Innovative Research

Research Underway at Home Base

Home Base Program clinicians are researching new therapies to better diagnose and treat Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Your Home Base clinician can discuss possible research studies with you. If you are interested, they will work with you to see which study would be the best fit for you.*

Home Base affiliated research studies at Massachusetts General Hospital and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital include:

• Medication and evidence-based psychotherapy to reduce symptoms of PTSD
• Evaluating telemedicine couples therapy to treat PTSD symptoms and improve relationships
• Using certain medications to influence and weaken traumatic memories
• Using sophisticated brain imaging to monitor blood flow in the brains of individuals with TBI or combat stress

For general questions about research at Home Base, contact Kim Pentel at kpentel@partners.org or 617-724-0851.

*Compensation for time and travel may be available.

Did You Serve in Iraq or Afghanistan?

Do you:

• have trouble sleeping or have nightmares?
• feel anxious, jumpy or on alert?
• feel irritable -- or feel numb?

If you answered "yes" to ANY of these questions, you may be eligible for a Home Base research study of Post Traumatic Stress. Participants receive therapy or study medication at no cost.

For information call 1-855-MGH-PTSD or email anxietystudy@partners.org.

All inquiries are kept confidential. Compensation up to $300 provided for study participants.

Research at Massachusetts General Hospital and Spaulding

Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital doctors and researchers are working to develop better treatments for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). This research may lead to new breakthroughs in treatment for these conditions and help to improve the lives of service members and veterans.

MGH has a long tradition of being a leader in medical discoveries. In 1846, MGH was the first hospital to use anesthesia for surgery.  In 2008, MGH developed a device—the size of a credit card—to detect small amounts of cancer cells in the blood stream.

Every day, researchers at MGH take basic scientific discoveries and transform clinical patient care. Almost every treatment, test, drug, or medical device used today is the result of research and the willingness of individuals to participate in order to advance medical care for others.

Facts About Research at Home Base, MGH and Spaulding

Five important facts about research at Home Base, Massachusetts General Hospital and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital:

1. Your participation in research is 100% voluntary. The choice is completely up to you. No patient is ever required to participate in clinical research.
   
   
2. There are many benefits to participating in Home Base research. Your research team includes doctors and other health care professionals who are familiar with the most advanced treatments.
   1. You may have access to study medications and/or therapy that are not widely accessible, at no cost.
   2. You can learn more about your condition and how to manage it..
   3. You will be helping others by contributing to our knowledge and helping identify new treatments for PTSD & TBI.
      
      
3. Research participation will not affect your ability to get care at Home Base. Your care at Home Base will not be impacted if you decide not to participate in a research study. If you do decide to participate in a research study, and give consent, your Home Base clinician will be aware of your research participation and will help to coordinate your treatment.
   
   
4. All MGH research is rigorously scrutinized. Home Base researchers are required to have their studies approved by an Institutional Review Board (IRB). The IRB is composed of scientific experts, clinicians, and community members. The IRB review everything about the study before it begins, including its scientific merit, safety of participants, and ethical considerations.
   
   
5. There are risks to every study. There is no guarantee that the treatment will make you better. Some medications may have side effects. Psychotherapies can temporarily increase distress. We will not hide those risks from you. The Home Base research team will talk about any possible risks with you, and if your symptoms get worse, you can be removed from the study. The Home Base clinical team can then develop a different treatment plan for you.