University Of Pittsburgh

This study tests whether adding Air Quality Index (AQI) information to standard asthma action plans helps children control their asthma better. About 351 children with asthma will receive either EPA-AQI, commercial AQI, or standard education, and their asthma control and quality …

This study tests a program called iCHART, designed to help teens aged 12-18 who have depression or suicidal thoughts. The program connects them to mental health care and safety planning. Researchers hope it will reduce suicide-related events by 50% compared to usual care.

This study looks at whether a low-energy laser treatment (SLT) works as well as the standard version for people with glaucoma or high eye pressure. It also tests if getting the low-energy laser once a year helps delay or prevent the need for daily eye drops. About 790 adults will…

This study tests whether adding a specially trained doula to usual home blood pressure monitoring helps women with pregnancy-related high blood pressure achieve better blood pressure control one year after giving birth. About 454 women who had preeclampsia, eclampsia, or gestatio…

This study tests a simple bedside ultrasound to measure fluid levels in heart failure patients. The goal is to guide medication to remove just the right amount of fluid, reducing 30-day hospital readmissions and protecting the kidneys. About 588 adults hospitalized with worsening…

This study looks at two standard surgeries for peri-implantitis, a gum infection around dental implants. About 44 adults will get either resective surgery with implantoplasty (smoothing the implant) or with simple cleaning. Researchers will measure inflammation in blood, gum tiss…

This study tests whether a program that helps neighbors work together and build trust can reduce violence in their community. About 4,600 teens and adults in selected Pittsburgh neighborhoods will take part. Researchers will compare changes in violence rates and community cohesio…

This study tests whether a type of talk therapy called Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT), delivered through video calls, can prevent or delay bipolar disorder in teenagers (ages 12-18) who have a parent with bipolar disorder. All 120 participants will receive a heal…

This study tests a sleep-focused program (TranS-C) plus bright light therapy in 90 teens aged 12-18 with depression and sleep problems. Participants either get the full program or just sleep feedback. The goal is to see if the approach is acceptable and helps ease depression and …

This study tests a new rehabilitation program called ACES that combines acceptance and commitment therapy with strategy training to help chronic stroke survivors resume social activities. About 54 adults who had a stroke at least 6 months ago and live in the community will take p…

This study tests whether having a doula (a trained birth supporter) can help reduce intimate partner violence and related harms like substance use and depression during pregnancy. About 250 pregnant survivors in the Pittsburgh area will be randomly assigned to receive doula suppo…

This study tests a brief sleep program for depressed adolescents aged 12-18 who get too little sleep or have irregular sleep patterns. The program uses two counseling sessions and a smartphone app to teach healthy sleep habits. Researchers will see if the program is practical and…

This study looks at how stress and sleep affect the mood and brain health of people caring for a loved one with dementia. About 120 caregivers aged 55 and older will receive one of two types of talk therapy. Researchers will track their mood, activity, and brain scans to see whic…

This study tests a program called CARES that helps cancer patients manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. About 1,750 adults with cancer will take part. The program combines screening and step-by-step care to address issues like pain and depression.

This study is testing whether a mobile app that combines symptom reports and activity tracking can help people receiving chemotherapy manage side effects and improve their quality of life. About 50 adults with solid tumors will use the app and wear a Fitbit for 90 days. Researche…

This study tests whether using a virtual reality headset, an aromatherapy patch, or both can help men feel less pain, fear, and embarrassment during a prostate biopsy. About 208 men will be randomly assigned to one of four groups: VR, aromatherapy, both, or standard care. The goa…

This study compares two programs designed to help autistic people better manage their emotions. The goal is to see if a program made specifically for autistic people works better than a general one. The study will involve 470 participants and will be run in community settings, no…

This study tests a new treatment called ACTIVE that combines counseling and balance exercises to help people with dizziness and anxiety after a mild traumatic brain injury (concussion). About 250 adults aged 18-49 will receive either ACTIVE or standard balance therapy over 4 week…

