University Of British Columbia

This study looks at whether giving two doses of the HPV vaccine instead of three can protect women living with HIV just as well. Researchers will compare immune responses in 275 Canadian women aged 18-45 who have not been vaccinated before. If two doses work, it could make HPV va…

This study is testing whether nerve transfer surgery can help people with cervical spinal cord injury regain hand function. Forty participants who have already chosen to have the surgery will be followed for two years, with regular tests of hand strength, sensation, and movement.…

This study tracks 20 adults with cystic fibrosis who are starting Trikafta to see if it reduces shortness of breath and improves exercise performance over two years. Participants will do exercise tests and report their breathing symptoms. The goal is to understand how this medica…

This study looks at whether giving iron supplements to children with low iron before hip surgery can reduce their need for blood transfusions and improve recovery. The trial includes 180 children aged 0-18 who are scheduled for a specific type of hip surgery, many of whom have ce…

This study tests whether adding a special diet (Crohn's Disease Exclusion Diet) to the standard drug infliximab helps children with Crohn's disease feel better and stay in remission longer. About 140 children starting infliximab will be randomly assigned to receive the diet plus …

This pilot study tests whether a 14-day course of prednisone, an anti-inflammatory steroid, can prevent complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) after wrist fracture surgery. CRPS is a painful complication that can lead to long-term disability and increased opioid use. The study wil…

This study tests whether a noninvasive spinal cord stimulation device can safely improve bladder, bowel, and sexual function in people with spinal cord injury. About 60 veterans and adults in Canada and Ukraine will receive either real or sham stimulation alongside standard rehab…

This study compares two surgical procedures for stress urinary incontinence in women aged 60 and older: a synthetic mesh sling (TVT) and a sling made from the patient's own tissue (autologous fascia). Researchers will track new pelvic pain at 6 months and cure rates at 5 years, a…

This study tests a program called AHEAD that helps young people aged 16-19 with type 1 diabetes improve their blood sugar control as they move from pediatric to adult care. About 306 participants will either get usual care or the AHEAD program, which offers tailored support to bu…

This study looks at whether simply monitoring babies with mild hip dysplasia is as good as using a brace. The brace, called a Pavlik harness, keeps the hips in proper position but can be hard on families. The trial will follow 514 infants under 3 months old across seven countries…

This study tests a gel form of the chemotherapy drug gemcitabine, called ST-02, for people with low-grade cancer in the upper urinary tract. The gel is placed directly into the kidney through a small tube. The goal is to see if it can destroy tumors within three months and remain…

This study aims to find a gentler way to detect uterine cancer early in people with abnormal bleeding. Instead of relying only on a biopsy, researchers will use a health questionnaire and a self-collected vaginal swab to look for cancer-related genetic changes and microbiome patt…

This study tests an online educational program called Brain Health PRO in 700 Canadians at risk for dementia. Participants are randomly assigned to start the 6-month program immediately or after a 6-month delay. The program covers lifestyle factors like diet, exercise, sleep, and…

This study tests whether directional deep brain stimulation (DBS) can reduce pain in people with neuropathic dental pain (phantom tooth pain). Five adults who have not responded to standard treatments will receive DBS and try different stimulation settings. The goal is to find wh…

This study tests whether a twice-weekly exercise program can improve sleep quality in people who had a stroke at least a year ago and currently have poor sleep. 62 participants aged 55 and older will take part in 60-minute classes over 6 months. The goal is to see if exercise can…

This study tests whether special shoe insoles can reduce pain in people with knee osteoarthritis who also have foot pain. About 31 participants will wear either lateral wedge insoles or insoles with added arch support for at least 5 hours a day over 3 months. Researchers will mea…

This study tests two different therapies to help people with ongoing memory problems after a concussion. One is traditional cognitive rehabilitation, and the other is a new cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) approach. Researchers want to see which one works better for improving h…

