Baylor Research Institute

This completed pilot study tested whether a very low-carbohydrate diet could lower blood pressure in 64 lower-income African American adults with high blood pressure. Participants followed either a low-carb or standard low-fat diet for 10 months. Researchers measured changes in b…

This study tested whether a once-weekly injection of exenatide (a diabetes drug) can protect the heart and kidneys in 57 adults with type 2 diabetes and mild kidney problems. Participants received either exenatide or a placebo for 38 weeks. Researchers measured blood and urine ma…

This early-phase trial tested whether adding the drug anakinra to standard chemotherapy is safe for people with metastatic pancreatic cancer. Thirteen adults with advanced disease received the combination. The main goal was to check for side effects, not to see if it works.

This study looked at whether community health workers (CHWs) can help low-income, mostly minority adults better manage chronic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. Over 10 months, 202 participants either received CHW support plus standard care or just standar…

This study tested a weight loss program designed for people with long-term mobility problems, like those using wheelchairs. The goal was to help participants lose weight and be more active to lower their risk of chronic diseases. 67 overweight adults with mobility impairments too…

This study tested a device called the Lariat to close off a small pouch in the heart (the left atrial appendage) in people with atrial fibrillation who cannot take blood thinners. The goal was to reduce the risk of stroke. Nine participants were enrolled, and the study measured h…

This study tested whether giving inhaled nitric oxide during liver transplant surgery could reduce damage to the new liver and help it work better. Twenty-three patients receiving a liver transplant were randomly assigned to get either the gas or a placebo. The goal was to see if…

This study tested a once-daily inhaler called Trelegy Ellipta in 80 adults hospitalized for a COPD flare-up. The goal was to see if it reduces the need for extra rescue breathing treatments and shortens hospital stays. Participants took the inhaler daily along with short-term ste…

This study tested three different weight loss strategies in 110 adults with chronic spinal cord injury who were overweight. The strategies included portion-controlled meals, enhanced self-monitoring with technology, and a tailored lifestyle program called GLB-SCI. The goal was to…

This study tested whether a once-daily version of the anti-rejection drug tacrolimus (Envarsus) works as well as the standard twice-daily version (Prograf) in heart transplant recipients. Fifty adults who had a heart-only transplant were enrolled. The goal was to see if the easie…

This study tested whether a special ultrasound, called ShearWave Elastography, can measure liver stiffness without needing a needle biopsy. Over 1,200 adults with chronic liver disease, liver transplants, or heart failure had a quick scan during a regular clinic visit. The goal w…

This study aimed to find DNA markers in the blood that could help detect a serious type of ovarian cancer early. Researchers compared DNA from women with and without ovarian cancer to identify differences. The goal is to develop a simple blood test for earlier diagnosis. Ten wome…

This study tested whether a special silver dressing (Algidex) placed over central line insertion sites can prevent bloodstream infections in very low birth weight infants (500-1500 grams). Researchers compared infection rates, hospital stay length, and safety between babies who g…

This study tested whether injecting a long-acting painkiller (liposomal bupivacaine) into the breastbone before cutting it during heart surgery can reduce pain and the need for opioid painkillers. 70 adults having heart surgery through the breastbone took part. The goal was to se…

This study looked at whether playing the harmonica could help people with COPD improve their breathing muscle strength, reduce shortness of breath during activity, and boost quality of life. Fifteen people who had completed a pulmonary rehab program took part in a 12-week harmoni…

This study looked at whether a type of talk therapy called prolonged exposure therapy can help reduce PTSD symptoms in people with spinal cord injuries. Thirty adults with both conditions were randomly assigned to receive the therapy or continue their usual care. The main goal wa…

This study tested whether a flexible catheter with three openings (multiport) provides better pain relief during labor than a standard single-opening catheter. 650 women in labor received one of the two catheters for epidural medication. The goal was to see if the multiport desig…

This study tested two different methods of closing the main leg artery after a minimally invasive heart valve replacement (TAVR). One method used two small stitch-like devices, the other used one stitch device plus a plug. The goal was to see which approach caused fewer bleeding …

This study looked at whether robotic gait training helps people with spinal cord injury walk better compared to standard walking therapy. 115 patients in inpatient rehab took part. The goal was to measure improvements in walking ability and speed.

