Karolinska Institutet
Clinical trials sponsored by Karolinska Institutet, explained in plain language.
Upcoming readouts
Trials from this sponsor expected to report results within the next 12 months.
- Could online therapy ease Kids' chronic stomach pain? Results expected Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Gallstone surgery study: does ERCP access lower risks? Results expected Oct 2026 (estimated)
- New online therapy aims to help teens manage emotions and reduce mental health symptoms Results expected Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Can a computer help heal trauma? new study tests blended therapy for PTSD Results expected Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Can online therapy calm heart attack survivors' fears? Results expected Oct 2026 (estimated)
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Can augmented reality make spinal screws safer?
Disease control OngoingThis trial compares two computer-assisted navigation methods with the traditional free-hand technique for placing pedicle screws during spinal deformity surgery. The goal is to see which approach places screws most accurately, using a CT scan during the operation to check. The st…
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Aug 29, 2026 00:00 UTC
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Can a Night-Time brace or targeted exercises halt scoliosis curves in teens?
Disease control OngoingThis trial tests three conservative approaches for adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis, a spine curvature that develops in childhood. Researchers compare a hypercorrective night-time brace worn for 8 hours, scoliosis-specific exercises, and general physical activity to see whic…
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Aug 29, 2026 00:00 UTC
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Can a phone call boost digital alcohol help?
Disease control OngoingThis study tests whether adding human guidance—like written feedback or a phone call—to a digital self-help program helps adults with problematic alcohol use drink less. Participants use an online tool based on cognitive behavioral therapy and relapse prevention. Some receive ext…
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Aug 26, 2026 00:00 UTC
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Less drilling, same tooth saving? new trial tests gentler cavity care for teens
Disease control By invitation onlyThis study compares two ways to treat deep cavities in young permanent teeth without exposing the nerve. In selective excavation, the dentist removes only the outer decay and seals the tooth. In stepwise excavation, they place a temporary filling first and remove more decay a few…
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Aug 14, 2026 00:00 UTC
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Which surgery best eases thumb arthritis pain? a Head-to-Head test
Disease control OngoingThis trial compares two surgical procedures for people with painful thumb base osteoarthritis that hasn't improved with conservative care. One procedure removes the entire trapezium bone, while the other removes only a small portion to create a narrow gap. The study will track pa…
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Aug 12, 2026 00:00 UTC
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Can a Blood-Derived injection ease thumb arthritis pain?
Disease control OngoingThis trial tests whether injecting platelet-rich plasma (PRP) into the thumb joint can reduce pain and improve function in people with thumb base osteoarthritis. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either PRP or a saline placebo injection, and neither they nor the resea…
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Aug 12, 2026 00:00 UTC
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Can a targeted electric pulse treatment spare prostate cancer patients from radical surgery?
Disease control OngoingThis trial tests whether a focal treatment called irreversible electroporation (IRE) can control localized prostate cancer as effectively as radical treatments, but with fewer side effects. IRE uses high-voltage electrical pulses to destroy tumor cells while sparing surrounding h…
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Aug 09, 2026 00:00 UTC
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Could two weeks of heart monitoring prevent a second stroke?
Disease control OngoingThis study asks whether wearing a small heart monitor for two weeks at a time, twice, can better detect hidden irregular heartbeats (atrial fibrillation) in older adults who recently had a stroke or mini-stroke, compared to the usual 1-2 day monitoring. Atrial fibrillation is a m…
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Aug 07, 2026 00:00 UTC
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Major trial tests whether skipping armpit surgery after sentinel node cancer is safe for breast cancer patients
Disease control OngoingThis trial investigates whether breast cancer patients with cancer in 1-2 sentinel lymph nodes can safely avoid additional armpit surgery (axillary clearance). The study compares survival and cancer recurrence in patients who have the extra surgery versus those who do not. The go…
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jul 16, 2026 00:00 UTC
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Fetal stem cells aim to mend broken bones in infants
Disease control OngoingThis early-phase trial tests whether fetal stem cells given before or after birth can safely help infants with severe osteogenesis imperfecta, a genetic condition causing fragile bones and frequent fractures. Up to 18 children will receive multiple doses of the cells. The main go…
Phase 1/2 • Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 26, 2026 15:45 UTC
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Simpler wrist surgery may match standard procedure for arthritis pain
Disease control OngoingThis study compares two types of wrist fusion surgery for people with advanced wrist arthritis (SNAC or SLAC). The simpler procedure, lunate-capitate fusion (LCF), is being tested against the standard four-corner fusion (4CF) to see if it provides similar grip strength and functi…
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 26, 2026 14:38 UTC
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Can smarter screening cut prostate cancer deaths?