This study tests a tool called HART that helps caregivers of people with Alzheimer's or related dementias find health apps that match their needs. Fifteen family caregivers will try the tool and give feedback over four weeks. The goal is to improve quality of life and reduce care…

This study is testing a behavioral program to help pregnant women with ADHD manage their symptoms during pregnancy and after giving birth. The program teaches practical skills and is delivered by a therapist in OB care settings. Ten participants will be enrolled to see if the pro…

This study looks at how sensory sensitivities affect sleep and emotions in autistic children ages 6-10. Researchers will test a special bedtime routine designed to lower arousal levels in children who are overly sensitive to sensory input. The goal is to see if this routine impro…

This study tests two different behavioral approaches to see which works better for improving mood, sleep, and reducing suicide risk in adults aged 55 and older who have depression. About 420 participants will wear a sleep tracker and complete surveys over 8 weeks. The goal is to …

This study tests a new smartphone app and continuous glucose monitor for young people aged 16-24 who were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes before age 18. Participants wear a glucose monitor and Fitbit for 30 days, answer surveys about their health habits, and share feedback on the …

This study aims to understand how social media use affects the emotional health of teenagers with depression. Researchers will use brain scans (fMRI) and eye-tracking while teens interact with a realistic social media task. 60 teens aged 13-17 with mild to severe depressive sympt…

This study looks at how children's brains handle speech and language. Researchers will compare brain activity in children who stutter and those who don't using EEG and fMRI scans, along with speech tests. The goal is to understand differences in speech processing, not to provide …

This study uses advanced genetic testing (whole exome and whole genome sequencing) to find the genetic causes of undiagnosed diseases in people of Amish or Mennonite descent. Researchers will analyze DNA from 300 participants to identify disease-causing gene mutations and study h…

This study is for women aged 70 or older with a small, screen-detected breast cancer that is ER+/HER2-. Instead of immediate surgery or other treatments, participants will have regular imaging scans to monitor the tumor. The main goal is to see how many women have tumor growth wi…

This study is building a research registry of 3,000 people with emphysema or COPD, plus a control group without lung disease. Participants provide DNA, lung function tests, and medical history to help researchers better understand the disease and develop new treatments. The goal …

This study is for people with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer. Researchers want to see if a blood test can find tiny bits of cancer DNA (ctDNA) before and during treatment. The goal is to learn if this test can help predict how well treatment works. About 77 participant…

This study collects blood, urine, and skin samples from 200 adults with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, eczema, or atopic dermatitis. The samples are stored and used for current and future research, such as studying proteins in the blood and tissue. Participants must have one of these…

This study compares how patients recover and feel after two types of surgery for esophageal cancer: minimally invasive (smaller cuts) versus open surgery. Researchers will track quality of life, pain, and daily function for up to three years in 3,500 participants. The goal is to …

This study looks at how different levels of carbon dioxide in the blood affect eye pressure and the thickness of a layer in the back of the eye (choroid) in children. About 20 children aged newborn to 8 years having eye exams under anesthesia will participate. Researchers will ad…

This study looks at how sleep and body clock disruptions impact the brain's reward and impulse control systems in teenagers. Researchers will monitor sleep, brain activity, and decision-making in 100 healthy high school students. The goal is to understand why poor sleep may incre…

This study tests whether a training session for hospital doctors can improve how they manage blood pressure and diabetes medications for older adults (65+). Doctors attend one educational session and complete surveys before and after. Researchers also call patients to see if they…

This study looks at whether teaching mothers with depression to encourage positive emotions in their young children can increase the child's brain response to rewards. About 180 mother-child pairs (children aged 4-6) will take part. Some mothers get coaching on positive parenting…

This study is testing whether a smartphone app can help new mothers in Pennsylvania feel supported after giving birth. About 60 participants will use the app for 8 weeks and answer surveys about how easy it is to use and whether it helps them understand important postpartum sympt…

