University Of British Columbia

This study tested whether people with ulcerative colitis can use a home stool test to catch inflammation early and prevent symptom flares. Over 700 adults in remission used a smartphone-based test kit to measure calprotectin levels. The goal was to see if this proactive monitorin…

This study tested non-surgical treatments for gastrocutaneous fistula (GCF), a small hole that sometimes remains after a child's feeding tube is removed. About 100 children who were ready to have their tube removed took part. The goal was to see if simple, non-surgical methods co…

This study tested whether an oral antibiotic (moxifloxacin) works as well as a standard intravenous (IV) antibiotic (cefazolin) for treating moderate skin infections (cellulitis) in the emergency department. 390 patients with moderate cellulitis were treated either with daily IV …

This study tested whether a year of twice-weekly resistance training could protect brain health and thinking skills in 91 older adults with vascular cognitive impairment, a condition linked to small strokes. Participants were randomly assigned to either resistance training or a s…

This study looked at over 11,500 adults with overweight or obesity who used a breath acetone sensor and mobile app to track weight and learn healthy habits. Researchers analyzed existing data to see how much weight users lost after 12, 24, 52, and 104 weeks. The goal was to under…

This study tested a new blood test called HEARTBiT that uses 9 RNA markers to detect acute rejection in heart transplant patients. Currently, rejection is found through frequent, invasive heart biopsies. The test was developed using samples from 150 patients and will be evaluated…

This study tested whether offering genetic screening to younger heart attack patients (under 60) can uncover hidden cases of Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH), an inherited condition causing very high cholesterol. Researchers recruited 140 patients admitted with a heart attack a…

This study tested a two-step screening process to find postmenopausal women at higher risk for endometrial cancer. Those identified as high-risk received a hormone challenge test and, if positive, standard care plus a lifestyle program. The goal was to see if this approach is pra…

This study looked at whether breathing 60% oxygen during exercise helps people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) who are taking nintedanib. 78 participants exercised on a bike or walked while getting either high oxygen or standard care. The goal was to see if they could ex…

This study tested whether playing a video on a tablet or computer during an eye exam helps young children cooperate. 101 children aged 1 to 4 years took part. The goal was to see if the video made it easier for doctors to examine the back of the eye within 60 seconds.

This study tested whether letting children ages 1 to 8 watch a short video during an eye exam makes the exam easier and faster. 60 children took part. The goal was to see if the video helped doctors successfully examine the back of the eye within one minute. The approach is simpl…

This study tested whether a set of exercises called FAST (Fast muscle Activation and Stepping Training) can improve walking balance in people who had a stroke. 55 participants who had a first stroke within the past 6 months and had leg weakness took part. They did 12 sessions of …

This completed study tested a 7-week, peer-led program for adults with spinal cord injury and chronic pain. The program combined education about pain neuroscience with body-based tools like red light therapy, massage, and guided movement. Twelve participants attended group sessio…

This study tested a ketogenic drink made from medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) in 43 people with Alzheimer's disease or a type of frontotemporal dementia. The goal was to see if it was safe and tolerable, and to measure ketone levels in the blood. It was a small, early-stage tri…

This study tested a modified Mediterranean-ketogenic diet in 52 people with Parkinson's disease to see if it is safe for their gut microbiome. The diet limits carbs and emphasizes healthy fats and lean proteins. Researchers measured gut inflammation and other markers to check for…

This study looked at whether different types of exercise can improve thinking and memory in older adults with mild cognitive impairment, a condition that can lead to dementia. 226 participants did aerobic training, resistance training, or both for six months. The goal was to see …

This study looked at whether applying an ice compress to the neck before botulinum toxin injections can reduce pain for people with spasmodic dysphonia, a chronic voice disorder. 116 adults received either ice or no ice before their injection and then filled out a pain questionna…

This study tested a program called OPERAS that includes a web app for tracking symptoms and a physiotherapist who gives activity advice using a Fitbit. The goal was to see if it helps people with rheumatoid arthritis feel more confident managing their disease. 132 adults with rhe…

This study tested whether a Fitbit activity tracker, a smartphone app, and phone calls with a physical therapist could help people with knee osteoarthritis become more active and sit less. Fifty-one participants were split into two groups: one received the program right away, the…

This pilot study tested a non-drug treatment called myoActivation for chronic pain in 41 marginalized people. The therapy uses a structured assessment and needling to release muscle tension. Researchers measured pain, function, and quality of life over 24 weeks to see if it helps…

