Columbia University

This study tested whether the antiviral drug valacyclovir (Valtrex) can slow memory and thinking decline in people with mild Alzheimer's disease who also carry the herpes simplex virus. About 120 participants received either the drug or a placebo for 18 months. The goal was to se…

This study looked at two different ways to support heart failure patients after they leave the hospital. One group got a phone call from a care coordinator, while the other could request a home visit from a community paramedic who could connect them with a doctor via video. The g…

This study tested a program called BREATHE-Peds that helps teens (ages 10-14) and their caregivers make decisions together about managing asthma. The goal was to improve asthma control in urban youth with uncontrolled asthma. Researchers worked with 67 participants from community…

This study looked at whether eating only within a 10-hour window each day helps overweight or obese adults aged 50-75 with prediabetes lose weight and improve their heart health. Participants either followed the 10-hour eating plan or their usual longer eating schedule, while tra…

This early-phase study tested two immunotherapy drugs (spartalizumab and canakinumab) given before surgery to 17 people with localized kidney cancer. The main goal was to see if the combination was safe and did not delay surgery. Researchers also looked at how the drugs affected …

This study tested whether a set of anesthesia techniques could lower the risk of lung complications after open abdominal surgery. About 750 adults at high risk for lung problems were randomly assigned to receive either the special bundle or usual care. The goal was to see if the …

This study tested two approaches to help people in public housing buildings follow smoke-free rules and reduce secondhand smoke. One approach encouraged all residents to support the policy, while the other focused on helping smokers cut back or quit. About 405 residents took part…

This study tested a mobile app called Mobile Diabetes Detective (MoDD) to see if it helps people with type 2 diabetes better manage their condition. 248 adults used the app to improve problem-solving skills and self-care. The goal was to lower blood sugar levels and improve overa…

This study tested a stepped care system that screens for unhealthy alcohol and drug use, offers a brief conversation, and refers people who need more help. It involved 400 Congolese refugees and local residents in Zambia. The goal was to reduce harmful drinking and related proble…

This study looked at whether taking vitamin D every day can lower the risk of serious lung problems in children and teens with sickle cell disease. Lung issues like infections and acute chest syndrome are major causes of illness in this group. The study involved 58 participants a…

This study tested a smartphone app called T2.coach that gives personalized tips to help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar. 300 adults with high blood sugar used the app or received standard care for 6 months. The goal was to see if the app could lower blood sug…

This early-stage study tested whether it is safe to deliver the chemotherapy drug topotecan directly into the brain over several days for people with recurrent high-grade gliomas, a serious type of brain cancer. Only 5 participants were enrolled. The main goal was to find a dose …

This study tested whether putting vancomycin powder directly into the surgical wound during brain surgery can prevent infections. Over 1,100 adults having neurosurgery were randomly assigned to receive either the standard care or standard care plus topical vancomycin. Researchers…

This study tested whether teaching new mothers techniques to improve their baby's sleep and reduce fussiness could help prevent postpartum depression. 216 pregnant women at risk for depression were randomly assigned to receive either parenting coaching sessions or standard care. …

This study tested a program to help gay and bisexual men in Romania start and stick with PrEP, a daily pill that prevents HIV. 120 men at high risk for HIV took part. The program combined in-person visits with mobile health tools to support PrEP use. Results will guide HIV preven…

This study tested whether mobile counseling could help Romanian gay and bisexual men reduce HIV risk and improve mental health. 300 men completed surveys and 8 online sessions with a counselor or by reading health information. The program aimed to lower risky sex and heavy drinki…

This study tested a combination HIV prevention approach for 120 men in Kisumu, Kenya, who had recently exchanged sex for money or goods. Participants took daily PrEP pills and received real-time feedback from a urine drug test, HIV self-testing kits, and text reminders. The goal …

This study compared a new device, the Nanodropper, which gives smaller eye drops, to standard eye drop bottles for numbing the eye. 56 adults received numbing drops in both eyes—one with the standard bottle and the other with the Nanodropper. Researchers checked how numb each eye…

This study tested whether a mobile app could help adults who had been in the ICU and were still feeling distressed about it. Participants used the app for 6 weeks to process their difficult memories at their own pace. The goal was to see if people would actually use the app and f…

