Rush University Medical Center

This pilot study tests whether helping people engage in more recreational activities—through coaching and financial support—can improve cardiometabolic health. Researchers will enroll 120 adults, measure their health using the Life's Essential 8 score, and randomly assign some to…

After knee or hip surgery, some people struggle to fully activate their muscles due to a condition called Arthrogenic Muscle Inhibition (AMI). This trial tests whether a brain-computer interface that provides real-time neurofeedback during visualization exercises can improve musc…

This study tests whether a team of a remote pharmacist, social worker, and nurse, working with patients through a phone app, can help African American and Latinx adults with uncontrolled high blood pressure lower their numbers. Two hundred participants will either get this team-b…

This study compares two types of hip implants in people who need a repeat hip replacement (revision). One implant has a special 'dual mobility' design meant to lower the risk of the hip dislocating. About 322 adults will be randomly assigned to get either the dual mobility implan…

This pilot study tests a 12-week community-based program to help adults with uncontrolled high blood pressure. A team including a pharmacist, nurse, and community health workers provides medication management, monitoring, and education in local settings. The goal is to see if thi…

This study compares a new nerve monitoring device, NeuroVision®, to standard hospital monitoring during spine surgery. The goal is to see if NeuroVision® reduces the chance of nerve injury. About 148 adults having lateral spine surgery will be randomly assigned to one of the two …

This study looks at whether giving multiple doses of tranexamic acid (TXA) by mouth or through a vein can reduce blood loss and the need for blood transfusions after spine surgery. It involves 604 adults scheduled for open back surgery who are at high risk for needing a transfusi…

About 20% of severely obese patients need their breathing tube reinserted after it's removed, which raises risks of pneumonia and longer hospital stays. This study tests whether using noninvasive breathing support (alternating between two devices) for 24 hours after tube removal …

This study tests whether reducing PTSD symptoms can prevent acute pain from turning into chronic pain. Researchers will give 345 adults either a nerve block injection (stellate ganglion block) or trauma-focused talk therapy (cognitive processing therapy). The goal is to see if th…

This study tests whether using an AI tool (Ablation Index) during heart ablation can shorten the procedure for patients with ventricular tachycardia caused by prior heart attacks. About 100 adults with ischemic cardiomyopathy and scar-related VT will be randomly assigned to stand…

This study is tracking 300 people under age 60 who faint frequently due to a condition called vasovagal syncope. Participants will receive either a nerve ablation procedure (which targets heart nerves) or a permanent pacemaker. The goal is to see which treatment better prevents f…

This study tests whether morning bright light therapy can help people with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis by reducing gut leaks and inflammation. About 30 adults with stable medication will use a light box each morning for 8 weeks. Researchers will check changes in gut bar…

This study tests whether adding a nerve block injection (stellate ganglion block) to standard talk therapy (cognitive processing therapy) helps reduce PTSD symptoms more than either treatment alone. About 270 adults with PTSD will be assigned to one of three groups: combination t…

This study compares two knee braces for people with knee arthritis affecting the inner part of the knee. Researchers will measure changes in pain and walking ability over 8 weeks. Participants must be 40-85 years old, have moderate pain, and be willing to wear the brace at least …

This study tests a program called NurseNET, where nurses are trained to provide a short-term trauma therapy for PTSD. The goal is to make treatment easier to access for people who see their primary care nurse. Researchers will enroll 100 adults with PTSD symptoms and measure if s…

This study tests whether a short course of the steroid methylprednisolone, taken as pills after knee replacement surgery, can reduce pain, opioid use, and nausea. About 420 adults having knee replacement for osteoarthritis will receive either the steroid or a placebo. The goal is…

This study tests whether a nerve block called an erector spinae plane block (ESPB) can reduce pain in adults with acute low back pain in the emergency department. 62 participants will receive either the ESPB or a sham injection. Researchers will measure pain scores for up to 2 ho…

This study compares two common shoulder injections—corticosteroids and platelet-rich plasma (PRP)—to see which provides better pain relief for people with advanced shoulder arthritis. About 200 adults with bone-on-bone arthritis will receive one of the two injections and report t…

