University Of California, Los Angeles

This study tested different ways to help teenagers complete the HPV vaccine series at community health centers serving low-income families. Researchers compared parent reminders (by mail and text), clinic system changes, and a combination of both against usual care. Over 17,000 t…

This study tested a new clinic that sees emergency room patients the next day for conditions like pneumonia, heart failure, and kidney injury. The goal was to avoid hospital stays and improve patient care. About 570 adults took part, and researchers measured how many days they we…

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. Thirty-five participants received either CBD or a placebo for 28 days while in resid…

This study looked at whether visits from parish nurses (faith community nurses) can help people with high blood pressure lower their numbers. Researchers recruited 100 adults from church health fairs in Los Angeles and randomly assigned them to either nurse visits or regular doct…

This study tested whether trained community health workers visiting pregnant women at home could improve health for both mothers and children in a rural area of South Africa. The program focused on supporting women with HIV, depression, or alcohol use, and on improving child grow…

This early-stage study tested whether a drug called rituximab could help people with severe, hard-to-treat gout respond again to a medication (pegloticase) that had stopped working for them. Only 2 people took part, and the main goal was to see if the approach was safe and possib…

This completed trial tested a new type of CT scan (DE-CBCT) to measure jaw bone density in 26 adults needing dental X-rays. The goal was to see if this scan can give dentists better information for planning dental implants. The study compared the new scan's bone density readings …

This study tested a special capsule with a magnet inside that doctors can control from outside the body. The capsule takes pictures of the stomach to see how it moves and digests food. Researchers wanted to see if this device could help diagnose conditions like gastroparesis and …

This study tested whether a mobile app (GeoPassport), financial incentives, and peer mentor support could help men who have sex with men and transgender women leaving jail access HIV prevention services like PrEP and testing. 233 participants were enrolled and followed for 9 mont…

This study tested a special program called 'Estoy PrEParado' designed to help Latino men who have sex with men start taking PrEP, a daily pill that prevents HIV. The program provided information, motivation, and skills tailored to this community. Researchers enrolled 105 particip…

This study tested whether using an antibacterial mouthwash every day could lower the chance of getting gonorrhea in the throat. Researchers recruited 89 HIV-positive and HIV-negative men at high risk. Participants gargled with either Listerine or a placebo mouthwash daily. The st…

This study tested whether the dietary supplement MitoQ could prevent severe viral infections, like COVID-19, in adults who had close contact with a sick person. Eighty asymptomatic adults were given MitoQ or no treatment and monitored for illness. The goal was to see if the suppl…

This study tested a special diabetes prevention program for college students at high risk for type 2 diabetes, especially those facing challenges like food or financial insecurity. 80 UCLA undergraduates with prediabetes or high risk were randomly assigned to either the program o…

This study tested a 6-week mindful self-compassion program for homeless women with PTSD and substance use. The program includes meditation, group discussions, and home practices. Researchers compared the program to usual care in 202 women living in a residential drug treatment fa…

This study tested whether weekly Kundalini yoga classes with daily meditation could improve memory and thinking in 81 older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Participants were split into two groups: one did yoga and meditation, the other did memory training exercises. The go…

This early-phase study tested whether combining psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) with cognitive behavioral therapy is a feasible and acceptable treatment for major depression. Sixteen adults with moderate to severe depression received two doses of psilocybin …

This study tested a non-invasive device that gently stimulates a nerve on the forehead (trigeminal nerve) during sleep to see if it can reduce ADHD symptoms in children ages 7 to 12. Over 200 children used either the active device or a sham (inactive) device nightly for 4 weeks. …

This study tested two programs to help older adults stop taking sleeping pills like lorazepam or zolpidem. One program focused on placebo effects—the power of believing a treatment works—while the other did not. Both included cognitive behavioral therapy and special pill packagin…

This study tested a breathing and meditation program called SKY Recovery in 100 people recovering from substance use disorder at a residential center. Participants either took the program right away or after a delay. Researchers measured changes in emotion regulation, cravings, a…

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 the therapy is acceptable and helpful for reducing symptoms. Eleven teens took part, and the study measured how well they l…

This study tested a sleep improvement program designed for both people with Alzheimer's disease and the family members who care for them. The program was tailored to address sleep problems in both the patient and caregiver at the same time. The goal was to see if this approach co…

This study tested a 9-week online mindfulness program for teens aged 12-17 with anxiety or depression. Half of the teens also had a parent or caregiver join the program. Researchers wanted to see if adding a caregiver improved the teen's symptoms. The study was very small (32 par…

This pilot study tested a program called HEALthy Beginnings, designed to help middle-aged and older homeless women take better care of their chronic health conditions. Twenty-three women participated in the nurse-led, trauma-informed program. The main goal was to see if the progr…

