Clinical Trials
Clinical Trials and PCOM Affiliates
The presence of the CCDA has fostered significant collaboration between both independent clinical departments and between clinical and basic science departments at PCOM. For example:
- Studies related to the underlying mechanisms of action of various clinical therapies in individuals with Parkinson's Disease (as well as the effect of the osteopathic lymphatic pump generally) has led to a close working relationship between the Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) and the Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Departments as well as between the Geriatric and OMM Departments. Equipment to measure nitric oxide (as a metabolite of eNOS) was obtained to support work in both departments as a consequence of the CCDA collaboration.
- Headache studies related to the study of the impact of osteopathic manipulation brought together researchers from the departments of OMM, Anatomy, and Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology.
Clinical Trials with Other Institutions
The presence of the CCDA has fostered significant collaboration between various CCDA researchers at PCOM and researchers at other institutions. For example:
- The CCDA, through CCDA Basic Science Director Brian Balin, PhD and colleagues, has been actively involved in establishing working relationships with the UMDNJ-School of Osteopathic Medicine, Center on Aging, to develop clinical trial approaches for Alzheimer's disease. In addition, ongoing collaborative efforts are being pursued with Drexel University, Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology and the Premier Research Group (a division of CRC Development, Ltd.) to develop an antibiotic clinical trial for treating Alzheimer's disease.
- In interactions with researchers Terence Vardy, DO (Australia) and Lt. Colonel R. Todd Dombroski (U.S. Army), CCDA clinical director Michael Kuchera, DO and colleagues recently completed a five-state collaborative project for the Department of Defense that included five Veterans Affairs Medical Centers and two osteopathic colleges documenting the role of progressive maximum effort exercise in modifying strength, gait, cognition, and quality of life in individuals with multiple sclerosis.
- Dr. Kuchera has trained members of a clinical research team in Finland to conduct a collaborative research project to investigate use of OMT and a pelvic orthotic device (LevitorA(R)) to decrease back pain and increase function in individuals with lumbar spondylolisthesis and hyperlordosis.