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Participate in a Research Study


Nicotine and Tobacco Research Center
Research Participation Opportunities


Commit to Quit

Are you a female smoker looking to quit?
Commit to Quit is a 12-week quit smoking
program designed by women specifically for women. The study is held at participating YMCAs in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. Women who take part in the program learn how to prepare to quit and how to handle nicotine withdrawal, develop skills needed to quit, and are given the tools to help them stay smoke-free. Women eligible to participate will learn:

  • Stress management skills
  • Weight management tips
  • Coping skills
  • Positive self-talk methods
  • Relapse prevention tools

All participating women are offered up to an 8-week supply of the nicotine patch at no cost. Participants are randomly assigned to either an exercise or wellness program to enhance the 12-week quit smoking program. Participants also receive a complimentary three-month YMCA membership (start date will be during or after the study, depending on the randomly assigned 50/50 chance group). All participants are financially compensated for the time they spend answering survey questions.

Commit to Quit is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and offered in English. If you would like to learn more about the program or see if you are eligible, call Commit to Quit at 401-793-8210 or email committoquit@lifespan.org.

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PAQS Project PAQS logo

If you are a smoker and spend a significant amount of time taking care of a child with asthma or a healthy child, you may be eligible for a new program.

The PAQS Project seeks smokers who are parents, grandparents, other relatives, etc. who spend a significant amount of time with the child for a program that may help children with asthma to breathe better or improve the overall well-being of healthy children as well as improve the caregiver's long-term health.

  • You do not have to quit smoking to participate.

  •  If  you would like to quit smoking, you can receive up to an 8-week supply of the nicotine patch at no cost to you.

  •  You will receive child health education (asthma education or child wellness) during sessions conducted in your home by a visiting nurse.

  • For answering survey questions, you will be financially compensated for your time.

Programs are in English.

 For more information or to find out whether you are eligible, please call:

 The PAQS Project at 1-866-401-PAQS (7277) or 401-793-8043.

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QuitStrong

quitstrongThe Miriam Hospital is looking for men to participate in an 8 week smoking cessation research program. Change your smoking habits and begin a healthy lifestyle free from smoking.

Specialists in smoking cessation, health, wellness, and yoga will work with qualified participants to create a balanced environment to help you quit smoking successfully. 

Participants will complete a group based, 8-week quit smoking program combined with either an 8-week health and wellness or yoga class.  

Participants must be:

  • Men ages 18 to 65
  • Healthy: without high blood pressure, heart disease, or current treatment for major depression

Participants will receive compensation for their time.

Call or email to see if you qualify for this research program.

Phone: 401-793-8174
Email:Quitstrong@lifespan.org



Physical Activity Research Center
Research Participation Opportunities

Survivors Step into Motion Study

logoAre you a young adult cancer survivor who would like to begin an exercise program?

Previous research has shown that exercise can provide a number of benefits to cancer survivors such as improve their mood and reduce fatigue. The Survivors Step into Motion study will test a web-based exercise program designed specifically for young adult cancer survivors. The website is designed to help young adult cancer survivors begin a program of moderate-intensity exercise, which is equal to a brisk walk.

Those who choose to participate in the study will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: in one group, participants will receive access to the exercise website for 12 weeks, and in the other group, they will receive information about other cancer-related websites that may be helpful to them.               

To be eligible for the study you must:

  • Currently be between the ages of 18 and 39
  • Have been diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 18 and 39
  • Have been diagnosed with cancer in the past 10 years
  • Currently be in a cancer remission (i.e., no evidence of cancer in your body)

This study is being funded by the National Cancer Institute.  If you are interested in the study or would like to learn more, please contact Santina Horowitz by phone 401-793-8124 or email Santina Horowitz.

Survivors RENEW StudySurvivors Renew logo

Are you a young adult cancer survivor who would like to become more physically active? Would you like to learn a type of meditation? 

The Survivors RENEW Study is testing an exercise and mindfulness meditation program for young adults who have been diagnosed with cancer and completed their cancer treatment. Those who take part in the study will be coached on starting a moderate-intensity exercise program (i.e., exercise similar to a brisk walk). They will also be taught a form of meditation and given a CD for home practice.Participants receive weekly coaching by telephone to help them incorporate exercise and meditation into their daily life.  Study participants are randomly assigned to receive the exercise and meditation program right away or after a delay.

To be eligible for the study you must:

  • Currently be between the ages of 18 and 39
  • Have been diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 18 and 39
  • Have been diagnosed with cancer in the past 5 years
  • Currently be in a cancer remission (i.e., no evidence of cancer in your body)

Survivors RENEW is funded by the American Cancer Society.  If you are interested in this study or would like to learn more, please call 401-793-8233 email or Lynn Bucknam.

For more information, or to see if you qualify for this research program, call 401-793-8124.                                         

Healing Moves

Healing Moves is investigating the role of physical activity in regaining quality of life after colorectal cancer diagnosis and treatment. The purpose of this research is to examine the feasibility and benefits of a home-based exercise program.

Men and women, who have been diagnosed with Stage 0-III colorectal cancer and have completed treatment within the past 10 years, are invited to participate. Volunteers must be in overall good health, over 18 years of age and not participating in regular physical activity. Volunteers will be asked to meet with researchers 5 times over the course of a year, be willing to participate in a treadmill walk test, complete questionnaires and receive periodic telephone calls.

Please call 401-793-8855 for more information, or click here.

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Other Studies

Behavior and Mood of Babies and Mothers (BAM BAM) Study

Are you pregnant and smoking?
We are looking for healthy, smoking and non-smoking pregnant women who are 12 to 38 weeks into their pregnancy. We are interested in mothers' behaviors and feelings during pregnancy and fetal and infant behaviors. Participants will be compensated for their time and will receive a free DVD of your baby from a non-diagnostic ultrasound. This is not a quit smoking program.

For more information, call 401-793-8120 or email Trish Relli-Moniz.

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Child and High School Research Study

The Miriam Hospital is looking for children and high school students ages 8-17 to participate in a research study. The study will look at how children respond to different tasks. Children will complete three afternoon sessions at The Miriam Hospital.

For more information, call 401-793-8865 or email Annie Jack.

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Project LINK: Reproductive Health Study

Women: Make a Difference. The Miriam Hospital is conducting a research study to assess women's opinions about vaginal products. Your opinions will help scientists create new products that women can use to prevent HIV.

You might be eligible to participate if you:

  • Are between the ages of 18 and 45
  • Have had vaginal sex with a man in the past 12 months
  • Want to help protect women from HIV

If you would like more information please call Project LINK at 401-793-8143.


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