Duke University

This study looked at whether it's safe to give young children their COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as their other routine shots. Researchers compared giving all vaccines together in one visit to giving them separately over two visits. They tracked fever and other reactions in …

This study tested two new treatment programs for children with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), a severe form of picky eating that can harm a child's health. Researchers enrolled 203 children aged 5 to 9 to see if these programs could help kids eat a better vari…

This study aimed to understand and treat New Daily Persistent Headache (NDPH) in children and adolescents aged 10-18. Participants received standard headache medications, including a specific monthly injection, while researchers measured proteins in their blood before and after t…

This study tested whether using mobile monitoring devices and getting support from nurses could help people better manage their type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. It involved 220 adults whose conditions were not well controlled with standard clinic care. Researchers compare…

This study tested a text message program designed to help people quit smokeless tobacco, like chewing tobacco or snuff. It involved 69 adults from rural areas who used these products regularly. The program sent daily texts with a personalized plan to gradually reduce use over 6 w…

This study tested whether using a person's genetic information could help doctors choose more effective pain medications after surgery. Over 1,600 participants having planned surgeries were randomly assigned to either receive standard care or have their pain medication choices gu…

This study investigated whether treating insomnia could reduce the higher risk of heart disease seen in people with PTSD. Researchers enrolled 140 adults with both PTSD and insomnia. They tested if an 8-week sleep therapy program could improve key markers of heart health, like bl…

This pilot study tested a personalized approach for ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). Researchers used a blood analysis platform to categorize 50 participants into one of four biological problem areas linked to ALS. Based on their category, participants received a specific dietary supp…

This study tested whether a simple program, led by doctors, could help patients with chronic joint and autoimmune diseases take their medications more consistently. It involved 102 patients and their providers at a rheumatology clinic. The main goal was to see if the program was …

This study tested if group doctor visits, combined with cooking classes and free healthy groceries, are a helpful way to manage weight. 43 adults with obesity from a Duke weight management clinic were randomly assigned to either attend these group sessions or use online modules. …

This study tested whether a weekly injection of the medication abatacept could prevent early juvenile arthritis from becoming more severe. It involved 121 children aged 2-16.5 years who had arthritis in four or fewer joints for less than six months. Researchers compared children …

This study tested different treatments for vestibulodynia, a common chronic pain condition affecting the vulva. Researchers compared a numbing cream, an antidepressant pill, a combination of both, and a placebo to see which best reduced pain and improved quality of life. They als…

This large study compared two commonly prescribed water pills (diuretics)—torsemide and furosemide—for people hospitalized with heart failure. Nearly 3,000 patients were randomly assigned to take one of these pills after leaving the hospital to see which one worked better. Resear…

This study tested a new community health worker program designed to help people living with HIV better manage their high blood pressure in Tanzania. The program involved training local health workers to provide counseling, monitor blood pressure, and help patients get medication …

This study tested a new program designed to help young adult cancer survivors who have obesity. The program used video calls to teach strategies for managing weight, diet, activity, and lingering symptoms like pain and fatigue. Researchers wanted to see if the program was practic…

This study tested a new program to help patients recover from a stem cell transplant. It combined a special therapy to build mental strength with physical training and activity trackers. The goal was to see if this approach could help patients get stronger and spend less time in …

This large study aimed to find the best way to give antibiotics to prevent serious infections after elective knee replacement surgery. It compared giving just one dose before surgery to giving extra doses for 24 hours after surgery. The goal was to see if the shorter, simpler app…

This study tested whether combining new lab tests for bacteria with tests that measure the body's immune response could help doctors more accurately diagnose pneumonia in patients on breathing machines. Researchers followed 173 adults in intensive care units for up to 14 days to …

This study tested whether taking extra heart images during exercise stress tests helps doctors determine if chest pain or shortness of breath is caused by stiff heart failure. Researchers studied 30 adults over 50 who were already scheduled for stress tests. They compared differe…

This study tested a portable, handheld scanner that uses near-infrared light to check for dangerous bleeding inside the skull after a head injury. Researchers used the device on 180 patients at hospitals in Uganda who were suspected of having head trauma, comparing its results to…

This study tested a new support program designed with and for African American parents. The program aimed to help parents manage stress and learn healthy habits for their families, with the goal of improving parent mental health and preventing childhood obesity. Researchers worke…

