Stanford University

This study tested a new 'adaptive' brain stimulation system for Parkinson's disease patients who experience freezing of gait—sudden, temporary inability to walk. The device monitors brain signals and movement, then automatically adjusts stimulation levels in real-time instead of …

This Stanford University study tested whether a faster version of magnetic brain stimulation could help people with depression that hasn't responded to other treatments. 48 participants with treatment-resistant depression received either real brain stimulation or a sham (fake) tr…

This study tested whether a new behavioral program called 'Fun First' could help people maintain weight loss better than a standard program like Weight Watchers. Over 300 adults with obesity and elevated blood pressure were randomly assigned to one of the two 12-month programs an…

This Stanford University study aimed to understand which brain circuits are involved in anxiety and depression. Researchers enrolled 167 adults experiencing symptoms and offered them an 8-week treatment course of either medication (Pramipexole) or magnetic brain stimulation (rTMS…

This study tested whether customizing where a non-invasive brain stimulation treatment is aimed could make it more effective for depression. Researchers worked with 50 adults diagnosed with major depression, comparing personalized targeting methods against standard approaches dur…

This study tested whether family-based therapy is better than usual care for children aged 6-12 with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), a condition where kids severely limit what they eat, leading to low weight. Researchers compared 14 sessions of specialized fami…

This study tested whether a pill called idebenone is safe and might help people with a serious fatty liver disease called NASH. It involved 53 adults with early to moderate liver scarring. Participants took either the study drug or a placebo for up to a year to see if the drug co…

This study tested whether parents of young children with autism could learn a proven therapy technique through weekly video calls with a trained therapist. Over 12 weeks, researchers taught parents how to use Pivotal Response Treatment at home to help improve their child's commun…

This study compared two common treatments for people with multiple blocked heart arteries. Researchers tested whether using a special wire to guide stent placement (a less invasive procedure) works as well as traditional bypass surgery. The trial involved 1,500 patients and follo…

This study tested if providing a special low-sodium salt substitute could help lower blood pressure in adults in rural Bangladesh. Researchers gave the salt to 309 households through community health workers to see if this was a practical way to help people. They measured blood p…

This early-phase study tested the safety of adding a drug called carfilzomib to two standard chemotherapy drugs (cyclophosphamide and etoposide) for children and young adults whose solid tumors or leukemias had returned or stopped responding to treatment. The main goal was to fin…

This study tested a voluntary program to help people with chronic pain safely reduce their long-term opioid medication use. Fifty-one patients worked with their doctor on a personalized, slow reduction plan over four months. Researchers wanted to see if patients could lower their…

This study compared two types of medical scopes used in ERCP procedures, which treat problems in the bile ducts and pancreas. Researchers tested whether a scope with a new single-use disposable cover was as safe and easy for doctors to use as the traditional reusable scope. Over …

This study tested a new care program called '4T' for children and teens recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. The program focused on teamwork, clear targets, modern technology like glucose monitors, and keeping blood sugar in a tight, healthy range. Researchers wanted to see i…

This early-stage study tested the safety of combining three different treatments for newly diagnosed glioblastoma, a fast-growing brain cancer. It involved 12 adult patients who received a special electric field therapy, a short course of targeted radiation, and a chemotherapy dr…

This study tested whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique could help children with a common childhood epilepsy. The children often have more trouble with language and learning than with seizures, which may be linked to frequent abnormal brain activity. Researchers used…

This small Stanford study tested whether using magnetic pulses to gently stimulate the brain during sleep could help treat depression. It involved 15 people with moderate-to-severe depression who hadn't responded well to at least one antidepressant medication. Researchers measure…

This Stanford University study tested if a knee injection using a person's own processed fat tissue works better than a standard steroid shot for osteoarthritis. It involved 40 adults with mild-to-moderate knee arthritis who had not improved with physical therapy or medications. …

This study tested a faster form of brain stimulation for people with severe, treatment-resistant depression, especially those who struggle to feel pleasure. Researchers wanted to see if a new, quicker stimulation method could reduce depression symptoms. The study involved 79 adul…

This study tested a simpler, lower-cost method for freezing eggs to preserve fertility. It compared this new approach to standard, more expensive and intensive clinic methods. The goal was to see if the cheaper method worked just as well in terms of the number of eggs retrieved, …

This study tested whether adding a short, high-dose course of radiation to standard immunotherapy could help control advanced lung cancer for longer. It involved 45 people with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer who were already receiving immunotherapy. Researchers wanted to see…

This study tested whether using a simple genetic test to guide the dose of a common tuberculosis (TB) prevention drug could make treatment safer and more effective. Researchers gave 73 people at risk for TB different doses of the drug isoniazid based on their genetic results. The…

