The key to better osteoarthritis treatments: clinical trials explained with Dr Karen Bracken

Welcome to Season 6 of the Joint Action Podcast and the first episode of 2025! We're kicking off with a crucial topic in advancing osteoarthritis treatment: understanding clinical trials.

Clinical trials are vital for developing new treatments for osteoarthritis, yet many people are mystified by the process. Why participate? What are the benefits? What are the risks? In this episode, we break it all down with Dr. Karen Bracken, Clinical Trial Program Lead at the Kolling Institute, University of Sydney. With over 20 years of experience managing clinical trials, Karen provides an insider’s perspective on the motivations, processes, and considerations involved in clinical research.

Join us as we explore:

• The potential benefits of participating in clinical trials, such as access to new treatments and contributing to science.
• Key considerations, including time commitments and informed consent.
• How clinical trials are designed to prioritise participant safety and generate reliable evidence.
• Misconceptions about clinical trials and how they differ from reality.

We also discuss exciting ongoing trials, including the ATLAS study for knee osteoarthritis, the TOPS osteoarthritis prevention study, and the MARVEL study exploring the impact of pentosan polysulfate sodium on knee pain.

Whether you're curious about clinical trials or considering participating in one, this episode offers valuable insights to guide your journey.

RESOURCES

To learn more about osteoarthritis clinical trials, visit our website: www.osteoarthritisresearch.com.au

To learn more about the Osteoarthritis Research Participant Network or to join, click here: www.osteoarthritisresearch.com.au/oa-participant-network

Current osteoarthritis studies:

• The ATLAS study: www.osteoarthritisresearch.com.au/atlas-study-overview
• TOPS study: www.osteoarthritisresearch.com.au/tops-study-overview
• The MaRVeL study: www.osteoarthritisresearch.com.au/marvel-study-overview

Previous podcast episodes

• S05E05 - Core outcome sets for osteoarthritis trials with Prof. Toby Smith

Websites

• OMERACT - Outcome Measures in Rheumatology: www.omeract.org

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