Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

This study looked at whether a prebiotic supplement called inulin can improve how the body uses insulin and handles sugar in adults with prediabetes. Twenty-two participants took either inulin or a placebo every day for six weeks while eating a controlled diet. Researchers measur…

This study looked at whether playing a dance-based video game (like Just Dance) could help young adults aged 18-24 with ADHD improve their focus, mood, and self-control. Participants were randomly assigned to dance gaming, stationary biking, or just listening to music. The goal w…

This study tested a new intensive rehabilitation program called I-ACQUIRE for infants (8-36 months old) who had a stroke around birth and have weakness on one side. Researchers compared two different amounts of this therapy to standard rehab to see which best helps babies learn t…

This study tested a technique called Episodic Future Thinking (EFT) in 154 adults with alcohol use disorder who wanted to cut down. Participants imagined positive future events in detail, which aimed to help them focus on long-term rewards over immediate drinking. The study measu…

This study tested whether drinking a ketone supplement three times a day for two weeks could improve blood vessel health and thinking skills in adults aged 50-75. Eleven participants each tried the ketone drink and a placebo (flavored water) in random order, with a two-week break…

This study tested whether a steroid eye drop called loteprednol can reduce pain after eye injections for age-related macular degeneration. 64 people who already get these injections received either loteprednol or artificial tears after one visit. Their pain was tracked over a wee…

This study tested whether real-time brain scans (fMRI) could help people with alcohol use disorder learn to control their cravings. 21 adults who wanted to cut down on drinking were asked to either think about craving alcohol or focus on their future goals while watching a dial m…

This study looked at whether doing a tobacco buying experiment in a lab or remotely (online) gives similar results. 87 adult smokers who smoke at least 5 cigarettes a day took part. They made pretend purchases of cigarettes and other tobacco products at different prices. The goal…

This study looked at how the body's use of nutrients (like sugar) might affect food cravings and preferences in people with different body weights. Twenty adults with a BMI from normal to obese took part. Researchers measured brain responses and taste preferences to see if people…

This study looked at how 285 adult cigarette smokers might change their tobacco purchases under four different tax plans. Researchers used a simulated online store to see if smokers would buy fewer cigarettes or switch to other tobacco products when taxes increased. The goal was …

This study tested a simple step training program to help older adults (ages 65-80) recover their balance after tripping. Thirty participants either did step training, treadmill training, or no training for three weeks. Three weeks later, they were tripped in a lab to see if train…

This study looked at whether two common artificial sweeteners, saccharin and acesulfame-potassium, affect blood sugar levels in middle-aged and older adults with prediabetes. Fourteen participants ate controlled breakfasts with or without these sweeteners, and their blood glucose…

This study looked at how eating a lot of ultra-processed foods (like chips and sugary snacks) changes brain activity and leads to overeating. 36 young adults aged 18-25 followed two different diets for two weeks each. Researchers measured brain responses to food and how much they…

This completed study with 25 adult smokers used a virtual store to see if banning flavors in cigarettes and e-cigarettes would make people switch products or quit. Participants were daily smokers who didn't regularly use e-cigarettes. The goal was to help policymakers understand …

This study looked at whether a technique called Episodic Future Thinking (imagining positive future events) could help people with cocaine use disorder make less impulsive decisions and reduce their desire for cocaine. 141 adults who wanted to cut down on cocaine use participated…

This study looked at how adult smokers and dual users (smokers who also vape) decide to spend money on different tobacco and nicotine products when prices change. Researchers created a mock online store where participants could buy cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, and ni…

This study tested a new nasal cannula (FRNDS) that can measure breathing and deliver air at the same time. Researchers compared it to standard chest belts (RIP) in 57 healthy adults. The goal was to see if the new device works as well as the belts for measuring tidal volume and b…

This small pilot study looked at how different sugars (table sugar, glucose, and fructose) affect brain activity and food preferences in healthy adults. Seven participants drank flavored sugar beverages and had their metabolism and brain responses measured. The goal was to test i…

This study looked at whether taking choline supplements for a short time changes how well blood vessels work in healthy adults. Twenty people took choline or a placebo for five days each, with a break in between. Researchers measured artery function and stiffness to see if cholin…

This study looked at whether two common artificial sweeteners, saccharin and acesulfame potassium, change how the body handles blood sugar in adults aged 40 and older with prediabetes. Thirty participants ate specially provided foods for 8 weeks while their blood sugar was tracke…

This study looked at whether artificial sweeteners like Equal and Splenda raise blood sugar in adults with prediabetes. Fourteen participants ate controlled breakfasts and had their glucose monitored for two hours. The goal was to see if these sweeteners impact glucose levels and…

This study looked at whether eating fewer ultra-processed foods (like packaged snacks and sugary drinks) can improve blood vessel function in middle-aged adults. Seventeen participants followed either a low or high processed food diet for six weeks. The goal was to see if this ch…

This study looked at what encourages or discourages people from buying illegal tobacco. 65 adult smokers and vapers took part in a simulated shopping experiment with different rules and penalties. The goal was to see how policies like very low nicotine cigarettes and fines change…

This study looked at whether taking choline supplements can temporarily harm blood vessel function in healthy adults. Researchers gave 29 participants either choline or a placebo and measured artery health using ultrasound. The goal was to understand how a gut-related chemical ca…

This study looked at how thinking about money problems affects people with alcohol use disorder. 124 adults who wanted to cut down on drinking completed tasks and surveys after reading either a story about financial scarcity or a neutral story. Researchers measured how quickly th…

This study looked at whether giving low-cost water filters to rural households in Virginia and Tennessee could reduce harmful contaminants in their drinking water. 76 low-income families without utility-supplied water took part. Researchers measured bacteria, heavy metals, and he…

This study tested how limiting flavors in cigarettes and e-cigarettes changes what smokers buy. Over 300 adult smokers used a mock online store to make purchases. The goal was to see if flavor restrictions push people toward or away from e-cigarettes.

This study looked at what might happen if cigarette filter ventilation holes were banned. Researchers had 142 smokers shop in a virtual store where prices changed to see how many cigarettes and other nicotine products they would buy. The goal was to help create better rules for t…

This study looked at how eating ultra-processed foods (like packaged snacks and sugary drinks) affects blood sugar control and gut bacteria in adults aged 45 to 65. Twenty participants followed either a high or low ultra-processed diet for six weeks. Researchers measured insulin …