This study tested whether using box fans with special air filters and improving home ventilation could prevent people from catching Covid-19 from a sick family member. Researchers enrolled over 200 people living in households with at least three other people. They compared homes …

This study tested whether a mobile app could help women who previously had a preterm baby reduce their risk of having another one too early. Researchers compared the app, which provided health information and support, to traditional paper-based materials. They wanted to see if be…

This study tested whether a minimally invasive freezing procedure could provide long-term pain relief for elderly patients with broken ribs. The goal was to help patients recover their normal function with less need for strong painkillers. Researchers enrolled 127 patients over a…

This small pilot study tested a portable device that sprays a temporary, nanofiber skin substitute onto wounds. It aimed to see if this treatment could help heal chronic wounds in people with Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa (RDEB), a severe genetic condition that cause…

This study compared two antidepressant medications, duloxetine and desipramine, to see which one works better for reducing chronic pain. Researchers followed 86 adults with long-term pain for six months, measuring their pain levels, physical function, and mood. The goal was to fi…

This study tested a digital education program called 'Bladder Basics' for children with common lower urinary tract symptoms like frequent urination or bedwetting. Researchers wanted to see if families found the video-based course helpful, easy to use, and if it improved children'…

This study tested whether adding a specialized support team (palliative care) to work alongside surgeons improves the experience for patients undergoing major stomach, pancreas, or liver cancer surgery and their family caregivers. It compared the standard surgeon-led care to a ne…

This study compared two pain relief approaches for adults recovering from nose surgery. Researchers tested whether a combination of acetaminophen and ibuprofen worked as well as acetaminophen with the opioid hydrocodone over five days. The goal was to find effective pain manageme…

This study tested whether using a virtual reality (VR) headset could help people with depression get more out of a common talk therapy. Researchers compared standard therapy to therapy enhanced with VR activities. The main goal was to see if the VR approach was practical, accepta…

This study tested a one-time class designed to teach pain science and coping skills to youth (ages 10-18) with chronic pain. The goal was to see if the class was practical to run and acceptable to young participants. Researchers also checked if the class might help reduce how muc…

This small Stanford study tested whether a simple computer-based training program could help reduce the repetitive thoughts and behaviors of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The program aimed to change how people with OCD process emotions. Researchers measured if this trainin…

This study tested whether taking Paxlovid for 15 days helps reduce severe Long COVID symptoms better than a placebo. It involved 168 adults who had been struggling with symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and shortness of breath for over three months. Researchers compared symptom s…

This study tested whether a single dose of the medication cabergoline could prevent painful breast engorgement and milk leakage after a second-trimester abortion or pregnancy loss. Researchers compared cabergoline to a placebo in 69 participants who were 16-20 weeks pregnant. The…

This study tested whether using virtual reality (VR) during physical therapy could make it more engaging for children and young adults. Researchers compared VR-assisted sessions to traditional therapy to see if kids were more active and felt better. The goal was to find new ways …

This Stanford study tested whether a proven sleep therapy could reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Researchers worked with 51 adults who had both poor sleep and elevated depression/anxiety. They used brain scans to see if the therapy, which teaches better sleep habits, ca…

This study tested whether a nasal spray containing the hormone vasopressin could help improve social skills and communication in children with autism. Researchers enrolled 157 children and teenagers, giving them either the spray or a placebo to compare effects. The main goal was …

This small, completed study from Stanford University tested a much faster version of a non-invasive brain stimulation treatment for people with severe bipolar depression that hasn't improved with standard therapies. All seven participants received the accelerated treatment, which…

This study tested if a specific nerve block, sometimes given with an extra drug (dexmedetomidine), could better control pain and reduce the need for opioid painkillers in children recovering from tonsil and adenoid removal. Researchers compared 114 children who received the nerve…

This study tested whether wearing a special 'unloader' knee brace during daily activities and physical therapy helps people with front knee pain feel better. Twenty participants with knee pain who were not planning surgery were randomly assigned to either use the brace or not dur…

This Stanford University study tested whether using a virtual reality headset could help reduce anxiety in parents while their child was undergoing medical procedures. Nearly 500 parents participated, with some trying VR distraction and others receiving standard care without tech…

This study tested if freezing the nerves around broken ribs could provide better pain relief than standard medications. It involved 43 adult trauma patients at Stanford who were not candidates for rib surgery. Researchers compared pain levels and medication use between patients w…

This study tested whether using virtual reality (VR) is a practical and acceptable way to help teenagers with long-lasting muscle and bone pain. Researchers wanted to see if combining VR with standard physical therapy could help teens move better and feel less afraid of pain. The…

