Types of Clinical Trials

The MHADRP conducts two types of trials:

Medication Clinical Trials

In order for any medication to be approved by the FDA and placed on the market, it must be tested on humans in clinical trials. Clinical trials show if a medication is effective in treating and/or reducing symptoms and if it is safe. There are different kinds of medication trials. Some examples are: testing a single experimental medication, evaluating different combinations of approved medications, and examining a combination of approved and experimental medications.

Behavioral Therapy Clinical Trials

Behavioral therapies focus on changing an individual’s thoughts, behaviors, or environment to promote a decrease in symptoms, better management of symptoms, or improved quality of life. Clinical trials determine whether behavioral therapies are effective in achieving these goals. There are many different kinds of behavioral treatments (e.g., Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Community Reinforcement Approach). In addition, sometimes behavioral therapies are added to medication clinical trials to evaluate their combined effects.