Medical University Of South Carolina

This study tested whether giving caregivers prize-based rewards for staying engaged in juvenile drug court could help reduce teens' substance use and delinquent behavior. Researchers enrolled 53 teens aged 13-17 and their caregivers. The approach used contingency management to en…

This study tested whether a hospital-based smoking cessation program could help smokers quit after they leave the hospital. Over 1,100 adult smokers from several hospitals took part. The program offered extra support and medication to help them stop smoking.

This study tested whether a different medicine, maribavir, works as well as the standard valganciclovir to prevent CMV infection in kidney transplant patients at high risk. 70 adults who recently received a kidney transplant took part. The goal was to see which drug causes fewer …

This study tested if a single infusion of stem cells from donated umbilical cords could help adults with severe lupus that wasn't controlled by standard treatments. 81 participants received either the stem cells or a placebo, plus their usual care. The main goal was to see if the…

This study tested a device that gently stimulates a nerve in the ear to help infants with feeding problems learn to bottle-feed. Seventeen babies who were struggling to eat and at risk of needing a feeding tube took part. Some received the stimulation during bottle feeds for 10 d…

This study tested a combination of two drugs, nivolumab and ALT-803, in 67 people with advanced non-small cell lung cancer that had already been treated. The goal was to see if the combination was safe and how many patients' tumors shrank. The approach aims to boost the immune sy…

This study looked at whether giving chemotherapy (docetaxel) before hormone therapy (degarelix) helps men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer that has spread. 52 men took part. The main goal was to see how many had a very low PSA level after 10 months. This approach aims to cont…

This study tested a medication called GET73 in 79 adults with moderate-to-severe alcohol use disorder who were not seeking treatment. Participants took GET73 or a placebo for 8 days and had MRI scans to measure brain chemistry and activity when shown alcohol-related cues. The goa…

This study tested two types of walking-balance training for people who had a stroke at least 6 months ago and have a fear of falling or have fallen recently. Participants walked on a treadmill that gave gentle pushes to challenge their balance. The goal was to see if this trainin…

This pilot study tested whether a combination of brief therapy sessions and a mobile app can help pregnant and postpartum women with opioid use disorder stay on their buprenorphine medication. Fifteen women participated, attending therapy appointments and using the app. The goal …

This study tested the drug nivolumab in 17 people with advanced oral cavity cancer before they had surgery. The goal was to see if the drug could shrink tumors before removal. Nivolumab is an immunotherapy that helps the immune system fight cancer. The trial is complete and resul…

This study tested a new way to treat depression using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Instead of delivering pulses at random times, the researchers timed the pulses to match the brain's natural alpha rhythm. They wanted to see if this synchronized approach would work bet…

This study looked at whether starting more frequent or intense physical therapy within 24 hours of a stroke helps patients regain movement and balance. 102 adults with acute stroke were split into groups receiving standard care, more sessions, harder exercises, or both. The goal …

This study tested a video program to help cancer patients stop smoking. 42 adults with cancer who smoked took part. Researchers wanted to see if patients liked the videos, if the program was easy to use, and if it helped them learn more about quitting. The goal is to gather infor…

This study looked at whether listening to emotionally meaningful music can improve mood and alertness in people with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease. Ten participants were exposed to special music and a control condition. Researchers measured changes in overall well-being …

This study tested a fast, non-invasive brain stimulation method called TMS in 38 healthy adults to see if it could improve thinking skills like attention and memory, and help people bounce back from stress. Participants received different doses of the stimulation and completed co…

This study tested a short, video-based therapy for young children (ages 2-6) with autism who have severe tantrums or aggression. 80 families were randomly assigned to either 10 sessions of telehealth parent-child interaction therapy or usual care. The goal was to see if the thera…

This pilot study tested whether adding cognitive rehabilitation (brain exercises) to standard occupational therapy telerehabilitation helps stroke survivors improve thinking, daily function, and mood. Twenty adults who had a stroke at least 30 days earlier took part in an 8-week …

