Northwestern University

This study looked at whether women who choose a self-injected birth control shot after an abortion are more likely to keep using it than those who get the shot from a nurse. About 263 women in Chicago chose either the self-inject or the clinic shot. Researchers followed up at 3 a…

This study tested a program that combined mobile health messages and peer support to help Nigerian adolescents with HIV stick to their medication and keep the virus under control. Over 500 teens from four cities took part. The goal was to see if this approach could increase the n…

This study tested a smartphone app called TECH designed to help court-involved teens reduce or quit marijuana. Sixty teens aged 14-18 who had used cannabis in the past year and had a smartphone participated. The app provided a private online community where teens could support ea…

This study tested a special vacuum device placed over the surgical wound after spine surgery. The goal was to see if it could lower the chance of infections, wound reopening, or fluid buildup under the skin. 104 adults who had spinal fusion surgery took part. The device was used …

This study tested whether giving donor stem cells along with a kidney transplant could allow patients to safely stop taking anti-rejection drugs after one year. It involved 88 people who received a kidney from a matched sibling. The goal was to see if the body would accept the ne…

This study tested whether a higher dose of a long-acting injectable antipsychotic medication works better than the standard dose for people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. It involved 160 participants whose symptoms weren't well-controlled on their current medicat…

This study looked at whether a single dose of zoledronic acid, a drug already used for osteoporosis, could prevent the rapid bone loss that often happens after a spinal cord injury. Researchers followed 60 adults who had recently been injured and could not walk independently. The…

This study tested whether daily text messages that adapt to a person's preferences can help reduce depression symptoms. 100 adults with moderate to severe depression received either personalized messages, standard messages, or just educational links for 8 weeks. The goal was to s…

This study looked at two methods for removing kidney stones: laser dusting (breaking stones into tiny pieces that pass naturally) and basket extraction (using a small wire basket to grab and remove fragments). Researchers compared how well each method cleared stones, how much pai…

This study tested an online program called ORCHID that teaches skills to increase positive emotions and reduce depression in people living with HIV. The program was offered through medical case managers at 17 Chicago clinics. The goal was to see if it improves mood, keeps patient…

This study tested a 6-week online sleep program for 40 people who recently lost a spouse or long-term partner. The program used cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) to help improve sleep and reduce inflammation. Participants wore a watch to track sleep and gave blood…

This study tested a home-based brain training program for 60 women who had finished chemotherapy for gynecologic cancers (like ovarian or uterine cancer) and were experiencing memory or thinking problems. Participants used a computer program called BrainHQ for 10 weeks. The goal …

This study tested whether having a physical therapist available in the emergency department can help people with chronic low back pain. 128 adults with low back pain were included. The goal was to see if this approach improves daily functioning and reduces the need for strong pai…

This study tested a technology service to help care managers in obstetrics clinics better treat depression in pregnant women and new mothers. 75 English-speaking adults with moderate to severe depression who owned a smartphone took part. The goal was to see if the tech support im…

This study tested whether starting physical therapy and learning about side effects before breast cancer treatment could help prevent problems like joint pain, muscle weakness, and fatigue. 75 newly diagnosed patients took part. Some received extra education and physical therapy,…

This study tested whether having a physical therapist in the emergency department helps people with sudden low back pain feel better and use fewer painkillers. 360 adults with back pain for less than 30 days took part. The goal was to see if early physical therapy improves daily …

This study tested whether taking metformin daily for six months helps people with peripheral artery disease (PAD) walk farther in six minutes. About 200 adults with PAD took either metformin or a placebo. The main goal was to see if metformin improves walking performance, which c…

This study followed over 2,100 pregnant women to track their blood sugar levels throughout pregnancy. Researchers wanted to see how glucose patterns relate to gestational diabetes and whether the baby is born larger than normal. The goal was to better understand these links, not …

This study tested whether older adults (age 60+) find a commercially available smart pillbox easy to use. The pillbox has sensors and automatic reminders to help people take their medications correctly. Twelve participants used the device for 30 days, and researchers measured how…

This study tested a new MRI method to better predict stroke risk in 33 people with intracranial atherosclerosis (narrowed arteries in the brain). Researchers measured how well different parts of the brain responded to changes in blood flow. The goal was to find imaging markers th…

This study looked at how the brain processes speech sounds in healthy people. Researchers measured brain waves in 73 English and Mandarin speakers to see how attention, predictability, and arousal affect sound encoding. The goal was to better understand the brain's role in hearin…

This study tested two drugs, abemaciclib and letrozole, in 27 women with a type of uterine cancer called endometrioid adenocarcinoma. The goal was to see if the drugs could slow down cancer cell growth before the women had surgery to remove their uterus. Researchers measured chan…

This study tested whether gentle reminders in electronic health records could help doctors avoid unnecessary tests and treatments in older adults. Researchers focused on three common issues: testing for bladder infections without symptoms, PSA tests in older men, and overtreating…

This study tested whether a modern version of Tibetan Dream Yoga—using meditation, guided imagination, lucid dreaming, and virtual reality—could be delivered to healthy adults with mild anxiety. 25 participants were randomly assigned to either the Dream Yoga program or a general …

This study looked at whether a home semen test can help couples find male fertility problems sooner. About 200 men without children and their partners used a smartphone-compatible test before trying to conceive. Researchers checked if the test was easy to use, reduced anxiety, an…

This study tested whether a simple outreach program could increase the number of Black, Latino, and low-income seniors getting their free Medicare Annual Wellness Visit. Researchers randomly assigned doctors and their patients to receive early or delayed outreach. The goal was to…

This small pilot study tested whether electronic alerts in health records could help pharmacists remind heart failure patients to take their medications as prescribed. Only 3 pharmacists took part, and the goal was to see if the system was practical and useful. The study did not …

This study tested a program called OPTIMIZE that provides a checklist and patient navigation support to Black pregnant women. About 548 women from clinics took part, with half receiving the program and half getting standard care. The goal was to see if the program helps women get…

This study looked at how older adults make decisions about where to live and what care they might need as they age, especially if they develop memory loss or Alzheimer's disease. Researchers followed 293 participants over three years, asking if they had decided on their living pr…

This study tested a device called VerTouch that helps doctors find the right spot for spinal injections. It compared VerTouch to feeling for landmarks by hand (palpation) and using ultrasound. 86 adults having spinal procedures took part. The main goal was to see if VerTouch redu…