Research Study Subject Recruitment

Many of the faculty of the HMS Division of Sleep Medicine conduct research in human subjects. If you are interested in participating in a research study, please call or send email to the contact person indicated for that study. 

Research Study Subject Recruitment by Harvard Division of Sleep Medicine Faculty
(for study details, click on the titles below)
Are You an Early Bird?  Participate in a 21-Day Sleep Research Study.
Bi-Level Positive Airway Pressure device for Hypertension in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Breathing device for Hypertension
Control of Dynamic Attention
CPAP Effect on Neuromuscular Response in OSA Patients
Defining phenotypic traits in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Do you have Insomnia?
Do you Sleep Less than 7 Hours a Night?  28-Day Sleep Research Study Age 18-35
Do you usually sleep 7-9 hours per night?
Genetic Associations of Restless Legs Syndrome and Periodic Limb Movements of Sleep
Improving Sleep to Lower Blood Pressure
Independent contributions of OSA and Obesity in Cardiovascular Disease
Melatonin supplementation in patients with Essential Hypertension
Naps, Dreaming, and Spatial Memory
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel Group Study to Determine the Efficacy and Safety of Topiramate in the Treatment of Sleep-Related Eating Disorder (SRED)
Research Study Participants Wanted
Skill Learning and Pain Perception in Relationship to Insomnia
Time on Your Hands?  Participate in a 39-day Sleep Research study!
Women: Want to Learn More About Your Sleep?

Additional Links for Potential Study Subjects
Important notice: Your Rights as a Research Participant
NIH Clinical Trial search service: ClincialTrials.gov
Partners Hospitals' Clincial Trial search: Clinical Trials @ Partners

If after reviewing this information you have remaining general questions, please contact the Division using the contact form.



Are You an Early Bird?  Participate in a 21-Day Sleep Research Study.
The Division of Sleep Medicine at Brigham & Women’s Hospital is seeking people to participate in a research study to understand how genes influence the sleep patterns of people who are early birds.

Eligible Participants:
-    Healthy Men and Women
-    18-30 years old
-    Not on medications (some birth control okay)

Participation involves a 3-week screening process, a DNA sample taken from your blood, and 21 consecutive days and nights living at the hospital

If you complete the entire study you will receive up to $4,375.

Contact Alana 617-525-8434  or earlybird@rics.bwh.harvard.edu

Location: Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
Study title: Circadian and genetic evaluation of extreme sleep timing
Faculty member submitting this notice: Jeanne F. Duffy, MBA, PhD

IRB expiration: 08/14/2008

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Bi-Level Positive Airway Pressure device for Hypertension in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Participants use a breathing device at home for 8 weeks.  Study staff measures effects on their blood pressure.

Location: 1505 Commonwealth Ave, Sleep Health Center, Brighton, MA
Faculty member submitting this notice: Atul Malhotra, MD
Subject Recruitment Contact: Ashley Schomer
Contact Email: hypap@partners.org
Contact Phone: 724-387-3778

IRB expiration: 10/16/2008

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Breathing device for Hypertension
Participants use a breathing device or listen to classical music at home for 8 weeks.  Study staff measures effects on their blood pressure.

Location: 1505 Commonwealth Ave, Sleep Health Center, Brighton, MA
Faculty member submitting this notice: Atul Malhotra, MD
Subject Recruitment Contact: Ashley Schomer
Contact Email: hypap@partners.org
Contact Phone: 724-387-3778

IRB expiration: 10/11/2008

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Control of Dynamic Attention
Visual Attention Studies: The Brigham and Women’s Hospital Visual Attention Lab is seeking participants ages 18-55 with normal or corrected-to-normal eyesight for non-invasive vision research studies. The studies consist of computer administered tasks such as searching for a ‘target’ item.

Participants have the opportunity to make between $50 and $100 ($10/hr) for participation in multiple studies.

If interested, please call Mike at (617) 768-8814 or email at study@search.bwh.harvard.edu.

Location: Visual Attention Lab 64 Sidney St. #170 Cambridge MA, 02139
Faculty member submitting this notice: Todd S. Horowitz, PhD

IRB expiration: 6/13/2009



CPAP Effect on Neuromuscular Response in OSA Patients
Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston seeks 18 to 75 year old males and females (weight below 300 pounds) with newly diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea, who haven’t been treated but are willing to accept CPAP treatment, to participate in a research study investigating upper airway muscles and the influence of sleep.  The study involves two nights stay in our sleep physiology lab. You will have your upper airway and airway muscles monitored while you breathe with the assistance of an iron long ventilator before and after sleep. Upper airway muscle fatigue will also be evaluated after sleep.  You will receive $300.00 payment for participation.  For more information please call (617) 732-8977 or e-mail at kschory@rics.bwh.harvard.edu.

Location: BIDMC East Campus through the Clinical Research Center located at Feldberg 8
Study title: CPAP Effect on Neuromuscular Response in OSA Patients
Faculty member submitting this notice: Atul Malhotra, MD

IRB expiration: 4/26/2008

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Defining phenotypic traits in obstructive sleep apnea
Researchers at Brigham & Women’s Hospital Division of Sleep Medicine seek men and women with obstructive sleep apnea for a research study of airway anatomy, breathing control and muscle function during sleep.
To participate you must: be between the ages of 21 and 65, have no lung problems and not take any medication which affects breathing or sleep (including birth control), use CPAP (a mask that blows air into your nose) on a nightly basis.

You will be required for one daytime visit (approximately 2 hours) and three or four overnight stays in hospital.  Receive up to $750 for participation.
If you are interested in finding out more please call Scott at 617-732-8976.

Location: BIDMC East Campus through the Clinical Research Center located at Feldberg 8
Study title: Defining phenotypic traits in obstructive sleep apnea
Faculty member submitting this notice: Atul Malhotra, MD

IRB expiration: 2/12/2009   

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Do you have Insomnia?
Brigham and Women's Hospital is conducting a research study testing the effects of a sleep medication and metabolism (how the body processes sugar). We are currently enrolling people between the ages of 25-55 who have insomnia.
The study involves 9 visits, including 3 overnight stays.  

Compensation is dependent on the number of completed visits & ranges from $25
up to $1,800.

To find out more contact: Shawn
insomniastudy@rics.bwh.harvard.edu

(617) 525-6490

Location: Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
Study title: The effects of eszopiclone treatment (3mg for two months) to counteract the adverse metabolic consequences of primary insomnia
Faculty member submitting this notice: John W. Winkelman, M.D., Ph.D. and Orfeu Buxton, PhD

IRB expiration: 8/23/08

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Do you usually sleep 7-9 hours per night?
Brigham and Women’s Hospital is currently enrolling men & women who are 20-50 years of age for a research study of the impact of sleep disruption in a typical hospital setting on sleep and daytime alertness and performance.  

You must be currently sleeping on a regular schedule, not taking any medications, and available for an approximately 2-3 week study.

You would need to make two screening visits, and be able to stay overnight for 3 days in the General Clinical Research Center (GCRC) for sleep recording and computerized testing.

During your overnight stays, we will measure how sounds in a typical hospital setting affect alertness, mood, mental performance, and sleep.

Receive up to $600
To find out more contact: Shawn at Soconnor4@partners.org or (617) 525-6479

Location: Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
Study title: Evidence Based Design Meets Evidence Based Medicine: Human Studies for Validating New Acoustic Guidelines for Healthcare Facilities Using a Collaborative and Trans-Disciplinary Approach for Improving Patient Outcomes
Faculty member submitting this notice: Orfeu Buxton, PhD

IRB expiration: 1/9/2009

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Do you Sleep Less than 7 Hours a Night?  28-Day Sleep Research Study Age 18-35
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Seeks Participants for a sleep research study who:

•    Routinely Sleep Less than 7 Hours a Night
•    Willing To Spend 28 Days and Nights Living In Our Facility
•    No Medications or Sleep Disorders

Receive up to $5,090

For More Information:
617-732-7917
research@rics.bwh.harvard.edu

Location: Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
Study title: Neurobiology of Individual Differences in Sleep Duration
Faculty member submitting this notice: Daniel Aeschbach

IRB expiration: 8/23/2008

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Genetic Associations of Restless Legs Syndrome and Periodic Limb Movements of Sleep

Do You Have Restless Legs Syndrome?

Brigham and Women’s Hospital Sleep Health Center in Brighton is conducting a research study that is following up on the recent finding of a genetic marker for Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS). To further investigate the genetics of RLS, we are asking patients to give blood to determine if they have genes for RLS. We will then see if these genes affect certain aspects of the disorder and response to treatments. This study may help us learn about what causes RLS, and may help us guide future treatments.

The study will require one visit to the Sleep Health Centers clinic located in Brighton, MA. The visit will take about 30 minutes. Participants will receive compensation for travel expenses to the clinic. At the study visit we will describe the research study to you, ask you questions about your sleep and your health, and take a sample of blood from a vein in your arm.

To learn more about this study, please contact Lisa at the Sleep Health Center affiliated with Brigham and Women’s Hospital by calling (617) 783-1496 extension 115 or emailing SleepResearch@sleephealth.com

Location: Brighton, MA
Study title: Genetic Associations of Restless Legs Syndrome and Periodic Limb Movements of Sleep
Faculty member responsible for this notice: John W. Winkelman, M.D., Ph.D.

IRB expiration: 9/26/2008

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Improving Sleep to Lower Blood Pressure
The Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is looking for women and men between the ages 25-65 who have been told by their doctor that they have blood pressure above normal, or who are on stable blood pressure lowering medication. You might be interested in participating in a research study which investigates the effect of improved sleep hygiene (e.g. timing of bedtimes, exercise, eating and drinking habits) on blood pressure. The study involves a 2-week at-home evaluation phase, a 6-week at-home intervention, and 2 overnight in-hospital stays, one before and one after the intervention phase. Payment for the study including screening, at-home evaluation and intervention phase, and 2 in-hospital stays will be $500.

Location: Clinical Research Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Study title: Restoring sleep homeostasis to lower BP: A behavioral prevention and treatment approach
Faculty member submitting this notice: Monika Haack, Ph.D.
Contact Email: BPStudy@bidmc.harvard.edu
Contact Phone: (617) 667 0308

IRB expiration: 7/15/2008

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Independent contributions of OSA and obesity in Cardiovascular Disease
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR A RESEARCH STUDY ON SLEEP APNEA AND OBESITY

        You must be between 18 and 70 years old, obese, a non-smoker, on no medications for sleep or Viagra, Levitra, or cialis, with no known heart, lung, brain or psychiatric problems, not pregnant, not a diabetic, not on therapy for high cholesterol and willing to be studied during sleep (one overnight stay required).  You will receive up to $300 for participation in the study, which lasts approximately one night and half a day.  If interested, please call Susie at Brigham & Woman's Hospital, 617-732-8456.

Location: BIDMC East Campus through the Clinical Research Center located at Feldberg 8
Study title: Independent contributions of OSA and obesity in Cardiovascular Disease
Faculty member submitting this notice: Atul Malhotra, MD

IRB expiration: 11/28/2008   

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Melatonin supplementation in patients with Essential Hypertension
ARE YOU TAKING ATENOLOL or METOPROLOL TO MANAGE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE?

You may be eligible to participate in a research study at Brigham and Women’s Hospital to see if melatonin supplementation can help lower your blood pressure.

Earn up to  $2,000.00  if you are:
•    35-65 years of age
•    Taking at least 50 mg of Atenolol or at least 100 mg of Metoprolol per day
•    Otherwise healthy

- Participants will undergo a medical screening, including a sleep screen, which can take up to 3 weeks.

-After the screening, the study will take approximately 6 weeks during which you will spend two separate four-day stays at our facility at Brigham and Women's Hospital to monitor sleep, blood pressure, and various hormones.

Contact Carolina at 617-278-0662 or highbp@rics.bwh.harvard.edu for more information.

Location: Sleep Disorders Program @BI, Brigham and Women's Hospital Boston, MA 02115
Faculty member submitting this notice: Frank A.J.L. Scheer, PhD
Subject Recruitment Contact: Erin Kelly or Carolina Smales
Contact Email: highbp@rics.bwh.harvard.edu
Contact Phone: 617-278-0924 (Erin) or 617-278-0662 (Carolina)

IRB expiration: 1/16/2009

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Naps, Dreaming, and Spatial Memory
Participation in this study involves being trained on a cognitive task, then either taking a short nap or remaining awake, and finally being tested again on a similar task later in the day.  Pays $50 for approximately a 7-hour commitment.  To qualify for participation, you must be a current student, age 18-30.  For more information, contact Joseph Benavides (jbenavid@bidmc.harvard.edu).

Location: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center East, Center for Sleep and Cognition
Faculty member submitting this notice: Robert Stickgold, PhD
Subject Recruitment Contact: Joseph Benavides
Contact Email: jbenavid@bidmc.harvard.edu

IRB expiration: 4/2/2009

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A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel Group Study to Determine the Efficacy and Safety of Topiramate in the Treatment of Sleep-Related Eating Disorder (SRED)
Do you get out of bed to eat at night, after you have gone to sleep?

Do episodes of repetitive eating at night feel out of your control? You may have Sleep-Related Eating Disorder, which can disrupt your sleep and health.

Brigham and Women’s Hospital Sleep Health Center in Brighton is conducting a research study on an investigational medication for Sleep-Related Eating Disorder.

Qualified participants can receive study medication and medical evaluation at no cost.

If interested, please call Lisa at (617) 783-1496 x115
Or email SleepResearch@sleephealth.com

Location: Brighton, MA
Study title:
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel Group Study to Determine the Efficacy and Safety of Topiramate in the Treatment of Sleep-Related Eating Disorder (SRED)
Faculty member submitting this notice:
John W. Winkelman, M.D., Ph.D.

IRB expiration: 11/14/2008

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Research Study Participants Wanted
We are looking for healthy volunteers to participate in 21-day research study at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. The purpose of the study is to investigate the effects of breathing air with low levels of oxygen (like being on top of a mountain) on the human body. Metabolism, blood pressure, and nervous system activity will be studied.

If you participate in this study you will sleep in a tent in which the air is similar to that on Mt. Rainier for 14 nights. You will need to spend every night from 9:00 pm on at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. On some days you will be occupied by research studies; on others you will free to leave the hospital. During the study we will measure your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, nervous system activity, and blood vessel function.

In order to be an eligible participant in the study you must be between the ages of
18-64, healthy, and not on any medications. You must be free of tobacco products, drugs, and illegal substances.

Total compensation of $2250 will be paid upon completion of the study.

If interested, please contact Bethany Kulczewski at pulmonary.lab@gmail.com

Location:
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA
Study title:  Role of local vasodilators and MSNA in mediating blood pressure following two week exposure to intermittent cyclic hypoxia
Faculty member submitting this notice: Dr. J. Woodrow Weiss
Contact email: pulmonary.lab@gmail.com

IRB expiration: 9/16/2008

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Skill Learning and Pain Perception in Relationship to Insomnia
The Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is looking for people between the ages of 21-60 years who either suffer from insomnia or who are good sleepers to participate in a study about the relationship between sleep quality, pain perception, and skill learning.
Poor or insufficient sleep is a common problem that may affect the way we learn new skills and may even affect the way we feel pain.

The study involves three visits: Visit 1 (about 2 hours) is an initial screening visit, where we will explain the study to you in detail and answer any questions you might have. If you qualify, you will then be set up with a sleep diary that you keep for two weeks and fill out every day. On Visit 2 (about 5-6 hours), we will take a blood and urine sample, and test your perception of pain. We will apply warmth, heat, and pressure to your hand/arm/foot, and will ask you to estimate the intensity of the different stimuli. Then, you will undergo a skill learning session involving responding to symbols on a computer screen in different positions. We will ask you to return to the hospital on the following day, Visit 3 (for about 0.5-1 hour), to repeat the skill learning test. The total time spent at the medical center will be approximately 9 hours.
Payment for the study including 3 visits to the hospital and a 2-week at-home evaluation phase will be $140. Parking will also be compensated.

Location: Clinical Research Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA
Study title: Pain perception and skill learning in insomniacs and normal sleepers
Faculty member submitting this notice: Janet Mullington, PhD
Contact Email: SleepQuality@bidmc.harvard.edu
Contact Phone: (617) 667 0308

IRB expiration: 2/24/2009

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Time on Your Hands?  Participate in a 39-day Sleep Research study!
The Division of Sleep Medicine at Brigham & Women’s Hospital is seeking healthy men & women ages 55-70 who are not on medications to participate in a sleep research study. You will have a 3-week screening and then if you are eligible you will spend 39 consecutive days and nights living at the Hospital.

If you complete the entire study you will receive up to $9,075

For more information, call 617-732-7991 or send an email to us at: Sleepstudy@partners.org

Location: Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
Study title: Sleep, Aging and Circadian Rhythm Disorders
Faculty member submitting this notice: Charles A. Czeisler, PhD, MD and Jeanne F. Duffy, MBA, PhD

IRB expiration: 10/02/2008

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Women: Want to Learn More About Your Sleep?
Must be 18-30 and healthy to qualify

Brigham & Women’s Hospital seeks healthy women ages 18-30 to participate in a sleep research study. Participants will spend 39 consecutive days and nights living in our facility.

Receive up to $9,075.
Call (617) 732-7991 or email sleepstudy@partners.org

Location: Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
Study title: Sleep, Aging and Circadian Rhythm Disorders
Faculty member submitting this notice: Charles A. Czeisler, PhD, MD and Jeanne F. Duffy, MBA, PhD

IRB expiration: 10/02/2008

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