Wake Forest University Health Sciences

This study tested a two-part treatment for advanced head and neck cancer that had returned or spread. It combined a short, intense course of radiation with an immunotherapy drug called pembrolizumab. The goal was to see if this combination could shrink tumors and control the canc…

This study tested whether weekly digital reminders or a device that measures skin moisture could help people with rosacea stick to their daily ivermectin cream treatment. Thirty adults with rosacea used the cream daily and were assigned to either receive no extra help, weekly sur…

This study tested a computer tool that automatically shows a cancer survivor's heart health risks using their existing medical records. The goal was to see if this tool helped survivors and their cancer doctors have better conversations about heart health, leading to more referra…

This study tested if giving calcium before a standard heart rate medication (diltiazem) could prevent a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Researchers compared calcium to a placebo in 92 emergency room patients with a fast, irregular heart rhythm. The goal was to make a common tre…

This study tested whether a special diet could help control glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. Researchers had 25 patients who had finished initial treatment try a low-carbohydrate diet combined with short fasting periods. The goal was to see if this diet was practical to …

This study tested a new combination of four drugs for people whose multiple myeloma had returned or stopped responding to one prior treatment. The goal was to see if this four-drug mix could reduce the amount of cancer in the body. After an initial intensive treatment phase, pati…

This study tested whether a nasal insulin spray and a diabetes pill (empagliflozin), alone or together, could help people with early memory loss or Alzheimer's disease. It involved 47 adults aged 55-85 who showed early signs of Alzheimer's. The main goal was to check if the treat…

This small study tested whether a special training program could help people regain some vision lost after a stroke or brain injury. Five adults with stable partial blindness participated in weekly sessions that combined carefully timed visual and sound cues. The goal was to see …

This study tested whether a non-drug treatment using magnetic pulses on the brain could help people with alcohol use disorder drink less. Researchers compared stimulating two different brain areas to see which was better at increasing days without drinking and reducing heavy drin…

This study tested whether a 90-day support program could help people recover from sepsis and prevent them from being readmitted to the hospital or dying. The program used a nurse to coordinate care, check on patients, and help manage medications and other health needs after they …

This study tested a special nasal spray device designed to deliver insulin directly to the brain. Researchers wanted to see if this method could increase insulin levels in the fluid surrounding the brain and potentially improve memory. The study involved 20 people, some with mild…

This study tested whether following a Mediterranean diet during pregnancy helps overweight or obese women better manage their weight and health compared to standard dietary advice. Forty-one pregnant women were randomly assigned to receive either standard healthy eating guidance …

This study tested whether it was safe and practical to give heated chemotherapy directly into the abdomen during a second surgery to check for cancer recurrence in patients with ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer. It involved 10 patients who had already complet…

This study tested a special fabric called Lumiton that converts sunlight into therapeutic red and near-infrared light. It aimed to see if wearing clothes made from this fabric could help control symptoms of psoriasis, alopecia areata (hair loss), and polymorphous light eruption (…

This was a small, 9-month pilot study to see if two different diet approaches are practical for older adults who need to lose weight. Researchers tested whether people could stick to either eating fewer total calories or eating all their daily calories within a shorter time windo…

This study aimed to see if combining weight loss with exercise is better than exercise alone for improving fitness in obese older adults. Researchers tested 180 sedentary, obese seniors by having them follow a walking program along with different diet plans for five months. The g…

This study tested if checking blood pressure at home for three weeks after giving birth is a useful way to catch dangerous high blood pressure early. Over 1,600 new mothers participated to see if this remote monitoring helps them follow medical guidelines, reduces emergency visit…

This study tested whether adding the immunotherapy drug nivolumab after standard chemotherapy is safe and effective for older adults (65+) with a rare brain cancer called primary CNS lymphoma. The goal was to see if this extra treatment could help keep the cancer from coming back…

This small pilot study tested whether providing uninsured Black and Hispanic patients with continuous glucose monitors and access to a clinical pharmacist could help them better manage their type 2 diabetes. The goal was to see if this combined support could improve blood sugar c…

