University Of California, Los Angeles

This study tested whether a mindfulness program could help people with high blood pressure better follow their medication, diet, and exercise plans. 36 adults who struggled with these habits took part. The goal was to see if mindfulness training improves adherence and lowers bloo…

This study tested whether cannabidiol (CBD) can reduce cravings and prevent relapse in people with opioid use disorder who are already taking standard medications like buprenorphine or methadone. 35 adults participated, taking either CBD or a placebo daily for 4 weeks while in re…

This early-stage study tested whether giving rituximab before the standard combination of methotrexate and pegloticase can help people with severe tophaceous gout who had stopped responding to pegloticase. Only 2 participants were enrolled, and the main goal was to check safety a…

This study looked at whether visits from a parish nurse (a nurse from a church) can help people with high blood pressure lower their numbers. About 100 adults from church health fairs in Los Angeles took part. Half were assigned to see a parish nurse, and the other half went to t…

This study looked at whether eating two ounces of walnuts each day can improve sperm count, movement, and shape in men with fertility problems. 80 men took part, and the walnut group was compared to a group taking a standard multivitamin. The goal was to see if a simple diet chan…

This study tested whether a dietary supplement called Mito-MES could prevent severe viral infections, like COVID-19, in adults who had close contact with someone sick. 80 healthy adults who were exposed to a person with respiratory symptoms took the supplement or served as contro…

This study tested a program designed to help Latino men who have sex with men start taking PrEP, a daily pill that prevents HIV. 105 participants joined the study. The program was tailored to Latino culture and aimed to make it easier for men to get a prescription and stick with …

This study tested whether a GPS-based mobile app, financial incentives, and peer mentors could help men who have sex with men and transgender women leaving jail get HIV prevention services like PrEP and testing. 233 participants were split into two groups: one got routine case ma…

This study tested whether using an antibacterial mouthwash every day can reduce throat gonorrhea infections in high-risk men, including those with and without HIV. About 89 participants used either the active mouthwash or a placebo, and researchers tracked how well they stuck wit…

This study tested a diabetes prevention program designed for college students facing challenges like food or financial insecurity. 80 UCLA undergraduates with prediabetes or high risk were split into two groups: one received a tailored 19-session program, the other got standard h…

This study tested whether adding online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to a gentle 12-week benzodiazepine taper helps adults who take both opioids and benzodiazepines reduce their anxiety medication safely. 42 participants were randomly assigned to receive either CBT or healt…

This study tested a 9-week digital mindfulness program for teens aged 12-17 with anxiety or depression. Half of the parents also took the program to see if their involvement helped more. The goal was to reduce symptoms and improve well-being.

This study tested a 5-day breathwork and meditation program called SKY Recovery in 100 people recovering from substance use disorder at a residential center. Participants were split into two groups: one did the program right away, the other waited. Researchers measured emotional …

This study tested whether adding internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) helps people with major depression more than TMS alone. Forty adults receiving TMS at UCLA took part. The goal was to see if the combined approach improve…

This study looked at whether adding behavioral skills training to standard job support helps people with schizophrenia stay employed longer. 107 participants who were taking risperidone or olanzapine took part. The main goal was to see how many weeks they could work.

This study tested a personalized, play-based program for 2-3 year olds with autism. The program, called JASPER, was delivered by trained teaching assistants in community preschools. The goal was to see if adjusting the type and amount of play therapy based on each child's progres…

This study tested whether training classmates to interact with autistic children improves their social connections. 60 children in kindergarten through 5th grade took part. Researchers measured how involved autistic kids became in their school's social network.

This study tested a non-invasive device that gently stimulates a nerve in the face (trigeminal nerve) to see if it can reduce ADHD symptoms in children aged 7 to 12. Over 200 children received either the active device or a sham (fake) device for 4 weeks. The goal was to measure c…

This study tested a sleep program designed for both people with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers. The goal was to improve sleep quality and reduce negative health effects from poor sleep. The program involved 60 pairs of patients and caregivers, and used wrist monitors an…

This study tested a new type of therapy called reminder-focused positive psychiatry (RFPP) for teenagers who have both ADHD and PTSD. The goal was to see if it was acceptable and feasible to use, and if it could help reduce symptoms. Eleven teens took part in the study, which com…

