Duke University

This study looked at whether it is safe to give young children (6 months to under 5 years) the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as other routine childhood vaccines. About 347 children took part, and researchers checked for fever and other side effects in the days after vacc…

This study tested a 6-month, peer-led weight loss program for 116 older African American women with obesity. The program aimed to help participants lose weight and improve physical function through community support. Results could show how a national nonprofit program can help un…

This study tested a behavioral program to help young adult cancer survivors (ages 18-39) with obesity manage their weight and symptoms like pain, fatigue, and distress. The goal was to reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors. 38 survivors participated in a pilot trial to see i…

This study tested a remote, virtual cardiology program for 73 adults recently hospitalized with worsening heart failure. The program provided heart failure education, monitoring for signs of decline, and quick medication adjustments. Researchers compared this approach to usual ca…

This pilot study tested whether personalized supplements could slow ALS progression. 50 participants had their blood analyzed to identify one of four disease categories (like inflammation or stress). Based on that, they received a specific supplement for 6 months. The goal was to…

This pilot study tested a text message program to help people gradually reduce and quit smokeless tobacco. 69 adults who used smokeless tobacco at least 3 times a day took part. The program sent scheduled texts over 6 weeks, and some participants also got a live text coach. The s…

This study tested a short, motivational counseling session for injured patients who drink alcohol, delivered in the emergency department in Tanzania. Over 600 adults took part, and the goal was to see if the intervention could reduce binge drinking and related harms. The approach…

This study compared two common water pills (torsemide vs furosemide) in nearly 3,000 adults hospitalized with heart failure. The goal was to see which drug better prevents death or the need for repeat hospitalizations over 12 months. Participants were randomly assigned to one of …

This study tested whether baricitinib, a drug used for rheumatoid arthritis, can safely reduce protein in the urine of African American adults with APOL1 gene-related kidney disease. Eight participants took the drug for 12 weeks. The goal was to see if it lowers kidney damage mar…

This study looked at 173 adults on ventilators to see if combining advanced germ-detection tests with a patient's immune response can improve diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia. Researchers compared several molecular tests and host-response markers to standard clinical …

This study tested a custom, low-cost eye imaging device (OCT) to see if it can take pictures of the retina as good as expensive commercial machines. Eleven healthy adults had their eyes scanned with both devices. The goal was to see if the low-cost version could clearly show the …

This study tested a program called Leaders in Action in 250 villages in Peru. The program trained community leaders to change social norms about domestic violence. Over 8,700 people took part in either household training sessions or group workshops. The goal was to see if these a…

This study developed and tested a new program to help adolescents and young adults (ages 15-29) with advanced cancer better manage their symptoms. The program combines standard symptom management techniques with therapy focused on finding meaning and accepting difficult emotions.…

This study tested a high-dose breathing muscle training program for 34 adults with late-onset Pompe disease. The goal was to see if the training is safe and can improve breathing strength and quality of life. Participants did the exercises at home using video visits and special s…

This study tested different treatments to help with sleep problems caused by Long COVID. It involved 361 adults and looked at improving daytime sleepiness and overall sleep quality. The goal was to find which treatments work best for these specific sleep issues.

This study tested two different programs to help children aged 5 to 9 with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), a condition where kids can't eat enough or a wide enough variety of food. The goal was to see if these programs could reduce severe symptoms and improve n…

This study tested two behavioral programs—coping skills training and general health education—to see which better improves well-being in people with ongoing pain after breast cancer surgery. About 316 participants who had surgery for breast cancer or precancerous conditions took …

This study tested a noninvasive brain stimulation technique called rTMS in 12 people with focal hand dystonia (writer's cramp). The goal was to see if stimulating certain brain areas could improve hand control during writing. Participants received both real and sham stimulation t…

This study tested whether acupuncture given in the emergency department can safely and effectively reduce sudden muscle or bone pain. Researchers enrolled 599 adults with pain lasting 7 days or less. Participants received ear acupuncture, body acupuncture, or no acupuncture, and …