This study tested whether giving fewer antibiotics after appendix removal surgery is safe and effective. Researchers compared a shorter antibiotic course to the standard longer course in 268 adults. The goal was to see if reducing antibiotic use could lower side effects while sti…

This study aimed to develop and test a new support program for teenagers living with HIV in South Africa. The program involved a teen's chosen friend or family member to help them stay connected to their medical care and remember to take their daily medication. Researchers tested…

This study tested whether a smartphone app designed specifically for people with serious mental illness could help them quit smoking better than standard advice. Over 300 participants with conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or depression were randomly assigned to us…

This study tested a 90-day support program for adults recovering from sepsis after hospital discharge. The program, led by nurse navigators, provided education and helped patients get recommended follow-up care. Researchers wanted to see if this program could be successfully adap…

This study tested a treatment called HIPEC, where warmed chemotherapy is delivered directly into the abdomen during surgery, for patients with advanced ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer. The main goal was to see how this treatment affected patients' quality of…

This study tested a new program designed to check for memory and thinking problems in older adults after they leave the intensive care unit (ICU). It involved 109 people aged 60 and older who had a long ICU stay. The program screened patients at 6 weeks and 6 months after dischar…

This small, completed study tested whether ultrasound could be a better way to detect nerve damage caused by the chemotherapy drug oxaliplatin. Researchers compared ultrasound images of leg nerves from 20 patients with gastrointestinal cancer to data from healthy people. The goal…

This study tested four different ways to send mental health screening questionnaires to adults with epilepsy before their doctor's appointments. Researchers wanted to see if sending the questionnaires by text message, email, or through an online patient portal (with or without a …

This study tested a 6-month home program designed to help children in rural areas develop healthier eating and activity habits to lower their future risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity. 72 children, aged 7 to 10, were randomly assigned to either receive the healthy lifestyle prog…

This study tested whether sending daily text messages with tips and encouragement could help parents receiving food assistance (WIC) prevent their infants from gaining weight too quickly. The goal was to teach responsive feeding—like recognizing when a baby is full—to lower the c…

This study tested whether a 2-year program of healthy lifestyle changes could protect memory and thinking skills in older adults at risk for Alzheimer's disease. It enrolled 2,000 sedentary older adults with poor diets and other risk factors, who were randomly assigned to follow …

This study tested if a simple dental program could prevent tooth decay and loss in head and neck cancer patients after radiation therapy. Radiation can cause dry mouth, which greatly increases the risk of cavities. The program involved applying a prescription fluoride varnish to …

This study tested whether ideas created by community members could encourage people to get tested for COVID-19 and follow safety guidelines like masking and distancing. Researchers held a contest to gather the best messages and strategies from people living in specific North Caro…

This small pilot study tested whether actively involving young people in community prevention programs helps reduce risks for substance and opioid misuse. Four prevention organizations were randomly assigned to either include youth in their planning and activities or continue the…

This study tested if putting up health warning signs in hookah cafes would make young adult customers smoke less. Researchers measured the carbon monoxide in customers' breath when they entered and left the cafe to see if the warnings had an effect. The goal was to find a simple …

This study tested whether a non-drug therapy using sound and brainwave monitoring could help reduce long-term stress in healthcare workers. 94 participants who reported significant stress received either ongoing 'tune-up' sessions of the therapy or usual care after an initial tre…

This study tested whether a 10-week program of pelvic physical therapy is a practical and helpful treatment for sexual dysfunction in women who have survived gynecologic cancers like ovarian or cervical cancer. Researchers worked with 20 survivors to see if they could complete th…

This study tested a web-based wellness program called EMPOWER, designed to help young adults who have finished cancer treatment. The program teaches skills like mindfulness, gratitude, and positive thinking to improve mood and quality of life. Researchers wanted to find out which…

This study tested if a small wearable device could help surgical residents avoid poor posture and reduce pain. The device gently vibrates to remind the wearer to stand up straight during laparoscopic surgeries. Researchers measured how much time residents spent in good posture an…

This small, early-stage study tested whether a dietary supplement made from muscadine grapes could help reduce fatigue in people aged 65 and older who had been treated for cancer. Sixty-four participants were randomly assigned to take either the grape extract or a placebo pill tw…

