Digital silver lining seen in failed COVID-19 drug trial
A clinical trial in which two test drugs failed to help patients with mild COVID-19 nevertheless had a silver lining: It proved the viability of a
“The digital age may help democratize clinical trials.”
study model in which a medication’s potential arrhythmic side effects are safely, effectively monitored without the participants ever setting foot in a hospital or clinic.
The findings also suggest that remote studies can expand clinical research to broader populations and greatly reduce participants’ burdens of time, travel and cost. The study was led by Dr. Christine Johnston, associate professor (Allergy and Infectious Diseases), who is PI of the study, and Dr. Arun Sridhar, assistant professor (Cardiology). Sridhar is senior author of the paper recently published in Communications Medicine.
“This indicates we can reach people who are typically unable to participate in research, including those who live far from academic health centers and those with limited mobility,” said Sridhar. “The digital age may help democratize clinical trials.”
Read the full story from UW Medicine Newsroom.