Patients & Caregivers

Although ORCCAMIND does not see patients, there are several opportunities to participate as subjects in research studies.

For clinical information please visit the Neurology Wellness Clinic's website.

Subject Opportunities

Mindfulness Meditation in Chronic Stress

Principal Investigator: Barry Oken, MD

The OHSU Neurology department is looking for individuals to participate in a stress intervention study. The study aims to see if a mind-body intervention called Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) or an education class can reduce stress. Participants must be 50-85 years old, willing to be randomized into the interventions (meditation or education class), and willing to attend three in-person assessments in addition to the classes.

For more information, contact Elena Goodrich at 503-494-5650.
IRB#7364

Post-traumatic stress disorder study for combat veterans

Principal Investigator: Helané Wahbeh, ND, MCR

Oregon Health & Science University is seeking combat veterans to participate in a research study. There will be approximately 100 people enrolled in this study.  The purpose of this study is to find out how meditation and slow breathing influences certain systems in the body: nervous, hormonal, and respiratory systems.  Another purpose is to see how meditation and slow breathing may help improve post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms.

You may be eligible to participate if you are:

·         a combat veteran in good general health;

·         between the ages of 25 and 65;

·         have chronic post-traumatic stress disorder.

The research study is not a treatment. It will include 10 visits: one screening visit, one baseline visit, six intervention visits, one endpoint visit and one final visit. The clinic visits will total about 12 hours.  As a part of the study, you will be interviewed, fill out questionnaires, collect your saliva, have your blood drawn and your voice recorded.  We will also collect data with body monitoring devices. 

There is no cost to you, and you may be compensated up to $100 for participating.

If you meet the eligibility requirements described above and are interested in participating in this study, please call Jennifer Bishop at (503) 494-7399.

OHSU IRB#: 4692

Effects of stress-reducing aromatherapy

Principal Investigator: Barry Oken, MD

The OHSU neurology department is looking for healthy non-smoking adults between ages 50 and 85 to study effects of aromatherapy on stress level. The study involves one visit to OHSU during which you will complete questionnaires, cognitive tests, physiologic recordings (brain waves, blood pressure, heart rate), and provide saliva samples before, during, and after brief laboratory challenges such as viewing unpleasant pictures or submerging your hand into cold water. The study will not cost you, and you will receive $10/hour for participating in the study that will take about 3-4 hours.

OHSU eIRB# 6890

Alzheimer's Disease Research Study

Principal Investigator: Lynne Shinto, ND, MPH

The Layton Aging & Alzheimer's Disease Center at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) is looking for people with Alzheimer's disease (AD) to participate in a research study. The purpose of the study is to determine if taking the antioxidant lipoic acid and fish oil helps to slow mental and physical decline in people with AD. Another purpose is to learn if taking lipoic acid and fish oil changes levels of substances in the blood that are associated with the Alzheimer's disease process.

 You may be eligible to participate in the study if you meet all of the following criteria:

• Have a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease
• 55 years or older
• Have a caregiver/partner that can accompany you to all 10 study visits

This is an 18-month study in which 100 participants will be randomly assigned to receive either lipoic acid and fish oil or placebo capsules. You will have a 50% chance of receiving lipoic acid and fish oil. Four sites in Oregon will be participating in this study, including OHSU.

The study requires 10 visits to OHSU. All study-related procedures, tests, visits and supplements are provided at no cost to you. You will receive $50.00 for each completed visit as compensation for your time.

If you meet the eligibility requirements described above and are interested in participating in this study, please call Lauren McDonald at (503) 494-7240.

IRB#00005156