This study compared two common surgical techniques for carpal tunnel syndrome to see which helps patients recover faster. Researchers followed 113 adults for two weeks after their surgery, tracking their pain levels, hand function, and when they could return to work. The goal was…

This Stanford University study tested whether adding hands-on, in-home decluttering practice to a proven group therapy workshop could better help people with hoarding disorder. The research involved 41 adults to see if this combined approach reduced symptoms like difficulty disca…

This study tested an online program called 'Empowered Relief' designed to help people who have chronic pain and misuse prescription opioids. Researchers compared the skills-based program to a general health education course to see which was better at reducing pain and opioid crav…

This study tested whether the medication Lemborexant helps adults with Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome fall asleep faster. 71 participants took either the medication or a placebo pill nightly for two weeks. Researchers tracked sleep patterns using activity watches and sleep diaries …

This study aimed to understand how different types of virtual reality (VR) games affect pain sensitivity. Researchers at Stanford University tested 265 healthy adults to see if playing an active VR game versus watching a passive VR experience changed their tolerance to heat and p…

This study tested whether warning labels on social media posts could discourage use and raise awareness of potential harms among teens and young adults. Over 1,000 participants aged 13-29 viewed different warning messages about topics like depression, anxiety, and addiction, then…

This study aimed to understand how different gene activity patterns in prostate tissue relate to cancer development and progression. Researchers analyzed tissue samples from 867 men who were undergoing biopsy or surgery for prostate conditions. The goal was to identify genetic si…

This study aimed to understand why people with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) have such different experiences with skin tumors. Researchers collected DNA and health information from over 1,000 adults with NF1 to look for common genetic patterns linked to tumor development. The go…

This study tested if using an Apple Watch could help doctors and patients better understand recovery after spine surgery. Researchers tracked 255 patients' daily steps and movement before and after their operations. The goal was to see if this objective activity data matched up w…

This study tested whether a vibrating device could distract healthy adults from feeling mild pinprick pain. Researchers enrolled 200 participants without pain conditions to measure their pain thresholds and anxiety levels during the tests. The goal was to gather basic knowledge a…

This study aimed to understand why muscles get sore after new or intense exercise, a condition known as DOMS. Researchers tracked 22 participants to see how their immune system responded after a specific arm exercise. They measured changes in blood markers and daily pain levels t…

This Stanford University study used brain imaging to understand how reading education programs help children with dyslexia. Researchers scanned 90 children's brains before and after reading instruction to see how brain connections change when reading improves. The goal was to lea…

This study looked at whether a specially designed online therapy platform (called Teleo) kept children and teens more engaged in their mental health treatment compared to regular video calls. Researchers enrolled 41 young people already receiving therapy for anxiety or mood disor…

This study tested whether a mixed reality simulation could help anesthesiology trainees better understand and feel empathy for their patients. 81 trainees from Stanford hospitals used the simulation and then filled out surveys to measure any changes in their empathy levels. The g…

This study tested whether telling patients and their doctors about incidental findings of coronary artery calcium (CAC) on routine chest CT scans leads to better heart disease prevention. Researchers enrolled 202 patients who had these calcium deposits found by chance and randoml…

This small, early-stage study aimed to understand if and how a nutritional supplement called alpha-ketoglutarate, taken by mouth, is absorbed into the eyes of people with age-related eye diseases. Researchers measured changes in the levels of this substance and other proteins in …

This study aimed to better understand the different types of cells found inside breast cancer tumors. Researchers analyzed tumor samples from 145 patients to see how these cell types might affect how people respond to different treatments. The goal was to gather knowledge that co…

This study aimed to find out whether animated videos or written text are better for teaching heart failure patients about their condition. Researchers at Stanford University enrolled 130 people with heart failure and randomly assigned them to learn using videos, text, or a mix of…

This study tested whether a short, animated storytelling video could reduce negative attitudes and stigma towards people with addiction. Over 13,000 adults from multiple countries watched the video online to see if it could increase empathy, hope, and optimism. The goal was to fi…

This study aimed to check how reliable a new brain imaging tracer called [18F]-FTC-146 is. Researchers tested a small group of healthy adults to see if the scan results were consistent when repeated. The goal was to gather basic information about the tracer's performance for futu…

This study aimed to understand how the drug MDMA (Ecstasy) changes brain activity related to reward, risk, and emotion. Researchers at Stanford University used MRI brain scans and behavioral tests on 22 healthy adults who had used MDMA before. Participants received either a low d…

This study aimed to understand how the drug ketamine affects the brain's reward and emotion circuits. Researchers at Stanford gave small, controlled doses of ketamine or a placebo to 13 healthy volunteers who had tried ketamine before. They used brain scans and questionnaires to …