Brigham And Women's Hospital

This study tested whether simple electronic reminders could help doctors and caregivers safely reduce unnecessary or risky medications for people with dementia. Researchers sent automated messages to both doctors and patients' caregivers before appointments, suggesting they discu…

This study tested whether adding trained community health workers to regular clinic care helps people in rural Mexico better manage their diabetes and high blood pressure. Researchers followed 168 adults over time to see if this approach improved how consistently people took thei…

This study tested a new surgical technique to help surgeons find and remove small lung nodules more accurately. Researchers used real-time CT imaging during minimally invasive surgery to guide the procedure. The goal was to see if this approach was safe and effective for patients…

This study tested three different approaches to help adults with high blood pressure in rural South Africa. Researchers compared standard clinic care against two programs using community health workers, with one adding home blood pressure monitoring. The goal was to find which me…

This study tested if a medication called eplerenone could improve heart health in overweight or obese people with high blood pressure or related conditions. It compared eplerenone to another standard blood pressure drug to see which was better at improving blood flow and reducing…

This study tested whether providing emergency medical care at home is a safe and effective alternative to a traditional emergency room visit. Researchers compared outcomes for 229 adults who were randomly assigned to receive care either at home or in the hospital ER. The main goa…

This study compared two medications used to control severe bleeding after cesarean delivery when standard treatment fails. Researchers tested whether methylergonovine or carboprost works better to help the uterus contract and stop bleeding. The trial involved 100 women who experi…

This study analyzed real-world medical records to compare two diabetes medications, tirzepatide and semaglutide, in people who also have a specific type of heart failure. Researchers looked at over 28,000 adults with type 2 diabetes and heart failure to see which drug was better …

This study tested whether taking daily vitamin D or fish oil supplements helps maintain or improve bone health in older adults. Researchers followed 771 participants for two years, measuring changes in bone density, structure, and body composition. The goal was to see if these co…

This hospital quality improvement project aimed to provide better, more equitable care for heart failure patients admitted to the general medicine service. It tested a structured support plan to ensure patients received proper medications, follow-up appointments with heart specia…

This study tested whether personalized text messages, sent by a smart computer program, could help people with type 2 diabetes remember to take their daily pills. Researchers compared these tailored messages to generic ones to see which was better at improving medication habits a…

This small pilot study tested whether two special diets could help people with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a serious autoimmune liver disease. Twenty participants followed either a Specific Carbohydrate Diet or a vegan/low-sulfur diet for 8 weeks, with support from diet…

This small, early-stage study tested whether a dietary supplement called PEA could help people with opioid addiction. The goal was to see if PEA could reduce stress, cravings, and pain sensitivity, which often lead to relapse. Twelve participants on stable medication treatment re…

This early-stage study tested the safety of a new nasal spray called Protollin in people with early Alzheimer's symptoms. The spray aims to stimulate the body's immune system to help clear toxic amyloid protein from the brain, which is thought to drive the disease. Researchers ga…

This study used health insurance records from nearly 50,000 people to compare two common diabetes medications, tirzepatide and sitagliptin. The goal was to see which drug is more effective at preventing serious heart problems like heart attacks and strokes in people who have both…

This study tested whether taking a daily magnesium supplement for 12 weeks could lower blood pressure in adults with untreated, mild high blood pressure. Researchers compared 59 participants who took either magnesium or a placebo pill. The goal was to see if this common supplemen…

This study aimed to understand how the approved MS drug ofatumumab affects specific immune cells in the brain called microglia. Researchers followed 10 adults with relapsing MS for 9 months after they started the drug. They used advanced brain scans and blood tests to see if chan…

This study tested whether providing full hospital-level medical care in patients' own homes is a safe and effective alternative to traditional hospital stays for rural adults. It involved 160 adults with serious but manageable conditions like severe infections, heart failure, COP…

This study tested if adding a drug called bezlotoxumab to a fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) works better than FMT alone to prevent C. difficile infection (CDI) from coming back. It involved 61 adults with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who kept getting repeat CDI. Participant…