This study looks at whether drinking beetroot juice, which is high in nitrate, can help people with fibrotic interstitial lung disease exercise longer. Participants will drink either nitrate-rich or nitrate-free beetroot juice and then do a cycling test. The goal is to see if the…

This study tests a mobile app designed to help adults with eating disorders stay motivated and ready for treatment while they are on a waitlist. Participants will either use the app for four weeks or continue with standard waitlist care. The goal is to see if the app can prevent …

This study tests whether a daily probiotic supplement can help treat depression in people with Parkinson's disease. Sixty adults with mild to moderate Parkinson's and depression will take either the probiotic or a placebo for 12 weeks. Researchers will measure changes in mood and…

This study tests whether a 12-week pelvic floor muscle training program is practical and helpful for people with motor-incomplete spinal cord injury. Thirty participants will do exercises five times a week. Researchers will track how many people join, stick with the program, and …

This study is testing a virtual reality (VR) program called bWell to see if it is a practical and enjoyable way to help people with major depression who have trouble with thinking and memory. Forty adults aged 19-55 will either use the bWell cognitive training or experience VR sc…

This study looks at whether pelvic floor muscle training is practical and helpful for people recovering from a spinal cord injury during inpatient rehab. Researchers will recruit 50 participants to do pelvic floor physiotherapy five times a week for six weeks. The goal is to see …

This study tests whether following a Mediterranean-style diet for 18 months is practical and beneficial for people with Parkinson's disease. Researchers will see if the diet is easy to stick with and if it leads to changes in gut bacteria or Parkinson's symptoms. About 40 partici…

This study explores whether listening to personally meaningful music can reduce apathy—a lack of motivation and emotion—in people with Parkinson's disease. Fifty participants will listen to their own chosen music or neutral podcasts for 8 weeks. Researchers will use brain scans a…

This study tests whether health coaching can help older adults with limited mobility become more physically active. About 290 participants will either receive coaching or general health education. The goal is to see if coaching improves their ability to move and overall activity …

This study tests an online program called STEP for couples who are distressed by having different levels of sexual desire. About 216 couples will be randomly assigned to a therapist-guided version, a self-guided version, or a waitlist. The goal is to see if the program reduces di…

This study tests whether a non-invasive spinal cord stimulation device can improve autonomic functions like blood pressure, bladder, bowel, and sexual control in people with chronic spinal cord injury. Thirty participants will receive targeted stimulation over several weeks. The …

This study tests whether a combination of psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) and talk therapy can help adults with chronic pain safely reduce or stop their opioid painkillers. Ten participants will receive one or two psilocybin sessions over 8 weeks, with follo…

This study tests whether peer support workers—people with lived experience of substance use—can help people who use drugs feel safer and stay in the emergency department until their care is complete. The study will compare what happens when peer workers are on shift versus when t…

This study is testing an online program called eSense-Cancer, designed to help people who have had gynecologic cancer with sexual health concerns. The program uses cognitive-behavioural therapy and includes 8 modules to be completed over 8-16 weeks. Researchers want to see if it …

This study investigates whether 6 weeks of treadmill walking with blood flow restriction cuffs on the legs can improve immune cell function in adults with type 2 diabetes. Participants walk three times per week, with some wearing inflatable cuffs that partially limit blood flow. …

This study tests whether taking a broccoli sprout extract (sulforaphane) for four days, doing high-intensity interval running, or combining both can improve how immune cells use energy and reduce inflammation. Twenty healthy adults aged 18-35 will try each approach in random orde…

This study follows 300 infants to understand how catching RSV very early (before 4 months old) versus later (after 6-9 months) affects their immune system and long-term health. Researchers will measure antibody responses and track asthma-like symptoms. The goal is to learn why ea…

This study aims to create a tool that can predict which children aged 5 to 16 with sepsis are at risk of dying or getting sick again after leaving the hospital in East Africa. Researchers will follow 4,000 children for six months after discharge to collect data and build these pr…

