Northwestern University

This study tested a new approach to help kidney transplant patients stop taking lifelong anti-rejection drugs. It involved 88 patients who received a kidney from a genetically matched sibling. The treatment combined a special medication (Campath-1H) with infusions of the donor's …

This study tested whether assigning a personal patient navigator to low-income women after childbirth improves their health and healthcare. The navigator provided one-on-one support for up to a year, helping with doctor visits, breastfeeding, birth control, and other needs. Resea…

This small pilot study tested whether electronic alerts in patient records could help pharmacists follow up with heart failure patients who might be missing their medications. The goal was to see if these reminders could improve long-term medication adherence after patients compl…

This study tested a 5-week online program called ALDER, designed to teach positive emotion skills. It aimed to see if the program was helpful and acceptable for adults over 65 who regularly use medications for anxiety or sleep. The goal was to help participants feel better and po…

This study tested whether a medication called zoledronic acid could prevent the severe bone loss that often happens after a spinal cord injury. For two years, researchers compared the drug to a placebo in 60 adults who had a recent injury and could not walk independently. The goa…

This small, completed pilot study tested a two-step drug treatment to control bone loss in women with chronic spinal cord injury and osteoporosis. Twelve participants received monthly injections of romosozumab for one year to build bone, followed by a year of weekly alendronate p…

This study tested whether higher doses of a long-acting injectable antipsychotic medication (risperidone) work better than standard doses for people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder whose symptoms aren't well controlled. 160 participants who hadn't responded well to…

This small pilot study tested whether a mobile phone app could help adults who have binge eating, type 2 diabetes, and difficulty affording food. The goal was to see if the app was practical and acceptable for helping people manage their eating behaviors and weight. Researchers m…

This study tested whether a new handheld device called VerTouch could help doctors find the best spot for spinal injections more easily than the standard methods of touch or ultrasound. Researchers compared the three techniques in 86 patients undergoing spinal procedures, primari…

This study tested whether using a home sperm test kit early on could help couples trying to conceive. Researchers wanted to see if the test was easy to use and if it helped reduce anxiety by spotting potential male fertility problems sooner. They enrolled 200 men without children…

This study tested whether small, wearable sensors could accurately detect and measure lymphedema (chronic swelling) in cancer survivors. Researchers compared the sensors' readings against established medical measurements in 30 adults with arm lymphedema. The goal was to see if th…

This study tested whether a simple outreach effort from a primary care clinic could help more Medicare patients, especially those who are Black, Latino, or have unmet social needs, get their recommended Annual Wellness Visit. Researchers worked with two clinics to contact patient…

This study tested a special vacuum-sealed dressing to see if it works better than regular bandages at preventing infections and other wound problems after spine surgery. Researchers enrolled 104 adults having spinal fusion surgery to compare the two methods. The goal was to find …

This study compared two forms of birth control after abortion: self-injected at home versus getting an injection at a clinic. Researchers followed 263 people in Chicago to see which method people were more likely to continue using for 6 months. The goal is to see if giving people…

This study tested a digital support service to help pregnant women and new mothers manage depression. 75 participants used a smartphone app for self-management and connected remotely with care managers. The goal was to see if this technology could help reduce depression symptoms …

This study tested a new way to deliver a long-acting, non-opioid pain medication (Exparel) using a targeted ultrasound-guided injection (Pecs blocks). The goal was to see if this method could reduce pain, nausea, and the need for addictive opioid pills after breast reconstruction…

This study tested whether an 8-week text messaging program could help young adults (ages 18-25) with depression and anxiety who were not interested in traditional therapy. Researchers compared personalized text messages (adjusted by a computer based on user responses) against gen…

This study tested a new online program designed to help people sleep better after losing their spouse or long-term partner. 40 participants who recently experienced this loss and had poor sleep were randomly assigned to either a 6-week online therapy course or a single informatio…

This study tested an online program called LEAF, designed to help family caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease. It taught them skills to manage stress and increase positive emotions. Researchers compared a live online group version to a self-guided version, and both to a …

This study tested whether having a physical therapist right in the emergency room helps people with sudden, severe back pain. Researchers compared patients who saw the on-site therapist to those who got standard ER care. The main goals were to see if this approach improved people…

This study tested whether a modern program based on ancient Tibetan Dream Yoga practices is practical to run. The program combined guided meditation, virtual reality, and techniques to become aware during dreams (lucid dreaming). Researchers enrolled 25 adults to see if people co…

This study tested different pain relief methods for women who experienced severe tears during childbirth. It involved 67 women who received either a placebo, a low-dose ketamine and morphine combination, or morphine alone shortly after delivery. The goal was to see which method b…

This study tested if starting physical therapy and education before breast cancer treatment is practical and helpful. It involved 75 women who were randomly assigned to receive either this early support or standard care. The goal was to see if preparing the body beforehand could …

This study tested a new approach for treating chronic low back pain in the emergency room. It looked at whether having a physical therapist right in the ER could help patients function better in daily life and reduce their need for opioid pain medication. The trial involved 128 a…

This study tested whether teaching parents specific communication strategies could help their toddlers with hearing loss develop better language skills. For six months, parents received weekly video coaching sessions to learn how to interact and play in ways that support their ch…

This study looked at whether a medication called metoclopramide, often given before planned C-sections, actually reduces stomach fluid volume in fasted pregnant women. Researchers compared stomach volume using ultrasound in 72 women who received either the drug or a placebo. The …

This small, early study tested whether giving two drugs—abemaciclib and letrozole—for two weeks before a planned hysterectomy could slow the growth of endometrial cancer cells. The main goal was to see if the treatment changed specific markers in the cancer cells, not to cure the…

This study aimed to find out if hearing aid settings should be customized based on a person's memory abilities, especially in realistic, noisy environments. Researchers tested 42 adults with hearing loss to see how different hearing aid features worked for people with different m…

This study tested whether gentle reminders in doctors' computer systems could help reduce unnecessary medical care for older adults. Researchers focused on three common areas: overtreating diabetes, over-testing for urinary infections without symptoms, and unnecessary prostate ca…