This large study tested whether taking a daily vitamin D supplement for four weeks could help people recently diagnosed with COVID-19. Researchers wanted to see if it reduced their need for medical care and also if it prevented infection in other people living in the same househo…

This study tested a new way to perform leg amputations. The goal was to create a better biological connection point in the remaining limb to allow for more intuitive control of advanced prosthetic legs. Researchers worked with 50 adults needing a leg amputation to see if this new…

This study looked at a community health program called COPE that has been running in the Navajo Nation since 2009. It aimed to see if the program helped people with diabetes better manage their condition by improving blood sugar, blood pressure, and other health measures. Researc…

This study tested whether sulfasalazine, a medication commonly used for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), could help control primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a rare liver disease. The trial involved 32 adults with both PSC and IBD across the US, who received either the drug …

This study compared two remote care approaches to help heart failure patients get the best possible medications. Researchers tested whether a structured virtual clinic or an education-first approach worked better at getting patients on recommended treatments. The trial involved 5…

This study tested a new system to help people who use substances take their daily HIV prevention pill (PrEP) more consistently. Participants used a special 'digital pill' that sends a signal when swallowed, paired with a smartphone app that provided reminders and support. The goa…

This study tested whether a drug called dexmedetomidine, often used during anesthesia, can help protect the lungs after chest surgery. It involved 100 adults having lung surgery, comparing the drug to a placebo. The main goal was to see if the drug helps keep the lungs better inf…

This study tested two methods to help doctors stop unnecessary antibiotics given to hospitalized patients for possible pneumonia. It focused on patients whose breathing rate and oxygen levels were normal, suggesting they might not need the drugs. Researchers compared usual care a…

This study aimed to understand how two existing drugs, atomoxetine and oxybutynin, work together to improve obstructive sleep apnea. Researchers measured how the drugs affected specific throat muscles in 27 people with the condition during sleep. The goal was to learn the biologi…

This study tested whether a home-based program combining leg and arm exercises with a hormone (testosterone) could improve health more than exercise alone for people with spinal cord injuries. It involved 84 adults who were at least 6 months post-injury. The goal was to see if th…

This study tested whether acetazolamide, a medication, could reduce the severity of breathing pauses during REM sleep in people with obstructive sleep apnea. The trial involved 11 participants who do not use CPAP machines. Researchers compared one night with the drug to one night…

This study tested a new, standardized checklist for doctors and nurses to use when a patient is transferred from one hospital to another. The goal was to improve communication and reduce medical errors during this risky transition. Researchers studied over 1,600 adult patients tr…

This study tested whether a combination of two existing drugs (atomoxetine and oxybutynin) could reduce the severity of obstructive sleep apnea over one month of nightly use. Researchers compared the drug combo to a placebo in 48 adults with moderate-to-severe sleep apnea to see …

This study tested a new smartphone app and support system designed to help people with rheumatoid arthritis track their symptoms between doctor visits. The goal was to see if this digital tool could improve patient satisfaction and help control disease activity. A trained manager…

This study tested whether a special care management program could help lupus patients who frequently miss appointments or need emergency care. Thirty-five high-risk patients worked with a trained nurse manager to coordinate their care and address personal challenges. Researchers …

This study tested whether adding a standard forward-viewing camera scope to a common bile duct procedure (ERCP) finds important stomach or esophagus problems that the specialized side-viewing scope used for ERCP might miss. 163 adult patients undergoing the ERCP procedure for sta…

This study tested whether a pop-up alert in a patient's electronic health record could help doctors spot a serious lung condition called CTEPH. CTEPH can develop after a blood clot in the lungs and is often missed. The trial involved 400 patients with prior clots and symptoms. Ha…

This study tested whether a dye used in brain scans for Alzheimer's disease could also detect harmful protein deposits in the hearts of people with cardiac amyloidosis. Researchers compared scans from 30 patients with the heart condition to 15 healthy volunteers to see if the dye…