This study tested a 16-session online therapy program for transgender and gender-diverse people in Romania who have depression or anxiety. The therapy was designed to help with LGBTQ-related stress and improve mental health. 25 people took part, and researchers measured changes i…

This small study looked at whether nitrous oxide (laughing gas) can quickly relieve severe pain in children with sickle cell disease during a vaso-occlusive crisis. Five children aged 8 to 18 who still had high pain after standard treatment received nitrous oxide in the emergency…

This study tested a new home-based program for 30 stroke survivors to help reduce fear of falling. The program combined physical therapy exercises with cognitive behavioral therapy, guided by community health workers and a physical therapist via video calls. The goal was to see i…

This study looked at whether using skin glue (Dermabond Prineo) to close a C-section incision works better than standard stitches. 151 women who had a C-section took part. The main goal was to see how satisfied they were with their scar and to check for infections or wound proble…

This study tested whether a special website could help close family members of cardiac arrest patients feel less uncertain and distressed. 53 family members participated, with some getting access to the website and others receiving usual care. The goal was to see if the website w…

This study tested whether giving a very high dose of lovastatin (a common cholesterol drug) for just 3 days after a stroke is safe. 162 adults who had an ischemic stroke were randomly assigned to receive either the high-dose lovastatin or a placebo within 24 hours of symptoms sta…

This study tested whether showing patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) simple visual charts about common post-ablation symptoms helps them make more confident treatment decisions. 75 adults with symptomatic AF who were considering catheter ablation used these decision aids duri…

This study looked at whether community health workers can help screen for depression in Black churches and connect people to care. Over 500 adults took part. One group got a structured program (SBIRT) while the other got usual referrals. The goal was to see if the program increas…

This study looked at whether playing a web-based game called the Breakfast Game could improve thinking skills in healthy older adults. 38 adults aged 60 to 75 played the game to train their ability to plan and multitask. The goal was to see if this training could help them perfor…

This study tested a program called Free Time for Wellness (FT4W) to help low-income mothers in New York City become more physically active. 89 mothers with young children took part. The program aimed to overcome barriers like lack of time and resources. Researchers measured their…

This study looked at whether doing genetic sequencing on fetuses with ultrasound abnormalities can help doctors provide better care. Over 1,000 pregnant people participated. The goal was to see if finding genetic causes early could reduce unnecessary tests, lower healthcare costs…

This study looked at how well people think and remember after surgery to clear a blocked neck artery (carotid endarterectomy). About 817 patients took brain tests before and after surgery, and their results were compared to spine surgery patients. The goal was to find out how oft…

This study followed about 1,900 pregnant women (some with HIV, some without) and their children for two years to see how HIV and the drug dolutegravir affect weight gain and body fat. Researchers measured things like weight, metabolism, and blood markers in both mothers and babie…

This study examined over 650 U.S. public schools to see if safety tactics like metal detectors and security guards are linked to fewer school shootings. Researchers also looked at whether these measures lead to more student suspensions or expulsions. The goal is to help schools m…

This study looked at a program called Room to Grow that helps low-income parents in New York City from pregnancy until their child turns three. The program offers one-on-one meetings with a social worker, baby supplies, and connections to community resources. Researchers measured…

This study looked at whether combining information from electronic health records with data provided directly by patients can create more accurate breast cancer risk predictions. Researchers worked with 70 women at high risk for breast cancer to see if this approach improves risk…

This study tested whether sending e-mails to doctors could encourage them to use a state-run prescription monitoring program and reduce unsafe opioid prescribing. Over 7,800 Minnesota physicians and physician assistants who were not using the program regularly took part. The goal…

This early-stage study looked at how lowering high insulin levels with a drug called diazoxide affects the liver in people with or at risk for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). 24 adults with overweight or obesity took either a low or high dose of diazoxide or a placebo …

This pilot study tested a way to find and treat depression in teenagers at four youth-friendly health clinics in Mozambique. About 95 teens and clinic staff took part. One group received a type of talk therapy called interpersonal therapy, while the other got the usual care. The …

This study measured brain fluid chemicals in 51 adults with obesity before and after bariatric surgery or diet-induced weight loss. The goal was to understand why surgery leads to better long-term weight loss by looking at appetite-regulating brain signals. Results may help devel…

