Virginia Commonwealth University

This study tested whether smartphone apps could help people with cirrhosis avoid returning to the hospital soon after discharge. Researchers gave 232 patients and their caregivers apps to track symptoms like confusion, pain, and daily function. They compared this group to patient…

This study tested a community-based program to help pregnant women with substance use get better prenatal care and treatment. It used special ultrasounds to help moms connect with their babies, along with education and a personal guide to help them access services. The goal was t…

This study tested a new way to help kids with high body weight by adding virtual home visits to regular doctor's appointments. For 6 months, 10 kids (ages 9-13) and a parent worked with a health coach over video calls to learn nutrition and exercise skills in their own homes. The…

This study tested a new community-based approach to weight management. Researchers trained local residents to lead 'house chat' support groups in their own homes for neighbors in Petersburg, Virginia. The goal was to see if this grassroots coaching model was practical and accepta…

This study tested two different ways parents can help their teenagers manage weight. Over 400 families with overweight teens participated in a 4-month program that included nutrition education, exercise, and behavioral coaching. Researchers compared whether it was more effective …

This study tested if a weight management program run by local community coaches, through informal 'house chats,' is a practical and acceptable approach for adults in an underserved area. It aimed to see if this grassroots model could be successfully set up and sustained in a real…

This study tested a school program designed to help middle school students eat more fruits and vegetables. Over 1,100 seventh graders in rural Virginia schools participated, with some schools using the new program and others using standard health lessons. The program, which inclu…

This study tested a school-based program designed to get children to drink more water. Researchers worked with students, teachers, and staff to see if making water more accessible and encouraging its use was practical and could lead to positive changes. They measured if kids used…

This study tested a smartphone app called 'Patient Buddy' to see if it could help prevent cirrhosis patients from being readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of discharge. The app allowed patients and their caregivers to communicate daily with their care team about health con…

This study explored whether using weighted blankets is a practical and acceptable way to help prevent or reduce delirium in adult patients in intensive care units (ICUs). Researchers enrolled 49 patients to test the blankets and gather feedback from patients, families, and health…

This small pilot study tested whether coaching people with a specific type of heart failure to sleep longer could improve their daily life and physical ability. Ten adults with stable heart failure and poor sleep habits tried a two-week program to gradually extend their sleep tim…

This study tested a special therapy program designed to help people with advanced brain cancer manage the emotional distress that comes with their diagnosis. Researchers compared the therapy, called CALM, to standard care in 60 patients. The main goal was to see if the program wa…

This study tested whether using immersive virtual reality (VR) headsets along with specific arm exercises could help people regain arm movement after a stroke. Thirteen stroke survivors who had limited arm function for at least six months tried the VR training. Researchers measur…

This study looked back at data from a hospital program that used virtual reality (VR) to help children feel less anxious before surgery. It involved 168 children aged 6 to 15. The main goal was to see if the VR experience lowered the kids' anxiety, measured by their heart rate, b…

This study tested whether a home-based exercise program is practical and acceptable for men with prostate cancer who are undergoing hormone therapy. It focused on men from underserved groups, including older adults, Black men, and those living in rural areas. The goal was to see …

This small pilot study tested whether a new telehealth program called C-SMART is practical and acceptable for brain tumor patients experiencing mild thinking and memory problems. The main goal was to see if patients and their caregivers could be recruited and complete the program…

This study tested a small experimental device that delivers gentle vibration to see if it could safely help people with Parkinson's disease walk more easily. Twelve participants tried the device during short walking tests to measure if it reduced episodes of 'freezing' and improv…

This study tested whether a talk therapy program for insomnia (CBT-I) is practical and helpful for people with primary brain tumors who have trouble sleeping. Researchers worked with 70 participants to see if they could successfully recruit people, deliver the therapy online, and…

This study aimed to understand why liver transplant patients have a higher risk of heart disease. Researchers measured a substance called TMAO in the blood of 19 transplant recipients to see if it's linked to blood vessel and heart function. The goal was to gather knowledge to he…

This study aimed to find the best place to put a warming blanket on women having planned C-sections to help keep their body temperature stable. Researchers compared placing the blanket over the upper body versus under the body. They measured the core body temperature of 124 women…

This study aimed to understand how different vape e-liquids affect people. Researchers had 13 adults who use cigarettes or e-cigarettes try various vape liquids in a lab. They measured changes in blood nicotine, how people puffed, and how they felt to learn about the products' ef…

This study aimed to define the best ways to measure how Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy (LGMD) changes over time. It followed 116 people with specific genetic forms of LGMD, tracking their mobility, strength, and daily function. The goal was to create a clear roadmap of the diseas…

This study aimed to understand if using e-cigarettes that contain alcohol (ethanol) affects standard tests for impairment, like breathalyzers and field sobriety tests. Researchers compared results from 12 participants after they used an e-cigarette with alcohol versus one without…

This study tested a new training program designed to help autistic adults learn to use rideshare apps like Uber or Lyft. The goal was to see if the training was helpful and acceptable, and if it could increase safe, independent travel for community activities, work, or socializin…

This study aimed to understand if stress affects smoking behaviors differently for African American and white men. Researchers compared 95 male smokers from these two groups, measuring their stress responses and daily smoking habits. The goal was to gather knowledge that could he…

This small, completed study aimed to understand how a person's genes and brain function might influence their thoughts and actions, particularly aggressive behavior, after drinking alcohol. It involved 9 healthy adults who were not new to drinking. The main goal was to gather kno…

This study aimed to understand how the nicotine concentration in e-cigarette liquid affects the amount of nicotine a person absorbs, their puffing behavior, and their body's response. Researchers observed 33 adult smokers using an e-cigarette with the same device settings but dif…

This study aimed to understand the quality of life of Black girls in Richmond, Virginia, by focusing on their strengths and community assets instead of just their problems. Researchers surveyed and interviewed 339 Black girls aged 12-17, their parents, and young adult women to le…