Diagnosis OngoingThis study follows 7,500 men aged 50-74 to see which prostate cancer screening method works best over time. Some men were invited for a standard PSA test, while others had a newer approach using PSA plus a biomarker test and MRI. Researchers will track prostate cancer deaths, dia…
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Diagnosis
Last updated Jun 26, 2026 14:19 UTC
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A simple breath test after a heart attack could prevent dangerous bleeding
Prevention OngoingThis trial tests whether routinely screening heart attack patients for H. pylori, a common stomach bacteria, can prevent upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The bacteria can cause ulcers that bleed, especially when patients take blood thinners after a heart attack. Researchers will …
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Prevention
Last updated Sep 04, 2026 00:00 UTC
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Could a smartphone app curb childhood obesity? a new study tests two rollout strategies
Prevention OngoingThis study looks at how to best bring MINISTOP 3.0, a mobile app for parents, into Swedish primary child healthcare. The app aims to help parents of 2.5- to 3-year-olds encourage healthy eating, physical activity, and less screen time. Researchers will compare two ways of rolling…
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Prevention
Last updated Aug 14, 2026 00:00 UTC
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One shot may be enough: HPV vaccine study could change guidelines
Prevention OngoingThis study is testing whether a single dose of the HPV vaccine (Gardasil 9) can protect young women from HPV infection. Over 150,000 women in Sweden are participating, receiving one vaccine dose along with routine screening. The goal is to see if one dose is effective enough to h…
Phase 4 • Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Prevention
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 08:08 UTC
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Could online therapy ease Kids' chronic stomach pain?
Symptom relief OngoingThis study tests an online cognitive behavioral therapy program for children aged 8-17 with functional abdominal pain disorders. The therapy includes weekly online modules for both children and parents, with support from psychologists. The goal is to see if this approach can redu…
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Symptom relief
Last updated Aug 14, 2026 00:00 UTC
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Can online therapy tame anxiety? new study tests two approaches
Symptom relief OngoingThis study compares two internet-based cognitive behavioral therapies for people with generalized anxiety disorder. 400 adults will receive one of two 10-week online programs, guided by a psychologist. The goal is to see which therapy reduces anxiety more and whether they work by…
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Symptom relief
Last updated Aug 14, 2026 00:00 UTC
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Internet therapy for ADHD: a new way to cope?
Symptom relief OngoingThis study tests whether a 10-week internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy program can improve quality of life and reduce ADHD symptoms in adults. Two hundred adults in Sweden who have been diagnosed with ADHD and are working or studying will be randomly assigned to either th…
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Symptom relief
Last updated Aug 09, 2026 00:00 UTC
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Can yoga ease severe headaches? small pilot study aims to find out
Symptom relief OngoingThis pilot study is testing whether yoga-based movements, done online or in person, can help people with chronic migraine or cluster headache. Twenty adults aged 18-65 will participate. The goal is to see if yoga improves headache frequency, sleep quality, and overall well-being …
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Symptom relief
Last updated Jul 31, 2026 00:00 UTC
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Can tailored exercise help tame racing heart and fatigue after COVID?