This study looked at how stroke survivors can best learn to use their weaker arm. 28 people who had a stroke at least 6 months ago practiced a scooping task for 2 days. Researchers tested how well they remembered the task and could apply it to a new task. The goal was to find pra…

This study looked at how different amounts of insulin affect blood sugar in people with overweight, prediabetes, and fatty liver disease. Researchers used a special clamp technique to carefully control insulin levels and measure changes. The goal was to better understand the role…

This study tested whether a heart rehab program that mixes video calls, home exercises, and a few clinic visits works for people who survived a heart attack. Only 10 people took part, and the program was cut short due to a technology change. The goal was to see if such a program …

This study surveyed and interviewed 50 people who completed the Medicaid Title XIX Sterilization Consent form to understand their experience and thoughts on the consent process. The goal is to learn what patients understand and how the process could be improved. Participants fill…

This study looked at how Latino adults in New York City react to learning their genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease. 374 participants either received risk info based on family history alone or also got their APOE gene test results. Researchers measured distress, memory, and beha…

This study looked at whether a special bassinet called the SNOO Smart Sleeper, which plays white noise and rocks gently, helps preterm infants sleep more peacefully and have better vital signs compared to a standard bassinet. Twenty preterm infants in the NICU each spent three ho…

This study looked at whether a 40-hour Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training helps police officers improve their verbal de-escalation skills and body language when responding to mental health crises. About 242 officers were randomly assigned to receive the training or not, and …

This study tested whether customizing cognitive remediation (brain training) based on a person's early auditory processing ability leads to better thinking and daily living skills in people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. 194 adults from community mental health ce…

This study looked at why people with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) have trouble exercising and feel very tired. Researchers tested 34 people with SMA who were already on standard treatments. They measured how much oxygen the body uses during exercise and how well muscles use oxyg…

This study looked at a new computer tool designed to help homecare nurses decide which patients need the most urgent care after leaving the hospital. Researchers tested the tool with nearly 2,000 patients who had conditions like diabetes, heart failure, or lung disease. The goal …

This study looked at how sleep and diet affect performance in 38 Columbia University baseball players. Researchers measured sleep quality, food intake, and athletic skills like batting and pitching speed. The goal was to find ways to improve sleep and diet to help athletes perfor…

This study tested whether helping people sleep longer and better for 8 weeks could lower their blood pressure during sleep. 66 adults who slept less than 7 hours a night took part. Researchers used a 24-hour blood pressure monitor to measure changes.

This study tested a program called TechMPower in one New York county jail. It combined community teamwork, a dedicated implementation team, and technology-based training and peer support to improve HIV testing, prevention, and treatment, as well as substance use care, for people …

This study looked at how balance training and aerobic exercise affect the brains of 64 people with cerebellar ataxia, a condition that affects coordination. Researchers used brain scans to see if balance training changes brain areas outside the cerebellum, while aerobic training …

This study tested whether families who clean more and use chemical-free personal care products can lower their exposure to certain environmental chemicals. Researchers measured changes in breast tissue composition using a special light machine. The goal was to see if these change…

This study looked at how type 1 diabetes affects bone strength and structure in children and teens. Researchers compared 86 kids with and without diabetes using special scans. The goal was to understand if diabetes makes bones more fragile during growth.

This study looked at money-related stress, called financial toxicity, in teens and young adults (ages 15-39) with cancer. Researchers tested a tool to measure these financial struggles and a program to help patients get financial education and support. The goal was to see if the …

This study looked at how long-term lack of sleep affects heart health and weight in women. Researchers compared women before and after menopause to see if sleep loss leads to higher blood pressure, worse blood sugar control, and more belly fat. The goal was to understand these ri…

This study looked at whether giving people subsidized ridesharing could help reduce drunk driving and alcohol use. Over 7,000 adults who drink at bars and have a driver's license took part. Researchers measured how often people drove after drinking and how much they drank.

This study tested whether a fun, interactive program using music and dance could help parents and children learn more about Alzheimer's disease. Over 2,200 families from New York City schools took part. Researchers measured their knowledge before and after the program, and again …

This study tested whether alerting police officers that a person has a serious mental illness during a routine check can reduce arrests and help them stay in treatment. About 1,400 adults with conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression who had been arres…