What to expect when you participate in an NRI study
NRI clinical trials are conducted by trained research staff under the supervision of Dr. Cavanaugh, PhD. Every study is IRB-approved, fully explained before you commit, and designed to respect your time.
From application to completion
Fill out the short eligibility form on the study page you are interested in. We ask basic questions about your health, medications, and lifestyle to determine whether you are likely to qualify. The form takes about five minutes. We review every application personally and respond within five business days.
If your application looks like a good fit, we contact you to confirm eligibility. Depending on the study, screening may involve a brief phone call, a short questionnaire, or an in-person visit at the NRI facility in Huntsville. Some studies require a baseline blood draw or physical measurement at this stage. Screening is always free and does not commit you to anything.
Before any study activity begins, you review and sign an informed consent document. This is not a formality. It is a full explanation of what the study involves, what you will be asked to do, what risks exist, what the product is, who sponsored the study, and what your rights are as a participant. You can ask questions at any point. You can take the document home and review it before signing. You are not enrolled until you sign and you can withdraw at any time after signing.
Each study has its own visit schedule and assessment requirements. Most NRI studies involve a combination of in-person visits at our Huntsville facility and home-based activities between visits. In-person visits typically involve completing questionnaires, physical measurements, and occasionally blood draws. Home-based activities may include using a study product daily, completing brief assessments on a schedule, or keeping a simple log. Your study team will walk you through the full schedule before you begin.
At the end of the study you complete a final visit and any remaining assessments. Compensation is paid as you complete scheduled visits, not in a lump sum at the end. If you need to withdraw before completion, you are compensated for the visits you completed. Final results are typically published within 12 to 18 months of study completion. Participants who want to receive a copy of the published findings can request one.
The research staff who run NRI studies are trained natural health professionals who understand botanical compounds. You will not be talking to someone reading from a script. You will be talking to someone who knows the science behind what you are taking.
What you are always entitled to
Participation is always your choice. You may decline to join any study for any reason. You may withdraw from any study at any time after enrollment without penalty, without explanation required, and without affecting any care you receive elsewhere.
You will receive a complete informed consent document before any study activity. You have the right to ask questions, take time to decide, and have a family member or advisor review the document with you before signing.
Your personal information is kept confidential. Your data is de-identified before analysis and publication. Your name does not appear in any research publication. Study records are maintained securely and accessed only by authorized study staff.
Every NRI study is reviewed and approved by an independent Institutional Review Board before any participant is enrolled. The IRB exists to protect participant rights and safety. You may contact the IRB directly if you have concerns about your rights or the conduct of any study.
Ready to see what is open?
View currently enrolling studies and apply online.