Phase correction in violin ensemble performance.

Rates of suicide continue to be high among a wide range of cohorts (e.g., Service Members, Veterans, those living in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas) [, ]. In response, recent and important efforts have focused on facilitating research specifically dedicated to decreasing deaths by suicide [, ]. In a 2026 article, Interian and colleagues noted recent advances related to both health care system-wide prevention strategies and randomized clinical trials. However, suicide risk is related to diverse factors (e.g., mental health conditions, physical health conditions, environmental factors) and ongoing research efforts are warranted [–]. It is requisite that such research enroll and engage those at elevated risk for suicide to identify new and innovative means of reducing such deaths [, , ]. To ensure effectiveness when practices are implemented in real world settings, clinical trials specifically focused on suicide-risk mitigation must include those at intermediate and high (acute and chronic) risk for suicide, individuals that have traditionally been excluded, often due to concerns related to safety monitoring. As highlighted by Fisher et al. []. inclusion of those at increased risk poses important safety (e.g., risk assessment) and ethical issues (e.g., randomization) that must be addressed. The implementation of a dynamic risk assessment strategy throughout study participation is also supported by findings which highlight the limited utility of any specific evidence-based risk factor in terms of predicting an individual’s level of acute or chronic risk []. Unfortunately, literature regarding specific tools and processes that can be used by research teams to facilitate ongoing risk assessment using validated measures remains sparse []. This issue is not limited to mental health research. Work by members of this team and others continues to emphasize the role that physical health conditions and associated sequalae (e.g., decreased functioning) have on suicide risk. It is thus important to ensure both study inclusion and evidence-based risk management strategies to facilitate participation in potentially life extending or saving clinical trials related to primary health conditions. For example, work by members of this team suggests that Veterans with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a progressive, degenerative motor neuron disorder which impacts functioning and significantly decreases life expectancy, are at increased risk for suicide []. In particular, risk appears to be elevated following receipt of this difficult diagnosis, with individuals presenting with increased risk for suicidal ideation. Reporting suicidal thoughts could thus result in exclusion from participating in clinical trials aimed at mitigating ALS symptoms, enhancing functioning, or extending one’s life. Similar assertions could be made among individuals living with other life threatening and/or chronic conditions such as head and neck cancer [] or Parkinsons disease []. This challenge is particularly concerning for research with Veterans, given that members of this cohort are at increased risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors [], as well as for many chronic physical health conditions. Towards this end, members of this team have identified a feasible and transferable strategy, using Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) [], an accessible, low cost, and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliant platform that is available to many researchers, including those at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), as well as validated measures and tools (e.g., Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9] []; University of Washington Risk Assessment Protocol [UWRAP]) [] to monitor suicide risk among individuals participating in clinical trials. Information regarding the trials, participants, procedures, and feasibility data is further detailed below []. That is, within this manuscript, descriptive data is presented in support of the feasibility of this strategy.