This study tested whether a simple electronic alert in a doctor's computer system could help catch early kidney disease in people with type 2 diabetes. About 400 patients who had diabetes but hadn't had the recommended annual kidney check in the past year were included. The alert…

This large study aimed to find out if taking daily cocoa extract (from cocoa beans) or a standard multivitamin could help prevent heart disease and cancer in older adults. Over 21,000 men aged 60+ and women aged 65+ were randomly assigned to take either the real supplements or pl…

This study tested if taking a low-dose blood thinner pill (apixaban) for a year could safely prevent dangerous blood clots from returning in high-risk patients. It involved 600 people who had a previous clot caused by a lasting health issue like obesity or heart failure. Particip…

This study tested whether a fun, in-class educational program could help prevent Lyme disease in children. Researchers taught kids aged 7-12 in high-risk areas how to avoid tick bites, check for ticks, and make their yards safer. They then compared the number of new Lyme disease …

This study looked at whether a specific diabetes medication (semaglutide) might help prevent dementia compared to other common diabetes drugs. Researchers analyzed health records from over 740,000 Americans aged 65+ with type 2 diabetes who had no prior dementia. The goal was to …

This large study investigated whether taking daily vitamin D or fish oil supplements could prevent bone fractures in healthy adults. It followed over 25,000 U.S. men and women for several years. The goal was to see if these common supplements reduce fracture risk, especially for …

This large study investigated whether taking daily vitamin D or fish oil supplements could help prevent new autoimmune diseases, reduce body-wide inflammation, or lessen chronic knee pain. It involved over 25,000 U.S. adults without a prior history of cancer or heart disease. Res…

This study looked back at health records to see if two specific blood pressure drugs (amiloride or triamterene) could help prevent dementia in older adults. Researchers analyzed data from over 155,000 Medicare patients aged 65+ with high blood pressure. The goal was to compare th…

This study tested a digital health program designed to prevent falls in adults aged 65 and older. Doctors used a computer tool during annual wellness visits to create personalized exercise plans for patients identified as being at risk for falls. Patients could then follow their …

This large study investigated whether taking daily vitamin D or fish oil supplements could prevent depression in older adults who were not currently depressed. Over 18,000 participants were randomly assigned to take either the real supplements or placebo pills for over five years…

This study looked back at health records to see if certain common blood pressure medications might affect the risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer's disease. It compared two types of drugs in over 160,000 older adults who already had high blood pressure. The goal was to see i…

This study looked at which of two common methods for checking bladder function after a same-day hysterectomy helps patients go home faster. Researchers compared an 'active' test, where fluid is put into the bladder after surgery, to a 'passive' test, where the catheter is simply …

This study tested whether mindfulness training helps people with chronic low back pain reduce their opioid pain medication. 121 adults who were planning to taper their opioids were randomly assigned to receive either mindfulness training or general pain education. Researchers mea…

This study tested whether a mindfulness-based therapy called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) could help reduce migraine frequency and disability. Researchers enrolled 75 women with frequent episodic migraines and randomly assigned them to either receive the ACT training o…

This small pilot study tested whether a non-drug device called Bioboosti could help people with insomnia sleep better. Twenty participants used the device at home for two weeks while researchers tracked their sleep quality and daytime sleepiness. The goal was to see if this safe,…

This study tested whether a biofeedback device could help people manage different types of chronic pain. 330 adults with chronic low back pain, recent breast surgery, or migraines were randomly assigned to either use the device with guidance or continue their usual care. The devi…

This study compared two different ways of giving a nerve block to control pain after breast cancer surgery (mastectomy). Researchers tested a new technique called the proximal intercostal block against a standard method to see if it was easier to perform, faster, and safer. They …

This small pilot study explored whether a mindfulness-based therapy could help people with atrial fibrillation (AFib) who also experience significant anxiety. Thirteen participants with AFib and high anxiety sensitivity received four to five individual sessions. The goal was to s…

