Columbia University

This study looked at whether taking vitamin D every day can lower the risk of serious lung problems in children and teens with sickle cell disease. Lung issues like infections and acute chest syndrome are major causes of illness in this group. The study involved 58 participants a…

This study tested whether a very high dose of lovastatin (a common cholesterol drug) is safe for people who recently had an ischemic stroke. 162 participants received either the high-dose lovastatin or a placebo within 24 hours of their stroke. The main goal was to check for live…

This study tested a smartphone app called T2.coach that gives personalized tips to help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar. 300 adults with high blood sugar used the app or received standard care for 6 months. The goal was to see if the app could lower blood sug…

This study looked at two approaches to help residents in public housing buildings follow smoke-free policies. One approach encouraged all residents to support the rules, while the other focused on helping smokers reduce or quit smoking. The goal was to lower secondhand smoke expo…

This early-stage study tested whether it is safe to deliver the chemotherapy drug topotecan directly into the brain over several days for people with recurrent high-grade gliomas, a serious type of brain cancer. Only 5 participants were enrolled. The main goal was to find a dose …

This early-stage study tested whether giving two immunotherapy drugs (spartalizumab and canakinumab) before surgery for localized kidney cancer is safe and practical. Seventeen adults with clear cell renal cell carcinoma received the drugs before their scheduled kidney removal. T…

This study tested a stepped care system (screening, brief advice, and referral to treatment) to help reduce unhealthy alcohol and drug use among 400 Congolese refugees and local community members in Zambia. Participants were people living in the Mantapala settlement who had risky…

This study tested whether a set of anesthesia techniques could lower the risk of serious lung complications after open abdominal surgery. About 794 adults at intermediate or high risk for lung problems were randomly assigned to receive either the special anesthesia bundle or usua…

This study tested a mobile app called Mobile Diabetes Detective (MoDD) to help people with type 2 diabetes better manage their condition. 248 adults used the app to improve problem-solving skills, blood sugar control, and daily self-care. The goal was to see if the app could lead…

This study looked at two different types of support for heart failure patients after they leave the hospital. One group got a phone call from a care coordinator, while the other had access to a community paramedic who could visit their home and connect them with a doctor via vide…

This study investigated whether a high dose of the common antiviral drug valacyclovir (Valtrex), used to treat herpes, could slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease. It involved 120 people with mild Alzheimer's who also tested positive for herpes simplex virus. Participants t…

This study tested a mobile program to help Romanian gay and bisexual men reduce their risk of HIV and improve mental health. 300 participants used their phones or computers to complete surveys and eight private online sessions with a counselor or by reading health information. Th…

This study tested whether teaching new mothers simple techniques to improve their baby's sleep and reduce fussiness could help prevent postpartum depression. 216 pregnant women at risk for depression were randomly assigned to receive either parenting coaching sessions or standard…

This study tested whether putting vancomycin powder directly into the surgical wound during brain surgery can prevent infections. Over 1100 adults having neurosurgery were randomly assigned to receive either the standard care or standard care plus topical vancomycin. Researchers …

This study tested a program to help gay and bisexual men in Romania start and stay on PrEP, a daily pill that prevents HIV. 120 men at risk for HIV took part. The program combined in-person visits with a mobile app to support PrEP use. Results will guide similar efforts in other …

This study tested a combination HIV prevention approach for 120 men in Kisumu, Kenya, who had recently exchanged sex for money or goods. Participants were offered daily PrEP pills, along with tools like urine tests to check adherence, HIV self-testing kits, and text message remin…

This study tested a program called BREATHE-Peds that helps teens (ages 10-14) and their caregivers make decisions together about managing asthma. The goal was to improve asthma control in urban youth with uncontrolled asthma. Researchers worked with 67 families at health centers …

This study tested whether using skin glue (Dermabond Prineo) to close a C-section incision leads to better scar satisfaction than standard stitches. 151 women who had a C-section took part. Researchers measured how happy patients were with their scar and checked for infections or…

This study tested whether showing patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) simple visual charts about common post-ablation symptoms helps them make more confident treatment decisions. 75 adults with symptomatic AF who were considering catheter ablation used these decision aids duri…

