Vanderbilt University Medical Center

This study tests a home-based cardiac rehabilitation program using a custom smartphone app and activity tracker for people who had heart valve surgery. Many patients skip traditional center-based rehab, so this approach aims to make recovery easier at home. The study will enroll …

This study looks at whether adding a GLP-1 drug (like semaglutide) to teplizumab can help control blood sugar and protect the heart in people with early-stage type 1 diabetes. About 24 participants aged 12-50 will have meal tests before and after treatment to measure how their bo…

This study tests whether semaglutide, a drug already approved for diabetes and weight loss, can improve asthma control in adults with obesity who still have symptoms despite using inhaled steroids. About 100 participants will receive either semaglutide or a placebo for up to 24 w…

This study looks at whether adding CoQ10 (a supplement that supports cell energy) to high-intensity interval training can help people with end-stage kidney disease build muscle and improve physical function. 156 adults on dialysis will be assigned to exercise alone or exercise pl…

This study compares two sedative drugs—dexmedetomidine and midazolam—in children on breathing machines. The goal is to see which one causes less delirium (a type of temporary brain confusion) and leads to better recovery. About 372 children under 11 years old will take part. The …

This study is testing how much behavioral therapy works best for children with obesity. 900 kids aged 5-17 from Tennessee and Louisiana will be randomly assigned to receive 13, 16, 19, 22, or 26 hours of therapy over six months. The goal is to see which amount leads to the greate…

This early-stage study tests whether tacrolimus ointment (Protopic) can prevent deep partial-thickness burns from turning into more serious wounds. The ointment works by calming inflammation, which is thought to cause burn wounds to worsen. Researchers will enroll 18 adults aged …

This study tests a home-based cardiac rehabilitation program delivered through a custom mobile app for people with heart failure. Researchers want to see if using digital tools can help patients become more active, feel better, and avoid hospital visits. The study involves 100 ad…

This study tests whether semaglutide, a drug used for diabetes, can help adults with HIV reduce their alcohol intake and smoking, and lower their risk of heart disease. About 200 participants will take semaglutide or a placebo for 3 months and provide blood, stool, and saliva sam…

This study tests whether a supplement called 2-HOBA can lower blood pressure and reduce immune system overactivity in women with lupus. About 42 participants will take either 2-HOBA or a placebo for 8 weeks, then switch after a break. The goal is to see if 2-HOBA can help manage …

This study tests whether empagliflozin, a diabetes drug, can reduce chronic inflammation in fat tissue and improve blood vessel function in people with obesity and metabolic syndrome. Researchers will measure immune cells and blood markers in 74 adults. The goal is to find a new …

This study tests if storing donated kidneys at 10°C (instead of the usual 4°C on ice) helps them work better after transplant. About 30 adults waiting for a kidney transplant will take part. Researchers will measure kidney function and check for early signs of injury to see if th…

This study tests whether a drug called galantamine can improve blood vessel function and reduce harmful oxidative stress in African Americans, who face higher risks of heart disease. Researchers will measure blood flow and cellular changes in 160 participants over three months. T…

This study looks at whether giving lung transplant recipients a high-dose flu vaccine for two years in a row provides better protection against the flu than the standard-dose vaccine. About 60 people who already took part in a previous flu vaccine study will be randomly assigned …

This study aims to make an evidence-based obesity program more accessible to children in rural and minority communities. It will enroll 750 children aged 6-12 with obesity and their parents. The program, called COACH, includes healthy behavior lessons for kids, parent weight loss…

This study tests whether giving a long-acting version of the anti-rejection drug tacrolimus (Envarsus XR) early after a lung transplant is safe and might help protect kidney function. About 48 adult lung transplant recipients will be randomly assigned to receive either the long-a…

This study tests whether a compound called 2-HOBA can improve the function of HDL (good cholesterol) in people with familial hypercholesterolemia, a genetic condition causing very high cholesterol. About 72 adults with this condition will take either 2-HOBA or a placebo for 6 wee…

This study tests a 3-month program called Discovery Diabetes for teens and young adults (ages 13-21) with type 1 diabetes. The program uses personalized text messages and support from a clinician to help improve blood sugar control and reduce the stress of managing diabetes. Rese…

This study tests whether giving anti-viral medication to kill the shingles virus (VZV) living in the gut can improve symptoms of achalasia, a severe swallowing disorder. Researchers will enroll 40 adults with achalasia and measure changes in swallowing, pain, and weight. The goal…