This study compares two ways to rebuild the jaw after oral cancer surgery: standard free-hand surgery versus using 3D-printed guides made from virtual planning. About 420 adults needing jaw reconstruction will be randomly assigned to one method. The main goal is to see which appr…

This study looks at whether changing the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in a child's breath during anesthesia affects how deeply asleep they are. Researchers will adjust CO2 levels in 100 children aged 3-11 and measure brain activity with a monitor. The goal is to see if higher C…

This study looks at whether asking new mothers a few questions within 48 hours of an unplanned C-section can predict who will develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to childbirth. Researchers will follow 420 women for three months, comparing early screening scores …

This study follows 3,500 adults with large colon polyps (20 mm or bigger) to see how well current removal methods work. Doctors will record details about the patients, polyps, and procedures. The goal is to learn what leads to successful removal without surgery and to track any c…

This study looks at why people with interstitial lung disease (ILD) often feel breathless and have trouble exercising. Researchers think leg muscle problems might be a cause. They will measure leg muscle strength and structure in 40 ILD patients and test how extra oxygen affects …

This study tests whether 5 weeks of breathing endurance training using a special device can reduce breathlessness and improve exercise performance in healthy athletes. Researchers will compare real training to a sham version in 32 cyclists or triathletes. The goal is to understan…

This study tests whether a bundle of tools—including educational videos for doctors and patients, feedback reports, and changes to computer ordering systems—can reduce unnecessary lab tests in 16 hospitals across British Columbia. The trial will include up to 700,000 adult medica…

This study looks at whether the amount of phenylalanine (a protein building block found in food) needed by women changes during different phases of their menstrual cycle. Current recommendations are based on studies in men, so they may not fit women's bodies. Researchers will use…

This study tests whether a text-messaging program called SmartMom can help pregnant people learn more, feel better, and adopt healthier habits. About 3,000 participants in Canada will either receive weekly texts with evidence-based health tips or general interest messages. Resear…

This study aims to find out why some people have bad reactions to medicines while others don't. Researchers will collect samples from 7,000 children and adults who have had a bad drug reaction, as well as from those who haven't. By comparing their genes, they hope to create guide…

This study tests whether a machine learning program can detect lipohypertrophy—hidden lumps under the skin caused by insulin injections—using portable ultrasound. About 100 people with diabetes will first have their injection sites scanned. In a second phase, 40 people found to h…

This study is testing a genetic test panel in 150 children who are taking common medications like painkillers, antibiotics, or mental health drugs. The goal is to see if the test can help doctors and pharmacists predict and prevent serious side effects. Researchers will also ask …

This study is testing whether a small wearable sensor called ActivPAL can help measure frailty in hospitalized adults aged 65 and older. The sensor tracks how much time patients spend standing and walking. Researchers want to see if these simple measurements can predict important…

This study is looking for genetic clues that might explain why a very small number of people develop rare side effects like Guillain-Barré syndrome, blood clots with low platelets, or heart inflammation after a COVID-19 vaccine. Researchers will compare the DNA of people who had …

This study is a registry that collects health information from 714 Canadian adults with severe asthma over five years. Researchers will track symptoms, medication use, and lung function to better understand the disease and how patients respond to current treatments. No new drugs …

This study compares two forms of iron (ferrous fumarate and ferrous bisglycinate) in daily prenatal supplements for 172 pregnant women in Vancouver. Researchers will measure iron levels in blood and stool samples to see which form is better absorbed and causes fewer side effects.…

This study aims to find out how much leucine, a key protein building block, healthy pregnant women need during early and late pregnancy. Researchers will give 40 women special meals and collect breath, urine, and blood samples to track how their bodies use leucine. The results co…

This study looks at whether 6 months of progressive resistance training (like lifting weights) can improve thinking and memory in perimenopausal women aged 40 to 55 who have mild memory complaints. Researchers will also measure muscle health, sleep, mood, and quality of life. The…