This study tested whether an informational website could help close family members of cardiac arrest patients feel less uncertain and distressed. 53 adult family members participated. The website provided information to reduce their fear and caregiver burden. The goal was to see …

This study tested whether adults who had been in the ICU and felt distressed about it would use a mobile app to help process those memories. 29 people used the app for 6 weeks, and the researchers checked if it was practical and acceptable. The goal was to see if this approach co…

This study tested nitrous oxide (laughing gas) as a pain reliever for children aged 8 to 18 with sickle cell disease who were having a severe pain crisis. The goal was to see if it could quickly lower pain when standard treatments like morphine were not enough. Only 5 participant…

This study tested a new program called CATCHES for people who had a stroke and are afraid of falling. The program combines physical therapy exercises at home with cognitive behavioral therapy to reduce fear. 30 adults who had a mild to moderate stroke and had low balance confiden…

This study tested whether a special bottle adapter that makes smaller drops (microdrops) can numb the eye as effectively as standard-sized numbing drops. 56 adults each received a standard drop in one eye and a microdrop in the other, then had their eye numbness checked over 10 m…

This study tested a new online therapy program designed to support the mental health of transgender and gender-diverse adults in Romania. The program consisted of 16 video sessions focused on LGBTQ-affirming counseling to help reduce depression, anxiety, and behaviors linked to H…

This study looked at whether a 40-hour Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training program helps police officers improve their verbal de-escalation skills and body language during mental health crisis calls. About 242 officers were randomly assigned to either receive the training or …

This study looked at how different practice conditions help stroke survivors learn to use their weaker arm. 28 people who had a stroke at least 6 months ago practiced a scooping task over two days. Researchers tested how well they learned and remembered the task. The goal is to f…

This study looked at whether offering people subsidized ridesharing could help reduce drunk driving and alcohol use. Over 7,000 adults who drink at bars and own a smartphone took part. Researchers measured how often they drove after drinking and how much they drank, comparing res…

This study tested a program called TechMPower to help people leaving jail get better care for HIV and substance use. It involved 65 adults in one New York county who were about to be released. The program used community workgroups, a team of experts, and technology to improve HIV…

This study tested whether community health workers (CHWs) could effectively screen for depression in 30 Black churches and help people get treatment. 505 adults with possible depression were split into two groups: one received a structured program (SBIRT) and the other got usual …

This study looked at how sleep and diet affect performance in 38 Columbia University baseball players. Researchers measured sleep quality, food intake, and athletic skills like batting and pitching speed. They then gave tips on better sleep habits and nutrition to help players re…

This study looked at how two types of exercise—balance training and aerobic training—affect the brains of people with degenerative cerebellar diseases like spinocerebellar ataxia. Researchers used brain scans to see if balance training changes brain areas outside the cerebellum w…

This pilot study looked at how well depression screening and treatment work for adolescents in primary care clinics in Mozambique. About 95 teens took part, with some clinics offering a type of talk therapy called interpersonal therapy and others offering usual care. The goal was…

This study looked at how different insulin levels impact blood sugar in 18 adults with overweight, insulin resistance, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Participants underwent two procedures where insulin was either kept steady or slowly reduced, and researchers meas…

This study tested whether customizing cognitive training based on a person's early auditory processing ability improves thinking and daily functioning in people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. 194 adults from community mental health centers were grouped by their a…

This study looked at whether a special bassinet that rocks and plays white noise (SNOO) helps preterm infants sleep more peacefully compared to a regular bassinet. Twenty premature babies each spent three hours in both types of bassinets, while researchers monitored their sleep s…

This study tested a program called Free Time for Wellness (FT4W) designed to help low-income mothers in New York City become more physically active. 89 mothers with young children took part. The program aimed to overcome barriers like lack of time and resources. Researchers measu…

This study followed about 1,900 pregnant women (some with HIV, some without) and their children for two years to see how HIV and the drug dolutegravir affect weight gain and body fat. Researchers measured things like weight, body composition, and blood markers in both mothers and…

This study looked at why people with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) have low energy and get tired quickly during exercise. Researchers measured oxygen use during cycling and walking tests in 34 SMA patients who were already on standard treatments. The goal was to better understand…

