Frequently Asked Questions

Our Lab and Studies

• How many participants are enrolled in research studies?
• Is the Henry Ford Sleep Research Center hiring?
• What are the main topics being researched at the Henry Ford Sleep Research Center?

Participation in Research Studies

• What can you expect if you are participating in a research study?
• Do you need insurance to participate in a research study?
• Who can participate in research studies?
• What are the benefits of participating in a research study?
• What kind of support will I receive if I participate in a research study?
• Is participating in a research study safe?
• How am I protected if I participate in a research study?
• Is medication involved in every research study?
• Am I allowed to drop out of a research study?

Study Compensation

• How much do you get paid for participating in a research study?
• How do I get paid for my participation in a research study?
• Can I receive cash for my participation?
• What other compensated study opportunities does Henry Ford Health offer?

How many participants are enrolled in research studies?

This varies from study to study, from as little as one participant (this is called a “case study”) to millions of participants. Most of the studies done at the HFH Sleep Research Center aim to enroll 50-500 participants, though if a study examines a rare sleep disorder like narcolepsy, recruitment is much more difficult, so enrollment goals are lesser.

Is the Henry Ford Sleep Research Center hiring?

More often than not, YES! We offer undergraduate research opportunities, clinical practicums for graduate students, internships, fellowships, and often have full-time research positions open for application, especially in the winter. To explore all of the options we currently have, check out the Join Our Team page or contact our Research Recruitment Specialist, Marleigh Treger, at mtreger1@hfhs.org, or (248) 344-8028 with any questions.

What are the main topics being researched at the Henry Ford Sleep Research Center?

With four Principal Investigators driving the HFH Sleep Research Center, all with unique research backgrounds, our team is interested in a wide range of sleep research topics:

• Dr. Christopher Drake’s scientific focus is the psychological, environmental, and physiological factors that predispose individuals to insomnia, and he strives to improve sleep health by increasing access to behavioral treatment of insomnia.
• Dr. Philip Cheng’s research focuses on the clinical translation of circadian science into practical and widely accessible tools and interventions primarily in insomnia and Shift Work Disorder, with an interest in reducing social disparities in treatment utilization.
• Dr. David Kalmbach’s primary areas of expertise are in perinatal sleep and mental health, treatment resistance in insomnia, prevention of depression, sleep-disordered breathing during pregnancy, and mindfulness-based interventions.
• Dr. Timothy Roehrs’ research focuses on drug abuse and the psychopharmacology of sleep and daytime alertness, and on daytime sleepiness and its causes and consequences.

What can you expect if you are participating in a research study?

All of our current studies are compensated. Some studies can be completed completely from home, while others require in-person visits to our lab, sometimes including overnight stays. Some studies test pharmaceutical drugs, while others do not. After confirming a participant’s eligibility (usually confirmed through a survey), the expectations for participation are outlined in detail in an Informed Consent Form before participants are registered for a study.

Do you need insurance to participate in a research study?

No, health insurance is not needed to participate our research studies, nor is it billed if you have insurance while participating.

Who can participate in research studies?

The rules for qualification vary from study to study. The HFH Sleep Research Center primarily looks for participants with insomnia, narcolepsy, and other problems sleeping, including individuals who work night-shifts. To see if you qualify for any of our compensated studies, use the clickable text on the Participate in Compensated Studies page.

What are the benefits of participating in a research study?

The benefits of participation vary from study to study. Generally, benefits include compensation, potential access to new treatments, and contributing to innovation and improvement in healthcare for everyone. Participants are always provided detailed information on potential benefits in an Informed Consent Form before they are registered for a study.

What kind of support will I receive if I participate in a research study?

At the HFH Sleep Research Center, study participants are connected to multiple staff members who can be reached by phone, email, or text to answer any questions and address any concerns participants have before, during, and after the study. Our team thoroughly appreciates the contributions participants make to our studies, and participant comfort is our top priority. During in-lab visits, a staff member is always available, even over-night.