This study tests whether taking a combination of two natural antioxidants (glycine and N-acetyl-cysteine, or GlyNAC) before and after knee replacement surgery can reduce oxidative stress and prevent chronic pain. About 148 adults aged 50 and older with knee osteoarthritis will be…

This study tests whether using artificial tears right after radioactive iodine therapy can prevent tear duct blockages in thyroid cancer patients. About 100 adults who receive high-dose radioactive iodine will be followed for two years. The goal is to see if the eye drops reduce …

This study tests an AI tool that predicts which hospitalized patients are at risk for blood clots, a leading cause of death in U.S. hospitals. The AI automatically suggests prevention measures for those who need them, without requiring extra work from doctors. About 2,200 adults …

This study tests whether a brief counseling program called BeSMART, given to parents while their child is in the hospital, can improve how they store firearms at home. About 400 caregivers of hospitalized children will be randomly assigned to receive the counseling or usual care.…

This study tests whether a medicine called hydroxyurea can prevent strokes in children with sickle cell anemia who are at high risk. About 220 children in Nigeria will take low or moderate doses of the drug and be monitored for strokes and hospitalizations. The goal is to find a …

This study tests whether a high-dose flu vaccine provides better protection than the standard dose for people who have had a lung transplant. Lung transplant patients are at high risk for severe flu because of medications that weaken their immune system. The trial will enroll 270…

This study looks at whether a CPAP machine, often used for sleep apnea, can safely lower high blood pressure that happens when lying down in people with autonomic failure. About 12 participants will try CPAP while researchers measure changes in blood pressure and nighttime urine …

This study tests a smartphone app called VoiceLove that lets mothers of babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) record voice messages for their infant. The goal is to see if using the app reduces symptoms of postpartum depression and anxiety compared to standard care. A…

This study is testing whether a single-port robotic system can safely harvest tissue from the belly to rebuild a breast after mastectomy. Four women who need this type of reconstruction will be enrolled. The goal is to see if the robotic approach is feasible and leads to fewer co…

This study tests whether a special ketone drink is safe and can help reduce confusion (delirium) in ICU patients. Delirium is common in the ICU and can lead to long-term thinking and memory problems. The study will give 40 adults either the ketone drink or a placebo to see if it …

This study tests a new therapy for young children (ages 2-5) with autism who use few or no words. The therapy involves parents or therapists responding to the child's sounds and gently encouraging more vocalizations. Researchers will see if this approach helps children make more …

This study tests whether a mobile health program can help adolescents with pulmonary arterial hypertension increase their daily step count. Participants aged 10-21 will use a Fitbit and receive app-based support to boost activity over 12 weeks. The goal is to improve physical act…

This study tests whether a program to help teens with type 1 diabetes sleep longer and better can improve their blood sugar control and thinking skills. About 150 teens aged 11-17 who don't sleep enough and have high blood sugar will take part. Researchers will track sleep with a…

This study looks at whether using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) after hospital discharge helps people with diabetes feel more in control and satisfied with their care. About 60 adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who need insulin will use a CGM at home and answer questionn…

This study tests if a remote class called Empowered Relief helps people manage pain and recover function after lumbar spine surgery. About 100 adults will take either the class or a standard education session after surgery. Researchers will track pain, physical function, and disa…

This study looks at whether people with different types of bladder pain respond better to different treatments. About 220 adults with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome will receive either pelvic floor physical therapy or cognitive-behavioral therapy. The goal is to see …

This study looks at whether starting physical therapy soon after neck surgery (ACDF) helps people recover better than waiting. About 76 adults who had surgery for a worn-down neck will be split into two groups: one starts PT right away, the other later. Researchers will measure p…

This study tests a new computer alert system that reminds doctors to give the right anti-nausea medicines at the right time during surgery. About 19,480 adults having planned surgery will take part. The goal is to see if these smart reminders can reduce how many people feel sick …

This study tests whether the drug icatibant can prevent sudden drops in blood pressure that often happen during dialysis. These drops can be dangerous and increase stress on the heart. About 26 adults with kidney failure who experience frequent low blood pressure during dialysis …

This study tests whether a gel containing a human growth factor (rhPDGF-BB) can help surgical wounds heal faster after skin cancer removal on the head or neck. About 40 adults who have a wound that cannot be stitched closed will receive either the gel or a placebo. The goal is to…

This study tests a text-messaging program for parents whose child (ages 11-17) had a psychiatric emergency and was sent home from the ER with referrals. The program teaches parents skills to find mental health services and feel more confident managing their child's care. The goal…