This small pilot study tested whether a heart rehab program that combines telehealth, home exercises, and a few clinic visits is practical for people who survived a heart attack. Ten participants were enrolled to compare this hybrid approach with traditional in-person rehab. The …

This study measured brain fluid chemicals in 51 adults with obesity before and after bariatric surgery or diet-induced weight loss. The goal was to understand why surgery leads to better long-term weight control. By comparing brain signals, researchers hope to find new ways to tr…

This study looked at whether changing cleaning habits and using chemical-free personal care products can lower exposure to certain environmental chemicals. Researchers measured chemicals in urine and breast tissue composition in 32 mothers and daughters. The goal was to see if th…

This study looked at financial problems (called 'financial toxicity') in 26 teens and young adults aged 15-39 with cancer. Researchers tested a tool to measure money stress and a program to help patients get financial advice and support. The goal was to see if these tools are use…

This study tested whether teaching people who sleep less than 7 hours a night how to improve their sleep could lower their blood pressure while they sleep. 66 adults took part, with some getting sleep tips and others not. The main goal was to see if better sleep leads to healthie…

This study tested a new decision-support tool called PREVENT to help nurses prioritize patients moving from hospital to homecare. Researchers looked at whether using the tool reduced the number of patients readmitted to the hospital within 60 days. About 1,900 adults with conditi…

This study looked at how well people think and remember after carotid artery surgery (a procedure to clear blocked neck arteries). Researchers tested brain function before and after surgery in 817 patients and compared them to people having spine surgery. The goal was to find out…

This study looked at how receiving genetic risk information for Alzheimer's disease affects Latino adults aged 40-64 in northern Manhattan. Participants were randomly assigned to learn their risk based on family history alone or with an added genetic test (APOE). Researchers meas…

This study looked at how long-term lack of sleep affects heart health and weight gain in women. Researchers compared premenopausal and postmenopausal women to see if sleep loss leads to higher blood pressure, worse blood sugar control, and more belly fat. The goal was to understa…

This study looked at whether a drug called diazoxide, which lowers high insulin levels, can change how the liver handles fat and sugar in people with overweight or obesity who have or are at risk for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Twenty-four adults took either a low …

This study tested whether sending e-mails to doctors could encourage them to use a state prescription monitoring program and reduce unsafe prescribing of opioids and other controlled substances. About 7,800 Minnesota physicians and physician assistants who were not using the prog…

This study tested whether a fun, interactive program using music and dance could help parents and children learn more about Alzheimer's disease. Over 2,200 families from New York City schools took part. Researchers measured their knowledge before and after the program, and again …

This study looked at over 650 U.S. public schools to see if safety tactics like metal detectors, security guards, and emergency drills are linked to fewer school shootings. Researchers also checked whether these measures lead to more student suspensions or expulsions. The goal is…

This study looked at how type 1 diabetes affects bone health in children and teens. Researchers compared bone density and structure in 86 kids with and without diabetes using special scans. The goal was to understand if diabetes makes bones more fragile, which could help prevent …

This study looked at whether doing genetic sequencing on fetuses with ultrasound abnormalities can help doctors provide better care. Over 1,000 pregnant people participated to see if this testing could find genetic causes, reduce unnecessary procedures, and lower healthcare costs…

This study gathered feedback from 50 people who completed the Medicaid Title XIX Sterilization Consent form. Participants filled out a short survey and some joined a one-on-one interview to share their thoughts and understanding of the consent process. The goal was to learn what …

This study tested whether alerting police officers that a person has a serious mental illness during a routine check can reduce arrests and help them stay in treatment. About 1,400 adults with conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression who had been arres…

This study looked at whether combining electronic health records with information provided directly by patients can lead to more accurate breast cancer risk predictions. Researchers worked with 70 women aged 35 to 74 who were at high risk for breast cancer. The goal was to improv…

This study tested whether playing a web-based game called the Breakfast Game could improve thinking skills in healthy older adults. 38 adults aged 60-75 played the game to train their executive control, which helps with planning and multitasking. The goal was to see if the game c…