This study tested a program that combines mindfulness training and acupuncture to help people recover after spine surgery. Fifty adults who had spinal fusion, discectomy, or laminectomy took part. The program was added to standard education, and researchers measured how practical…

This study tested whether a smartphone app could help people with PTSD quit smoking and avoid starting again. Participants received counseling, stop-smoking medications, and rewards for not smoking, plus the app. The goal was to see if the app made it easier to stay smoke-free co…

This study tested whether paying homeless smokers for low carbon monoxide readings helps them quit. 25 participants received nicotine patches, gum or lozenges, medication, counseling, and a phone to record their breath tests. The goal was to see if this reward-based approach is p…

This study looked at whether moderate-intensity breathing exercises are safe and doable for people with ALS. Nine adults with ALS did four 3-week cycles of respiratory muscle training at home, with weekly check-ins via video calls. The main goals were to see if the training was w…

This study tested a steroid nasal spray (beclomethasone) against a placebo in 16 adults who lost their sense of smell for more than 3 months after COVID. The goal was to see if the spray could improve smell function and quality of life. The trial was small and early-stage, so res…

This study tested a home-based tablet program that teaches pain coping skills to people who had a stem cell transplant. 36 adults who had pain after their transplant used the program or received usual care. The goal was to see if the program was practical and helpful for managing…

This study tested a program called LiveWell, which teaches practical skills to help people with metastatic lung cancer manage stress, anxiety, and sadness. One participant completed the 8-session video-based training. The goal was to see if the program is usable and helpful for i…

This study tested four new tonometer tips that don't require numbing eye drops, comparing them to the standard tip used with anesthesia. 49 adults with glaucoma rated each tip for comfort and tolerability. The goal is to find the best tip for future home eye pressure monitoring.

This study tested different treatments for sleep problems caused by Long COVID. It included 830 adults who had COVID-19 and now have trouble sleeping or feel very sleepy during the day. The goal was to see if treatments matched to specific sleep issues could help people feel bett…

This study looked at whether shared medical appointments (group visits) could help people manage their weight. 43 adults with obesity from a weight management center were split into two groups: one attended group visits and cooking classes for 8 weeks, the other completed online …

This study tested whether a specific nerve block (rectus sheath block) using a long-lasting anesthetic can reduce the need for opioid painkillers after gynecologic cancer surgery. Thirty patients received the block and were compared to 60 similar patients who had standard pain tr…

This study tested two telehealth (video call) programs for 46 preschoolers with ADHD symptoms. Caregivers, doctors, and therapists shared their thoughts on how to improve the programs. The goal was to see if the programs could help children sleep better and pay attention more.

This study tested a program to help cancer survivors quit smoking and manage pain. Nineteen survivors who smoked and had pain took part. The program included counseling and support. Researchers checked if it was helpful and if people could stay smoke-free for 3 months.

This study tested whether a personalized exercise program, adapted from a program called Gerofit, is safe and doable for older adults with sickle cell disease. Thirty people took part. The goal was to see if exercise could improve physical health and quality of life, not to cure …

This study tested a program to help couples communicate better when one partner has advanced cancer. About 440 patients and their spouses took part, learning skills to improve relationship satisfaction and intimacy. The goal was to ease emotional distress and strengthen the coupl…

This study tested a program called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help people who had a stem cell transplant feel better physically and emotionally. 33 patients and their caregivers took part. The program included therapy, physical and cognitive tests, and using activ…

This study tested whether a sleep medication called suvorexant can improve sleep and reduce severe confusion (delirium) in adults aged 65 and older after non-cardiac surgery. 142 participants received either the drug or a placebo. The goal was to see if better sleep leads to less…

This study tested a mobile health program that teaches pain coping skills to breast cancer patients living in medically underserved areas. 180 women with breast cancer and persistent pain took part. The program used video calls and simple mobile technology to help patients manage…