This pilot study tested whether continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) can help manage blood sugar in hospitalized adults with diabetes. Forty patients wore a Dexcom G6 device during their hospital stay to track glucose levels. The goal was to see if CGM could reduce dangerous low or…

This study followed 42 adults with spinal cord injury for one year after leaving rehab. Researchers tracked what they ate, how active they were, and their mood to understand why weight gain happens. The goal is to use this information to design better programs that help people wi…

This study checked in on 5 adults with Fabry disease who had been taking enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) since childhood for about 15 years. Researchers measured kidney function and heart health to see how well the long-term treatment worked. The goal was to gather follow-up dat…

This study looked at whether continuously monitoring both breathing rate and oxygen levels can better detect breathing problems in adults recovering from surgery who are taking opioid pain medication. Researchers added a breathing rate monitor to an existing oxygen monitoring sys…

This completed study tested two strategies to improve diabetes care in older adults: giving doctors regular feedback on their patients' diabetes control, and assigning a diabetes resource nurse to coordinate care. About 1,891 people aged 65 and older with diabetes and Medicare to…

This study looked at 66 adults with blocked dialysis grafts or fistulas to see if adding an extra imaging tool (IVUS) to standard angiography helps doctors better understand the blockage. The goal was to compare how well each method measures the narrowing and size of the blood ve…

This study collected blood and DNA samples from 26 people with early-onset Alzheimer's disease and their close family members. Researchers analyzed the samples to find genetic changes and biomarkers that could help doctors diagnose, treat, and monitor the disease in the future. T…

This study looked at how doctors in the U.S. manage blood thinners in heart patients who need surgery. The goal was to understand the risks of bleeding and clotting with different approaches. 147 patients were observed to gather data for future research. No new treatments were te…

This study looked at 81 people with mild memory problems who were getting a heart valve replacement (TAVR). Researchers tested their thinking and memory with a 5-minute quiz before the procedure and again 30 days and 6 months after. The goal was to see if fixing the heart valve c…

This study tested a Spanish-language electronic screening tool called TAPS-ESP to identify tobacco, alcohol, prescription drug, and illicit substance use in primary care. About 1,000 Spanish-speaking adults from a clinic participated. The goal was to see if the tool accurately de…

This study analyzed tissue and blood samples from 21 women to find genetic markers that might predict uterine atony, a condition where the uterus fails to contract after childbirth, leading to severe bleeding. The goal was to identify women at risk so doctors can take preventive …

This study looked at how social factors like income, housing, and stress, along with depression, affect blood vessel health in low-income racial and ethnic minority adults. Researchers measured depression, anxiety, stress, and social needs using questionnaires. The goal was to un…

This study collected blood and tissue samples from 91 adults with aortic valve disease to look for genetic differences that might explain why some develop aortic aneurysms. Researchers compared gene activity in people with bicuspid valves, tricuspid valves, and healthy controls. …

This study looked at 221 liver transplant patients to see if a simple lab test could predict who might reject their new organ. Researchers analyzed gene patterns in the patients' blood to find early warning signs. The goal was to better understand why some bodies accept a transpl…

This completed study looked for chemical markers in blood and urine that could help detect Alzheimer's disease early. Researchers analyzed samples from 95 people with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's, comparing them to healthy older adults. The goal was to find biomarkers…

This study tested whether a device that measures body composition (bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy) can help predict complications after a heart transplant. Researchers followed 69 adult heart transplant patients for one year, tracking changes in muscle and fat. The goal was…

This study looked at whether a blood test called cystatin C is more accurate than the standard creatinine test for measuring kidney function in people with severe liver disease. Researchers compared these lab tests to a precise radioactive tracer method in 213 adults being evalua…