Researchers at the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders of East Stroudsburg University (ESU) in Pennsylvania are conducting a research study on the effects of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) on hearing, cognition, and language. Participants for the study are needed.
According to a press release, the study will help advance the understanding of the two diseases and help explore potential new therapies and treatment techniques.
RA and SLE are both autoimmune diseases that are occasionally confused due to their similarities. People with RA and SLE share symptoms such as joint pain and joint swelling. Both diseases affect energy levels and are more common in women than in men. RA is not fatal but, unlike lupus, it causes joints to deform, primarily attacking fingers, wrists, knees and ankles.
Volunteer participants in the study will be asked to complete a survey and will have the option to participate in a comprehensive hearing assessment and/or comprehensive language and cognitive-linguistic assessment.
To participate, volunteers will have to attend one to three sessions at the Speech and Hearing Center located in Monroe Hall on ESU’s campus. Each session will take approximately 30 minutes to two hours, according to how many components of the study the participants agree to participate in.
Volunteering to participate in research programs is crucial for advancing medical knowledge and patient care.
According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), clinical research studies help determine if new approaches work well and if they are safe. These studies can also help identify which strategies are best and which patients might benefit the most from them.
Results may lead to updates in standard treatment recommendations by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or to new practices that suit patients’ needs better.
Applications for volunteering in the trial or requests for more information can be made to LuAnn Batson Magnuson (570-422-3311 or email at [email protected]) and Susan Dillmuth-Miller (570-422-3684 or [email protected]), assistant professors of communication sciences and disorders.
According to the Arthritis Foundation, arthritis is the leading cause of disability in America, with more than 50 million adults and 300,000 children having some type of arthritis. Arthritis can cause permanent joint changes. Some forms of the disease can also affect other organs or systems, including the heart, eyes, lungs, kidneys and skin.