Arthritis clinical trials, explained for patients.

What's new in arthritis research this year, how to take part in Canadian studies, and where to find financial, disability, and community support. Built around resources from Arthritis Society Canada and the arthritis patient community.

See arthritis trials near me New to trials? Start with the basics

Free, private, no obligation at any step.

First things first: trials are specific to your type of arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) An autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the joints. Trials often test new ways to calm that immune response.

Osteoarthritis (OA) Wear-related breakdown of joint cartilage over time. Trials focus on pain relief, joint repair, and slowing cartilage loss.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) Joint inflammation connected to psoriasis. Trials often test targeted medications for both skin and joint symptoms.

Reasons for hope

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:

RESET-RA trial Rheumatoid arthritis

Vagus nerve stimulation

A non-drug treatment option

A trial of an implantable neuroimmune modulation device (the SetPoint System) found meaningful improvement sustained through 12 months in patients who hadn't responded well to standard biologic drugs.

Published in Nature Medicine →

Stanford Medicine Osteoarthritis

Cartilage regeneration

Regrowing what was thought lost for good

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 →

Duke Health Osteoarthritis

Joint repair at the source

Approaching first-in-human trials

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 →

Phase 2 · ARGO trial Psoriatic arthritis

Sonelokimab

Strong results for active psoriatic arthritis

This IL-17A/IL-17F-inhibiting nanobody showed strong results, with up to 61% of patients reaching minimal disease activity at 24 weeks.

Published in Nature Medicine →

You're not doing this alone

Trusted arthritis resources

Support for the whole journey: research participation, funding, and community.

Get involved in research

Canadian studies you can join, some from home

Arthritis Society Canada — Get Involved in Research Ways to participate in research, including trials in your region and studies you can join from home.
Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance (CAPA) — Research Patient-run organization highlighting Canadian arthritis research studies and patient-partner opportunities.

Financial & disability support

Canadian programs that can ease the costs

Financial Wellness Guide CANADA Arthritis Society Canada's guidance on the costs of arthritis care and how to plan around them.
Disability Tax Credit (DTC) 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.
Provincial disability programs CANADA Income and health-benefit support based on financial need and disability severity, e.g. ODSP in Ontario. Program names vary by province.
211 Canada Free, confidential 24/7 referral service connecting people to local health, social, and financial support services.

Community, coping & emotional support

People and programs that understand this condition

Online Support Groups Peer groups led by trained volunteers, held online throughout the month.
Arthritis and Mental Health The emotional and mental health side of living with arthritis.
Arthritis Rehabilitation and Education Program (AREP) ONTARIO Physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and social workers providing hands-on strategies and education.
Self-Management Tools Programs including a Chronic Pain Toolkit for managing symptoms day to day.
Arthritis & Work Guidance for managing arthritis as an employee or employer.
Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance (CAPA) Patient-run community and advocacy organization, with webinars and peer resources.

Research in this field runs deep

Arthritis Society Canada is the largest charitable funder of arthritis research in Canada. Every study on this page builds on that foundation, and every trial needs patients to move forward.

$240M+ invested in research since 1948

Before your first call

Tips for getting started

Know your type and your history. RA, OA, and PsA trials look for different things. Bring a current medication list and a short treatment history (what you've tried, what helped) to any screening call.
Ask three questions before enrolling: Is travel or reimbursement support available? Is there a placebo arm, and what would that mean for me? What happens after the trial ends?
Talk to your rheumatologist or care team. These are informational resources, not medical advice. Your care team knows your history and can help you weigh whether a specific trial makes sense for you.

The research updates and resources on this page are for information only and are not medical advice. Always talk to your rheumatologist or care team before enrolling in any trial.

See 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.

See arthritis trials near me Talk with someone first

Free for patients. Private. No obligation at any step.