This study aimed to increase COVID-19 testing in Black and African American communities by working through trusted local spaces like barbershops and beauty salons. Researchers trained stylists and barbers as community opinion leaders and showed customers short, culturally relevan…

This study tested a new program designed to increase cervical cancer screening for women living with HIV in Kenya. The program trained community health workers to provide education and support in a way that reduces the shame and fear often associated with HPV, HIV, and cancer. Re…

This study looked at whether it's safe for pregnant women to get their COVID-19 and flu shots at the same time, or if they should be given a week or two apart. Researchers followed 98 pregnant women to compare side effects and track the health of both mothers and their babies thr…

This study tested whether showing patients a short educational video could help prevent serious bloodstream infections. About 1,000 hospitalized patients who needed to use special antiseptic bathing cloths participated. Researchers compared units where patients watched the video …

This study tested a school-based program designed to increase vaccination rates among middle school students in rural North and South Carolina. Researchers wanted to see if this approach was practical and could help more teens get important vaccines like the HPV and meningococcal…

This study tested a program called 'Leaders in Action' to see if training community volunteers could prevent domestic violence in Peru. Over 8,700 people in 250 villages participated. Researchers compared two methods: private home visits and group workshops, to see which was bett…

This study created and tested a short play (an 'ethnodrama') designed to reduce community stigma against young women in Kenya who use PrEP, a daily pill to prevent HIV. Researchers gathered feedback from 63 people, including young women, their partners, family, and community lead…

This study tested whether a remote, high-dose breathing muscle training program is safe and helpful for adults with late-onset Pompe disease. Researchers worked with 34 participants to see if strengthening breathing muscles could improve respiratory function, reduce fatigue, and …

This study tested different treatments to improve sleep disturbances in people with Long COVID. It involved 830 adults who developed new or worse sleep problems like insomnia or excessive daytime sleepiness that lasted for over 12 weeks after a COVID-19 infection. The trial was d…

This small study tested whether a specific type of talk therapy could help people struggling with the emotional distress of infertility. Nine participants received 12 therapy sessions focused on managing difficult thoughts and feelings. The main goal was to see if patients found …

This small pilot study tested a program designed to help cancer survivors quit smoking and better manage their pain. The program combined counseling techniques with a prescription medication (varenicline/Chantix) that can aid both smoking cessation and pain relief. Researchers ai…

This study tested whether a mobile app called CLARE could help train and support family caregivers. It involved 50 caregivers aged 35 and older who were helping an older loved one recover from COVID-19 at home after a hospital stay. The app provided daily guidance on patient care…

This study developed and tested a new support program designed to help teenagers and young adults (ages 15-29) with advanced cancer better manage their symptoms. The program, delivered over video calls, combined practical symptom management skills with psychological techniques to…

This study compared two standard methods of giving steroid injections to treat nerve pain that starts in the neck and travels down the arm. Researchers enrolled 74 people with this type of pain to see if one injection method was more effective or safer than the other. The goal wa…

This study tested an 8-session online health coaching program designed to help people with lupus (SLE) better manage symptoms like fatigue, pain, and brain fog that heavily impact daily life. The program, called WHEEL, used group video sessions and one-on-one coaching to help 36 …

This study tested whether a steroid nasal spray (beclomethasone) could improve smell function in people who lost their sense of smell for over 3 months after having COVID-19. Sixteen participants were randomly assigned to receive either the active spray or a placebo spray at two …

This study tested a new smartphone app called PainPac, designed to help people with colorectal cancer manage their pain. Researchers compared the app to traditional video therapy sessions to see if it was easy to use and helpful. The goal was to see if a mobile app could be a con…

This study tested whether providing small monthly grants, sometimes combined with peer mentoring, could improve mental health for transgender adults experiencing financial hardship. Researchers compared three groups receiving different combinations of financial aid and support ov…

This study tested a therapy program called LiveWell, which was specially adapted for people living with advanced lung cancer that has spread. The program teaches practical skills to help patients manage the emotional distress, anxiety, and challenges of living with a serious illn…

This study tested three different non-drug approaches to help women manage persistent pain that continues after breast cancer surgery. Researchers compared skills training, guided education, and self-guided education programs to see which best reduces pain and improves quality of…

