University Of Utah

This study tested whether a new cream (acyclovir-penciclovir) works better than Abreva at preventing cold sores from forming after UV light exposure. About 40 adults with a history of sun-triggered cold sores took part. Researchers tracked how many people avoided getting a bliste…

This study looked at whether it's practical to give a blood thinner (low molecular weight heparin) to women after a C-section to prevent blood clots. Researchers enrolled 64 women and compared those who got the drug to those who got no treatment. The main goal was to see if enoug…

This study tested whether coaching through a hospital's online patient portal helps adults maintain weight loss after losing at least 5% of their body weight. 269 participants either tracked their weight, diet, and activity on their own or also received coaching from regular clin…

This study tested whether EDTA eye drops can help prevent or shorten cold sore outbreaks compared to an over-the-counter cream (Abreva). Ten adults with a history of sun-triggered cold sores took part. Researchers measured how long each outbreak lasted and tracked pain levels.

This study tested whether doing balance exercises 3 times a week for 4 weeks works as well as doing them 2 times a week for 6 weeks in people with chronic ankle instability. 57 adults with weak, unstable ankles were randomly assigned to one of the two training groups or a waitlis…

This study looked at whether a fast blood test (ROTEM) done during surgery for placenta accreta can help doctors decide when to give blood transfusions. 32 women took part, with half getting the rapid test and half getting standard lab tests. The goal was to see if the rapid test…

This early study tested whether placing a thin layer of human amniotic membrane (the tissue that surrounds a baby in the womb) on the heart during bypass surgery could reduce inflammation and lower the chance of developing atrial fibrillation (a common irregular heartbeat) after …

This study tested a shorter, higher-dose radiation treatment for early-stage breast cancer (stages 0 to IIB) given over just 9 days instead of the usual several weeks. It involved 102 women who had a lumpectomy. The goal was to see if this approach keeps the breast looking good a…

This study tested whether a wound protector device can reduce bacterial contamination during shoulder replacement surgery. 100 patients having primary shoulder replacement were randomly assigned to receive either standard care or the wound protector. The main goal was to see if t…

This early-phase trial tested a combination of two drugs (MEK162 and mFOLFIRI) in 25 adults with advanced RAS-positive colorectal cancer that had stopped responding to standard treatment. The main goal was to find the safest dose and check for side effects. Researchers also looke…

This study tested a program to help adults who take prescribed opioid medications also reduce their alcohol use. 112 people who filled opioid prescriptions at community pharmacies and reported current alcohol use took part. The program adapted an existing intervention for opioid …

This study tested a tool called MyLungHealth, delivered through a patient portal, to see if it could help more people get screened for lung cancer. Over 31,000 smokers aged 50-79 took part. The tool helped identify who was eligible for screening and encouraged them to get a low-d…

This study tested a smartphone app that gives parents and children real-time feedback on the child's exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. The goal was to encourage better sun protection habits, like using sunscreen or wearing protective clothing, to lower the risk…

This study tested a program called SHINE that teaches high school students how to protect their skin from the sun and avoid tanning. Over 2,200 students from 30 schools in Utah took part. Half the schools got the SHINE lessons, and the other half got standard education. Researche…

This study tested whether a mindfulness-based program could help adults who had lost weight keep it off. 48 participants who had lost weight through bariatric surgery, medical programs, or lifestyle changes took part. The program focused on changing eating behaviors and savoring …

This study tested two practical methods to increase COVID-19 vaccination among over 65,000 patients at Utah community health centers. One group received text message reminders to get vaccinated, while another group got texts plus a personal navigator to help with logistics like s…

This study tested a simple text-message program to help parents in rural areas get their children ages 9-17 vaccinated against HPV, a virus that can cause cancer. Researchers worked with four community clinics in Washington to see if this approach was practical and could increase…

This study tested whether a hormone called progesterone could help prevent women who recently gave birth from returning to methamphetamine use. 34 postpartum women with a history of methamphetamine use disorder took either progesterone or a placebo for 12 weeks. The goal was to s…

This study tested a sun safety program for high school students in rural Utah. The program included in-class lessons and was designed to be easy for schools to continue on their own. Researchers surveyed 38 students before and one month after the program to see if they used more …

This study tested whether medicated cloths (glycopyrronium) can reduce excessive sweating at amputation sites, which often causes prosthetic devices to fit poorly and function less well. Thirteen people with limb amputations used either the active cloth or a placebo for four week…