This study tested whether offering rewards (contingency management) helps cancer patients quit smoking before surgery. All 282 participants received standard counseling and nicotine patches; half also got the reward program. The goal was to see if rewards boost abstinence rates, …

This study tested a new ear stimulation method in 30 adults with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) to see if it could improve quality of life. Participants used a device at home to stimulate the ear. The goal was to ease symptoms like pain, fatigue, sleep problems, anxiet…

This study tested whether gentle yoga and breathing exercises are practical and helpful for people with scleroderma. Thirty participants learned the exercises and practiced twice daily at home for 12 weeks. Researchers measured quality of life, stress, depression, and saliva mark…

This study looked at 170 adults getting a new heart valve (TAVR) to see if using lighter sedation (MAC) instead of general anesthesia leads to shorter hospital stays and fewer ICU visits. Researchers also checked if using a special ultrasound during general anesthesia helps the v…

This study tested a 5-week behavioral program for women who experienced sexual assault within the past 6 weeks and also drink alcohol. The program aimed to reduce both post-traumatic stress symptoms and alcohol use. Participants completed surveys and some used a smartphone app fo…

This study tested whether mailing free samples of varenicline (a prescription pill) or nicotine patches and lozenges helps smokers quit. 652 daily smokers were randomly assigned to receive a free sample of varenicline, nicotine products, or no sample. Participants completed surve…

This study tested a group video app that guides breast cancer survivors through yogic breathing exercises at home. The goal was to see if the app helps reduce stress and other long-term health issues after cancer treatment. Forty survivors who finished radiation therapy within th…

This small study tested whether wearing bright light glasses each morning could improve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and reduce leaky gut. Five adults with IBS used the light device for two weeks. The goal was to see if the light therapy eases belly pain, bloating, …

This study tested a handheld device called SinuSonic that uses gentle sound vibrations and breathing pressure to help people with Eustachian tube dysfunction (a condition where the ear's pressure-regulating tube doesn't work properly). Thirty adults used the device twice daily fo…

This study tested a non-invasive ear stimulation device (taVNS) in 16 teens with autism to see if it could ease symptoms. Researchers also used MRI scans to track changes in brain activity before and after one month of at-home treatment. The goal was to explore safety and find br…

This study tested whether a small, at-home device that gently stimulates a nerve in the ear can improve common symptoms of hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, such as pain, fatigue, sleep problems, and anxiety. Twenty-five adults with the condition used the device daily for two w…

This study tested a therapy called speech entrainment, where people with non-fluent aphasia (trouble speaking after a stroke) mimic a speaker in real time. 80 participants were split into groups receiving 3, 4.5, or 6 weeks of therapy, or no therapy. The goal was to find the best…

This study tested whether higher doses of nicotine patches and lozenges can help people quit both cigarettes and e-cigarettes at the same time. 46 adults who smoked and vaped daily took part. Researchers measured how many days they stayed away from both products and checked for s…

This study tested a program to help African American adults with lupus manage stress. Thirty participants learned stress-reduction techniques, and researchers measured their stress levels and quality of life. The goal was to see if this approach could reduce stress and improve we…

This study tested whether giving children a single dose of steroids right after tonsillectomy could lower their pain and reduce the need for strong painkillers. It involved 163 children aged 3 to 12 having outpatient tonsil surgery. Researchers measured pain scores and opioid use…

This study tested whether adding vibration to hand exercises helps stroke survivors regain hand function better than exercises alone. 61 adults who had a stroke at least 6 months ago took part. Researchers measured hand speed and dexterity to see if the vibration made a differenc…

This study tested whether combining a type of brain stimulation called theta burst stimulation (TBS) with the supplement N-acetylcysteine (NAC) could lower cocaine cravings and change how the brain reacts to cocaine-related images. Thirty-two adults with cocaine use disorder part…

