Types of Clinical Trials Interventions
Drug intervention: tests the effects of a new or existing pharmaceutical treatment against a comparison group that receives a different treatment or a “dummy pill” called a placebo that is designed to have no effect. Examples of drug interventions include Lipitor (atorvastatin) for high cholesterol, aspirin for a headache.
Device intervention: tests the use of a medical device as a treatment. The effects are compared to those of another device or treatment or to a “dummy device” called a sham that is designed to have no effect. Examples of device interventions include pacemakers for stabilizing the heartbeat, implantable insulin pumps to treat diabetes
Behavioral intervention: tests the effects of behavioral interventions such as therapy and counseling on a particular condition. Examples of behavioral interventions include behavior modification therapy for children with ADHD, psychotherapy for depression.
Procedure intervention: examines the use of procedures such as surgeries to treat a condition. Examples of procedure interventions include gastric bypass surgery for morbid obesity, angioplasty for coronary artery disease.
Biological intervention: tests the effects of biological materials including vaccines for treatment or prevention of disease. Examples include antibodies to treat breast cancer, stem cells to treat Parkinson’s disease, or a new vaccine to prevent tuberculosis.
Dietary supplement intervention: Examines the use of vitamins, minerals, or herbs to treat or prevent disease. Examples include taking vitamin E to prevent prostate cancer, taking omega-3 fatty acids to treat Alzheimer’s disease.
Genetic intervention: Uses genetically manipulated materials such as modified stem cells and gene therapy to treat a condition. Examples include gene therapy to treat cystic fibrosis, modified T cells to treat HIV/AIDS.
Radiation intervention: tests radiation therapy or the use of radioactive chemicals in the treatment of disease. Examples include radio-ablation of the thyroid gland in hyperthyroid/Grave’s disease, radiation treatment for colon cancer.
Other interventions: includes the interventions that do not fit into one of the categories above or that have not been classified.