This study tested if using a longer-acting opioid (methadone) during anesthesia for outpatient surgery leads to better pain relief and reduces the number of opioid pills patients need to take at home after their procedure. It involved 907 adults having surgery with an expected ho…

This study compared two different ways to manage pain after laparoscopic colon surgery. Researchers tested whether an injection between abdominal muscles works better than the standard spinal injection for pain control. The study involved 35 patients and measured their pain level…

This study tested whether a moderate-intensity breathing exercise program is safe and tolerable for people with ALS. Nine participants used a portable device at home to perform breathing exercises for 12 weeks, with most check-ins done via video calls. The main goal was to see if…

This study tested whether a 12-week exercise program could help people recover after a stem cell transplant for blood cancer. Sixteen patients and their caregivers followed a program of high-intensity interval training and strength exercises. Researchers measured changes in physi…

This study aimed to find treatments to help people with Long COVID who experience severe fatigue and exhaustion after physical activity. It tested different approaches to improve exercise capacity and quality of life in 660 adults who had COVID-19 and have had lasting symptoms fo…

This study tested whether giving an FDA-approved sleep medication (suvorexant) for three nights after surgery could help older adults sleep better and reduce the severity of post-surgery confusion, known as delirium. 142 participants aged 65+ undergoing non-cardiac surgery were r…

This study tested two different 9-week telehealth programs to help parents of preschoolers with ADHD symptoms. Parents learned skills to manage their child's behavior and improve sleep habits. Researchers measured changes in ADHD symptoms, sleep patterns, and parenting stress thr…

This study tested different treatments to help people with Long COVID who struggle with exercise and feel much worse after physical activity. It enrolled 300 participants across multiple centers to see if specific interventions could improve their ability to be active, do daily t…

This study tested whether a mobile health program could help breast cancer patients in underserved areas better manage their pain. The program combined video coaching sessions with a simple phone app to teach pain coping skills. Researchers compared it to a basic health education…

This study tested a new home-based tablet program designed to teach pain coping skills to people recovering from stem cell transplants. Researchers compared the tablet program to usual care in 36 patients to see if it was practical and acceptable to use. The goal was to help pati…

This study tested a program to help people feel better and get stronger after a lung transplant. It compared a special program combining coping skills and exercise with standard transplant education. The goal was to see if the program could reduce emotional distress and improve h…

This study tested a mobile app designed to help people with glaucoma manage the anxiety and depression that can come with their diagnosis. Researchers worked with 28 patients to develop and refine the app, which uses therapy techniques to teach coping skills. The goal was to see …

This study tested whether a program combining mindfulness training and acupuncture, added to standard patient education, is practical and acceptable for people recovering from spine surgery. Fifty patients were randomly assigned to receive either the combined program or education…

This study tested a personalized exercise program adapted for adults aged 40 and older with sickle cell disease. Researchers wanted to see if the program was practical, safe, and acceptable to participants, and if it could help improve their physical health and quality of life. T…

This study tested whether a communication skills training program could help couples where one partner has advanced cancer. 440 couples were randomly assigned to receive either the communication training or general health information. Researchers measured if the training improved…

This study tested a long-acting numbing injection in the abdomen to manage pain after major surgery for gynecologic cancers. It compared this new approach to the standard method of using an epidural catheter for pain control. The main goal was to see if the injection could reduce…

This study tested a medication (an antibody) to see if it could reduce severe pain in the face or throat for people with small fiber neuropathy or fibromyalgia. Researchers enrolled 26 adults to measure changes in pain levels and the need for other pain medications. A key goal wa…

This study tested a short survey called PING, designed to help patients share their personal health goals and preferences with their care team. Twenty patients with chronic diseases were randomly assigned to either complete the survey with a nurse or receive their usual clinic vi…

This study aimed to understand how the asthma medication dupilumab works at a cellular level in adults who have both asthma and obesity. Researchers collected nasal cell samples from 28 participants to analyze how the drug changes gene and protein activity. The goal was to learn …

This study tested whether new 3D visualization software helps doctors plan deep brain stimulation surgery more accurately than current standard tools. Researchers reviewed medical records of 20 Parkinson's patients who had the surgery, comparing where electrodes were actually pla…

This study aimed to understand the energy needs and nutritional status of adolescent girls in rural Nigeria. Researchers measured the diets, physical activity, and body composition of 60 girls aged 10-19. The goal was to gather accurate data to help create better food and health …