This study looked at behavior problems in 101 children aged 3 to 6 with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). Families completed assessments online, and those with elevated behavior issues were offered a parent-training therapy (PCIT) over the internet. The goal was to help parents m…

This study tested whether eating two ounces of walnuts each day could improve sperm count, movement, and shape in men with fertility issues. 80 men took part, comparing walnuts to a standard multivitamin. The goal was to see if a simple diet change could help with natural or assi…

This study looked at whether eating 2 ounces of walnuts every day for 12 weeks could improve memory and reduce brain fog in adults over 40 with Long-COVID. About 31 people took part, comparing walnut eaters to those getting usual care. The goal was to see if walnuts, which are ri…

This study tested whether adding behavioral skills training to standard employment support helps people with schizophrenia keep a job longer. 107 participants were assigned to either job support alone or job support plus skills training. The main goal was to see which group worke…

This study tested whether low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFUP) can safely improve motor symptoms like tremor and stiffness in people with Parkinson's disease. 31 participants received either real or sham ultrasound to a specific brain area. The goal was to see if this non-inv…

This study tested whether a 15-session physical therapy exercise camp could improve leg movement and daily function in 23 children with spastic cerebral palsy, ages 5 to 18. Kids attended 3-hour sessions and did home exercises afterward. Researchers measured strength, walking, ba…

This study tested a flexible, play-based program to improve social communication and language in toddlers (ages 2-3) with autism. 199 children took part in community early-intervention settings. The program adjusted the type and amount of one-on-one play coaching based on each ch…

This study tested an 8-week group program that uses Buddhist principles and cognitive behavioral therapy to help people with HIV in Myanmar cope with stigma. Nineteen participants joined group discussions led by a trained facilitator. The goal was to see if the program could redu…

This study tested whether a 6-week mindfulness program could help people with high blood pressure better follow their medication, diet, and exercise plans. 36 adults who struggled with adherence participated. The goal was to see if mindfulness, which focuses on inner motivation, …

This study tested whether teaching social skills to autistic children and educating their classmates can improve social relationships at school. Sixty children in kindergarten through 5th grade took part in 30-minute sessions twice a week for six weeks. The goal was to see if the…

This study tested whether adding internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) helps people with major depression more than TMS alone. Forty adults receiving TMS at UCLA also completed online therapy modules. Researchers measured ch…

This study tested whether adding cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to a gradual benzodiazepine taper helps patients with anxiety who also take prescription opioids reduce their benzodiazepine use. 42 primary care patients were randomly assigned to receive either CBT or a health …

This study tested whether teens who do kind things for others feel happier and more fulfilled. 119 adolescents aged 14-17 were asked to perform acts of kindness three times a week for four weeks, with some also reflecting on their actions. Researchers measured mood and well-being…

This completed study looked at 59 men who have sex with men and use methamphetamine. Researchers used a program that gives rewards for drug-free urine samples to help them cut back. They measured inflammation in the rectum and tracked STI/HIV risk behaviors over 8 weeks. The goal…

This study evaluated four online health campaigns delivered via Facebook to young people aged 15-24 in Senegal, Burkina Faso, and Côte d'Ivoire. Researchers measured changes in knowledge about contraception, confidence in using services, and awareness of online health resources. …

This pilot study tested three simple ways to encourage blood sugar screening in 102 overweight or obese adults without known diabetes: a text message, a patient portal message, or a mailed letter. The goal was to see which method was most acceptable and effective at getting peopl…

This completed study looked at 168 adults with a history of trauma to see if PTSD harms blood vessel function, which could raise heart disease risk. Participants completed behavioral tasks measuring fear and attention, and had their blood vessel health checked. The goal is to und…

This study tested a 4-session program that helps HIV+ Asian Pacific American men manage their health with support from family. Nineteen men took part to see if the program was acceptable and practical. The goal was to learn if this approach could help this community better manage…

This study explored why some children with autism respond better to parent-led therapies than others. Researchers tested different sequences of parent education and child coaching in 81 toddlers (12-36 months) to see which approach worked best for which families. The goal was to …

This study looks at whether forgiving people's medical debt can improve their mental health, reduce anxiety and depression, and help them get the medical care they need. Over 15,000 adults who owed medical debt were randomly selected to have their debt forgiven by a charity. Rese…

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. About 238 UCLA doctors used one of the tools or continued their usual routine for two months. The goal was to see if the AI tools could make d…

This observational study compared blood samples from 24 people with antibody deficiency (CVID) and healthy volunteers. Researchers used advanced technology to measure how different immune cells respond to various triggers. The goal was to find patterns that could improve diagnosi…

