
  3. IBS Self Help Group: www.ibsgroup.org
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