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Press Release
VA's Cooperative Studies Program Cited for Impact on Clinical Practice
May 25, 2006
The Cooperative Studies Program (CSP) of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, which conducts large clinical trials focused on veterans' health problems, has been cited by the National Institutes of Health for its role in improving clinical practice. CSP is profiled, along with 28 other leading clinical research networks, in an NIH report to be presented in a two-part scientific meeting in Rockville, MD, on May 31 and June 1.
NIH's Inventory and Evaluation of Clinical Research Networks Best Practices Study identified 29 networks across the nation that excel in efficiency; effective use of information technology; impact on clinical practice; and other areas.
The NIH report highlights CSP for its effectiveness in changing clinical practice, due mainly to its focused mission; rigorous scientific methods; and stable, comprehensive infrastructure. CSP is unique among research networks because it is part of the Veterans Health Administration, the nation's largest healthcare system. The program has access to a large pool of veteran patients who volunteer for studies, and works closely with VA policymakers and clinicians to translate research findings into clinical practice as rapidly as possible.
According to the report, "With a Congressional appropriation, the CSP has been steadily funded for more than 30 years, which has enabled it to focus on conducting good studies rather than struggling to stay afloat financially. Staff turnover is low, creating a wealth of accumulated experience and knowledge. Furthermore, the CSP has everything it needs to conduct trials 'in-house,' from pharmaceutical support and study subjects, to research teams and clinicians who can employ study findings in their practices."
VA's Cooperative Studies Program had its origins in the days after World War II, when it enrolled thousands of veterans with tuberculosis in studies to evaluate new and existing drugs. Since then, it has helped establish treatments for schizophrenia, hypertension and other conditions. Current studies focus on Parkinson's disease, heart bypass surgery, prostate cancer, spinal cord injury, smoking cessation, and several other illnesses.
The program made headlines last year for its leadership of a VA-NIH trial involving nearly 39,000 older adults at 15 VA medical centers and seven other sites. The study, one of the largest adult vaccine trials ever, found that an experimental vaccine for shingles—a painful nerve and skin infection—reduced the incidence of the disease by more than 50 percent and dramatically limited its severity and complications. CSP investigators were in the news again earlier this year when they presented findings from a major VA-NIH study on the dietary supplements glucosamine and chondroitin, used by millions worldwide for arthritis pain. While the trial found little benefit overall for the supplements, it did suggest they may be helpful for those with more severe pain.
For more details on VA's Cooperative Studies Program, visit http://www.csp.research.med.va.gov. For information on the overall VA research program, go to http://www.research.va.gov.
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