Clinical trials digest (Aug 19, 2026): 7 studies looking for volunteers (many remote-friendly)
Here are 7 recruiting research studies you can look into today. Several use phone/video visits, apps, or online surveys, though some still include in-person clinic tests. Always ask the study team what’s truly required for you.
Below is a simple, public-details-only roundup of recruiting clinical research studies updated on August 19, 2026. Each study is different: some are mostly online, while others include in-person tests like blood draws or brain scans. Estimates (visits, time, and compensation-for-time ranges) are not guaranteed and are based on public listings—always confirm details with the study contact.
Compensation ranges below are rough estimates for time burden only, not sponsor-provided offers.
1) Mobile app + coaching to support physical activity (NCT03288207)
Study: Tailoring Mobile Health Technology to Reduce Obesity and Improve Cardiovascular Health in Resource-Limited Neighborhood Environments
Who it’s for (high-level): African American women ages 21–75 who are overweight/obese, live in specific areas near Washington, DC, and have a smartphone that can run the study app. Healthy volunteers are accepted, but there are specific eligibility rules.
Where: NIH Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland (some parts may be remote-friendly).
Source: clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03288207)
What you may need to do (typical examples)
- Use a smartphone app and get messages that encourage activity
- Wear a wrist device that tracks movement and sleep
- Answer surveys (about health history, activity, and related topics)
- Go to some clinic visits for measurements and blood tests
- Possibly use wireless home devices (like a scale or other monitors) that upload data
- Optional: MRI scans for some participants (if eligible and interested)
Estimated visits needed (not guaranteed): About 4–12 visits (based on public protocol text).
Estimated time commitment (not guaranteed): About 8–53 total hours.
Estimated compensation for time (not guaranteed): About $275–$4500 total.
Contact: Marie Marah, R.N. (301) 640-1701, marie.marah@nih.gov; Tiffany M Powell-Wiley, M.D. powelltm2@mail.nih.gov; NIH Clinical Center Office of Patient Recruitment: 800-411-1222, prpl@cc.nih.gov
2) Surveys and interviews about money stress in Alzheimer’s/dementia care (NCT06922188)
Study: Development of Measures to Screen for Financial Hardship in Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia
Who it’s for (high-level): Adults in the U.S. who either (a) have a clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia, or (b) are a caregiver for someone who does. English or Spanish. Healthy volunteers are accepted (for example, some caregiver roles may not involve a personal medical condition).
Where: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington (many activities are expected to be remote, like phone/video interviews and online/mail surveys).
Source: clinicaltrials.gov (NCT06922188)
What you may need to do (typical examples)
- Do a phone/video/virtual interview (you and/or your caregiver may be interviewed separately)
- Fill out surveys online or by mail
- Answer questions about costs, stress, and how money issues affect daily life and care
Estimated visits needed (not guaranteed): About 2–6 contacts/visits (based on public details; remote options may count as “visits”).
Estimated time commitment (not guaranteed): About 4–18 total hours.
Estimated compensation for time (not guaranteed): About $100–$1075 total.
Contact: Diana K Lowry, MPH 206-667-7372, dlowry@fredhutch.org; Salene Jones, PhD, MA 206-667-6976, smjones3@fredhutch.org
3) Online support program for loved ones of people in recovery (NCT07740395)
Study: Connecting Loved Ones to Support and Empowering Recovery (Project Closer)
Who it’s for (high-level): Adults (18+) who are in early recovery from a substance use disorder and can nominate a loved one, plus the loved one who wants to join. Healthy volunteers are accepted (for example, the loved one may be healthy).
Where: Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island (program is web-based and likely remote-friendly).
Source: clinicaltrials.gov (NCT07740395)
What you may need to do (typical examples)
- Use the KulaMind-Recovery web program for about 3 months (skill-building and learning modules)
- Join coach-led video sessions (group-based) and use on-demand text support
- Use a community forum to connect with others (if you choose)
- Fill out study questionnaires at the start and later follow-up
Estimated visits needed (not guaranteed): About 4–12 contacts/visits (remote sessions and check-ins may count).
Estimated time commitment (not guaranteed): About 7–43 total hours.
Estimated compensation for time (not guaranteed): About $250–$3650 total.
Contact: Susan Ramsey, PhD 401-444-7831, sramsey@brownhealth.org; Evan Ames 401-444-5040, evan.ames@brownhealth.org
4) How the brain sees, hears, and thinks (online tasks and optional lab scans) (NCT03407066)
Study: Perception, Sensation, Cognition and Action in Humans
Who it’s for (high-level): Healthy volunteers. Some parts may be online for adults (18–65). Some off-site/genetic screening parts may include ages 13–65. In-person lab parts generally include adults (18–65) with at least 20/40 vision in one eye and no hearing aid.