This study tested whether adults could safely recover at home immediately after weight loss surgery, instead of staying in the hospital. Researchers compared two groups of patients to see if home recovery was just as good as hospital care. They looked at how long patients were ho…

This study tested whether an 8-week virtual yoga program could help people with long-term chronic pain. Researchers enrolled 94 adults who had experienced pain for over six months to participate in weekly online yoga sessions and daily home practice. The main goal was to see if t…

This large study tested three different ways to manage recent back or neck pain. Over 3,000 adults with pain lasting less than three months were randomly assigned to receive either usual doctor care, a coordinated care model, or a posture-focused therapy. Researchers measured whi…

This study tested whether a short, three-session virtual program could help reduce symptoms for people living with both chronic pain and a history of stressful or traumatic experiences. It enrolled 50 adults who had chronic pain and a significant history of trauma. The main goal …

This small, completed study explored whether listening to music could help reduce cravings for opioids. Researchers worked with 28 adults who have opioid addiction and are in stable treatment. Participants were shown drug-related images, and those who listened to music they chose…

This study tested a new mobile app called SCI-Lynx, designed specifically for people with spinal cord injuries (SCI). The app aimed to help users connect with each other to provide social support for staying physically active over a one-month period. Researchers wanted to see if …

This study tested whether a sugar-based solution called mannitol could help patients who regularly experience low blood pressure and symptoms during dialysis. Thirty-one adults on long-term dialysis received either mannitol or a placebo during their treatments over four weeks. Re…

This study tested whether dextromethorphan, an ingredient found in some cough medicines, could reduce chronic nerve pain in people with spinal cord injuries. Twenty-six adults with this type of pain tried different doses of the drug and a placebo to see which worked best. The goa…

This study tested different combinations of two existing medications (dextromethorphan and lidocaine) to see which mix best reduced chronic nerve pain in people with spinal cord injuries. Twenty-six participants tried different dose combinations in a carefully controlled trial to…

This study tested whether a brief, 6-minute motivational interview in the emergency department could help seriously ill older adults start planning their future medical care. Researchers enrolled 141 adults aged 50+ with conditions like heart failure or cancer to see if the short…

This study tested whether an 8-week mindfulness program delivered through a smartphone app could help people with fibromyalgia manage their pain and other symptoms. About 54 participants were randomly assigned to either use the mindfulness app with weekly videos and daily trackin…

This study tested a topical gel called MED3000 for treating erectile dysfunction in men who had prostate removal surgery 1.5 to 4 years earlier. Researchers wanted to see if this on-demand gel could improve sexual function and quality of life. The study included 20 men who had no…

This study tested whether simple writing exercises focused on gratitude and past successes could help people recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) feel more hopeful and improve their emotional well-being. Thirty participants were randomly assigned to either start the ex…

This study explored whether radiologists could safely and quickly identify completely normal mammograms after just a brief look, and whether they would trust an Artificial Intelligence (AI) system to do the same. Sixteen radiologists viewed up to 150 mammogram images for only fiv…

This study tested a brief training program for rheumatologists (arthritis doctors) to see if it could help them provide more equal, high-quality care to Black and lower-income patients. The training focused on getting doctors to see each patient as an individual, rather than rely…

This study aimed to understand how often a problem occurs (its 'prevalence') affects how well people make decisions when they get help from an artificial intelligence (AI) system. Twelve participants completed a computer task where they had to spot 'bad' items, similar to a docto…

This study explored what happens when healthy people are told they have a genetic risk for disease. Researchers returned genetic results to 48 participants from two long-term heart studies and tracked their medical decisions, health changes, and the costs involved. The goal was t…

This study aimed to understand how a past episode of low blood sugar affects the body's automatic nervous system, which controls things like heart rate and blood pressure. Researchers tested 28 healthy adults to see if a drug called spironolactone could prevent any negative effec…