This study tested whether a personalized exercise program helps people with early-stage lung cancer or cancer that spread to the lungs recover better after surgery. 182 participants were randomly assigned to either the exercise program or usual care. The main goal was to see if t…

This study tested a new, low-cost way to make platelet-rich plasma (PRP) from a patient's own blood for treating knee osteoarthritis. Twenty adults with mild to moderate knee arthritis received two injections of this low-cost PRP. Researchers checked if the PRP had enough platele…

This study looked at 749 adults with chronic low back pain to see which treatments help most. Participants first received either physical therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy. If they didn't improve, they could switch to the other therapy or try mindfulness. The goal was to re…

This study tested a low-cost version of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections to treat joint pain and swelling caused by bleeding disorders like hemophilia. Fourteen adults with joint problems who had not improved with standard treatments received the injection. The goal was to s…

This study compared a single injection of sterile amniotic fluid to the standard steroid shot for knee osteoarthritis. 60 adults with moderate knee arthritis who had not gotten relief from other treatments took part. The main goal was to see if the amniotic fluid could reduce the…

This study tested a program called EnACT that teaches family caregivers of people with dementia how to better handle challenging behaviors like agitation or depression. Thirty caregivers took part in small group sessions to learn and practice these skills. The goal was to see if …

This small study tested a procedure called genicular nerve radiofrequency ablation (RFA) to treat chronic knee pain in people who had a knee replacement at least a year earlier. Five participants who still had significant pain and got good relief from a numbing nerve block receiv…

This study tested whether exercise, with or without internet-based cognitive behavior therapy, could reduce fatigue in 126 men with advanced prostate cancer. Participants were on hormone therapy and followed a 12-week exercise program. The goal was to see if these non-drug approa…

This study tested whether a shot of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) made from a person's own blood can reduce hip pain and improve movement in people with a torn hip labrum. Thirty adults aged 18 to 49 who had not gotten better with other treatments took part. Researchers tracked pain…

This study tested whether Reiki (a hands-on energy therapy) or mindfulness meditation can reduce pain and stiffness in people with knee osteoarthritis. 164 adults were randomly assigned to receive Reiki, a sham (fake) Reiki, mindfulness meditation, or no treatment at all. The goa…

This study tested a new treatment for people with back and leg pain caused by spinal stenosis who haven't gotten relief from physical therapy or medications. Researchers compared an injection of sterile amniotic fluid to a standard steroid injection to see which works better for …

This study tested a device that sends sound from the non-hearing ear to a cochlear implant in the other ear. 16 elderly participants used the device to see if it improved speech understanding in noise and quality of life for them and their caregivers. Results were limited due to …

This study tested whether platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections work better than steroid/anesthetic shots for sacroiliac joint pain. Fifty adults with confirmed pain received one of the two treatments. Researchers measured pain levels and disability scores to see which approach p…

This early-phase study tested whether taking atorvastatin (a cholesterol medicine) for a week before misoprostol can safely end an early pregnancy. Nine women between 5-7 weeks pregnant participated. The goal was to see if the combination interferes with pregnancy progress. This …

This study tested a new type of talk therapy called Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET) for people with migraines. 30 adults with frequent migraines took part in 8 weekly online sessions to see if it could lower how often and how bad their headaches were. The goal w…

This study looked at whether a drug called dexmedetomidine can safely replace morphine for pain and sedation in newborns with brain injury who are being cooled to protect their brains. Fifty full-term babies were enrolled to compare side effects and drug levels. The goal is to fi…

This study looked at whether CBD and THC from a hemp-based cosmetic product can be detected in the blood after a single use, either as a cream on the skin or taken by mouth. Twenty healthy adults tried both methods, with a 15-day break in between. The goal was simply to measure h…

This study explored whether adding mindfulness training to physical therapy is practical for people with long-term muscle and joint pain who also take opioid painkillers. Researchers developed a training manual for physical therapists and tested different ways to teach them mindf…

This study looked at how lifestyle factors like obesity and muscle loss affect kidney cancer risk and survival after kidney removal. Researchers collected blood, tissue, and questionnaire data from 161 patients over up to 5 years. The goal was to understand how to personalize tre…

This study tested whether a diode laser can act as a biomarker to measure nerve pain from peripheral neuropathy. 75 adults with or without neuropathy received either a lidocaine or placebo patch in a blinded crossover design. Researchers measured skin responses to laser stimulati…

This study tested whether an educational website helps people who stopped taking statins due to muscle pain make informed decisions about restarting them. Nearly 900 participants were randomly assigned to use the website or receive usual care. Researchers tracked how many restart…

