Prospective changes in patient-reported and objective functioning following reduction of cannabis use

Date Added
September 2nd, 2025
PRO Number
Pro00145652
Researcher
Rachel Tomko

List of Studies


Keywords
Mental Health, Psychiatry, Substance Use
Summary

Adults (ages 18+) who use cannabis and are interested in reducing their use will be enrolled in an 8-week treatment program. All participants will receive counseling (1 goals session with a therapist followed by 7 weekly computerized cognitive-behavioral therapy sessions). Detailed cannabis assessments (biological and self-report) will be conducted throughout treatment and at 1- and 4-months post-treatment completion. Daily electronic diaries will be administered via text message to record detailed logs of cannabis use quantity and frequency. Participants are also asked at different points throughout the study to wear a Fitbit to monitor their sleep.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Kevin Branson
843-792-0493
bransonk@musc.edu

Accelerated, Left Prefrontal Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Functional Seizures; An Open-Label Exploration of Feasibility, Tolerability, and Preliminary Efficacy

Date Added
September 2nd, 2025
PRO Number
Pro00144502
Researcher
Joseph Chasen

List of Studies

Keywords
Mental Health, Psychiatry
Summary

As growing research suggests noninvasive brain stimulation techniques have the potential to adjunct current treatments or treat Seizure-Type Functional Neurologic Disorder (FND-seiz), also known as Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES), we aim to evaluate whether a form of accelerated intermittent theta burst transcranial magnetic stimulation (a-iTBS-rTMS), is a practical and well-tolerated treatment for people with this disorder. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation or TMS uses magnetic pulses to stimulate a part of the brain involved in mood and thinking, the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, which has established benefits in disorders known to coincide in patients with FND-seiz, such as depression.

As an open-label, early feasibility study, enrolled participants will receive 6 to 10 treatment sessions each day over 3 to 5 days, with the goal of completing 30 total sessions. This approach was selected because similar protocols have already been shown to be safe and effective in other conditions, and the shortened treatment schedule in comparison to other protocols may make participation easier for people living with FND-seiz. The main goal of the study is to see how many participants can safely and comfortably complete at least 20 of the 30 TMS sessions.

The researchers will also evaluate changes in seizure frequency, quality of life, mood, post-traumatic stress symptoms, physical health, social functioning, and overall satisfaction with treatment. These outcomes will be measured before treatment and again four weeks afterward. The researchers also aim to explore whether people with overlapping conditions, such as depression or PTSD, respond differently to the treatment. Finally, given the overlap between epilepsy and FND-seiz, not all TMS providers are comfortable treating patients with FND-seiz when TMS is indicated for other conditions, thus the researchers aim to outline a protocol to ensure safety and increase TMS access for FND-seiz patients.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Joseph Chasen
(843) 637-1358
chasenj@musc.edu

Piloting a Treatment Decision-Making Algorithm Assessment for Smoking Cessation Medications

Date Added
June 10th, 2025
PRO Number
Pro00140442
Researcher
Rachel Tomko

List of Studies


Keywords
Psychiatry, Smoking
Summary

Eligible participants (ages 18+ whom have daily cigarette use) will attend an in-person assessment (though some aspects of the study, including consent, can be completed remotely). Participants will submit a breath sample for assessment of expired carbon monoxide. Approximately 5-7 days after completion of the in-person assessment, participants will meet with research staff. A medical clinician will meet with the participant to present a smoking cessation treatment recommendation along with resources. Participants will also complete surveys to assess their treatment preferences, motivation, and self-efficacy following receipt of the recommendation.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Kevin Branson
843-792-0493
bransonk@musc.edu

A pragmatic remote approach to improve transitions of care and retention in opioid use disorder treatment: Qualitative Interviews

Date Added
May 20th, 2025
PRO Number
Pro00141967
Researcher
Allison Smith

List of Studies


Keywords
Psychiatry, Substance Use
Summary

The primary objective of this proposal is to conduct surveys and qualitative interviews to get feedback from (1) stakeholders and (2) people with lived experience of opioid use and a related medical hospitalization, on the barriers and facilitators of new potential strategy of treatment. The potential proposed intervention we will ask questions about is the direct mailing medications for opioid use disorder (OUD) in an attempt to overcome many of the barriers that interfere with treatment retention (i.e. transportation). Qualitative interviews will be used to get feedback on the feasibility, appropriateness, and acceptability of mailing maintenance medications for OUD after a hospital discharge. In a future study, this feedback will be used to develop a protocol to test this method.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Allison Smith
843-792-0686
smithall@musc.edu

The LIGHT-60 Trial - Light Intervention for Geriatric patients Hospitalized for depression Treatment

Date Added
May 6th, 2025
PRO Number
Pro00139703
Researcher
Rindy Fernandes

List of Studies


Keywords
Depression, Geriatrics, Psychiatry, Stress Disorders
Summary

This research study is being conducted to gather information regarding the use of bright light therapy for depression treatment among hospitalized patients 60 years or older. If you choose to participate and meet criteria for inclusion in this study, you will be randomly assigned (like the flip of a coin) to receive either active light therapy or a placebo that is not expected to provide a benefit for your depression. The active treatment has been shown to be effective at reducing the symptoms of depression in other populations, but it has not been rigorously studied in patients 60 years or older who are hospitalized.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Andrew Kern
(843) 852-1374
kerna@musc.edu

