University Of Pennsylvania

This study tested a program where trained peers (other women with HIV) provided education and support to pregnant women living with HIV. The goal was to help them stay in medical care and keep the virus under control for a full year after giving birth. 151 women took part, receiv…

This study looked at 159 people with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), a rare autoimmune disease. It compared staying on a low dose of prednisone (5 mg/day) versus stopping it completely over six months. The goal was to see which approach better prevented disease flares wit…

This study tested a combination of two targeted drugs, AZD6738 and olaparib, in 123 women whose ovarian cancer had returned after previous treatment. The goal was to see if the combination is safe and how well it shrinks tumors. The trial included women whose cancer was either se…

This study looked at how the weight-loss medication semaglutide affects appetite, eating habits, and food preferences over 72 weeks. About 120 adults with obesity received either semaglutide or a placebo, along with diet and exercise advice. The goal was to see if the drug helps …

This study tested whether kidneys from donors with hepatitis C can be safely transplanted into patients without the virus. After transplant, recipients took antiviral medication to cure the hepatitis C infection. The goal was to expand the donor pool and reduce wait times for kid…

This study looked at two common blood pressure medicines—calcium channel blockers and beta-blockers—in 50 adults with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and high blood pressure. The goal was to see which drug works better at lowering blood pressure and improvi…

This study tested a smartphone app called SMART-HABITS in 47 adults with chronic kidney disease and high blood pressure. The app provided reminders, feedback, and educational resources to help patients track their blood pressure and steps. The goal was to see if people would use …

This study looked at whether a fast (abbreviated) breast MRI can detect breast cancers that are not seen on standard mammograms in women who have previously had breast-conserving therapy for breast cancer. 184 women who had a normal mammogram within the past six months were recru…

This study looked at whether chemicals in the blood (metabolomics) can help diagnose obstructive sleep apnea and show if treatment with a CPAP machine is working. Researchers studied 388 adults with and without sleep apnea, using stored and new blood samples. The goal is to find …

This study tested whether sending text message reminders to patients and nudging their doctors could increase flu vaccination rates. Over 26,000 adults aged 50 and older took part. The approach used simple, low-cost tools like pre-visit texts and automatic vaccine orders in the e…

This study tested a program at Pennsylvania Hospital where visitors and patients who carry firearms could get free cable locks or lock boxes to store their guns safely. Researchers wanted to see if people would use these devices and how to best collect data on it. The goal is to …

This study tested a 6-week outpatient rehab program for 125 adults with Long COVID. The program included breathing exercises, strength training, and cognitive therapy to help with symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and shortness of breath. The goal was to see if this program could…

This study looked at whether a coordinated team approach to giving sedative drugs could reduce the number of days children with acute respiratory failure need a breathing machine. About 2,449 children from 2 weeks to under 18 years old took part. The goal was to find a safer, mor…

This study tested a digital program to support the mental health of doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic. 293 physicians at Penn Medicine received either the program (text messages, resource support, and peer groups) or usual care. The goal was to see if the program improved well…

This study tested whether giving extra food—either vouchers or home-delivered healthy groceries—helps adults who have obesity and struggle to afford enough food lose more weight. 105 adults received standard weight-loss counseling alone or with food support for 24 weeks. The goal…

This study tested whether a medication called solriamfetol, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), or both together can help people with insomnia sleep better and feel less tired during the day. 115 adults with insomnia took part. The goal was to see if staying awake …

This study tested a new bite block device for people having routine upper endoscopy. The goal was to see if it reduces dental injuries and improves procedure success. 45 adults took part, and researchers measured how well the device worked and how satisfied doctors were.

This study tested a gentle brain stimulation technique (tDCS) combined with language therapy in 23 people with primary progressive aphasia, a condition that slowly destroys speech. Participants received either real or fake stimulation over 10 days, and researchers measured change…

This study tested a new therapy that uses real-time brain scans (fMRI) to help people with major depression retrain their attention. By showing patients their brain activity as they complete tasks, the therapy aims to reduce negative thinking patterns and improve mood. The study …

This study tested whether a low dose of naltrexone, a drug normally used for alcohol dependence, can improve physical health and quality of life in people with vasculitis (a group of rare blood vessel diseases). Sixty adults with different types of vasculitis took either the low …

This completed study tested whether four free self-help resources—a book, a smartphone app, a helpline, and a peer mentor—could help 803 adults with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis feel less disabled and more in control. Participants used different combinations of these too…

This study looked at whether taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) can reduce aspirin's ability to prevent heart attacks. Aspirin works by permanently stopping blood clots that cause heart attacks, but acetaminophen may temporarily interfere with this effect. Researchers tested 55 healt…

This study looked at whether a teamwork program called TeamSTEPPS, originally designed for hospitals, could be adapted for school mental health teams. Researchers worked with 90 participants including mental health providers, teachers, and school leaders to see if the program was…

This study looked at whether opioid use disorder and non-fatal overdoses cause a harmful protein called tau to build up in the brain. Researchers used special PET/CT scans on 12 adults, including those with opioid use disorder and healthy volunteers. The goal was to understand lo…

This study used MRI scans and blood tests to see how a single use of an e-cigarette (with or without nicotine) or a tobacco cigarette affects blood vessel function and inflammation. 55 current smokers and vapers were compared to a group of non-smokers/non-vapers. The goal was to …

This study looked at whether giving a 'disclosure toolkit' to people with BRCA gene mutations helps them share their genetic test results with family members who may also be at risk. Researchers enrolled 52 adults with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations and tracked how often they told rela…

This study tested a virtual healthcare agent designed to educate people with advanced chronic kidney disease and their caregivers about kidney transplantation. Researchers measured whether the tool increased participants' intention to consider or discuss getting a transplant. The…

This study tested a simple digital reminder for hospital doctors to either provide palliative care themselves or call in a specialist for patients at high risk of dying within six months. Over 18,000 adults from six hospitals took part. The goal was to see if this nudge helped pa…

This study explored whether poor oral health (like gum disease and cavities) contributes to ongoing inflammation and metabolic problems in people with HIV who are on antiretroviral therapy. Researchers observed 227 adults with HIV to measure dental health, bone density, and quali…

This early-phase study looked at how nerves and hormones control blood sugar in 9 people with type 1 diabetes who had received islet cell transplants. Researchers used special drugs to block certain signals and measured hormone responses during low blood sugar. The goal was to le…

This study tested a conversational AI tool to help pregnant people access care earlier and safely triage concerns, reducing unnecessary emergency department visits. 350 pregnant participants were involved. The goal was to improve access to early pregnancy care and connect patient…

This study looked at whether a heart ultrasound (TEE) should be used routinely or only when needed during low-risk coronary bypass surgery. Researchers enrolled 40 adults with good heart function to test if such a study is feasible. The goal is to help doctors decide when TEE is …

This study looked at over 600,000 Medicaid enrollees aged 15 and older to figure out who is most likely to have a stimulant overdose and when that risk is highest. Researchers used medical records to build models that predict overdose risk based on personal and neighborhood facto…

This study tested whether giving Black mothers a helpful pamphlet and a personal navigator after childbirth could reduce emergency room visits and improve access to care. About 220 women who delivered at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania took part. Half received the …