Where: National Eye Institute / NIH Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, plus online participation options.
Source: clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03407066)
What you may need to do (typical examples)
- Do computer-based tasks about vision, color, hearing, and attention (some can be online)
- Answer questionnaires about yourself and your health
- If joining in-person sessions: vision and hearing tests
- If eligible and you choose: brain scans like MRI and/or MEG, plus other non-invasive recordings (like eye tracking)
- In some cases: provide a saliva sample for genetic screening (off-site participants)
Estimated visits needed (not guaranteed): About 2–6 visits/sessions (varies a lot by which sub-study you join).
Estimated time commitment (not guaranteed): About 5–21 total hours.
Estimated compensation for time (not guaranteed): About $175–$1775 total.
Contact: Nancy Chen (301) 435-1831, nancy.chen@nih.gov; Bevil R Conway, Ph.D. (301) 594-3238, bevil.conway@nih.gov; NIH Clinical Center Office of Patient Recruitment: 800-411-1222, prpl@cc.nih.gov
5) Remote smoking-quit study using meds, a smartphone app, and phone counseling (Oklahoma residents) (NCT07099638)
Study: Trial of Varenicline With Nicotine Lozenges and a Smartphone Medication Adherence Intervention for Smoking Cessation (COMBOII)
Who it’s for (high-level): Adults who smoke cigarettes daily and can document Oklahoma residence (the listing notes this is tied to prescribing rules). A compatible smartphone is needed. Healthy volunteers are accepted (the study is not limited to people with other illnesses).
Where: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, but the study describes remote assessment and treatment delivery.
Source: clinicaltrials.gov (NCT07099638)
What you may need to do (typical examples)
- Use a study smartphone app (daily diaries and weekly check-ins)
- Have telephone counseling sessions with a tobacco treatment specialist
- Take study-provided medication as instructed (varenicline, and for some people nicotine lozenges)
- Use a portable breath carbon monoxide (CO) device at home to confirm smoking status
- Do a study doctor visit by phone or video to check medication eligibility
Estimated visits needed (not guaranteed): About 4–12 contacts/visits (many are remote).
Estimated time commitment (not guaranteed): About 8–53 total hours.
Estimated compensation for time (not guaranteed): About $275–$4500 total.
Contact: Shannon Gwin, Ph.D. (405) 271-8001, Shannon-Gwin@ou.edu; Sharon Glassman (405) 271-8001, Sharon-Glassman@ou.edu
6) Online exercise program + lab tests for chronic low back pain (Canada) (NCT07497425)
Study: Neuroimmune Responses to Physical Exercise Training in Chronic Primary Low Back Pain (eCLBP)
Who it’s for (high-level): Adults with chronic primary low back pain (and also healthy control volunteers). The study includes an online exercise program, and also in-person testing like blood samples and brain imaging.
Where: Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Source: clinicaltrials.gov (NCT07497425)
What you may need to do (typical examples)
- Join a 12-week online exercise program (or be placed in a waitlist comparison group)
- Fill out questionnaires and daily electronic pain diaries
- Give blood samples for immune-related testing
- Do brain imaging (MRI), if eligible
Estimated visits needed (not guaranteed): About 4–12 visits (mix of online and in-person, based on public details).
Estimated time commitment (not guaranteed): About 8–49 total hours.
Estimated compensation for time (not guaranteed): About $275–$4175 total.
Contact: Carlos Gevers Montoro, PhD +1-8199790448, backpain@muhc.mcgill.ca
7) Long-term research registry on blood clots, inflammation, and blood vessels (NCT06552767)
Study: Thrombosis and Inflammation in Vessels Initiative (TIVI)
Who it’s for (high-level): People age 5+ with (or suspected of having) certain blood clot, immune, or blood vessel conditions, plus healthy relatives and unrelated healthy volunteers.
Where: NIH Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland. Some visits may be telehealth; many tests are optional.
Source: clinicaltrials.gov (NCT06552767)
What you may need to do (typical examples)
- Baseline visit with medical history, physical exam, and blood tests
- Optional tests may include heart/lung tests, imaging scans, and blood-flow testing
- Optional samples may include saliva or urine; some optional tissue samples (like skin/fat biopsies) may be offered
- Possible repeat visits over time (the listing mentions follow-up for years), sometimes by telehealth
Estimated visits needed (not guaranteed): About 2–6 visits (but long-term follow-up may be possible depending on what you choose and what the team requests).
Estimated time commitment (not guaranteed): About 5–39 total hours.
Estimated compensation for time (not guaranteed): About $175–$3325 total.
Contact: Jessenia C Campos, R.N. (301) 402-0300, jessenia.campos@nih.gov; Yogendra Kanthi, M.D. (301) 529-7297, yogen.kanthi@nih.gov
Informational only, not medical advice.