September 24, 2009

Researchers in various studies looking for participants

Here is a list of research studies that currently are looking for study participants.

Individuals with Parkinson’s disease needed for a speech treatment study

Participants are being sought for a Purdue study examining a new treatment for speech and voice disorders as a result of Parkinson’s disease.

Participants should have been diagnosed with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease and be experiencing problems with vocal loudness as a result of their disease. Patients enrolled cannot receive concurrent therapy for speech or voice (although cognitive therapy would be allowed). Patients need to pass a screening questionnaire.

Treatment involves wearing a small device for part of each day. The device will be fit by an audiologist and will play noise in one ear. The noise will be on only while the patient talks and will not make it more difficult for the patient to hear the people with whom he or she is talking.

The hypothesis is that the noise will change the way the patient talks, improving speech production and making the patient easier to understand.

Patients attend sessions over a number of weeks (10-15 sessions over 14-20 weeks) for testing. Some sessions are in the lab in West Lafayette. Some sessions can be conducted in the patient’s home.

Patients will be paid for participation ($260-$360 depending on length of study) and for travel if traveling more than 30 minutes to come to the lab. We ask that a caregiver or communication partner also participate with the individual with Parkinson’s disease if possible. The communication partner needs to attend fewer sessions than the individual with Parkinson’s disease, but is welcome at all sessions.

To participate, or for more information on the study, contact Sandy Snyder, research associate, at snyder33@purdue.edu.

Study on effects of protein and fiber meals in combination with Alli

Men and women ages 21-55 and who are overweight by approximately 10-75 pounds are needed for a study in the Department of Foods and Nutrition.

Researchers are studying whether eating higher than average amounts of protein and fiber affect feelings of fullness, metabolism, and gut hormones. They also are studying whether taking Alli, an over-the-counter drug that reduces dietary fat absorption in the body, affects those responses.

Principal investigators on the study are Kim Buhman, assistant professor of foods and nutrition, and Megan McCrory, assistant professor of foods and nutrition.

Participants must be in general good health, be nonsmokers, have few dietary restrictions, and be willing to eat higher than average amounts of protein and fiber in foods provided during the study.

Participants will be paid $350 upon completion of the study. The study involves six visits to Purdue with a time commitment of about 36 hours.

For more information, contact Adrienne Hatch at ahatch@purdue.edu  or 49-40130.

Married couples sought for diabetes study

Married adults age 50 and older with type 2 diabetes and their spouses are needed for a research study of the daily management of diabetes.

Participants will be interviewed in person, and then will complete an electronic diary on a laptop computer at the end of the day for eight consecutive days. Participants also will take a digital image of their evening meal and record the foods and beverages consumed at the meal for eight consecutive days. Participants will be paid for being part of the study.

The primary investigator is Melissa Franks, assistant professor of child development and family studies.

For more information, call the Center for Families at 49-49878.