This early-stage study aimed to understand how the body absorbs and processes buprenorphine when taken as a pill, compared to an injection. Researchers gave 18 healthy volunteers different doses of the medication during short hospital stays to measure drug levels in their blood. …

This study tested whether a computer algorithm could predict when patients receiving hospital-level care at home might get sicker. Researchers used past patient data to train the algorithm and then checked how well it worked on a new group of over 500 patients. The goal was to se…

This completed study aimed to understand typical brain development and early learning skills in 471 young children (ages 6 months to 5 years) living in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. Researchers used a portable brain scanner (MRI), play-based assessments, and family surveys to measure chil…

This study aimed to understand how standard blood-thinning medication affects lung blood vessels after a serious lung clot (pulmonary embolism). Researchers used a special 3D imaging technique on standard CT scans from 10 hospitalized patients, taken right after diagnosis and aga…

This study aimed to understand how a physical stressor—low blood sugar—affects the brain and nervous system. Researchers looked at 74 healthy adults to see which brain connections are involved in controlling automatic body functions like heart rate during this stress. The goal wa…

This study aimed to predict the results of a major heart drug trial before it finishes. Researchers analyzed health insurance records from over 44,000 people with type 2 diabetes and heart disease to see if one diabetes drug (tirzepatide) is better than another (dulaglutide) at p…

This study looked back at medical records to see if people's gender, race, or economic background affected their access to a multiple sclerosis drug called Ocrelizumab and how well the treatment worked for them. Researchers analyzed data from 800 patients at two major hospitals t…

This small, completed study aimed to see how well healthy people could tolerate different oral doses of hydroxocobalamin (a form of vitamin B12). Researchers tested 10 healthy adults to check for side effects, especially related to digestion and stool changes. The goal was to gat…

This study aimed to understand how often and why dangerous blood clots occur in people with COVID-19. Researchers looked back at the health records of 11,000 patients who tested positive for COVID-19, tracking them for 90 days to see who developed clots, what treatments they rece…

This study aimed to understand if artificial light at night makes blood sugar problems from not getting enough sleep even worse. Researchers studied 14 healthy adults who spent over a month in a lab under controlled sleep and light conditions. They specifically tested how one wee…

This study aimed to understand how having a regular or irregular daily sleep schedule affects people. For about a month, 27 healthy volunteers lived in a research facility where their sleep times were carefully controlled. Researchers measured changes in their body's internal clo…

This study did not give any medicine to participants. Instead, researchers used health insurance records from over 150,000 people with type 2 diabetes to see if real-world data can confirm the heart safety results of a previous major trial. That trial found the injectable diabete…

This study aimed to see if information from real-world electronic health records can reliably answer cancer treatment questions. Researchers recreated a past breast cancer drug trial using data from nearly 4,000 patients' medical records instead of running a new trial. The goal w…

This study aimed to see if analyzing real-world electronic health records from cancer clinics could produce results similar to a major, controlled clinical trial. Researchers looked at data from over 4,800 patients with a specific type of advanced lung cancer to compare the effec…

This study aimed to find better ways to spot early kidney injury in people newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma who are starting a specific treatment called daratumumab. Researchers collected blood and urine samples from 20 patients to measure certain proteins that might signal …

This early-stage study tested a new gel form of the antibiotic azithromycin. The goal was to see how the body absorbs this gel, which can be taken by mouth or rectally, compared to a standard pill. The study involved 18 healthy adults to check the gel's safety and how much of the…

This study looked at how a person's eating habits in the year after weight loss surgery affect their results. Researchers followed 290 people who had a sleeve gastrectomy procedure to see if their daily diet explained why some people lose a lot of weight and others do not. The go…

This study tested whether paying cash bonuses could motivate hospital employees to be more physically active. Nearly 300 employees who didn't exercise much wore Fitbits for six months and earned money for meeting weekly walking goals. The goal was to see if financial rewards are …

This study explored whether reading a baby's entire genetic code (whole genome sequencing) could be a useful health screening tool. Researchers enrolled 500 healthy infants from diverse backgrounds in Boston, New York, and Birmingham. Half the babies had their full DNA analyzed t…