This study compares two handheld breathing devices (Aerobika and VibraPEP) that use vibrations to help people with lung problems cough up mucus. Researchers will enroll 64 adults who have trouble clearing airway secretions. The goal is to see which device works better at improvin…

This study compares two devices used during an ERCP procedure to break up large or stuck stones in the bile or pancreatic ducts. Forty adults will be randomly assigned to receive either low-power holmium laser lithotripsy or electrohydraulic lithotripsy. The main goal is to see w…

This study compares a new knee brace called KRONOS to the standard Breg T-Scope brace after ACL reconstruction surgery. Researchers want to see if the KRONOS brace reduces pain and helps people recover knee motion faster. About 40 adults having ACL surgery will be randomly assign…

This study tests a virtual behavioral therapy (Functional Behavioral Training) for children aged 2-12 with genetic syndromes like Fragile X, Angelman, or Rett syndrome who have challenging behaviors. The therapy teaches parents how to identify what triggers problem behaviors and …

This study looks at whether using a nerve stimulator in short bursts (30 seconds on, 90 seconds off) can provide the same or better pain relief as continuous stimulation. It involves 30 adults who have had a dorsal root ganglion stimulator for at least a year and report at least …

This study tests a new drug called (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine (HNK) for chronic nerve pain in the arms or legs. 25 adults will receive a single infusion of HNK, ketamine, or a placebo in random order, with 5 weeks between each. Researchers will measure pain levels, sleep, and dai…

This study tests whether a computer-based training program can help people with Huntington's disease better understand others' emotions and social cues. Twenty participants will use the program at home and come in for follow-up visits. The goal is to see if this approach is pract…

This study looks at whether using blood flow restriction during exercise can help people regain leg strength and function more quickly after hip arthroscopy. About 56 adults aged 18 to 40 with hip tears or impingement will be randomly assigned to either the special training or a …

This study compares two types of knee implants (constrained condylar vs. posterior stabilized) used in revision knee replacement surgery. The goal is to see which one leads to better patient satisfaction and surgical outcomes. About 170 adults who need a second knee replacement w…

This study compares two COPD self-management education programs: a self-guided booklet and a counselor-led phone program. Researchers want to see which approach better reduces hospitalizations and improves quality of life. 448 adults with COPD who have been hospitalized in the pa…

This pilot study aims to see if a new program can help people manage their weight after they stop taking anti-obesity medications. Researchers will test if the program is easy to run and acceptable to patients. About 214 participants will either receive the new program or usual c…

This study looks at whether a prebiotic supplement can help repair the gut barrier and reduce inflammation in people with HIV who also have alcohol use disorder. Forty participants will take either a prebiotic or a placebo for four weeks, then switch. Researchers will measure gut…

This study looks at why people with lower income often have a harder time losing weight in behavioral programs. Researchers will track daily experiences and decision-making in 230 adults with obesity. The goal is to understand the barriers and improve future weight loss support.

This study looks at whether pulse oximeters, which measure blood oxygen through the skin, are less accurate in people with darker skin. Researchers will compare readings from two common oximeters with oxygen levels measured directly from blood in 194 hospital patients. The goal i…

This study tests whether using a quick ultrasound in the emergency room can help people at risk for heart failure understand their condition and make healthier choices. One hundred adults aged 45 and older with high blood pressure, diabetes, or obesity will receive either an educ…

This study looks at what to do when the first PTSD therapy doesn't work. Researchers will test different proven therapies on 400 adults who didn't respond to initial treatment. The goal is to find out which second treatment works best and create a tool to identify early who might…

This study looks at whether doing spontaneous breathing trials (tests to see if a patient can breathe on their own) later in the morning helps ICU patients on ventilators recover faster. About 348 adults who have been on a ventilator for more than 48 hours will be split into two …

This study looks at whether giving ICU doctors a special score (ProVent-14) helps them better predict if a patient on a breathing machine for two weeks will survive for a year. About 238 doctors and nurses will participate, each caring for a patient on a ventilator. The goal is t…