This study looked at different treatments for vestibulodynia, a long-term vulvar pain condition that affects about 1 in 6 women. Researchers compared a numbing cream, an oral medication, and a combination of both to see which worked best. 209 women took part, and the goal was to …

This study tested an anti-CGRP antibody (a drug used for migraines) in 26 adults with trigeminal or glossopharyngeal nerve pain caused by small fiber neuropathy or fibromyalgia. The goal was to see if it could reduce pain and the need for other pain medications. Researchers also …

This study tested a mobile app called PainPac designed to help people with colorectal cancer manage their pain. Researchers wanted to see if the app was easy to use and if patients would stick with it. The app uses real-time tracking and could one day connect with electronic medi…

This study tested a new imaging software called HoloDBS to see if it helps doctors plan deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery better than current methods. Researchers reviewed medical records from 20 adults with Parkinson's disease who were already scheduled for DBS. No extra visi…

This study tested whether showing hospital patients a short educational video improves how they use special CHG bathing cloths, which help prevent serious infections. About 1000 adults took part. The goal was to see if the video helps patients follow the bathing instructions bett…

This study looked at 16 adults on breathing machines to see which method best measures the risk of lung injury. Researchers compared three different techniques to a standard test. The goal was to find a safer way to monitor patients with acute respiratory failure.

This study reviewed health records from 2039 racial/ethnic minorities with HIV to see if seeing a heart specialist (cardiologist) helps prevent heart problems. Researchers tracked who visited a cardiologist and compared outcomes over up to 5 years. The goal is to learn how to bet…

This study tested a program called GRACE that helps people in low-resource communities understand their genetic risk for diseases like heart disease and cancer. About 245 patients, along with their doctors and family members, used a web-based tool to enter family health history a…

This study tested a method to help astronauts avoid decompression sickness (the bends) during spacewalks. Nineteen healthy volunteers breathed pure oxygen for 6 hours, then spent 6 hours in a low-pressure chamber while doing exercises. Researchers monitored for bubbles in the blo…

This study looked at whether giving African American adults with high blood pressure early access to genetic testing for a kidney disease risk gene (APOL1) could improve their care. Over 6,700 participants were randomly assigned to get their genetic results right away or later. T…

This study aimed to find the best dose of a numbing medicine (bupivacaine) for spinal anesthesia during cesarean delivery in women with a BMI over 50. 45 super obese women scheduled for C-section took part. The results help doctors give just the right amount of anesthesia, avoidi…

This study enrolled 1,000 adults aged 30 and older from North Carolina to track their physical and mental abilities over two years. Researchers collected biological samples and performance data to understand how aging affects fitness and thinking. The goal was to build a diverse …

This study looked at whether special eye scans can help doctors predict which treatment will work best for people with diabetic macular edema, a common cause of vision loss in diabetes. Researchers analyzed images from 32 participants to find patterns linked to good or poor treat…

This study tested a smartphone-based cognitive training program designed specifically for older Chinese Americans. Researchers enrolled 35 participants aged 60 and older to see if the program was practical and well-liked. The goal was to gather information on how to make such too…

This study looked at how the drug dupilumab changes gene and protein activity in airway cells from adults with allergic asthma and obesity (BMI 30 or higher). Researchers collected nasal cells from 28 participants to see how dupilumab affects inflammation signals. The goal was to…

This pilot study looked at whether adding genetic risk information to standard heart disease counseling or health coaching helps people make healthier choices. 31 adults at risk for heart disease participated. The goal was to see if this approach is practical and can improve diet…

This study tested whether a wearable sensor can detect changes in knee joint loading after a small amount of fluid is injected into the knee (simulating injury). Fourteen healthy adults aged 18-35 participated. Researchers measured walking patterns, muscle activity, and balance b…

This study looked at physical resilience—the ability to recover—in 297 older adults after elective knee replacement surgery. Researchers measured activity levels, pain, thinking skills, and immune responses before and after surgery. The goal was to understand what helps some peop…

