Rush University Medical Center

This completed study tested a 12-week program that gave African American and Latinx patients with high blood pressure a home blood pressure cuff and regular calls from a community health worker, nurse, pharmacist, and social worker. The goal was to see if this support could help …

This study tested a simple idea: scheduling a mother's postpartum birth control appointment at the same time as her baby's well-visit. Over 2,500 women at community health centers were included. The goal was to see if this co-scheduling helps more women get contraception within t…

This study looked at whether a home-based physical activity program and computer-based cognitive training could help prevent memory loss in older women with heart disease. 253 women aged 65 and older participated. The goal was to see if these lifestyle changes could improve memor…

This study tested a smartphone app called e-PainSupport for people receiving home hospice care. The app helps patients and their caregivers report pain levels to nurses and learn about pain management. Researchers wanted to see if using the app could reduce pain intensity. The st…

This pilot study tested whether adding a type of brain stimulation called TMS to an intensive 2-week PTSD program could improve symptoms in veterans. Six participants received daily TMS sessions alongside their regular therapy. The study measured changes in PTSD and depression sy…

This study tested whether the drug duloxetine, typically used for depression, can help reduce pain and the need for opioids after knee replacement surgery. Researchers enrolled 241 adults undergoing knee replacement and gave them either duloxetine or a placebo. The goal was to se…

This study tested whether providing digital mental health resources (like apps and websites) to teens with anxiety in primary care could improve their understanding of anxiety and confidence to manage it. 365 teens from underserved communities participated. The goal was to see if…

This study tested whether adding a stellate ganglion block (a numbing injection in the neck) to cognitive processing therapy (a type of talk therapy) helps reduce PTSD and chronic pain more than therapy alone. Sixty adults with PTSD took part. The goal was to see if the combinati…

This study tested whether bright light in the afternoon, alone or with morning light, can shift teens' internal body clocks earlier. 84 adolescents aged 18-20 followed a stable sleep schedule and then lived in a lab for a week. Researchers measured melatonin levels to track clock…

This study checked if the cancer drug olaparib causes low folate (folic acid) levels in the blood. Ten women with advanced ovarian or breast cancer participated. Researchers measured folate levels and looked for related drops in hemoglobin. The goal was to understand side effects…

This study looked at whether giving financial help to mothers of very low birth weight babies can increase the amount of breast milk these babies receive. Black mothers are more likely to have very small babies but less likely to provide their own milk, partly due to costs. The s…

This study tested whether injecting a contrast dye into the disc space during TLIF spine surgery helps surgeons assess how well they have removed the disc. 56 patients having spinal fusion for degenerative spine disease were randomly assigned to either have the dye used as a chec…

This study looked at 100 people who had reverse total shoulder replacement to see if doing exercises at home works as well as going to a physical therapist. Patients were split into two groups: one did formal PT starting a few days after surgery and continuing weekly for three mo…

This study tested two new high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) devices on 26 healthy adults to see how different airflow settings affect lung aeration. Participants wore the devices at various flow rates while their lung volume and comfort were measured. The goal was to understand how …

This pilot study tested whether AI-generated daily written summaries can help ICU clinicians communicate better with families. Clinicians edited the AI summaries before giving them to families. The study involved 27 participants and measured how acceptable and feasible this appro…

This completed study followed 6,000 adults who had COVID-19 symptoms and were tested for the virus. Participants completed online surveys every 3 months for 18 months to track long-term health issues like fatigue, brain fog, and heart problems. The goal was to better understand t…

This study looked at whether hip precautions—like not bending too far or crossing legs—are needed after hip replacement surgery. Over 1,100 patients were randomly assigned to follow precautions or not for six weeks. Researchers tracked dislocations, return to daily activities, an…

This study tested a new prenatal care model that includes fathers. 216 young couples participated in co-parenting education, parenting classes, and job skills training. The goal was to see if this approach could improve relationships and prepare parents for their baby's arrival.

This completed study looked at why placing patients with severe lung failure (ARDS) on their stomachs (prone positioning) improves oxygen levels. Researchers used lung ultrasound to measure changes in 60 patients, including those with COVID-19. The goal was to understand who resp…

This completed study with 801 participants used a survey to understand what makes clinical trials more appealing to groups that are often left out, such as racial and ethnic minorities and people with lower incomes. Participants answered questions about trial features like gettin…

This study looked at how lack of sleep and evening light exposure affect the body clocks of teenagers aged 14 to 17. Researchers used morning bright light to try to shift teens' sleep schedules earlier. They measured changes in melatonin levels and sleep patterns to understand wh…