Symptom relief OngoingThis study investigates whether a 16-week individually tailored exercise program, guided by a physiotherapist, can help adults with post-COVID POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) spend more time upright and feel better. Participants are randomly assigned to either th…
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Symptom relief
Last updated Jul 17, 2026 00:00 UTC
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Jaw pain relief for kids: study pulled before it started
Symptom relief CancelledThis study aimed to compare different treatments—like mouthguards, jaw exercises, and anti-inflammatory drugs—for jaw muscle or joint pain in children aged 7 to 14. The goal was to see which works best and if any affect jaw growth. However, the study was withdrawn before enrollin…
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Symptom relief
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 12:36 UTC
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Can an online program help teens stop self-harm? new study tests internet therapy
Symptom relief OngoingThis pilot study tests an internet-delivered therapy (IERITA) for teens aged 13-17 who engage in nonsuicidal self-injury. The 12-week program teaches emotion regulation skills through online modules, videos, and therapist messaging. Researchers will check if the approach is feasi…
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Symptom relief
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 12:36 UTC
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Can online therapy ease anxiety in kids with asthma? new study explores
Symptom relief OngoingThis study tests whether an online cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) program can help children aged 8 to 17 with asthma who also feel anxious or worried about their condition. The therapy is designed to improve quality of life, reduce anxiety, and help manage asthma better. The st…
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Symptom relief
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 12:32 UTC
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Can a web course boost health in spinal cord injury?
Symptom relief By invitation onlyThis trial tests whether a 10-week online health program called DRIV can help adults with long-term spinal cord injury adopt healthier habits and feel better. Participants attend weekly video group sessions covering exercise, nutrition, stress, and goal-setting. Researchers compa…
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Symptom relief
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 12:10 UTC
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Numbing shot during labor may prevent painful tears in First-Time moms
Symptom relief By invitation onlyThis study tests whether giving local anesthesia during the pushing stage of labor can lower the chance of perineal tears (including severe muscle injuries) in women having their first vaginal birth. About 1,350 first-time mothers will take part. If effective, this simple step co…
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Symptom relief
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 12:06 UTC
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Can one therapy treat all anxiety disorders? a new study aims to find out
Symptom relief OngoingThis study tests whether a single type of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can work for several anxiety disorders, compared to therapies designed for each specific disorder. About 76 adults with panic disorder, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, OCD, or PTSD will participate.…
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Symptom relief
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 12:00 UTC
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Toddlers with CP race ahead in joyful movement study
Symptom relief By invitation onlyThis study tests a 12-week play-based training program for children aged 2-5 with cerebral palsy. The program uses running frames and other assistive devices to improve mobility, fitness, and daily activity. Twenty children will participate in weekly group sessions plus home exer…
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Symptom relief
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 09:00 UTC
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Jaw surgery showdown: which TMJ fix works best?
Symptom relief By invitation onlyThis study looks back at 65 adults who had one of two surgeries for a painful jaw joint condition (TMJ disc displacement). The goal is to see which surgery better improves mouth opening, reduces pain, and helps the jaw work better. Researchers also check recovery speed, side effe…
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Symptom relief
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 08:07 UTC
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Clearing the clutter: new study tests home help for hoarding
Symptom relief OngoingThis study tests whether adding in-home decluttering sessions to group cognitive-behavioral therapy can reduce hoarding severity in adults with hoarding disorder. About 90 participants in Sweden will receive 10 weekly home visits focused on guided decluttering, alongside standard…
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Symptom relief
Last updated Jun 26, 2026 19:17 UTC
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Can a simple blood test forecast heart failure years before it strikes?
Knowledge-focused OngoingThis study follows 250 people with high blood pressure and 60 healthy volunteers over several years. Researchers use heart imaging and blood tests to track changes in heart structure and function. The goal is to understand why some people with hypertension develop heart failure, …
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Sep 02, 2026 00:00 UTC
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90,000 parents and nurses join study to catch family violence at child checkups
Knowledge-focused OngoingThis study will look at how well a program helps nurses ask parents about family violence during routine child health visits. Researchers will review medical records of 90,000 parents and interview nurses to see if the program works and what challenges remain. The goal is to lear…
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Aug 20, 2026 00:00 UTC
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Screen time under the microscope: new study targets kids under 5 and their parents
Knowledge-focused By invitation onlyThis study looks at screen habits in children aged 0-5 and their parents, and how child health nurses address screen use. About 300 parents will complete surveys on screen time and digital health services, and nurses will take part in focus groups. The goal is to understand scree…
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Aug 14, 2026 00:00 UTC
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Lab-Grown brain cells could unlock Anorexia's secrets
Knowledge-focused OngoingThis study uses stem cell technology to create brain cells from people with anorexia nervosa and compare them to cells from healthy individuals. The goal is to understand how specific brain cells, called hypothalamic neurons and microglia, function differently in anorexia. By pro…
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Aug 08, 2026 00:03 UTC
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Muscle cells under the microscope: how does a week of disuse change them?