This research looked at how seeing a heart specialist affects heart disease outcomes in Black, Hispanic, and other underrepresented minority groups living with HIV. Researchers reviewed health records of 2,039 people to understand patterns in doctor referrals and heart health res…

This study aimed to see if telling patients and their doctors about a specific genetic risk for kidney disease would lead to better health management. It involved nearly 6,800 adults of African ancestry with high blood pressure. Researchers tested whether early knowledge of this …

This study tested a new program called GRACE, designed to help primary care clinics identify patients at high genetic risk for serious diseases like heart disease and cancer. About 750 patients used a website to enter their family health history, which then recommended if they ne…

This study aimed to understand how applying external pressure to the body affects exercise ability in people with a common type of heart failure. Researchers tested 27 participants, including patients and healthy volunteers, by measuring heart function while they exercised under …

This study tested a new smartphone app designed to provide brain exercises specifically for older Chinese American adults. Researchers worked with the community to create a culturally relevant app and then had 35 participants try it out. The main goal was to see if the app was ea…

This study aimed to see if detailed eye scans could predict vision loss in people at risk for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Researchers followed 470 participants for five years, using special imaging to track tiny changes in the back of the eye. The goal was to find ear…

This study aimed to understand *how* physical therapy helps people with chronic neck pain. Researchers compared two common treatments—hands-on manual therapy and guided exercise—in 122 participants. They measured things like pain, movement, and patient mindset to see if the treat…

This study aimed to better understand how different settings on a Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) device affect the nerve and cause side effects. Researchers measured nerve activity, muscle twitches in the throat, and heart rate changes in 16 adults with epilepsy while they were ha…

Researchers tested a new, low-cost eye scanner to see if it could take pictures of the back of the eye (retina) as clearly as expensive commercial machines. The long-term hope is that this scanner could one day help detect early signs of Alzheimer's disease by spotting tiny chang…

This study used advanced computer simulations to create 3D models of the nasal airways in adults with a cleft lip and nose deformity. Researchers analyzed airflow in these models before and after surgery to measure how well the operation restored normal breathing. The goal is to …

This study aimed to discover new genetic changes that cause inherited disorders, especially in patients where standard genetic testing was inconclusive. Researchers analyzed DNA and RNA from blood samples of 56 participants, including patients and their family members. The goal w…

This study looked at why Hispanic people with Parkinson's disease may experience more thinking and memory problems than non-Hispanic white patients. Researchers examined 40 people with Parkinson's to understand if heart-related health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, an…

This study aimed to understand why people with both high blood pressure and insomnia have a higher risk of heart disease. Researchers gave 149 adults with these conditions a 6-week talk therapy program designed to improve sleep. They then measured changes in nighttime blood press…

This study aimed to find out if specific patterns seen on standard eye scans could predict how well a patient with diabetic macular edema (a common cause of vision loss in diabetes) would respond to treatment. Researchers observed 32 patients, analyzing their routine eye scan ima…

This study tested if a simple, wearable sensor could detect changes in how the knee works after a small, temporary swelling was created. Researchers enrolled 14 healthy young adults to see if the sensor data matched data from more complex lab equipment. The goal is to see if such…

This study aimed to understand why some older adults recover better than others after a major surgery like knee replacement. Researchers followed 297 people aged 60+ to measure their physical and mental recovery over time. The goal was to identify the biological and personal fact…

This study aimed to find out if applying a moisturizer before a common rosacea cream (metronidazole) changes how well the medicine gets into the skin. Researchers tested this on 21 adults with rosacea by applying different moisturizer and medication combinations to their faces an…

This study aimed to compare three different methods for assessing the risk of 'self-induced lung injury' in hospitalized patients with severe breathing problems who are using a common type of breathing machine (pressure-support ventilation). Researchers enrolled 16 adult patients…

This study aimed to understand how well a common antibiotic reaches the intestinal wall in infants during surgery. Researchers measured drug levels in the blood and intestinal tissue of 21 healthy infants aged 0-2 years who were having elective bowel surgery. The goal was to gath…

This study aimed to understand what makes health warnings on hookah tobacco ads effective for young adults. Researchers showed different ads with warnings to over 2,500 young adult hookah smokers or those at risk. They measured how the warnings affected people's emotions, attitud…