This small pilot study tested whether a wearable device that gently stimulates the vagus nerve through the ear (taVNS) is safe and practical for teens with autism who also have anxiety. Ten participants aged 12-17 used the device at home twice daily for 4 weeks. The goal was to s…

This study tested whether N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a supplement, can help people who struggle with both alcohol use disorder and PTSD. 182 adults took NAC or a placebo to see if it reduced drinking and PTSD symptoms. The goal was to find a safer, more accessible treatment option f…

This study tested whether injecting a nerve-numbing medication near the throat could reduce chronic cough symptoms. Seventeen adults with nerve-related chronic cough received either four real nerve-block injections or four placebo (saltwater) injections. Researchers tracked cough…

This study looked at whether eating only during an 8-hour period each day (time-restricted feeding) changes certain blood markers linked to breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women with pre-diabetes. 29 women were randomly assigned to either an 8-hour eating window or a 12-hour…

This study looked at two versions of a school program designed to reduce aggressive behavior in middle school students. The programs aimed to address racial and ethnic discrimination as part of the approach. Nearly 5,000 students and their teachers took part, and researchers meas…

This study looked at how gender and sex hormones like progesterone influence recovery from cannabis use disorder. 224 adults who wanted to cut down on cannabis joined an 8-week counseling program. Researchers tracked their cannabis use and hormone levels to see who achieved remis…

This study looked at how the brain changes when people learn new movements after a stroke. Researchers used MRI scans to watch brain activity in 40 adults (some with stroke, some without) while they practiced gripping tasks. The goal was to understand why some brain changes help …

This study tested a mobile health resource called CAARE to help children under 12 and their caregivers recover emotionally after a traumatic injury. Researchers measured changes in stress, depression, PTSD, and quality of life in 54 participants. The goal was to see if the app co…

This study looked at how African American women who survived breast cancer react to stress. Researchers measured stress hormones, heart rate, and blood pressure during a stressful task. They also checked how stress relates to diet, exercise, and treatment choices. The goal is to …

This study looked at how dupilumab improves smell in people with chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps. Researchers measured changes in inflammation inside the nose using CT scans, endoscopy, and mucus samples. The goal was to confirm that the drug works by directly reducing swellin…

This study tested whether a brief smartphone task could help women aged 18-25 who have experienced sexual assault reduce their drinking and risky sexual behavior. 46 women completed the task or a fake version over four days. Researchers then checked their alcohol use, condom use,…

This study tested a thinner version of a standard bronchoscopy scope to see if it could safely help doctors see lung nodules. 51 adults with lung nodules took part. The main goal was to check if the scope could visualize the nodule during a routine bronchoscopy.

This study looked at whether people with spinal cord injury can strengthen the connections between their brain and leg muscles through a special training program. 21 participants completed sessions over several months, using brain stimulation and muscle monitoring. The goal was t…

This study looked at how a gentle electrical current applied to the scalp (tDCS) affects brain signals in 20 people with Parkinson's disease. Researchers measured brain activity during a reaching task to see which signals improve movement. The goal was to learn more about how tDC…

This study looked at whether a program called Be Well Care Well can lower stress and boost well-being in preschool teachers. Researchers measured job stress and resilience in 244 teachers using surveys and also tested if collecting cortisol (a stress hormone) was practical. The g…

This study tested special safety kits for children with autism who tend to wander away from safe places. Caregivers of 65 children aged 4-11 rated how useful each kit item was and how the kits affected their stress. The goal was to learn what works best to guide future prevention…

This study tested a patient navigator program for 75 minority adults with lupus. The program helped patients schedule appointments, arrange transportation, and find financial aid. The goal was to see if this support improves quality of life and medication adherence over 12 months…

This study aimed to understand the effects of vaping on teen lungs and see if showing them the ultrasound images could help them quit. Researchers performed lung ultrasounds on 90 teenagers who vape and those who don't. They then asked the teens who vape if seeing their own lung …