This study tested a phone-based therapy program to help rural cancer survivors manage mental health challenges after treatment. Researchers offered different levels of support based on each person's symptoms, using workbooks and phone sessions. The goal was to reduce anxiety, dep…

This small pilot study tested a new program designed to help frail older adults with insomnia improve their sleep and daytime activity. The program combined strategies for both nighttime sleep and daytime movement. Researchers worked with 7 participants to see if the program was …

This study looked at whether pelvic floor muscle exercises work differently for older women depending on their overall muscle strength and physical function. Researchers followed 70 women aged 70+ with urinary incontinence for 12 weeks of standard pelvic floor exercises. They com…

This small, completed pilot study tested whether a program combining education and group exercise could help older breast cancer survivors manage the joint pain caused by a common medication (aromatase inhibitors). Researchers wanted to see if this approach could reduce pain and …

This small study tested a combination wound dressing for people with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a painful skin condition. Five adult participants with non-healing HS wounds used the dressing at home for eight weeks. Researchers measured if the wounds got smaller and if the dr…

This small pilot study tested whether a spinal cord stimulator could help reduce pain and muscle stiffness in people with stiff person syndrome. Two participants with this rare autoimmune condition had a temporary device implanted to see if it improved their symptoms. The goal wa…

This small study tested whether a 12-week walking program, delivered through video calls and using a step-tracking watch, was practical and acceptable for adults with epilepsy. Researchers wanted to see if encouraging people to reach a daily step goal could improve their activity…

This study tested whether a different way of giving a common steroid injection could better relieve chronic heel pain from plantar fasciitis. Researchers compared a 'peppering' technique, where the needle is moved around inside the tissue, against a standard single-shot injection…

This study tested whether a dietary supplement made from muscadine grapes could help men with recurrent prostate cancer who are on hormone therapy. The main goal was to see if the supplement could reduce the severe fatigue often caused by treatment and improve patients' quality o…

This study tested whether ramipril, a common blood pressure medication, could help prevent memory loss and thinking problems in people with glioblastoma (an aggressive brain cancer) who receive radiation and chemotherapy. Seventy-five participants took ramipril daily during their…

This study tested whether combining a non-opioid medication (duloxetine) with a web-based pain-coping skills training program could help people better manage chronic musculoskeletal pain. It involved 280 adults with daily pain lasting at least three months. Researchers also wante…

This study tested whether one or two radiation treatments work better for relieving pain from cancer that has spread to bones. Researchers enrolled 102 patients with painful bone metastases and randomly assigned them to receive either one or two radiation sessions. The goal was t…

This study tested whether acupuncture could help relieve severe, long-term dry mouth caused by radiation therapy for head and neck cancer. 258 patients who had finished radiation at least a year prior were randomly assigned to receive either real acupuncture, fake (sham) acupunct…

This small pilot study tested whether people with chronic pain could better manage their symptoms by using an online pain-coping program. Some participants also received phone calls from a care coordinator to help address life challenges like housing or food insecurity. The main …

This study tested whether a hormone called oxytocin, given through an IV, could boost the pain-relieving effect of vibration on mild sunburns. Researchers compared oxytocin to a placebo (a dummy treatment) in 38 healthy adults to see if it made their sunburned skin less sensitive…

This study tested if a TENS unit, a small device that delivers mild electrical pulses through the skin, could help manage pain after surgery for leg fractures. Researchers followed 205 patients for a year to see if using the TENS unit was safe and if it could reduce the need for …

This study aimed to create a detailed map of how physical activity changes the body at a molecular level in children and teens. Researchers enrolled 320 healthy participants aged 10-17 to measure changes in their blood, fitness, and body composition in response to both a single e…

This study tested a new program designed to improve access to kidney transplants, especially for Black patients, by identifying eligible patients earlier and providing specialized support. Researchers compared this new outreach program to standard care to see if it helped more pe…

This study aimed to create and test a new support program called FinFit to help young adult cancer survivors manage financial stress. Researchers interviewed 16 participants who were familiar with existing support programs to gather their experiences and ideas. The goal was to co…

