The Methodist Hospital Research Institute

This study tests whether giving a strong, targeted radiation treatment (high-dose brachytherapy) before robotic prostate surgery can safely improve outcomes for men with high-risk prostate cancer. Some patients may also receive short-term hormone therapy based on their cancer's g…

This study tests whether adding a special alcohol injection to the standard heart procedure (ablation) can better control dangerous heart rhythms in people with prior heart attacks. About 156 adults with an implanted defibrillator will be randomly assigned to get ablation alone o…

This study is for people with a certain type of advanced breast cancer (ER-positive, HER2-negative) that has stopped responding to a common first treatment. The trial will test a combination of two drugs, fulvestrant and abemaciclib, after a short break from the previous treatmen…

This study tests whether adding an anti-CMV medication (valganciclovir) to standard care can shrink brain tumors in breast cancer patients whose disease has spread to the brain and who also have a CMV infection. About 28 adults with progressive brain metastases and evidence of CM…

This study tests a comprehensive health program (exercise, nutrition, and mental support) given before major cancer surgery. It includes 148 frail patients with pancreatic, ovarian, kidney, or bladder cancer. Some patients also receive chemotherapy before surgery. The goal is to …

This study tests whether adding a vitamin A derivative (ATRA) to standard carfilzomib therapy can make the cancer respond again in people with multiple myeloma that has stopped responding to carfilzomib. About 42 adults who have tried at least three prior treatments will receive …

This study tests a new combination of drugs (alpelisib, L-NMMA, and chemotherapy) in people with a rare and aggressive type of breast cancer called metaplastic breast cancer that has spread or cannot be removed by surgery. The goal is to see if the combination is safe and can shr…

This early-phase study tests whether adding a natural compound called hydroxytyrosol (found in olives) to standard chemotherapy can help people with advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer. About 33 adults will receive the combination to check safety and see if tumors shrink. Th…

This study tests if a non-invasive nerve stimulation (taVNS) combined with occupational therapy can help people who had a stroke more than 6 months ago improve arm and hand movement. The treatment is given through the skin on the neck, no surgery needed. 60 adults with arm weakne…

This study explores whether some cases of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder are actually caused by the immune system attacking the brain. Researchers are giving an immune-suppressing drug called ocrelizumab to 40 adults aged 18-35 who developed psychosis after age 15. The…

This study tests a new gene therapy (HSV-tk) plus valacyclovir, given alongside standard radiation and chemotherapy, for people newly diagnosed with aggressive brain tumors (glioblastoma or anaplastic astrocytoma). The goal is to see if this combination can help patients live lon…

This study tests a new combination of chemotherapy (5FU-based) plus the targeted drug fruquintinib as the very first treatment for people with advanced colorectal cancer that cannot be removed by surgery or has spread. About 50 participants will receive the treatment in cycles, a…

This early-phase study tests whether a single injection of stem cells taken from the patient's own knee fat can safely improve healing and knee function after ACL reconstruction. Fifteen adults scheduled for ACL surgery will receive the stem cell injection during the procedure an…

This study tests whether Epidiolex (a CBD medicine) can help control pain after shoulder surgery. About 80 adults having rotator cuff repair will take either CBD or a placebo for two weeks after surgery. Participants will track their pain and medication use in a daily diary and c…

This study tests whether a gentle, non-invasive brain stimulation technique called rTMS can improve overactive bladder symptoms (like frequent or urgent urination) in women with multiple sclerosis. Participants will receive either real or sham stimulation over 10 sessions, and re…

This study looks at whether adding chaplain-led spiritual care or psychotherapy/meditation to usual palliative care can help people with advanced, incurable cancer live longer and have a better quality of life. About 854 adults with metastatic cancer and a life expectancy of one …

This study tests whether home-based telerehabilitation is practical and can ease the burden on caregivers of chronic stroke patients, including those with vascular dementia. About 120 participants who had a stroke at least 6 months ago will take part. The main focus is on caregiv…

This study tests whether a device that sends mild electrical pulses to the spinal cord (called epidural spinal stimulation) can improve arm, hand, and finger movement in people with cervical spinal cord injury. Twelve adults aged 22–65 will combine the stimulation with upper body…

This study tests whether adding a bone stimulator to standard care helps athletes aged 16-40 with spondylolysis (a stress fracture in the lower back) heal faster and return to sport sooner. Researchers will measure pain, bone healing, and activity levels in 48 participants. The g…

This pilot study is testing whether a digital therapy called VoiceLove is feasible and safe for managing delirium in surgical ICU patients. Delirium is a state of confusion that can happen after major surgery. The study will enroll 15 participants who will use VoiceLove for 20-25…

This study tests whether giving morphine directly into the bone during ACL surgery can lower pain and reduce the need for opioid painkillers afterward. About 84 adults aged 18-40 having ACL reconstruction will take part. Participants will report their pain and medication use dail…

This study looks at people with severe peripheral artery disease (blocked leg arteries). Researchers will use MRI scans before treatment to see which blockages are hard to cross and which tools cause the least damage to blood vessels. The goal is to learn how to make procedures s…

This study tests whether personalized transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can help people recover from a stroke. Researchers will measure brain connectivity changes in 80 adults who had a stroke at least 3 months ago. The goal is to see if this tailored brain stimulati…

This study aims to improve how we see inflammation in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease. Current scans can't tell which brain cells are inflamed, but this new method uses two different tracers and math to separately track microglia and astrocytes. Researchers will sca…