A Qualitative Investigation of Patient, Family, and Provider Treatment Preferences in PTSD and Alcohol Use Disorder

Date Added
April 1st, 2025
PRO Number
Pro00142158
Researcher
Sarah Giff

List of Studies

Keywords
Alcohol, Anxiety, Military, Psychiatry, Stress Disorders, Substance Use
Summary

Co-occurring post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) disproportionately affects Veterans and has significant negative impacts on the safety, wellbeing, and quality of life of Veterans, their romantic partners, and their families. However, treatments that address co-occurring PTSD-AUD and restore Veterans' psychosocial functioning are lacking. This project is designed to learn more to facilitate improving treatment approaches aimed at reducing symptoms of co-occurring PTSD-AUD and improving functioning among Veterans and their partners. The goal of this project is to learn from Veterans, family members, and treatment providers in order to inform an adaptation of a brief dyadic AUD intervention to be delivered alongside integrated PTSD-AUD treatment for Veteran couples.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Sarah Giff
(843) 792-5569
giff@Musc.edu

Technology-Enhanced Therapy vs. Medication Monitoring for Buprenorphine Retention in Pregnant Persons

Date Added
December 3rd, 2024
PRO Number
Pro00141060
Researcher
Sara Witcraft

List of Studies

Keywords
Anxiety, Mental Health, Pregnancy, Psychiatry, Sleep Disorders, Substance Use, Women's Health
Summary

This study involves testing how useful a technology-enhanced, skill building intervention is for pregnant people prescribed buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid use disorder, compared to medication monitoring. Participants are randomized to one of the conditions. Participants randomized to receive the skill building intervention will attend three 60-90-minute therapy appointments during pregnancy with an additional 30-minute therapy session towards the end of pregnancy, and 6 additional monthly postpartum (after childbirth) sessions (0-6 months postpartum). As part of the program, participants will receive access to a mobile application, which will be accessible for the duration of the study. Participants randomized to medication monitoring will be asked to log each time the medication is taken for a two month period. All participants will also be asked to complete questionnaires at enrollment, at the end of pregnancy, 3-month postpartum, and 6-months postpartum, be contacted randomly throughout the study to perform a medication count, and complete a urine drug screen at 6-months postpartum. The total duration of the study is between 9-13 months depending on when enrollment occurs (early second trimester-mid third trimester). Compensation up to $500 is provided.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Maham Dilawar
843-214-4496
dilawarm@musc.edu

Integrated Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder and PTSD

Date Added
November 5th, 2024
PRO Number
Pro00138487
Researcher
Tanya Saraiya

List of Studies

Keywords
Mental Health, Psychiatry, Substance Use
Summary

This study will test a therapy intervention, HOPE, for individuals with opioid use disorder and postttraumatic stress disorder. Interested individuals will need to be taking medications for opioid use disorder (e.g., suboxone, naltrexone, methadone). Interested participants will complete a 10-12 week therapy, and be asked to complete surveys.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Tanya Saraiya
347-961-8252
pathlab@musc.edu

Atomoxetine Effect on Attention, Executive Function, and Quality of Life in Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Date Added
November 5th, 2024
PRO Number
Pro00137933
Researcher
Zhewu Wang

List of Studies


Keywords
Psychiatry, Stress Disorders
Summary

The purpose of this research study is to determine the effectiveness of Atomoxetine, a medication approved for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), in improving quality of life as well as attention and mental skills such as memory, daily planning, and impulse control in Veterans with ADHD and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Reduced attention span, concentration difficulties, impaired inhibition and decision-making abilities, and memory problems are all symptoms of ADHD, and may be a factor in the current issue of PTSD treatment-resistance. Therefore, this study is aimed to examine the effect of atomoxetine on attention and executive function, which may lead to a significant improvement in overall ADHD and PTSD outcomes.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Maria Rafferty
8433371418
raffertr@musc.edu

The Effects of Adolescents Alcohol Use on Oral Microbiota and the Brain.

Date Added
August 6th, 2024
PRO Number
Pro00138324
Researcher
Anna Kirkland

List of Studies

Keywords
Adolescents, Alcohol, Brain, Drug Studies, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Substance Use
Summary

Adolescence is a time of development in the brain and microbiome, including the microbiome present in the mouth called the oral microbiome. Alcohol use often begins and escalates during adolescence, which can cause changes to the oral microbiome leading to changes in the brain. The alcohol specific changes to the oral microbiome and the brain may make adolescents more vulnerable to a lifelong struggle with alcohol use disorder. This study will collect (1) saliva to assess the composition of the oral microbiome and (2) brain measurements using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) across adolescents who may or may not use alcohol. Findings from this study will help form a more thorough understanding of the biological consequences of adolescent alcohol use, with the long-term goal of informing novel prevention and intervention efforts.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Anna Kirkland
(843) 792-5453
kirklaan@musc.edu



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