University Of Pennsylvania

This pilot study tested a program called SMART-HABITS-4-Health to see if it could help people with chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure manage their condition better. 70 participants used a smartphone app to track their blood pressure and received daily text …

This study tested whether a peer support program could help women living with HIV stay connected to their medical care after having a baby. The program involved educational meetings with another woman who has HIV, both before and after delivery, along with check-ins by phone or t…

This study looked at how a weekly injection called semaglutide affects people's appetite, food cravings, and eating behavior over a long period. 120 adults with obesity received either the medication or a placebo (inactive shot) along with diet and exercise counseling for 72 week…

This study tested whether medical cannabis could help people with chronic pain reduce or stop their use of opioid painkillers. Researchers followed 29 patients who were on long-term opioids and qualified for medical cannabis in Pennsylvania. Over six months, they tracked particip…

This study tested a conversational AI tool to help people in early pregnancy get connected to the right care more quickly. It aimed to guide 350 participants to appropriate services and reduce unnecessary visits to the emergency room. The main goal was to see if the AI could help…

This study tested whether kidneys from deceased donors infected with hepatitis C could be safely transplanted into patients without the virus. After the transplant, recipients received antiviral medication to clear the hepatitis C infection. Researchers compared the health of the…

This study tested whether combining two oral drugs, AZD6738 and olaparib, was safe and effective for women whose ovarian cancer had returned. It involved 123 women with a specific type of recurrent ovarian cancer, grouping them based on how their cancer responded to previous plat…

This small pilot study tested whether a smartphone app could help people with chronic kidney disease and high blood pressure better manage their health. The app sent reminders to check blood pressure and walk more, and provided feedback and educational resources. Researchers want…

This study tested if adding food support to a standard weight-loss program helps people who have obesity and struggle to afford healthy food. Researchers compared giving people food vouchers or delivering groceries to their home against the standard program alone. They measured w…

This study tested whether providing home-delivered, heart-healthy meals that include traditional Navajo foods could help people with heart failure stay healthier and avoid hospital visits. For 60 days, 206 participants either received these specially prepared meals or continued w…

This study tested a new digital breathing device and phone app designed to help patients stick to their prescribed breathing exercises after lung surgery. The device tracks breaths and sends reminders, aiming to improve how often patients do the exercises. Researchers wanted to s…

This study created a registry to track the real-world results of patients who received an FDA-approved, implantable heart monitor called CardioMEMS. The device wirelessly sends daily lung pressure readings to doctors, who can then adjust medications to help prevent fluid buildup …

This study tested whether extra support could help new mothers at highest risk avoid emergency room visits and get better access to care in their first month after delivery. Researchers enrolled 220 Black women who had just given birth and were identified as high-risk. Half recei…

This study compared two common blood pressure medications—amlodipine (a calcium channel blocker) and metoprolol (a beta-blocker)—in 50 adults with both high blood pressure and a specific type of heart failure where the heart pumps normally but doesn't relax well. The goal was to …

This study tested whether adding immunotherapy drugs (ipilimumab or nivolumab) to the cancer drug niraparib could help control advanced pancreatic cancer. It involved 104 patients whose cancer had initially responded to platinum-based chemotherapy but hadn't gotten worse. Researc…

This study tested whether the timing of meals affects weight, body fat, and metabolism in people with obesity. 38 obese adults ate all their provided meals either during daytime hours (8am-7pm) or delayed hours (12pm-11pm) for 8-week periods, with their health closely monitored. …

This study tested a system of simple, force-feedback robots designed to provide upper-limb therapy for people recovering from a stroke. The goal was to see if using these robots in a community setting was safe, feasible, and as effective as standard occupational therapy for impro…

This study tested whether training community health workers and doctors in trauma-informed care could improve life quality for people with advanced kidney disease in underserved urban neighborhoods. It focused on Black and Hispanic patients who often face barriers to the best kid…

This study tested whether using an FDA-approved remote monitoring belt at home helps pregnant people complete their recommended fetal check-ups more often than going to the clinic. Researchers compared the two methods in 400 participants who needed regular monitoring. The goal wa…

This study tested whether a safe, FDA-approved fluorescent dye called indocyanine green (ICG) could make brain tumors 'glow' under special near-infrared light during surgery. The goal was to help surgeons see the edges of the tumor more clearly so they could remove more of it, po…