This study looks at whether doing simple breathing exercises every day before a heart transplant can help patients breathe, cough, and swallow better after surgery. About 90 adults waiting for a heart transplant will take part. They will do daily breathing exercises and have thei…

This study looks at whether using a CPAP machine (a device that gently blows air through a mask) can safely lower high blood pressure when lying down at night and help reduce dizziness upon standing in people with autonomic failure. About 59 adults aged 40-80 with conditions like…

This study tests whether an educational podcast can improve quality of life for people with chronic pelvic pain or endometriosis. About 100 participants will either receive standard care alone or standard care plus access to a podcast series. Over six months, everyone fills out t…

This study tests whether smelling rose scent can reduce breathing pauses during seizures in adults with epilepsy. Forty participants will have their breathing monitored for 48 hours during a hospital stay, with rose scent in the room for the second 24 hours. The goal is to see if…

This study tests whether applying gentle heat to the abdomen overnight can safely lower high blood pressure that occurs when lying down in people with autonomic failure. About 20 adults with conditions like Parkinson's or Multiple System Atrophy who have this nighttime hypertensi…

This study tests if a medicine called tranexamic acid (TXA) can lessen bleeding, swelling, and bruising in people getting nose surgery (rhinoplasty). About 60 adults will take part. Researchers will measure blood loss during surgery and ask patients about bruising and swelling af…

This study looks at whether raising the head of the bed can help lower high blood pressure that occurs when lying down (supine hypertension) in people with autonomic failure. By using gravity to reduce blood flow returning to the heart, researchers hope to find a non-drug way to …

This study looks at how a precise radiation treatment called stereotactic radiosurgery affects quality of life and tremor severity in people with essential tremor or Parkinsonian tremor. About 60 adults whose tremors are not well controlled by medication will be followed for one …

This study looks at whether regularly flushing chest drains with salt water helps keep them from getting blocked in people with serious lung infections (empyema). The goal is to see if this simple step can shorten the time the drain needs to stay in, reduce hospital stays, and im…

This study looks at whether giving iron to people with POTS who have low iron levels can increase their red blood cell volume and improve symptoms like rapid heart rate upon standing. The trial will involve 12 adults aged 18-45 with confirmed POTS and low ferritin. Participants w…

This study tests whether a drug called 2-HOBA can reduce immune system overactivity in people with Long COVID-related POTS, a condition causing rapid heart rate, fatigue, and dizziness. Researchers will give 50 participants either 2-HOBA or a placebo for 28 days to see if it lowe…

This study looks at how newer weight loss medications (like semaglutide) compare to gastric bypass surgery in people with severe obesity. Researchers want to see how each treatment affects muscle mass, metabolism, and side effects over one year. About 60 adults who are planning e…

This study looks at 200 adults with early-onset atrial fibrillation (AFib) and certain gene changes to see if special heart mapping and MRI scans can predict who is at risk for life-threatening fast heart rhythms. Participants will have an MRI and a mapping procedure during their…

This study looks at how people with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders update their beliefs after treatment for persecutory delusions. Researchers will use therapy, brain scans, and learning tasks to see if treatment changes how the brain responds to uncertainty. The goal is to bet…

This study looks at the natural bacteria living on the surface of the eye, called the ocular microbiome. Researchers want to understand what a healthy eye microbiome looks like and how it changes in people with eye diseases like glaucoma or dry eye. The study will involve 500 adu…

This study looks at whether stimulating a specific part of the brain with TMS (a non-invasive technique) can lower cravings and opioid use in people with opioid use disorder. About 100 adults who are already taking buprenorphine will attend 12 visits over 5 months for TMS session…

This study aims to understand the brain activity behind risk-taking and reward-seeking behaviors in people with Parkinson's disease. Researchers will record brain signals during deep brain stimulation surgery while participants play a gambling task. The study involves 75 adults a…

This study aims to learn how brain activity relates to thinking and memory problems in Parkinson's disease. Researchers will record brain signals during deep brain stimulation surgery in 75 adults. Participants perform a simple gambling task while their brain activity is measured…

This study follows 140 adults with Tourette syndrome for two years to see how stress from life events impacts tic severity, depression, anxiety, and quality of life. Participants complete interviews and questionnaires about their tics, mood, and daily functioning. The goal is to …

This study looks at how the brain handles short-term memory by recording electrical signals from electrodes placed in the brains of 100 epilepsy patients. Participants perform memory tasks while their brain activity is measured, and some receive mild brain stimulation. The goal i…

