Deep breathe, hold, and release. Close your eyes and focus on the moment. Imagine if that’s all it took to lower your risk of developing a serious risk factor for heart attack and stroke?
It’s a question currently being addressed by a Sunnybrook study called HARMONY. Funded by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, the goal is to see if approaches like yoga and meditation can reduce your blood pressure. If you’re interested, researchers are currently recruiting patients.
HARMONY is one example of several hundred ongoing studies at Sunnybrook, testing everything from new imaging machines to novel drug treatments. Studies make the world of medicine go round, or at least evolve. You may have seen posters in the hospital or your doctor’s office, or even been asked directly by your healthcare provider to be part of a study. So what do you need to consider?
They are a way to get access to new medical approaches or devices. As well, you’ll get careful, regular medical attention. It’s been well documented that participants in clinical trials actually have better outcomes than those who don’t enroll; of course, they may be no better than regular care and sometimes may be worse. And there are always risks with new treatments.
What about pay? You’ll normally be compensated for things like transportation and parking, but not be paid for your participation. Every study is different, but is overseen by the Sunnybrook Research Ethics Board to make sure things are done properly.
You’re a good candidate for a study if you are flexible with your time, are committed to following a specific regimen, or are looking for alternative treatment options. Let’s face it. Most of us will never be in the position of discovering a lifesaving new drug, or ridding future generations of some horrific disease. But we can be part of the process that can make it happen.
Over the last ten years or so, I have participated in half a dozen studies, mostly related to aging seniors. One was a balance study about how seniors maintain (or lose) balance and what strategies can be used to help them. Another was on spatial orientation – the participant donned a special visor and “walked” in a virtual environment. I also participated in the Harmony study which uses MBSR to reduce hypertension. Information about these I found posted on the Sunnybrok’s bulletin boards or was refered to then by my GP at the hospital. I find this activity to be extremely rewarding – helping to find new answers to aging problems. I would encourage anyone who can spare the time to particpate.