This study aimed to find the best tools for detecting early nerve damage in people with hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (TTRv), a rare disease. Researchers compared several methods, including a special skin microscope and a blood test, in 47 participants (both patients and h…

This study tested if a faster, shorter type of breast MRI could find cancers that regular mammograms miss in women who had been treated for breast cancer in the past. It involved 184 women who had a normal mammogram result but were at higher risk for the cancer coming back. The g…

This study tested whether a digital, community-led program could help reduce the risk of HIV and hepatitis C (HCV) in rural areas affected by the opioid crisis. Over 500 people from Appalachia and the Midwest were assigned to either try this new program or receive standard inform…

This study tested whether simple reminders could help more older adults get their annual flu vaccine. Researchers sent text messages to patients before doctor visits and gave doctors feedback on their vaccination rates. The goal was to see if these gentle nudges could increase fl…

This study tested a program at a Pennsylvania hospital where security offered free gun locks and lockboxes to visitors who were carrying firearms. Researchers wanted to see if people would accept the devices and later use them to safely store their guns at home. They also tested …

This study tested whether a home-based program combining heart failure management and palliative care could improve care for seriously ill heart failure patients. Researchers compared two approaches: doctors either had to actively choose to refer patients to the program (usual ca…

This study tested whether adding constant background noise (like a white noise machine) or wearing earplugs could help people sleep better when exposed to recorded aircraft sounds. Researchers monitored the sleep of 27 healthy adults in a sound-controlled lab over several nights.…

This study tested whether a very low dose of an existing drug, naltrexone, could improve daily life for people with vasculitis, a group of rare autoimmune diseases that cause blood vessel inflammation. Sixty patients whose disease was stable but who still struggled with poor phys…

This study tested a new therapy that uses real-time brain scans to help people with depression. While inside an MRI machine, participants received feedback about their brain activity related to negative attention patterns. The goal was to see if this high-tech 'brain training' co…

This study tested whether a combination of gentle brain stimulation and speech therapy could help people with primary progressive aphasia, a type of dementia that causes language loss. Twenty-three participants received either real or fake (sham) brain stimulation during speech t…

This study tested whether four free, existing self-help resources could help adults with moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis feel more in control and reduce their disability. Over 800 participants were randomly assigned different combinations of a book, a sma…

This study tested whether regular video visits with trained clinicians could help people with psoriatic arthritis make lifestyle changes to improve their quality of life. Over 100 participants with active symptoms used a program called PsOWell, where clinicians helped them set pe…

This study tested a 6-week outpatient rehabilitation program designed to help people with Long COVID. The program included tailored physical therapy, breathing exercises, and brain training to address common symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, and thinking problems. Resea…

This small study tested whether combining a non-invasive brain stimulation technique (TMS) with intensive speech therapy could improve verbal communication in people with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease. Twenty-three participants received either real or sham (fake) brain sti…

This study tested whether a combination of gentle brain stimulation and intensive speech therapy could help people with primary progressive aphasia (PPA), a condition that gradually impairs language. 76 participants received either real or fake (sham) stimulation during therapy s…

This study measured how much volume a cosmetic filler added to the jawline over 90 days. Fourteen adults interested in jaw contouring received the FDA-approved filler and had 3D photos taken before and after. Researchers tracked the exact volume change and asked patients how sati…

This study tested whether a new self-help app called Zemedy is an acceptable and helpful tool for people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Researchers compared it to a different app focused on education and relaxation training. The goal was to see if using the Zemedy app could…

This study aimed to understand how diabetes changes the bacteria in the mouth, and how weight loss (bariatric) surgery might affect these bacteria. Researchers followed 102 people having this surgery, some with diabetes and some without, collecting blood and mouth samples over ab…

This study tested new MRI scanning methods to get clearer pictures of bleeding inside the heart muscle after a heart attack. Researchers enrolled 14 patients who had recently had a heart attack to see if these new scans could better identify damage and predict who might develop f…

This study aimed to understand exactly how different tongue muscles work to keep the airway open in people with obstructive sleep apnea. Researchers tested 133 adults, some using an implanted nerve stimulator device, during a sleep endoscopy procedure. The goal was to gather deta…