This study looked at how hormonal birth control might help manage inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) symptoms that get worse during a woman's period. Researchers surveyed 50 women with IBD to understand their preferences for birth control and whether they would join a future trial.…

This study tested a virtual educational program for members of organizations that work with autistic people. The goal was to see if the program increased their knowledge and skills to help prevent suicide in autistic individuals. 51 participants completed surveys before, after, a…

This study tested whether a new software program helps doctors more accurately interpret ROTEM blood clotting tests. Twenty-six doctors and residents from the University of Utah took part. Researchers compared their answers before and after using the software to see if it improve…

This study looked at how to best communicate risks and benefits to parents of children with multiple health conditions. Over 800 caregivers watched videos of a doctor visit and answered surveys. The goal was to see which information helped parents feel more ready to make a decisi…

This study looked at how periods of reduced activity, like after surgery or injury, affect blood vessel function and muscle health in older adults. Researchers measured blood flow in the arm and leg using ultrasound. The goal was to understand the role of oxidative stress in thes…

This study watched videos of glaucoma surgical fellows placing Hydrus microstents to find out how many cases it takes to become skilled. Five fellows from three universities took part. The goal is to improve training by knowing the average number of surgeries needed to reach comp…

This study tested whether taking whey protein supplements helps adolescent soccer players improve their performance, recover faster, and change body composition during a 10-12 week competitive season. 31 high school players aged 13-18 took part. The goal was to see if the protein…

This study looked at whether a daily probiotic supplement could help teenagers who feel moderate stress. Researchers measured changes in mood, thinking skills (like memory and attention), and immune markers in 104 teens aged 12-20. The goal was to understand how probiotics might …

This study tested a special wireless insole (Loadsol) that measures how people walk and put weight on their legs after hip or knee replacement surgery. 58 adults who had or were about to have joint replacement took part. The goal was to see if the device can accurately track reco…

This study tested whether sending text messages can help more people get screened for lung cancer. 65 adults aged 50-80 who were current or former smokers took part. The program used a central system to check who was eligible, offer risk assessments, and help schedule screening. …

This study looked at whether different social media messages can motivate people to follow colon cancer screening guidelines. Over 2,000 adults who identified as white or Black/African American completed a survey after seeing one of five message types. Researchers measured how li…

This study looked at 120 adults with knee arthritis who had a total knee replacement. Researchers compared four different types of knee implants to see how they affected walking, stair climbing, strength, and balance over two years. The goal was to learn which implant helps peopl…

This study looked at which online messages about colon cancer screening are most convincing and likely to be shared. Over 2,200 Black and White Americans aged 45-74 rated different messages from websites. The goal was to find the best ways to encourage people to follow screening …

This study looked at whether combining brain, nerve, and hand stimulation can improve the connection between the brain and weak hand muscles in people who had a stroke at least six months ago. 51 adults with chronic stroke participated. The goal was to measure changes in brain-to…

This study tested a training program for labor and delivery providers in Tanzania to reduce HIV stigma during childbirth. The training used simulations and hands-on learning to help providers offer more respectful care. Researchers compared how women rated their care before and a…

This study looked at whether cochlear implants—devices that help people hear—can also improve thinking and memory in adults aged 65 and older with hearing loss. Researchers gave memory and attention tests before and after the implant surgery, then tracked changes over time. The g…

This study looked at over 3,000 people with a family history of certain cancers to see if a patient-directed model (where patients order their own genetic test) leads to more testing than the standard model (which requires a genetic counselor visit first). The goal was to see whi…

This study looked at 38 adults who usually sleep less than 6 hours a night. Researchers helped them increase their sleep to the recommended 7 hours and measured changes in blood chemicals and insulin sensitivity. The goal was to find biological markers that can tell if someone is…

This study looked at 270 women who had unprotected sex and then started a highly effective birth control method (like an IUD or implant) 6 to 14 days later. The goal was to find out how many got pregnant in the first month. The results help doctors and patients understand the ris…

This study checked how accurately a practitioner could feel a rib through the skin, compared to using an ultrasound machine. 44 adults with ribs took part. The goal was to see if touch alone is reliable for guiding dry needling of deep shoulder muscles.

This study compared two methods to increase COVID-19 testing among patients at Utah community health centers: text message reminders alone versus text messages plus a patient navigator who helped with logistics. Over 44,000 English- or Spanish-speaking adults with a working cell …