This study tested a new, non-invasive technique called Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Pulsation (LIFUP) to see if it can improve motor symptoms in people with Parkinson's disease. 31 participants received the ultrasound while their brain activity was monitored with an MRI. The …

This study looked at behavior problems in 101 children aged 3-6 with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). Some families with elevated behavior issues received a remote parent-training program called Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) either right away or after a 6-month wait. T…

This study tested whether eating 2 ounces of walnuts every day for 12 weeks could improve memory and thinking problems in adults over 40 with Long-COVID. 31 people with ongoing brain fog, fatigue, or mood issues took part. The goal was to see if walnuts, which are rich in healthy…

This early-stage study tested whether combining psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) with cognitive behavioral therapy is safe and helpful for people with depression. Sixteen adults received two doses of psilocybin along with 12 therapy sessions. The goal was to …

This study tested two programs to help older adults (age 55+) stop taking common sleeping pills like Ambien or Ativan. One program focused on the placebo effect—the idea that beliefs and expectations about a pill can affect sleep—while the other did not. The goal was to see if ad…

This study tested a 15-session exercise camp for children aged 5-18 with spastic cerebral palsy. The goal was to see if intensive physical therapy could improve leg movement, walking, and daily function. All 23 participants attended the camp and did home exercises afterward. Rese…

This study looked at blood samples from 24 people — some with Common Variable Immune Deficiency (CVID) and some healthy — to find better ways to diagnose the condition. Researchers used advanced technology to measure how different immune cells respond to various signals. The goal…

This study looked at two new methods (BOSCC and ELSA) for measuring changes in social communication and language in young children with autism. About 84 children aged 18 months to 5 years took part in a play-based program called JASPER, led by a clinician or a caregiver. The goal…

This study tested whether healthcare providers can help low-income parents file taxes and receive tax credits. 21 parents with young children were referred to a tax filing app. Researchers checked if this increased tax filing and improved parent and child health over time.

This study looked at whether brain wave patterns (EEG) can show early on if an antidepressant is working. Thirty-eight adults with major depression took part. The goal was to see if changes in brain activity happen before mood improves, which could help doctors choose the right t…

This pilot study tested whether routine genetic testing of thyroid cancer tumors can help guide surgeons in choosing between removing only part of the thyroid (lobectomy) or the whole gland (total thyroidectomy). Only 2 patients enrolled, so the main goal was to see if a larger f…

This study looked at how smoking and quitting overnight affect a brain chemical called glutamate in men and women. Researchers scanned the brains of 58 smokers to measure glutamate in key areas linked to withdrawal. They also checked hormone levels in women to see if they play a …

This study tested a patient decision aid designed to help adults with opioid use disorder choose the right medication-assisted treatment. Over 7,500 participants from California took part, and researchers tracked their drug use, treatment retention, and health outcomes for up to …

This study tested a new skin patch that measures uric acid levels in people with gout. Six participants wore the patch for a week and after a meal to see if it was comfortable and accurate. The goal is to make monitoring gout easier without blood draws.

This study looked at whether a 10-minute cold water bath (55°F) after training helps NCAA athletes recover and perform better. 75 volleyball, football, and cross-country athletes wore a WHOOP wristband to track sleep, heart rate, and other body signals. They also did jump tests t…

This study looked at how being treated unfairly because of weight affects health habits. 330 adults with a BMI of 28 or higher were randomly assigned to experience weight stigma or not. Researchers then measured their eating, physical activity, and sleep over several days to see …

This study looked at whether proteins in stoma fluid can signal rejection after an intestinal transplant. Researchers tested fluid samples from 17 recent transplant recipients and compared them to biopsy results. The goal was to find a non-invasive way to monitor for rejection, a…

This study examined how nicotine in electronic hookah (e-hookah) affects the function of cells lining blood vessels. Researchers measured blood vessel health in 33 young adults who smoked hookah or used e-cigarettes before and after vaping. The goal was to understand whether nico…

This study looked at how people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) balance between using habits and goal-directed thinking when making decisions. Researchers used brain scans and a mild electrical stimulation technique called tDCS to understand the brain circuits involved. …

This study tested a program where local health workers and family members work together to help people with opioid addiction get the care they need. Over 1,600 adults with a history of drug use took part. The goal was to see if this team approach helps people seek, test, treat, a…