Is participating in a research study safe?

The risks of participation vary from study to study. Participation in any study poses a risk of data security, though Henry Ford takes every step possible to keep your data confidential and safe. To minimize risks, research studies must go through multiple reviews before beginning to ensure they are ethical and protect vulnerable groups. Across all studies, participants are provided detailed information on potential risks in an Informed Consent Form before they are registered for a study.

How am I protected if I participate in a research study?

Several historical incidents have caused mistrust in clinical research. These events also led to the creation of laws that provide clinical research participants with multiple levels of protection. Today, Institutional Review Boards, Data Safety Monitoring Boards, and Observational Study Monitoring Boards are responsible for reviewing all studies involving humans to ensure they meet these guidelines and for reporting any study plan that breaks the rules.

After obtaining all the information, you can make an informed decision about whether or not to participate in a clinical trial or study. If you decide to volunteer for clinical research, you will be given an informed consent form to sign. By signing the form, you show that you understand the details and want to be part of the research. However, the informed consent form is not a contract. You may leave the study at any time and for any reason.

Read more about the protection of research participants on the National Institutes of Health and Department of Health and Human Services websites.

Is medication involved in every research study?

No. Only some of the studies in the HFH Sleep Research Center are trials for pharmaceutical medications. Other studies test behavioral treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Light Box Therapy. The expectations for participation are outlined in detail in an Informed Consent Form before participants are registered for a study.

Am I allowed to drop out of a research study?

Yes. Participation in research studies is completely voluntary, and participants can withdraw at any point without penalty. Note that some compensation requirements may not be met if a participant withdraws early. Compensation details are outlined in an Informed Consent Form before participants are registered for a study.

How much do you get paid for participating in a research study?

This varies depending on factors like time commitment, travel expenses, and the risks of participation. Often times, study participants receive compensation after reaching certain “checkpoints” in the study (EX: after intake completion, after treatment completion, after survey completion). Compensation is outlined in detail in an Informed Consent Form before participants are registered for a study.

How do I get paid for my participation in a research study?

This varies from lab to lab, but the HFH Sleep Research Center partners with the company Greenphire to issue participants reloadable Debit cards called ClinCards. These allow immediate transfer of funds to participants when they complete study tasks, and function like any other Debit card. Participants can use them anywhere that accepts MasterCard, including online. Participants can also monitor their account balance and reimbursements online. Greenphire also provides participants with a Tips and Tricks sheet to show how to get the most out of ClinCard, like how to transfer card funds to a bank account. Read more about the benefits of ClinCard here.

To set a pin, check your available balance, report a lost card, or receive customer support, call U.S. ClinCard Customer Service at 1-866-952-3795.

Can I receive cash for my participation?

No. The HFH Sleep Research Center no longer provides cash as a form of compensation. However, you may transfer your ClinCard funds in the following ways:

• Link a bank account to your ClinCard account on the ClinCard website to transfer card funds directly to your bank account.
• Get cash back when making a purchase (though, not all stores offer this).
• Get cash using an ATM (requires PIN and may incur a fee)
• Get a cash advance at a MasterCard-accepting bank (you must know your available balance – the bank will not be able to check this).

More details are outlined on the FAQ tab on your online ClinCard account and on the Cardholder Agreement and ClinCard Cardholder FAQ printouts included in the envelope you first receive your ClinCard in.

To set a pin, check your available balance, report a lost card, or receive customer support, call U.S. ClinCard Customer Service at 1-866-952-3795.

What other compensated study opportunities does Henry Ford Health offer?

Since 1915, Henry Ford Health physicians and scientists have focused their efforts in a wide variety of research areas critical to understanding diseases and bringing new treatment options to patients. Every day, hundreds of physicians and scientists are looking for treatments that will bring hope to you and your family. To explore all of Henry Ford’s Clinical Trials, click here.