Arthritis clinical trials, explained for patients.
What's new in arthritis research this year, how to take part in studies, and where to find financial, disability, and community support. Built around resources from Arthritis Canada and the arthritis patient community.
Free, private, no obligation at any step.
First things first: trials are specific to your type of arthritis
Not sure which type you have? Ask your rheumatologist — they can confirm your diagnosis and tell you which trials apply to you.
What's new in arthritis research this year
Four developments from 2026 worth knowing about, spanning all three major types of arthritis, in plain language:
Vagus nerve stimulation
A small device implanted under the skin that sends gentle electrical pulses through a nerve in the neck to calm the immune response — no drugs involved. Patients who hadn't improved enough on standard RA injectable medications saw meaningful improvement that held through the full 12-month follow-up.
Published in Nature Medicine →Cartilage regeneration
Researchers found a way to regrow lost cartilage in human samples, with potential to reverse cartilage loss and prevent osteoarthritis after joint injuries.
Read the research summary →Joint repair at the source
A milestone toward a treatment that helps the body repair damaged joint tissue at the source, moving closer to first-in-human trials for osteoarthritis.
Read the Duke Health announcement →Sonelokimab
A highly targeted medicine that blocks two specific proteins responsible for driving the joint and skin inflammation in psoriatic arthritis. Up to 61% of patients reached very low levels of inflammation at six months.
Published in Nature Medicine →How arthritis clinical trials work
Clinical trials move through phases, each testing something different before a treatment can reach patients broadly:
A small group — often including healthy volunteers alongside people with arthritis — tests safety, tolerability, and dosing. It's the first time the treatment is given to people.
Tests whether the treatment actually works, while continuing to monitor safety and side effects.
A large, diverse group confirms effectiveness, often comparing against a standard treatment or placebo. Usually the step required before regulatory approval.
The treatment is monitored in real-world use for long-term safety and rare side effects.
What eligibility criteria mean
Every trial lists two kinds of rules. Here's how to read them:
Inclusion criteria
- A confirmed arthritis diagnosis
- A specific type (RA, OA, or PsA)
- A certain disease activity level
- Specific prior treatments
Exclusion criteria
- Certain other health conditions
- Certain current medications
- Pregnancy
- Lab values outside a safe range
Trusted arthritis resources
Support for the whole journey: learning, funding, and community.
Learn about arthritis
- Managing Arthritis | Arthritis Canada CANADA Health and wellness advice, self-management tips, and practical guidance for daily life.
- Medication Reference Guide | Arthritis Canada CANADA A reference to help you understand your treatment options and have informed conversations with your care team.
- Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance (CAPA) — Research CANADA Research studies and patient-partner opportunities from the patient-run CAPA network.
- Arthritis Types | Arthritis Canada CANADA Overview of over 100 types of arthritis, with FAQs and treatment information by condition.
Financial & disability support
- Financial Wellness Guide | Arthritis Canada CANADA Guidance on the costs of arthritis care and how to plan around them.
- Disability Tax Credit (DTC) — Form T2201 CANADA Arthritis can qualify if it severely impacts daily functioning. Requires Form T2201 completed with a medical practitioner and submitted to the CRA.
- Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPP-D) CANADA For those under 65 with a severe and prolonged condition that prevents work, who've contributed to CPP.
- Paying for Care Resources | Arthritis Foundation US Financial assistance and insurance guidance for people with arthritis in the United States.
Community & emotional support
- Online Support Groups | Arthritis Society Canada CANADA Peer groups led by trained volunteers, held online throughout the month.
- Connect Groups | Arthritis Foundation US Support groups open to patients, parents, and caregivers across the United States.
- Arthritis and Mental Health | Arthritis Society Canada CANADA Resources for the emotional and mental health side of living with arthritis.
- Arthritis & Work | Arthritis Society Canada CANADA Guidance for managing arthritis as an employee or employer.
- Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance (CAPA) CANADA Patient-run community and advocacy organization, with webinars and peer resources.
Tips for getting started
- Found something on MyTrials that looks right? Your next step is your rheumatologist. Print or share the trial details and ask: "Is this worth exploring for me?" Doctors take patient-initiated trial questions seriously, and yours knows your history.
- Contact the trial team with your information ready: your current medications, recent lab results, and a brief history of treatments you've tried. That's the first thing every coordinator asks for.
- Use the tools below before your first call. The prep sheet, checklist, and consent guide were built for exactly this moment. Good trial teams expect these questions.
The 9-question checklist
The questions to ask any trial team before joining, with space to write their answers.
DownloadAppointment prep sheet
One page to organize your medications, history, and questions before a screening visit.
DownloadConsent form review sheet
A guided worksheet for reading a consent document at home before signing anything.
DownloadSee which arthritis trials fit your situation
Answer a few questions about your arthritis, your treatments, and where you live. We'll show you what's recruiting, in plain language.
Free for patients. Private. No obligation at any step.