This study looked at whether a supplement called COMP-4 can help blood vessels work better and reduce signs of aging in healthy adults aged 18-39. Researchers measured blood flow in the arm and checked for aging markers in the blood after 14 days of taking the supplement. The goa…

This study looked at whether writing about personal experiences can affect health in healthy women aged 60 and older. Participants wrote once a week for six weeks and gave blood samples to measure inflammation. The goal was to see if expressive writing is linked to better well-be…

This study looked at whether doing kind acts for others, with or without a reflection component, can improve positive feelings and overall well-being in teenagers aged 14 to 17. Over 4 weeks, participants either performed kind acts, did kind acts plus reflection, or simply report…

This study looks at whether forgiving medical debt helps people use health care more and feel better mentally. About 15,000 adults who owed medical debt took part. Some had their debt forgiven by a charity, and researchers compared their health and wellbeing to those who still ow…

This study tested a 4-session program that helps HIV+ Asian Pacific American men get support from their families to manage their health. Nineteen men took part to see if the program was acceptable and practical. The goal was to learn whether this approach could work for this comm…

This study looked at how to best support parents of young children with autism (ages 1-3) to improve their child's social communication. Researchers tested different sequences of parent education and coaching to see which approach worked best for different families. The goal is t…

This study looked at inflammation in the small airways of the lungs in people with mild to moderate asthma. Researchers tested whether a steroid with small particles could reach deeper into the lungs better than a large-particle steroid. 57 adults took part, using lung function t…

This study explored how the flu virus affects the types of bacteria living in the nose and throat, and how the body's immune system reacts. Researchers gave 17 healthy adults either a flu vaccine nasal spray or a saltwater mist, then tracked changes over time. The goal was to und…

This study looked at whether community health workers visiting pregnant women at home in rural South Africa can improve health for both mothers and children. About 1,490 women took part, with some areas getting the home-visit program and others not. The program aimed to help with…

This study looked at how smoking cannabis with different amounts of THC and CBD affects drug levels in blood and saliva, as well as thinking and feeling. Nineteen adults who use cannabis occasionally took part. The goal was to better understand how these compounds work in the bod…

This study tested two simple tools—monthly report cards and storyboards—to see if they help cardiologists remember to close important care gaps for their patients, like prescribing the right heart medications or controlling blood pressure. 46 UCLA Health cardiologists took part. …

This study tested two different AI scribe tools to see if they could help doctors spend less time writing notes and feel less burned out. 238 doctors at UCLA Health were randomly assigned to use one of the two AI tools or continue their usual routine for two months. The goal was …

This study looked at how stress affects eating habits in 453 adults from Los Angeles who experience food insecurity. Participants were exposed to a stressful situation and a calm one, then offered a buffet of high-sugar, high-fat foods. Researchers measured the stress hormone cor…

This study tested whether a magnetically controlled capsule (a pill-sized camera) can safely measure stomach muscle activity in people with gastroparesis or functional dyspepsia. Twenty participants swallowed the capsule, which was guided by an external magnet to record contracti…

This study tested whether a Buddhist mindfulness program could help people living with HIV in Myanmar and Thailand feel less stigma and improve their quality of life. Nineteen participants took part in the program, and researchers measured changes in stigma and mindfulness. The g…

This study looked at how inflammation changes the brain's reward system in older adults (ages 60-80) with anxiety. Researchers used brain scans and computer tasks to measure loss of pleasure and motivation after an inflammatory challenge. The goal was to understand the link betwe…

This study tested a nurse-led program called HEALthy Beginnings, designed to help homeless women aged 40 and older take better care of their chronic health conditions. Twenty-three women participated to see if the program was practical and well-received. The goal was to gather fe…

This study tested new MRI and MRE scans that let children breathe normally during the exam, instead of holding their breath. The goal was to see if these free-breathing scans can accurately measure liver fat and stiffness in kids with fatty liver disease. About 135 children took …

This study looked at how inflammation changes the way younger women experience reward, which may help explain why some people develop depression. Researchers gave 40 healthy women a mild inflammatory substance or a placebo and measured their responses to money and smiling faces. …

This study looked at whether PTSD can damage blood vessels, which might lead to heart disease. Researchers measured blood vessel function in 168 adults who had experienced trauma. The goal was to understand how PTSD affects the body and find ways to reduce heart risk in trauma su…