This study looks at why people with POTS feel worse after eating, especially carbs. Researchers think a hormone called GIP may cause blood to pool in the belly, leading to dizziness. They will test this by giving a sugar drink and measuring blood flow in 50 adults with and withou…

This study looks at how certain brain cells (cholinergic neurons) change with age in adults with Down syndrome, and how that relates to Alzheimer's disease risk. Researchers will use brain scans and EEGs to measure these changes in 30 adults aged 18-55 who do not have dementia. T…

This study looks at how midodrine and droxidopa, two drugs used for low blood pressure upon standing, affect the veins in the abdomen of people with autonomic failure. About 34 adults aged 40-80 with conditions like multiple system atrophy or Parkinson's disease will participate.…

This study follows 750 people with sickle cell disease to see if curative treatments (like stem cell transplants) improve or harm heart, lung, and kidney function compared to standard therapy. Researchers will also look for genetic clues that predict good or bad outcomes. The goa…

This study looks at whether traditional healers can help increase HIV testing in rural South Africa. About 230,000 adults will be invited to get tested by a healer or receive standard care. The goal is to see if healer-led testing reaches more people and helps them get the care t…

This study looks at a nerve in the neck called the ansa cervicalis, which controls some throat muscles. Researchers want to measure its size and shape in 50 adults having neck surgery for head and neck cancer. They will also test if stimulating this nerve moves the voice box and …

This study follows 300 people who are having weight-loss (metabolic) surgery to see how their gut bacteria change over time and how those changes relate to heart health, diabetes, and cholesterol. Participants provide blood and stool samples before surgery and at several follow-u…

This study looks at why some people develop POTS (a condition causing rapid heartbeat and dizziness) after COVID-19. Researchers think a part of the nervous system that normally fights inflammation may not work well in these patients. They will compare 150 adults with and without…

This study aims to understand how the retina and choroid (the back part of the eye) change during pregnancy. Researchers will take non-invasive photos of the eyes of 90 pregnant women at three time points: early pregnancy, late pregnancy, and after delivery. The goal is to see if…

This study looks at how a form of vitamin B3 called nicotinamide riboside affects the body's cells in people with a severe type of pulmonary hypertension (CPH). Ten adults with CPH will receive both the supplement and a placebo at different times. The goal is to understand biolog…

This study uses wearable monitors (like a smartwatch and a continuous glucose monitor) to see if high blood sugar is linked to heart problems in people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Researchers will track blood sugar, heart rate, and activity in 80 participants (with an…

This study looks at whether a low-dose form of buprenorphine (a partial opioid) can provide pain relief similar to oxycodone but with less risk of abuse. 120 healthy adults will receive different doses of buprenorphine, oxycodone, or a placebo in separate sessions. Researchers wi…

This study follows 150 adults with a broken upper arm bone who receive a specific metal plate (ALPS) to fix the fracture. Researchers will check shoulder strength, movement, and X-rays, and ask patients about pain and daily activities. The goal is to see how well the plate works …

This study aims to learn more about sensory and movement difficulties in adolescents with tic disorders, like Tourette syndrome. Researchers will compare teens with and without tics using questionnaires, brain wave tests, and motor tasks. The goal is to identify factors that affe…

This study collects tissue, blood, urine, and stool samples from 5,000 people undergoing colonoscopy or endoscopy, including those with or without cancer. Researchers aim to find new biomarkers that could lead to earlier detection of colorectal, esophageal, gastric, and pancreati…

This study tests a new augmented reality tool that shows trainee surgeons where expert surgeons look during kidney stone surgery. The goal is to help trainees learn to see the entire kidney, which may reduce the need for repeat surgeries. About 110 surgeons and patients will take…

This study tests whether computer-based decision support tools can help doctors reduce unnecessary antibiotic use in children with lower respiratory tract infections like pneumonia, bronchiolitis, and asthma flare-ups. Most of these infections are caused by viruses, not bacteria,…

This study tests whether using ultrasound to guide the needle during a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) helps doctors get clear spinal fluid samples from infants under 12 months. The goal is to reduce failed attempts and make the procedure safer. About 80 babies will take part.