This study looks at whether a simple, noninvasive heart ultrasound can identify people at high risk for cryptogenic stroke — a stroke with no known cause. Researchers will measure how well the heart's upper chamber (left atrium) functions in 900 adults who have had a stroke. If r…

This study tests whether a remote training program can help manual wheelchair users improve their skills. Researchers will train peer coaches, then enroll 132 wheelchair users to receive either remote feedback training or be placed on a waitlist. The goal is to see if remote trai…

This study looks at whether a tool called MyPath helps women with substance use disorder make informed choices about birth control after giving birth. About 400 women will use the tool during pregnancy or right after delivery. Researchers will track which birth control method the…

This study looks at how the brain's natural pain-fighting systems relate to pain relief from a common back injection called a medial branch block. Researchers will measure pain responses to heat and track pain levels in 40 adults with chronic low back pain. The goal is to underst…

This study explores whether a program called "One All," built around the sport Ultimate Frisbee, can help young people from tribal communities in South India build mental strength and resilience. Researchers will work with 240 participants in two locations, measuring changes in r…

This study looks at how adults aged 65 and older learn to adjust their walking on different surfaces and while doing mental tasks. Researchers will measure brain activity and walking patterns to see how these skills relate to balance and everyday mobility. The goal is to better u…

This study aims to uncover the genetic causes of biliary atresia, a rare liver disease in newborns that often leads to liver failure and transplant. Researchers will analyze DNA from 1100 children who have had or need a liver transplant. The goal is to find gene patterns that exp…

This study collects and analyzes tumor samples from 4000 people with skull base tumors to learn more about their genetic makeup. The goal is to better understand these rare tumors, not to test a new treatment. Researchers will track overall survival to see how the tumor's biology…

This study tests whether brain activity patterns recorded on a good or bad mood day can be triggered again later. Researchers will measure brain waves and happiness levels in 60 adults who experience mood swings lasting at least two days. The goal is to understand if mood-related…

This study collects tissue and fluid samples from 300 adults with breast lumps or breast cancer to find unique protein patterns. Researchers compare samples from cancerous and healthy tissue to develop better blood tests for diagnosis and prognosis. Participants must be 18 or old…

This study tests a digital program called Flourish (formerly imHere4U) designed to help teens aged 12-17 who have been cyberbullied and are at risk for suicide. About 80 teens will be randomly assigned to either use Flourish plus fill out questionnaires or just fill out questionn…

This study looks at how to help pediatric primary care offices work together more effectively to manage children's behavior problems and ADHD. Researchers will compare different strategies to support care teams and practice leaders. About 450 children and their families, along wi…

This observational study looks at why some people with knee osteoarthritis have worse pain than others, even when their knee damage looks similar on X-rays. Researchers will study 300 adults aged 45-80 with chronic knee pain. Participants will complete surveys, physical tests, kn…

This study is testing a mobile health app designed to help veterans with spinal cord injuries and their family caregivers manage stress and improve well-being. About 100 participants will use the app and give feedback to see if it meets their needs. The goal is to learn how to ma…

This study looks at how healthy adults absorb and process kaempferol, a natural compound found in many plants. Researchers will give kaempferol to 120 volunteers and collect blood and urine samples over a short period. The goal is to understand how the body handles this compound,…

This study is following 7,500 people with multiple sclerosis and healthy volunteers over 30 years. Researchers want to learn why MS affects people differently and why some respond better to treatments. The goal is to make MS care more personalized and effective.

This study aims to preserve fertility for up to 500 female patients under 40 who are at risk of infertility due to cancer, autoimmune diseases, or their treatments. Participants will have an ovary surgically removed and frozen for potential future use. Researchers will also study…

This study looks at how gentle touch on different parts of the ear changes brain activity in healthy adults. Researchers will use a special cap with infrared light sensors to measure brain responses while stimulating the ear with soft plastic filaments. The goal is to understand …