This study looked at whether using best-practice physical therapy and giving stroke survivors an activity monitor can help them walk better. About 306 people who had a stroke and were in rehab took part. The main goal was to see if they could walk farther in 6 minutes after the p…

This study looked at how 12 months of personalized endurance training—swimming, cycling, and running—affects the body and mind of healthy adults who were not regular exercisers. Fifty-eight people aged 19-39 took part, with some training up to 20 hours a week and others serving a…

This study tested whether an online education and skill-building program is practical and helpful for family caregivers of older adults recovering from hip fracture surgery. Eight caregivers and health providers gave feedback on the program's ease of use, usefulness, and satisfac…

This study enrolled 100 older adults (65+) to collect movement data from wearable sensors and video recordings. The goal was to create a database and use machine learning to develop an algorithm that can predict future falls. This could help doctors identify high-risk patients ea…

This study looked at how appetite, food intake, and energy levels change during different phases of the menstrual cycle in healthy women aged 18-35. Researchers measured eating behavior in both lab and real-life settings, along with hormones, metabolism, and body composition. The…

This study looked at whether a ketone supplement drink can change appetite-related hormones in adults with and without obesity. Twenty-six people took part, each receiving the ketone drink on one visit and a placebo on another. Researchers measured hunger and fullness hormones be…

This completed study tested whether low-intensity focused ultrasound aimed at a brain area called the zona incerta (ZI) can reduce tremors in 20 people with Parkinson's disease. Researchers compared this approach to the standard target (Vim) and used brain scans to understand how…

This study tested a 3-day training course called Transfusion Camp for final-year medical students and new interns in Rwanda. The course taught safe blood transfusion practices based on national guidelines. Researchers measured knowledge before and after the course and tracked how…

This study follows over 1,700 women who previously took part in a cervical cancer screening trial. Researchers want to see if testing for HPV alone is as safe and effective as combining it with a Pap smear over 10 years. Participants provide a cervical sample for both tests, and …

This study looked at 22 adults with spinal cord injury to understand whether anxiety or physical discomfort causes changes in heart rate and blood pressure during bladder catheterization. Participants either did the procedure themselves or had a nurse do it, with some not knowing…

This study tested a community-led outreach program called CLOE for women and youth who have experienced gender-based violence. Over two years, 86 participants received trauma-informed support to help them connect with services and improve their safety and well-being. Researchers …

This study looked at how lactose, the sugar found in milk, affects blood sugar and insulin levels compared to other sugars like glucose and sucrose. Researchers wanted to see if lactose helps keep blood sugar and insulin more stable. Sixteen healthy adult men took part in this st…

This study tested a simple tool to help family doctors better manage mental health problems after a mild traumatic brain injury (concussion). Over 500 adults who visited an emergency department were enrolled. Doctors received a letter with their patient's mental health screening …

This study tested whether artificial intelligence (AI) can create multiple-choice exam questions for medical students as well as humans can. Over 250 first-year medical students took a mock exam with either AI-generated or human-written questions. Researchers compared test scores…

This study tested a modified behavioral parent training program for children with ADHD who also have peer problems. The program aimed to increase parent engagement, especially for parents with their own ADHD or depression symptoms. Thirty-three parents participated, and researche…

This study looked at whether the amount of leucine (a key protein building block) women need changes during different phases of the menstrual cycle. Thirteen women with regular cycles ate controlled meals and gave breath and urine samples. The goal is to see if current one-size-f…

This study looked at how much methionine, a building block of protein, pregnant women need during early and late pregnancy. Researchers tested 69 healthy pregnant women using special diets and breath tests. The goal is to improve current dietary recommendations, which are based o…

This completed study enrolled 300 people with multiple sclerosis who were taking beta-interferon. Researchers compared the genes of those who developed liver injury to those who did not, aiming to find genetic markers that predict this side effect. No new drug or treatment was te…

This small pilot study looked at whether simple breath and urine tests can measure how well muscles produce energy in children with metabolic myopathies (rare muscle disorders). Three participants completed a 12-week at-home physiotherapy program. The goal was to see if these non…

This study looked at whether a simple, home-based exercise program (the Otago Exercise Program) could lower fall risk in older adults who have both mild cognitive impairment (mild memory problems) and a recent hip fracture from a fall. Sixty participants aged 65 and older were fo…

This study looked at how much tryptophan (an amino acid found in food) healthy pregnant women need. Researchers used a safe, noninvasive method with a special tracer to measure it in breath and urine. The goal is to improve dietary guidelines for pregnancy.