This research study aimed to understand how melatonin (the 'sleep hormone') and a specific gene called MTNR1B work together to control blood sugar levels. Researchers studied 23 healthy adults in a controlled laboratory setting, measuring how different melatonin levels affected t…

This study analyzed health insurance records of nearly 900,000 people to compare how well different diabetes and weight management drugs protect against serious heart problems. It specifically looked at tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound) and semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy) versus other…

This study looked back at past patient records to see if a computer program could learn to predict which patients are most likely to be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days after being sent home. Researchers used data from 372 patients who had been treated at home through a …

This study aimed to understand how low blood sugar affects the body's automatic nervous system in people with well-controlled type 2 diabetes. Researchers monitored 14 participants during controlled low-blood-sugar episodes to measure changes in how their bodies regulate blood pr…

This study looked back at existing Medicare records to see if taking certain gout medications (probenecid or allopurinol) was linked to a different risk of developing Alzheimer's or other dementias. It analyzed data from nearly 300,000 older adults with gout but no prior dementia…

This study aimed to understand how COVID-19 spread in the Dominican Republic and what helped control it. Researchers followed over 1,000 people for a year, tracking their symptoms, checking their blood for past infections, and monitoring their handwashing habits. The goal was to …

This study examined how long-term opioid pain medication use affects pain sensitivity in people with chronic low back pain. Researchers tested 35 patients to see if opioids might actually increase pain sensitivity over time, particularly in people with high stress or negative emo…

This study aimed to learn more about how Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and pregnancy affect each other and a baby's development. Researchers followed 168 women with MS in New England who were pregnant or planning a pregnancy through regular phone interviews. They collected information …

This study aimed to better understand how sleep apnea leads to health problems like heart disease and daytime sleepiness. Researchers enrolled 209 adults with moderate to severe sleep apnea to measure its effects in new, more detailed ways. The goal was to gather knowledge that c…

This study looked back at health records to see if certain common blood pressure medications might affect a person's chance of developing dementia or Alzheimer's disease. It compared two groups of drugs in over 800,000 older adults with high blood pressure. The goal was to gather…

This study did not test a new treatment. Instead, researchers used real-world health insurance records from over 11,000 people to try to replicate the results of a major heart failure drug trial. The goal was to see if analyzing everyday patient data can be a reliable way to answ…

This study aims to understand 'rebound pain,' a severe pain spike some people feel when a numbing nerve block from surgery wears off. Researchers tested 40 healthy volunteers by giving them a numbing injection in the arm and then measuring their pain sensitivity as it wore off. T…

This study used health insurance records from over 58,000 people to see if real-world data can reliably answer the same questions as a formal clinical trial. It focused on patients with type 2 diabetes and a specific type of heart failure, comparing the outcomes of those taking t…

This study aimed to find out if certain genetic variations increase a person's risk of sudden cardiac death, even if they appear healthy. Researchers analyzed blood samples and health records from over 100,000 people in large national studies to look for these genetic links. The …

This study aimed to understand how inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis affects heart disease risk. Researchers examined 74 adults with active rheumatoid arthritis who hadn't taken certain advanced medications. They measured blood flow to the heart to see if reducing inflammation…

This study aimed to understand how a stress hormone (ACTH) might cause changes in the body's automatic nervous system the day after stress. Researchers gave 23 healthy adults either the hormone or a placebo in a blinded, crossover design. They then measured how well the body auto…

This study looked back at data from over 2,300 people with known or suspected coronary artery disease. Researchers wanted to see if the results from a special stress heart MRI test could predict who would later suffer serious heart events, like a heart attack or death from heart …

This study aimed to understand how a specific immune system signal called IL-5 affects different cells inside nasal polyps, a condition causing chronic sinus problems. Researchers analyzed tissue samples from 30 people with nasal polyps and aspirin-sensitive asthma, as well as he…