Participant Requirements
You may be eligible if you meet the following criteria:
- Male or female 18 and older
- Generally healthy
- Experience moderate to severe abdominal pain at least once a week
- No gastric surgeries
This clinical study might be for you.
Scroll down to learn moreYou may be eligible if you meet the following criteria:
Why participate in clinical research? Here are just some of the benefits:
Access to potentially more effective treatments before they become widely available
Study-related medications, tests, and procedures free of charge
A lot of personal attention from doctors, research coordinators, and other members of the BCT team
Compensation for participation, free transportation, meals, and childcare at the time of your visits may be available
Participating in clinical trials at BCT is an important decision. We depend on people like you to make new medications available. Please read what other people think about their experience with BCT.
"BCT made me feel welcome. They even sent a cab for me!”
"I look forward to my visits to BCT. From doctors to receptionists, everybody is always friendly and supportive."
"My experience with BCT has been great. The coordinators REALLY listen”
Irritable Bowel Syndrome – Diarrhea (IBS-D) is a chronic functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder. IBS-D patients frequently experience belly pain associated with defecation, change in stool frequency and/or form, unpredictable bowel movements and a sudden urge to use the bathroom. One might even feel an inability to empty bowels completely.
IBS-D is normally diagnosed through a medical history and physical exam. If you experience diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, gas and uncontrolled bowel movements for at least 3 months, you might have IBS-D.
IBS-D triggers may include certain types of foods, stress, or bacteria. The exact cause of IBS-D, or a sensitive stomach, remains unknown. One’s brain often has a hand in the spastic colon, giving directions to the system too often.
IBS-D is more likely to affect women than men and more common in adults under 50. Even though IBS-D is non-fatal, it can have a negative effect on a patient’s quality of life. The unpredictable urge and abdominal pain may prevent you from having an active social life, taking a vacation, or enjoying meals without worry. Although IBS-D is incurable, IBS-D can be managed with treatments to alleviate the abdominal pain and improve life quality.
Participating in a clinical research study for IBS-D can help advance medical knowledge of treatments for this condition. When you join a clinical trial, you’re given the opportunity to meet with physicians in your area while receiving study-related treatment at no cost to you.
A clinical trial is medical research to study the safety and effectiveness of an investigational drug or device. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) uses information gathered in clinical trials to evaluate medications before approving them for use in the United States.
Our professional staff consists of physicians, registered nurses, and clinical research professionals.
Before you are evaluated as a research participant, we will provide you with an approved Informed Consent Form (ICF) which you must read, understand, and sign before enrolling. The ICF outlines all procedures you will need to go through and all known risks and side effects of the investigational medication. Please read it carefully and ask all questions you might have.
Additionally, both FDA (www.fda.gov) and National Institute of Health (www.ClinicalTrials.gov ) maintain databases of clinical trials conducted in the US. All trials conducted by BCT are registered with FDA. If you need help finding information about a trial that you’d like to learn about, please do not hesitate to ask our staff.
In most studies, participants receive monetary compensation for participation in the study. The amount of compensation is set by the study Sponsor (the company conducting the research on the investigational drug or device) and is approved by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs). The exact amount you will receive per visit will be shown in the Informed Consent Form. Additionally, in some studies you may be offered transportation to and from appointments, meals, and childcare at the time of your visits.
Before conducting a clinical trial, pharmaceutical companies must obtain approval from the FDA to ensure that the investigational medication is appropriate to give to people.
Additionally, all study procedures are reviewed by an independent Investigational Review Board (IRB) before they are allowed to be administered. All this is done to ensure that the study is ethical and that the risks are as low as possible. However, since the study participants are among the first to try the investigational medication, the risk of unanticipated side effects does exist. This is why the health of the people participating in the trials is continuously monitored and any serious side effects experienced by any of the people in the trial are promptly investigated. If necessary, corrective actions, including termination of the trial, are taken.
Different studies have different enrollment requirements. Some studies are open only to healthy adults, other look for people with specific medical conditions, for instance, anxiety, depression, migraines, sexual dysfunction, etc. To determine whether you can enroll, we will ask several questions about your current health, your medical condition, and the medications you are taking. If you meet the study requirements, an appointment will be schedule for you to be evaluated in person.
Below is the typical process for a clinical trial:
Of course. Your participation in a research study is entirely voluntary, and you may withdraw from participation at anytime and for any reason. During your screening visit and throughout the study, we will fully explain the risks and benefits of your study. If you change your mind, you may withdraw.
You can register to be part of our volunteer database here and we will get in touch with you if you may qualify for a study.
Never. Any information you provide as a research participant is strictly confidential. It will not be sold and will be used only for the purposes of contacting you for relevant research studies.
Prior to Enrollment:
After Enrollment: