Experts urge older adults to join clinical trials

Dr. Rhea Rogers, a board-certified physician, advises patients to shift their focus before joining a clinical study. She suggests that individuals stop asking if a trial will help them personally and instead ask what specific question the study aims to answer. According to Rogers, this approach clarifies the purpose of the research.

Many people view clinical trials as a final option after other treatments have failed. Rogers argues that this perspective misses a primary benefit of participation. She explains that trials provide immediate access to tomorrow's medicines, devices, and therapies that may not be available to the general public for years.

Aging expert Amy O'Rourke notes that the National Institutes of Health maintains a list of clinical trials and identifies which ones offer compensation to participants. She highlights that some studies also cover expenses such as gas money. Participants in these studies often receive close monitoring and access to medical specialists.

O'Rourke emphasizes that participants should understand the possibility of receiving a placebo. She states that individuals might receive the active drug or a placebo, so the expectation should not be guaranteed improvement. Instead, the goal is to contribute to the study's data.

Cradduck, a gerontologist, addresses the common fear of being a guinea pig. She explains that by the time a study reaches the clinical trial phase, the treatment has been thoroughly tested repeatedly. She notes that adverse effects are possible with any prescribed medication, but the process is rigorous.

The exclusion of older adults from research remains a persistent issue. O'Rourke has heard older people referred to as evidence free because they are frequently left out of studies. Cradduck points out that medication metabolizes differently in older bodies compared to younger ones. Without older participants, doctors are often walking blind when prescribing these treatments.

Cradduck stresses that new medicines cannot be approved without clinical trials. She argues that if society wants new medications and new hope for health conditions, participation in these studies is necessary. The data collected from diverse age groups ensures that treatments are effective and safe for everyone.

Rogers suggests several places to find studies. Individuals can search the ClinicalTrials.gov database, consult with their primary physician, or look at academic centers and disease-specific organizations. These groups often run their own studies and can provide information on current openings.

O'Rourke has observed that clients who joined a local clinical trial group found unexpected social benefits. She recalls that the social workers provided support groups and connected participants with community resources they previously did not know about. She views this access to support and specialists as a huge value, particularly for older adults.

Rogers, O'Rourke, and Cradduck all agree that clinical trials are a proactive way to explore new treatments. They emphasize that studies show older adults are often left out, even though many conditions affect this demographic more frequently. By participating, older adults help shape the future of medicine while gaining access to current innovations.

Cradduck reminds listeners that there are adverse effects with everything that gets prescribed. However, she maintains that the testing process is thorough. She encourages older adults to view trials as an opportunity to contribute to the medical community and to access advanced care that may otherwise be unavailable.