This study tested whether tracking a daily 'streak' of consecutive days is more motivating than tracking a simple 'tally' of total days completed. Over 7,000 adults in the U.S. used a 30-day digital health app to complete daily lessons. Researchers compared which type of feedback…

This study aimed to understand how the rare and fatal genetic disorder GM1 gangliosidosis progresses in children. Researchers followed 31 children with the condition for up to 3 years, collecting detailed health information every 6 months. The goal was to create a detailed pictur…

This study investigated whether taking acetaminophen (like Tylenol) interferes with aspirin's ability to prevent blood clots that cause heart attacks. Researchers tested 55 healthy adults and smokers, giving them the drugs in different orders to see if timing matters. The goal wa…

This study tested whether changing how an invitation email is worded affects how many people sign up for a clinical trial. Researchers invited over 5,000 patients with peripheral artery disease to join a trial about a home walking program. They compared two email styles: one wher…

This small, completed study aimed to understand if patterns in how people use their smartphones (like making calls, sending texts, and moving around) are connected to their body's natural 24-hour rhythms. Researchers tracked six healthy men's phone data and collected blood pressu…

This study measured how smoking and vaping affect blood vessel function and inflammation. Researchers used MRI scans and blood tests to compare smokers and vapers before and after using tobacco cigarettes, nicotine-free e-cigarettes, and nicotine e-cigarettes. The results were co…

This study tested a conversational virtual healthcare agent designed to educate patients with advanced chronic kidney disease and their caregivers about kidney transplantation. The tool provided information from the National Kidney Foundation and was tailored to address the speci…

This study aimed to find chemical markers in blood that could help diagnose obstructive sleep apnea and track how treatment affects the body. Researchers followed 388 adults with sleep apnea for six months while they used breathing machines. They collected blood samples and track…

This study analyzed health records of over 630,000 Medicaid enrollees to understand stimulant overdose risks. Researchers developed models to identify which patients are most vulnerable to overdose and when they face the highest danger. The goal is to use this information to targ…

This study aimed to understand what daily life is like for people living with or at high genetic risk for behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD). Researchers conducted phone interviews with 26 participants to learn about their emotional responses, challenges, and copi…

This study tested whether giving people a guaranteed income of $1,000 per month for one year could reduce financial hardship and improve overall well-being. It involved over 8,000 low-income adults in Los Angeles who were raising children and had been affected by COVID-19. Resear…

This small study aimed to understand if taking aspirin could prevent the skin flushing that often happens when people take niacin, a cholesterol medication. Nine healthy volunteers took either aspirin or a placebo for five days, then took a dose of niacin. Researchers collected t…

This study aimed to find the best way to check young adults with cancer for inherited genetic risks. It compared the standard method, where doctors decide who gets tested based on guidelines, to a new method where everyone gets tested. The goal was to see if testing everyone find…

This study tested whether an AI tool could help therapists improve the quality of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) they provide. Researchers worked with 449 therapists, supervisors, and clients across five community mental health clinics. The AI tool listened to recorded therap…

This early-phase study aimed to understand how a radioactive tracer based on an antibiotic moves through the body in people with suspected bacterial infections. Researchers used PET/CT scans to track the tracer in up to 30 adult participants. The goal was to gather basic knowledg…

This study aimed to create and test a decision-making tool for patients with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. The tool was designed to help patients and their doctors work together when starting or switching to a new medication. Researchers tested how satisfied patients and doct…

This study aimed to understand the connection between oral health and long-term health issues in people living with HIV. Researchers followed 227 adults with HIV on stable medication for about 2.5 years, checking their dental health, collecting samples, and measuring inflammation…

This study tested whether a proven teamwork training program from hospitals could be adapted for school mental health teams. Researchers worked with 90 school staff and mental health providers to adapt the program and see if it was practical and acceptable to use. The goal was to…

This study aimed to find the right dose of a fatty acid infusion that causes a mild, temporary state of insulin resistance in healthy volunteers. Nine healthy people received fat infusions while their bodies' response to insulin was carefully measured. The goal was to establish a…

This study investigated whether information from people's social media, online searches, and smartphone data could help predict their risk of developing heart disease. Researchers analyzed the digital footprints of 781 adults to see if language patterns and online behaviors were …