Vanderbilt University

This study tests whether parents can help improve speech clarity in elementary-aged children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Parents use a technique called Broad Target Speech Recast, where they naturally correct a child's mispronounced words during conversation, without asking …

This study tested whether an 8-week program focused on boosting positive emotions could improve how children of mothers with depression process rewards. 73 children aged 8-12 and their mothers participated. The program used cognitive and behavioral skills to up-regulate positive …

This study tested whether a socially assistive robot could reduce apathy in older adults with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease living in long-term care. 142 participants were randomly assigned to either usual activities or usual activities plus robot-led sessions.…

This study tested whether using augmented reality (AR) headsets could help older adults feel less lonely. Sixteen older adults and their family members used AR to do activities together over 4 weeks. Researchers measured how easy and enjoyable the technology was to use, and wheth…

This study tested whether extra tutoring in reading and math can improve skills for first-graders who are behind. 385 students from Nashville public schools were randomly assigned to reading tutoring, math tutoring, combined tutoring, or their usual school program. Tutoring laste…

This study tested a therapy program called EMT en Español for Spanish-speaking toddlers (30-36 months old) with language delays. The program uses play and daily routines to help children learn words and sentences. 81 families took part, with some receiving the therapy and others …

This pilot study tested a program called Shed-MEDS that helps safely reduce or stop unnecessary medications in assisted living residents with dementia. The goal was to see if cutting back on meds could improve quality of life. Eighteen residents took part, and researchers tracked…

This study creates a registry of liver cells (hepatocytes) donated by people undergoing liver surgery for any reason. The goal is to collect and store these cells for use in future research. Participation involves donating a small sample of liver tissue during an already-schedule…

This study tracks thousands of heart-surgery patients to identify factors that may increase the risk of postoperative delirium — a state of sudden confusion. Researchers are examining whether medications like statins and beta blockers, the use of a heart-lung machine, or the leng…

This study analyzes millions of records from Tennessee and national databases to see whether people who lose Medicaid coverage end up visiting emergency departments more often. Researchers will compare the proportion of ER visits from uninsured and former Medicaid patients before…

This study adapts an existing advocacy program, called ASSIST, for Latinx families of autistic youth aged 12 and older. The program teaches parents how to advocate for adult disability services, aiming to improve access to care. Researchers will test the adapted program with 48 S…

This study tested a family navigator program and a smartphone app to help low-resourced families of young children (ages 3-5) with autism find and access services. 52 families took part. The program aimed to improve parents' knowledge, skills, and confidence in getting support fo…

This study looked at why some older adults (age 50 and up) maintain flu-fighting antibodies longer after getting the flu vaccine. Researchers enrolled 510 people and measured their immune response over time. The goal was to understand factors that help maintain protection, not to…

This study followed 432 people who had ACL reconstruction surgery to see who develops osteoarthritis years later. Researchers measured knee joint space on x-rays and looked at injury details, surgical factors, and patient traits. The goal is to identify risk factors that could he…

This study looked at why some people develop colorectal polyps (growths that can turn into cancer) and others do not. Researchers collected blood, urine, saliva, and tissue samples from over 8,000 adults getting a colonoscopy. They also gathered information about lifestyle and he…

This pilot study tested a trauma-informed advance care planning (ACP) intervention for 30 adults living in affordable housing in Nashville. The program involved a single, flexible conversation guided by a checklist adapted from existing ACP guides. Researchers measured changes in…