This study looked at whether testing people's genes before surgery can help doctors choose better pain medicines. Over 1,600 participants were randomly assigned to either get genetic testing right away or wait six months. The goal was to see if knowing how someone processes pain …

This study looked at how vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) affects heart rate and throat muscles in 16 adults with epilepsy who were already scheduled for VNS device surgery. Researchers tested different stimulation settings to find which ones cause side effects like neck twitching o…

This study tested a play (ethnodrama) designed to reduce stigma around PrEP, a daily pill that prevents HIV, for young women in Kenya. Researchers asked 63 people—including young women, their partners, peers, healthcare workers, and community leaders—whether the play's storylines…

This study looked at the energy needs and nutritional health of 60 adolescent girls in Abia State, Nigeria. Researchers measured what the girls ate, how active they were, and their body composition using simple tools like scales, tape measures, and activity trackers. The goal was…

This study looked at whether a handheld ultrasound can measure thigh muscle quality as well as a CT scan in 18 adults getting hip replacement. CT scans use radiation and can't be done often, while ultrasound is safe and easy to repeat. The goal was to see if ultrasound could be a…

This completed study from Duke University looked at whether genetic testing can help doctors choose better medicines for depression, acute pain, and chronic pain. Over 4,000 people took part in three separate trials. Some received immediate genetic testing to guide their treatmen…

This study looked at how health warnings on waterpipe (hookah) tobacco ads influence young adults. Over 2,500 participants rated their emotional reactions, attitudes, and desire to smoke after seeing different ads. The goal was to find which warnings work best to discourage hooka…

This study looked at why different physical therapy treatments, like manual therapy and exercise, both help chronic neck pain. Researchers studied 122 adults with neck pain lasting over 3 months. They measured changes in neck movement, pain sensitivity, and muscle endurance to se…

This study looked at whether a mobile app called CLARE could help family members and friends who care for older adults at home. Fifty caregivers aged 35 or older used the app to get training and support. The researchers checked how many people used the app and if it made them fee…

This study looked at how changing the pressure around the body (like a blood pressure cuff but on the whole body) affects exercise in people with a certain type of heart failure. 27 participants, including healthy volunteers and heart failure patients, were monitored while exerci…

This study tested a new way to help women living with HIV get screened for HPV, a virus that can cause cervical cancer. The program used simple scripts and videos to address fears and stigma around HPV. Researchers worked with nearly 1,000 women in Kenya to see if this approach c…

This study looked at 470 people with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) to see if special eye scans (SDOCT) can predict who will lose vision or develop advanced disease. Researchers tracked changes in the retina over time to find early warning signs. The goal is to better und…

This study looked at whether using a stronger disinfectant that stays active for 24 hours can lower the amount of germs on surfaces in hospital rooms. Researchers compared this to standard cleaning in 475 patient rooms. The goal was to see if enhanced daily disinfection reduces c…

This study tested a program designed to support the physical and emotional health of African American families with young children. 44 expecting parents in North Carolina took part. Researchers wanted to see if the program was acceptable and practical for families.

This pilot study tested whether a personalized nutrition plan (called SeND Home) is practical for older adults (60+) recovering from a traumatic injury. 40 participants were randomly assigned to receive either the personalized plan (including nutrition shakes up to 3 times daily …

This study used computer models to simulate airflow in the noses of 12 adults with a cleft lip and nasal blockage. The goal was to better understand how the deformity affects breathing and to help doctors plan surgeries that restore normal nasal function. Participants had CT scan…

This study looked at whether it's safe for pregnant women to get the COVID-19 and flu vaccines at the same time or if they should wait 1-2 weeks between shots. About 100 pregnant women took part, and researchers tracked side effects and birth outcomes like preterm birth. The goal…

This study looked at how a common antibiotic (metronidazole) spreads into the bowel tissue of healthy infants during planned intestinal surgery. Researchers gave the antibiotic before surgery and took small blood samples to measure its levels. The goal was to learn the best dose …