University Of Pittsburgh

This study tested whether aerobic exercise could improve brain health and thinking skills in older adults whose late-life depression was in remission. Researchers enrolled 46 participants aged 60+ to compare a 6-month aerobic exercise program with a stretching program. The goal w…

This study tested whether a new alert system could help prevent drug-related kidney injury in hospitalized adults. At eight hospitals, some doctors received standard alerts, while others got specific warnings from pharmacists about patients at high risk. The goal was to see if th…

This study tested if a phone-based program using text messages and small financial rewards could help teens and young adults with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes become more physically active. It involved 75 participants aged 13 to 22. The goal was to see if this approach could in…

This study tested an online program called Sleep GOALS, designed to help new mothers lose weight after giving birth. The program focused on improving sleep, diet, and physical activity habits. Researchers enrolled 40 postpartum women to see if the program was easy to use, accepta…

This study tested whether remote monitoring could help patients recover better at home after major bladder cancer surgery. Researchers gave some patients a Fitbit and used a smartphone app for daily check-ins, with the goal of spotting health issues early. If the system detected …

This study tested a new support program called PICTURE-THIS, designed to help people recover after a serious stay in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and transition back home. The program provided care coordination and rehabilitation activities for 42 survivors and their family care…

This study tested a new set of step-by-step guidelines to help primary care doctors better respond to concerning opioid use behaviors in their chronic pain patients. Researchers worked with 49 doctors to see if these guidelines were practical to use and acceptable in real clinics…

This study tested whether a training program called Strategy Training could help older adults with mild cognitive impairment (early memory problems) maintain their ability to perform daily tasks like shopping and managing medications. It compared the training to standard care in …

This study tested two different ways to deliver care for adults who have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) along with anxiety or depression. Researchers compared an in-person team-based approach with a technology-supported approach using health coaches and digital tools. The goal …

This study tested two community-based wellness programs to see if they could improve health, increase life satisfaction, and reduce healthcare costs for adults with disabilities like cerebral palsy or spinal cord injury. It involved 130 participants who were eligible for specific…

This study aimed to see if a combined lifestyle program could help prevent memory decline in older adults at risk for dementia. Researchers in Kerala, India, first measured how common mild memory problems were in 481 adults aged 50-65. They then tested a one-month program with 20…

This study tested a community program called Creating Peace, designed to prevent violence among teenagers. It brought together 581 young people aged 14-19 and police officers for group discussions to address racism, discrimination, and conflict. The goal was to see if this approa…

This study tested whether a 12-week program could prevent major depression in older adults grieving the loss of a spouse. 151 participants at risk for depression tracked their sleep, meals, and activity using digital tools and received health coaching. Researchers compared this g…

This small pilot study tested a new 6-week family program designed to prevent dating violence among Latine teens. It involved 41 Latine caregiver-teen pairs from the Pittsburgh area. The goal was to see if the program was acceptable and feasible, and if it improved family communi…

This study tested whether a one-year online program could help inactive adults at risk for heart disease get more exercise. The program included weekly coaching sessions, remote support, and a wearable activity tracker. Researchers compared this intensive program to a simpler app…

This study tested a new home-visit program designed to help new mothers improve their heart health. The program, called Family Check-Up Heart, provided 117 low-income mothers with coaching on diet, exercise, and stress management. Researchers compared it to a standard home-visit …

This small, completed pilot study explored whether two simple workplace changes could help night shift nurses. Researchers tested if giving nurses access to a quiet nap/relaxation room and special glasses that block certain light could improve their health, sleep, and reduce feel…

This study tested whether a mindfulness-based therapy program could help reduce psychological distress in pregnant women at risk for depression and anxiety. It involved 84 pregnant women in the U.S. who reported feeling distressed. The main goal was to see if the therapy improved…

This small pilot study tested whether a safe, non-invasive brain stimulation technique could immediately improve balance in older women who survived breast, ovarian, or endometrial cancer. Researchers wanted to see if stimulating a specific brain area could help the brain better …

This small study tested a simple program designed to help depressed teenagers sleep better. It involved one coaching session and used smartphone tools to teach better sleep habits. The main goal was to see if the program was practical and acceptable to teens and their doctors, no…