This small study tests whether combining standing therapy with mild electrical stimulation of a nerve in the leg can improve pelvic floor muscle function in adults with chronic spinal cord injury. Twelve participants will undergo 12 weeks of treatment, three times per week. Resea…

This study looks at how the bacteria and diet of pregnant women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may influence gut inflammation in their babies. Researchers will collect samples from 80 mothers and infants over a year to track gut microbes and diet. The goal is to find patte…

The CLOUD study is recruiting 500 Canadians aged 12 and older to understand how vaping may harm lungs over time. Researchers will use advanced breathing tests, exercise tests, and imaging to detect early lung damage that standard tests might miss. Participants include both vapers…

This study looks at whether a combined program of online exercise classes, guided meditation, and nutrition advice can improve brain function, reduce inflammation, and enhance physical fitness in healthy adults aged 50 to 75. Sixty participants will either start the 6-month progr…

This study looks at whether a 3-month virtual program called Choose to Move Replacement Ready is feasible for people waiting for hip or knee replacement surgery due to osteoarthritis. About 60 participants will answer surveys and some will be interviewed. The goal is to see if th…

This study looks at whether salbutamol, a common asthma medication, can improve exercise performance in non-asthmatic endurance athletes. Researchers will test if a select group of athletes with breathing limitations might benefit from the drug. The study involves 64 healthy, hig…

This study is building a Canada-wide registry of people who come to emergency departments with opioid poisoning. Researchers will track treatments and outcomes for up to 7,200 patients. The goal is to learn what works best and create a tool to predict who is at highest risk of dy…

This study tests a new physical activity counseling method for older adults with early frailty. Researchers will compare it to the current approach used by physiotherapists. The goal is to see if the new method helps patients spend more time in moderate or vigorous activity each …

This study uses advanced brain monitoring to check that no brain activity or blood flow returns after death in organ donors. Researchers will monitor 30 adult donors during the dying process and after death while organs are preserved. The goal is to prove that current safeguards …

This study looks at whether Cambodia's health system is ready to give pregnant women a multiple micronutrient supplement (MMS) instead of just iron and folic acid. Researchers will interview healthcare providers, survey 630 pregnant women, and monitor vitamin supplies. The goal i…

This study looks at whether giving protein all at once (bolus) or slowly over time (continuous) helps critically ill children ages 1-11 keep their weight and muscle better. Researchers will measure arm size and thigh muscle with ultrasound over two weeks. The goal is to find out …

This study looks at whether eating more fatty fish, fruits, and vegetables can help protect the lungs from the harmful effects of woodsmoke. Researchers will ask 48 healthy adults to follow a special diet and then breathe in woodsmoke in a controlled setting. The goal is to see i…

This study looks at whether the unique mix of bacteria and fungi in the gut can predict how well Crohn's disease patients will respond to treatment. Researchers will collect stool, blood, and tissue samples from 100 adults during routine colonoscopies and track their health for a…

This study tests a community-based program to reduce child malnutrition in Punjab, Pakistan. About 200 children aged 7-15 months and their mothers will take part in a 28-day behavior change program that includes daily group sessions and home visits. The program teaches practical …

This study looks at how histamines, the same molecules that cause allergy symptoms, affect blood flow in the lungs after exercise. Researchers will measure heart function in 20 healthy adults aged 19-39 under two conditions: one with a histamine-blocking drug and one with a place…

This study follows 4,000 children who receive orthopedic implants (like rods or screws) during standard care for bone fractures, deformities, or hip problems. Researchers will track how long the implants last, any complications, and how well they work over time. The goal is to ga…

This study tests whether using a device to continuously monitor heart rate, oxygen, and blood pressure after surgery — both in the hospital and at home — helps patients spend more days at home in the first month. About 110 adults having major abdominal or vascular surgery will be…

This study explores whether people with Lynch syndrome can use a self-collected vaginal swab at home to detect early signs of uterine cancer. Researchers will enroll 30 participants who will collect samples and answer surveys. The main goal is to see if this approach is practical…