Knowledge-focused By invitation onlyThis study looks at how different cells in human muscle respond when a leg is completely unloaded for five days. Healthy young adults will use crutches and a special shoe to keep one leg off the ground, mimicking the effects of immobilization. Before and after, researchers will m…
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Aug 02, 2026 00:00 UTC
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22,000 patients studied to unlock secrets of deadly heart infection
Knowledge-focused OngoingThis observational study looks back at 22,000 adults in Sweden diagnosed with infective endocarditis, a serious heart valve infection, since 1997. By linking national health records, researchers aim to understand which patients benefit most from valve surgery and what factors aff…
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jul 02, 2026 00:00 UTC
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Healthy volunteers help fine-tune nerve testing methods
Knowledge-focused OngoingThis study tested whether two methods for measuring nerve function in the fingers give consistent results. Ten healthy adults had their fingers tested twice, two weeks apart. The goal was to see if the methods are reliable enough to use in future studies. No treatment or cure was…
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 12:37 UTC
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New online program aims to help women with missed periods
Knowledge-focused OngoingThis study tests a 10-week online education program for women with functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA), a condition where periods stop due to stress, low energy, or excessive exercise. The program provides self-guided lessons on stress, nutrition, and exercise. Researchers w…
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 12:34 UTC
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Is 'Safe' snus actually safe? 30,000-Person study aims to find out
Knowledge-focused OngoingThis study uses data from over 30,000 Swedish adults to see if using snus (including newer white nicotine pouches) is linked to heart disease, metabolic problems, and poor mental health, independent of smoking. Researchers will compare current, former, and never-users using advan…
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 12:32 UTC
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Pharmacy app aims to boost birth control after emergency pill
Knowledge-focused OngoingThis study tests whether giving women structured online contraceptive advice when they buy the morning-after pill at a pharmacy helps them switch to a regular, effective birth control method. About 600 women in Sweden will use a smartphone app to get counseling and will be follow…
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 09:07 UTC
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New online tool aims to clear up confusion around cancer screening
Knowledge-focused CancelledThis study aimed to create a web-based decision aid for people invited to cancer screening in Sweden. The tool would provide clear information about the benefits and harms of screening, helping individuals decide based on knowledge rather than fear. The study was withdrawn before…
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 09:05 UTC
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Short chat could break shame barrier for problem drinkers
Knowledge-focused OngoingThis study tests whether a brief information session can help people with risky alcohol use feel more comfortable seeking help. Many avoid help due to shame or fear of consequences, even though effective treatments exist. Researchers will measure changes in participants' willingn…
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 08:06 UTC
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Workplace wellness revolution? new study tests Goal-Setting method
Knowledge-focused By invitation onlyThis study tests a method to improve workplace health by focusing on positive factors like fairness and leadership, rather than just fixing problems. About 45 municipal employees will set goals and track progress using a tool called Goal Attainment Scaling. Researchers want to se…
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 07:53 UTC
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Do 'Do not Resuscitate' orders raise death risk in ICUs? new study investigates
Knowledge-focused OngoingThis study analyzes data from 1500 ICU patients to see if having a resuscitation order other than 'full code' is linked to a higher risk of death. Researchers will use statistical models to account for factors like age, sex, and frailty. The goal is to understand if the order its…
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 26, 2026 14:21 UTC
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10,000 genomes scoured for clues to rare brain diseases
Knowledge-focused By invitation onlyThis study will analyze DNA from 10,000 people with suspected rare genetic disorders affecting the brain. Researchers will map structural changes in chromosomes to find which genes cause disease. The goal is to improve genetic diagnosis and lay groundwork for future treatments.
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 26, 2026 13:56 UTC
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Kidney injury detection study pulled before it began
Knowledge-focused CancelledThis study planned to test two new methods for spotting acute kidney injury early in adults after heart surgery. Researchers wanted to see if these methods could predict kidney damage better than current tools. However, the study was withdrawn before enrolling any participants, s…
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 26, 2026 12:55 UTC