This study looks at two common ways to manage chest tubes in people with blood or air in the chest after a traumatic injury. One method uses suction to pull out fluid and air, while the other uses a water seal to let the lung re-expand naturally. Researchers want to see which app…

This study is creating a large, diverse group of 1,000 older adults in Tennessee to help researchers better understand Alzheimer's disease. Participants, who may be healthy, have mild memory problems, or have Alzheimer's, will be followed yearly with tests like brain scans and bl…

This study is looking at 150 people, including those with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), healthy people with a genetic mutation that raises PAH risk, and healthy volunteers. Researchers want to find biological signs that show who is likely to get PAH and who stays healthy…

This study follows 750 healthy family members of people with a rare, inherited form of lung scarring called familial pulmonary fibrosis. The goal is to track who develops the disease over time and identify early warning signs. Participants complete yearly questionnaires and in-pe…

This study looks at 500 women who had preeclampsia during pregnancy to see if exercise stress tests can find early signs of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Researchers will compare these women to those with normal pregnancies. The goal is to better identif…

This study looks at how hormones and metabolism are linked to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a serious lung condition. Researchers will measure things like sex hormone levels and insulin resistance in up to 1,899 people, including patients, healthy volunteers, and family …

This study looks at whether swabbing a C-section baby's nose with a small amount of the mother's vaginal fluids (called vaginal seeding) can safely change the germs in their upper airway. About 20 healthy babies born by C-section will be randomly assigned to get either the real s…

This study looks at whether people with Alzheimer's disease have more trouble swallowing than healthy older adults. Researchers will test swallowing, coughing, and muscle strength in 240 participants. Caregivers will also answer questions to understand how swallowing problems aff…

This study aims to understand how immune cells use glucose (sugar) for energy and growth. Researchers will give 12 healthy adults a safe, non-radioactive glucose tracer through an IV and collect blood samples to track how different immune cells process this sugar. The goal is to …

This study looks at whether sensitivity to rhythm can predict how well autistic toddlers respond to a social-communication therapy. Forty toddlers aged 18-36 months will receive either standard imitation training or a music-enhanced version. Researchers will track eye gaze to see…

This study is observing 4,000 adults in intensive care with ARDS, sepsis, or pneumonia to learn more about risk factors, how long and severe their illness is, and how they recover. Researchers will also collect blood and other samples to create a biobank for future studies. The g…

This study looks at how stress changes the way opioid pain medications work in people with long-term back pain. Researchers want to understand if high stress levels increase the risk of misusing these drugs. About 120 adults with daily back pain will take part in lab sessions to …

This study collects tissue, saliva, and blood samples from up to 8,000 people with head and neck cancer and healthy volunteers. Researchers will also gather medical history and lifestyle information to create a large database. The goal is to provide a resource for future cancer r…

This study looks at why fat builds up in the right side of the heart in people with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a rare lung disease that strains the heart. Researchers will use heart scans and blood tests in 75 adults to see how this fat affects heart function and exer…

This study looks at whether stimulating two nerves in the neck (the ansa cervicalis and hypoglossal nerve) can help people with obstructive sleep apnea. Researchers will measure how the airway changes during sleep in 100 adults. The goal is to understand if combining these stimul…

This study looks at why some people who had COVID-19 develop a fast heart rate and dizziness that lasts for months. Researchers will measure immune system activity and nerve function in 60 adults. The goal is to understand the cause, not to test a treatment.

This study explores whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called rTMS can reduce cannabis cravings in people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Researchers will compare brain activity changes in 100 participants, including healthy cannabis users. The goa…

This study uses a large national survey to understand how physical activity restrictions impact the quality of life and emotional well-being of people with fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD), a rare artery disease. Researchers will ask 2000 adults with FMD about the activity limits th…

This study aims to better understand sensory symptoms in adults with Tourette syndrome or chronic tic disorders. Participants will fill out annual questionnaires about urges, attention, mood, and quality of life. No treatment is given; the goal is to gather information to improve…

This study looks at brain activity in 100 adults with epilepsy who already have electrodes implanted in their brains for seizure monitoring. Researchers will record brain signals while participants answer questionnaires about depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric symptoms, a…

This study looks at how blocking certain nerve signals for two weeks changes the way the body produces sugar in people who have both obesity and high blood pressure. Twelve participants will receive a placebo, a blood pressure drug, or a nerve-blocking drug in a random order. The…

This study will test if wearable devices like continuous glucose monitors and heart rate monitors can help predict heart problems in people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Ten participants will wear these devices at home over two years and also have heart scans and glucos…

This early-phase study looks at whether reducing high insulin levels with an SGLT2 inhibitor can improve heart and blood sugar health in people with type 1 diabetes. Researchers will compare results with people who have a mild genetic form of diabetes (GCK-MODY) and healthy volun…