Diagnostic journey and treatment disparities for adults with spinal muscular atrophy at MedStar Health
Official title: Understanding the Diagnostic Pathway and Treatment Experience of Patients With Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)
Run by Medstar Health Research Institute · NCT07223489 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will see how adults with spinal muscular atrophy in the MedStar Health system experienced diagnosis, access to approved SMA therapies, and barriers to care.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 200 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Medstar Health Research Institute Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Washinton, District of Columbia) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | October 10, 2025 |
| Main results expected | June 30, 2026 |
| Study ends | December 30, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | January 16, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07223489 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal participants are adults (age ≥18) with a confirmed diagnosis of SMA who receive care within the MedStar Health system and can complete a one-hour telephone interview.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who are deceased, under 18, receive care outside MedStar Health, or are unable to complete a telephone interview are unlikely to benefit from participation.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This observational project uses a two-phase approach to document diagnostic timelines, genetic testing, treatment history, and demographic factors for adults with SMA treated within the MedStar Health system. Phase 1 is a retrospective chart review of up to 200 patients to identify patterns of diagnosis, genetic confirmation, and treatment uptake. Phase 2 invites eligible adults to one 60-minute telephone interview to discuss their diagnostic experiences, understanding of SMA, access to therapies, and barriers encountered. The combined data will be used to describe disparities in treatment and care coordination within this regional health system.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could reveal specific gaps in diagnosis and access and guide interventions to improve timely treatment and equity for adults with SMA.
How similar studies have gone: Retrospective chart reviews and qualitative interviews have been used in SMA research before and have identified diagnostic delays and treatment access disparities, so this approach is established.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * SMA diagnosis, age greater than or equal to 18 years Exclusion Criteria: * Deceased
Where it's running
-
MedStar Health Research Institute
Washinton, District of Columbia, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Gabrielle Edwards, BS
- Email: gabrielle.edwards@medstar.net
- Phone: 2022219998
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Newborn SMA Screening Service Evaluation
This project tests newborn SMA screening to see if it works well and is acceptable to families in the UK.
-
Biomarker search in SMA using advanced multi-omics
Researchers are trying to see if new biomarkers can help diagnose and monitor spinal muscular atrophy in patients and newborns.
-
Effects of Different Stiffness Settings During Robotic Isokinetic Training in Children With SMA
This study tests whether a portable knee-training robot with a compliant vs. rigid stiffness setting improves knee strength in children with spinal muscular atrophy, using each child’s other leg as a comparison.
-
Wearable monitoring of motor development in babies and young children with spinal muscular atrophy detected at birth
This project will try wearing small motion sensors at home to see if they can track how babies and young children diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at birth move and develop, compared with healthy children.
-
HABIT-ILE plus Functional Strength Training for Children with SMA
This study will try an intensive HABIT-ILE program combined with functional strength training for children aged 5–17 with SMA who are on stable disease-modifying therapy to see if it improves motor skills.
-
Long-read genetic analysis for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (LOREASI)
This project tries a long-read DNA technique on adults with known SMN1 copy-number patterns to find hidden '2+0' carrier genotypes that standard tests miss.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.