Va Office Of Research And Development

This study aimed to find the best antibiotic treatment to stop C. difficile (C. diff) infections from coming back. It compared three different antibiotic plans in over 300 veterans who had already suffered one or two recurrences of this serious gut infection. The goal was to see …

This study aimed to help people with chronic spinal cord injuries in the neck improve their ability to grasp objects. Researchers tested whether combining gentle, non-invasive brain stimulation and specific sound cues with hand training could strengthen the brain and spinal cord …

This study tested whether a special, highly absorbable form of grape seed extract could help treat early-stage lung cancer when taken for 2-3 weeks before surgery. Researchers wanted to see if the extract was safe, if patients could tolerate it without delaying their operation, a…

This study tested whether a simple brainwave test could predict which veterans with PTSD or depression would respond well to common antidepressant medications (SSRIs). Researchers measured participants' brain responses to sounds before starting medication, then tracked their symp…

This study tested a new program for veterans with serious mental illness who are at risk of suicide. The program combined weekly group education with a smartphone app designed to help people better recognize and understand their own emotions, a skill linked to lower suicide risk.…

This small pilot study tested whether a home-based care program was practical and acceptable for veterans with advanced kidney disease who chose not to start dialysis. The program aimed to support quality of life and manage symptoms through home visits and coordinated care. Resea…

This study tested whether oxytocin, a hormone involved in social bonding, could help improve social functioning in veterans with schizophrenia. Researchers used brain scans to see how oxytocin affected brain activity and tried to predict which individuals might benefit from a thr…

This study tested whether a shorter, 4-session version of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) works as well as the standard 6-session version for veterans. It aimed to see if the brief therapy could improve sleep, daily function, and mental health symptoms just as e…

This study tested whether adding a brief problem-solving therapy to standard suicide safety planning could better reduce suicidal thoughts in older veterans. It enrolled 117 veterans aged 55+ who had suicidal thoughts and a diagnosis like depression, anxiety, or PTSD. The therapy…

This early-stage research aims to understand if a new therapy can help improve arm and hand movement after a neck-level spinal cord injury. The therapy involves brief, repeated periods of low-oxygen breathing combined with hand exercises. The study first tests this approach in ra…

This study aimed to understand why a drug called erythropoietin (EPO), used to treat anemia, often raises blood pressure in people with chronic kidney disease. Researchers compared blood pressure changes and blood vessel function in a small group of patients who received EPO imme…