This study aimed to understand how the hormone oxytocin affects pain when given through an IV. Researchers tested 25 healthy volunteers and people with knee arthritis by applying heat to their skin and measuring pain levels before, during, and after receiving oxytocin. The goal w…

This study aimed to understand how a typical Western diet (high in fat and sugar) triggers changes in immune cells that may lead to heart disease. Eight healthy, normal-weight adults ate a specially designed, high-calorie diet for 8 weeks. Researchers analyzed their blood to iden…

This study aimed to find out if a family member or caregiver could reliably assess an older adult's ability to move around (mobility) on their behalf. Researchers had 60 older patients and their caregivers take a short video-based test where they watched clips of activities like …

This study aimed to understand how advertisements for CBD products influence what consumers believe about their health benefits and safety. Researchers surveyed over 3,500 U.S. adults, showing them real CBD ads to see if people thought the ads made illegal health claims. The goal…

This study aimed to create a tool that predicts which families are likely to drop out of pediatric weight management programs early. Researchers followed over 1,200 children and a parent from four different programs for six months, collecting data on family life, health, and stre…

This study aimed to understand the social and cultural barriers that prevent Spanish-speaking Latinx individuals from getting tested and vaccinated for COVID-19. Researchers worked directly with the community to design and test a support program using peer guides and mobile healt…

This study aimed to understand patient anxiety during Mohs surgery, a common and effective outpatient procedure for skin cancer where patients are awake. It compared anxiety levels between first-time patients and those returning for another surgery. It also tested if reading a sh…

This study tested whether practicing on a specialized training model (the Miya Model) helps new surgeons perform vaginal hysterectomy surgery better in real operating rooms. It involved 25 resident surgeons who had performed very few of these surgeries. The goal was to see if thi…

This study aimed to better understand how Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS), a painful and chronic skin condition, affects people's daily lives, mental health, and social well-being. Researchers surveyed 67 adults diagnosed with HS to measure its impact and test a simple photo-based …

This study aimed to find out if participating in a school-based civics program affects the health and wellbeing of young people. Researchers surveyed over 1,600 middle and high school students to see if the program changed their sense of community and civic engagement, and if tho…

This study aimed to create a new survey tool to measure the discrimination and stigma experienced by children and young adults with chronic tic disorders like Tourette Syndrome. Researchers interviewed patients, families, and healthcare providers to understand their experiences, …

This study looked at whether adding surgical glue (Dermabond) to the standard stitches helps keep temporary spinal cord stimulator leads from moving. The leads are thin wires placed near the spine to test if electrical stimulation can relieve chronic pain. Researchers measured ho…

This study tested a special heart scan to see if it could detect early heart damage in premenopausal women being treated for early-stage breast cancer. Researchers wanted to learn if the scan could spot subtle heart problems caused by treatments like chemotherapy and hormone-bloc…

This study looked at whether advertising with health claims changes how people shop for CBD products. About 460 adults, including CBD users and non-users, completed a shopping task in a controlled mock store. Researchers randomly showed some participants CBD ads with health claim…

This study aimed to create a detailed map of how exercise changes the body at a molecular level. Over 1,800 adults, including both sedentary and highly active people, were assigned to endurance training, resistance training, or a no-exercise group for 12 weeks. Researchers collec…

This study aimed to find the best signs that show when it's safe to remove a child's breathing tube after surgery, especially if the child has a cold. Researchers observed 760 children under age 8 who were having minor surgery. They checked for specific signs like eye opening and…

This study aimed to understand how feeling pain might temporarily affect a person's ability to focus and think clearly. Researchers had 12 healthy volunteers play a simple attention game on an iPad, sometimes while experiencing brief, safe pain from a warm probe or cold water. Th…

This study tested whether sending a simple online planning tool through a patient portal could help older adults with mild memory problems have better conversations with their doctors about their future medical care wishes. Researchers wanted to see if using this tool made it mor…

This small, early-stage study aimed to understand how different sedative medications affect cigarette cravings and smoking behavior. Researchers gave 20 daily smokers intravenous infusions of ketamine, midazolam, dexmedetomidine, or a placebo saline solution. They measured change…