This study tested whether a personalized, multi-part treatment program could help adults with complex concussions recover better than standard advice. 169 participants, aged 18-49, were randomly assigned to receive either the new targeted therapy or usual care. The new program ad…

This study explored whether a virtual yoga program could help women experience positive psychological changes after a concussion, a concept called post-traumatic growth. Researchers worked with 27 women from an online concussion support network, offering some participants a tailo…

This small pilot study tested whether a 10-week online mindfulness course could help reduce stress and related body inflammation in young adults (ages 18-29) who experienced childhood trauma. Fifteen participants took part in group video sessions and tracked their daily stress an…

This small pilot study tested a modified telehealth program designed to help young adults who survived childhood cancer manage common thinking and memory problems that can follow treatment. Nine participants aged 18-39 completed eight weekly online training sessions and used a wo…

This study aimed to find out if washing a patient's own fat with sterile salt water before injecting it into the face leads to better skin appearance than using unwashed fat. Researchers compared the two methods in 26 female participants over 12 months, measuring changes in wrink…

This study tested a 6-week program to help caregivers of people with dementia. Participants wore an Apple Watch to track their sleep and activity patterns and received weekly coaching calls. The goal was to help caregivers establish healthier daily routines to reduce symptoms of …

This study aimed to understand how the brain processes speech sounds in different situations. Researchers measured brain activity in 48 epilepsy patients who already had electrodes implanted for medical reasons. They listened to speech sounds while researchers recorded how their …

This study aimed to understand how stressful childhood experiences affect the way teenagers with depression symptoms learn and remember a specific coping skill. Researchers taught 88 adolescents (ages 12-15) a therapy-based skill to help them manage negative thoughts and emotions…

This study aimed to find the most effective way to help people with advanced cancer plan for their future medical care. Researchers compared two methods: having in-person conversations with a trained guide versus using a special interactive website. They wanted to see which appro…

This study followed 600 lung transplant patients to understand how common viral and bacterial infections are after transplant surgery. Researchers collected blood and lung fluid samples to see if certain infections are linked to a serious complication called bronchiolitis obliter…

This study tested a new way to help rural child advocacy centers identify children who need mental health support after experiencing trauma. Four centers tried a standard screening and referral process, with half also using special teamwork strategies. The main goal was to see if…

This study aimed to find out if simple online tools could help LGBTQ+ youth get past barriers and seek mental health support. Researchers tested four different types of online content, like videos and links, with 81 teens and young adults in an anonymous Discord group. The goal w…

This study aimed to understand the immediate effects of chemotherapy on sperm DNA in men with cancer. Researchers collected and compared semen samples from 200 men before they started chemotherapy and again shortly after their first treatment cycle. The goal was to gather knowled…

This study used brain scans to understand why young adults born with serious heart defects sometimes have trouble with thinking, memory, and learning. Researchers scanned the brains of 195 participants aged 18-30 to look for links between brain changes and cognitive test scores. …

This study aimed to understand how two different feeding formulas affect the gut bacteria of critically ill children. Researchers compared a common formula (Pediasure) with an organic, high-fiber formula (Nourish) in 32 children aged 1-17. The main goal was to see if either formu…

This study tested whether a custom-made adventure video game could help emergency room doctors at non-trauma hospitals follow official guidelines for transferring severely injured patients. 800 doctors were asked to either play the game for a few hours over nine months or continu…

This study aimed to see if measuring how a teen's brain pays attention to negative information could predict their future risk for depression. Researchers used EEG brain scans and a special feedback training session with 15 teenage girls who had no history of depression. The goal…

This study aimed to understand the long-term health effects of a rare, inherited form of propionic acidemia found in Amish and Mennonite communities. Researchers reviewed the lifelong medical records of 38 known patients with this specific genetic variant. The goal was to gather …

This study tested a smartphone app to see if regularly checking on a child's quality of life after a liver transplant could become a normal part of their care. About 200 children and their parents used the app to answer questions about daily life and health. The goal was to see i…

This study aimed to understand how brain scans of newborns might predict future learning and development. Researchers followed 557 babies born early or with heart conditions, comparing their early brain scans with their development as they grew. The goal was to find better ways t…