This study looked at whether proteins in ostomy fluid (waste from the intestine) can signal rejection after an intestinal transplant. Currently, doctors must take tissue samples through a scope to check for rejection, which is invasive and not always accurate. Researchers analyze…

This study tested a program where community health workers were trained to help people with opioid addiction get and stay in treatment, with support from their families. Over 1,600 adults who use drugs took part in communes across Vietnam. The goal was to see if this community-ba…

This completed Phase 1 study at UCLA looked at how smoking cannabis with different amounts of THC and CBD affects drug levels in oral fluid and blood, as well as thinking and feeling. Nineteen adults who use cannabis occasionally took part. The goal was to better understand how t…

This study looked at how smoking affects a brain chemical called glutamate in men versus women. Researchers scanned the brains of 58 smokers after not smoking overnight and after their first cigarette of the day. They also measured hormone levels in women to see if hormones influ…

This study looked at whether writing about personal experiences can affect the health of healthy women aged 60 and older. Participants wrote once a week for six weeks and gave blood samples to measure inflammation and well-being. The goal was to understand how expressive writing …

This study tested whether nicotine in electronic hookah (e-hookah) affects blood vessel function. Thirty-three healthy young adults who already used hookah or e-cigarettes vaped e-hookah with or without nicotine in separate sessions. Researchers measured blood vessel dilation and…

This study tested whether a daily supplement called COMP-4 could improve blood vessel function and reduce markers of aging in 32 healthy adults aged 18-39. Participants took the supplement for 14 days, and researchers measured blood vessel dilation using ultrasound and checked bl…

This study tested new MRI and MRE techniques that let children breathe normally during scans, instead of holding their breath. The goal was to measure liver fat and stiffness more comfortably and accurately in kids with fatty liver disease. 135 children aged 6-17 took part, and t…

This pilot study tested whether routine genetic analysis of thyroid cancer samples could help surgeons decide how much of the thyroid to remove. Only 2 patients were enrolled. The goal was to see if a larger trial is possible, not to change treatment yet.

This study tested two simple tools—monthly report cards and patient stories—to help cardiologists remember and act on preventive care tasks like prescribing aspirin or controlling blood pressure. 46 UCLA cardiologists took part. The goal was to see if these nudges could close com…

This study tested JASPER, a play-based therapy for autism, in 84 toddlers aged 18 months to 5 years. Children were randomly assigned to receive JASPER from a clinician or their parent. The goal was to see if two new measurement tools (BOSCC and ELSA-T) could track changes in soci…

This study looked at how inflammation affects the brain's reward system in 40 younger women with depression. Participants received either an endotoxin (to trigger temporary inflammation) or a placebo, and researchers measured changes in how they responded to rewards like money or…

This study looked at inflammation in the small airways of the lungs in people with asthma. Researchers tested whether a steroid with small particles could reach these deep areas better than a steroid with large particles. 57 adults with mild to moderate asthma took part. The goal…

This study looked at how the flu virus changes 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 bacterial changes and immune response…

This study looked at how experiencing weight stigma (being treated negatively because of body size) changes what people eat, how much they move, and how well they sleep. 330 adults with a BMI of 28 or higher from Los Angeles took part. Some were exposed to a person who expressed …

This study looked at whether taking a 10-minute cold water bath (around 55°F) after training helps NCAA Division I athletes recover and perform better. 75 volleyball, football, and cross country athletes wore a WHOOP device to track sleep, heart rate, and other recovery signs. Th…

This study tested whether brain wave patterns (measured by QEEG) can predict how well people with major depression respond to the antidepressant venlafaxine (Effexor). Thirty-eight adults with depression received either venlafaxine or a placebo for a short time, then continued wi…

This study tested a patient decision aid designed to help adults with opioid use disorder choose the best medication-assisted treatment for them. Over 7,500 people took part, and researchers tracked their drug use, treatment retention, and health outcomes for up to 24 months. The…

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 mild electrical stimulation to understand the brain circuits involved. The goal was to learn mo…

This study looked at how inflammation affects feelings of pleasure and motivation in older adults (ages 60-80) with anxiety. Researchers used brain scans and computer tasks to measure reward responses. The goal was to better understand the link between anxiety, inflammation, and …

This study tested a new skin patch system called UR+AIMS that measures uric acid levels in people with gout. Six participants wore the patch for a week and during a standard meal to see if it was comfortable and gave accurate readings. The goal is to help patients better understa…

This study looked at how stress influences food choices in 453 adults with varying levels of food insecurity. Participants were exposed to a stressful situation and then offered a buffet of high-calorie, sugary, and fatty foods. Researchers measured how much they ate and whether …

This study tested whether healthcare providers can help low-income families file taxes and receive tax credits by referring them to a tax filing app. Twenty-one parents with young children took part, and researchers checked if they filed taxes and how their health changed over ti…