Duke University

This early-stage trial tests a new vaccine designed to protect against multiple coronaviruses, including COVID-19 and its variants. 51 healthy adults aged 18-55 will receive two doses to check safety and immune response. The vaccine uses a protein nanoparticle to target a key par…

This study tests a structured nutrition plan for 300 ICU patients who had abdominal surgery and cannot eat normally. The plan includes IV nutrition, oral supplements, and a device to measure calorie needs. Researchers will track infections, ICU stay length, and muscle loss to see…

This early-phase trial tests whether adding fluoxetine (an antidepressant) to standard chemotherapy (temozolomide) can make the chemo work better against recurrent brain tumors. Ten adults with recurrent glioma will receive either fluoxetine plus chemo or chemo alone before surge…

This study tests a new way for cancer doctors and primary care doctors to work together to help cancer survivors manage other health problems like high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. About 800 adults with certain cancers and at least one of these conditions will …

This phase 2 trial tests whether adding the cholesterol-lowering drug alirocumab to standard chemotherapy and immunotherapy (cemiplimab) before surgery helps eliminate more cancer in people with stage 1B-3A non-small cell lung cancer. About 126 participants will be randomly assig…

This study tests whether combining text message support for pregnant smokers with special training for their OB doctors helps more women quit smoking. About 840 pregnant women who smoke will take part. Both groups get quit-smoking texts, and some doctors get extra counseling trai…

This study tests whether a 16-week diet coaching program with cooking classes can help Black Americans at risk for chronic kidney disease stick to the DASH diet. About 48 participants will take part to see if the program is practical and well-liked. The goal is to find a communit…

This study tests a drug called inclisiran to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol in 130 people with heart disease or high risk for it. It focuses on groups like women, Black, Hispanic, and rural patients who are often not well studied. The goal is to see if the drug helps more people rea…

This study tests whether giving a single dose of chemotherapy directly into the liver artery, before standard treatment, is safe and feasible for people with localized pancreatic cancer. It includes 20 adults whose cancer can be surgically removed. The goal is to see if this adde…

This study tests a new way to deliver an existing child obesity treatment program called 'Fit Together' by partnering with parks and recreation departments. About 400 children aged 5-12 with obesity will take part. The goal is to see if this approach helps children improve their …

This pilot study looks at whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy (breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber) can help wounds heal better after surgery and radiation for soft tissue sarcoma. About 20 adults with sarcoma in the leg will be randomly assigned to receive either the ox…

This study tests whether adding a cholesterol-lowering drug (alirocumab) to an immunotherapy (cemiplimab) can help shrink tumors in people with advanced non-small cell lung cancer that has stopped responding to prior immunotherapy. About 60 participants will receive the combinati…

This study tests whether adding a pet fish to a teen's diabetes routine can improve blood sugar control. About 60 kids aged 10-13 with type 1 diabetes will pair fish feeding with blood glucose checks and tank cleaning with weekly reviews. The goal is to make diabetes management m…

This study planned to test a new robot-assisted imaging system that uses optical coherence tomography (OCT) to scan the far edges of the retina, an area hard to see with standard equipment. The goal was to detect retinal breaks more easily and comfortably. However, the study was …

This study tests whether an extra MRI scan, taken after a delay, can better tell apart radiation damage from tumor regrowth in people with brain metastases who have had stereotactic radiosurgery. About 25 adults with solid tumors (except small cell lung cancer or lymphoma) will g…

This study tests whether screening pregnant women for malaria in the first trimester using a highly sensitive rapid test, followed by treatment if positive, can prevent serious pregnancy problems. Over 2,100 women in malaria-prone areas will be compared to those receiving standar…

This study looks at three different care models to help older adults avoid falls and broken bones after they've already had a fracture. About 3,780 people in skilled nursing facilities will take part. The goal is to see which approach works best: reducing risky medications, impro…

This study tests whether using smaller or opaque bottles can help prevent rapid weight gain in newborns. Researchers will give 5 infants special bottles and track their weight and feeding habits over 4 months. The goal is to find simple ways to reduce the risk of childhood obesit…

This study tests whether the anti-inflammatory drug sulindac can prevent high-risk pancreatic cysts (IPMNs) from progressing to pancreatic cancer. About 100 adults with these cysts will receive either sulindac or a placebo for up to 3 years, alongside standard monitoring. The goa…

This study tests whether a technique called remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) — using a blood pressure cuff to briefly restrict blood flow to the arm — can make low-intensity exercise more effective for adults over 65 with mobility problems. Twenty participants will do light res…

This study tests whether peer health coaching—support from someone with similar experiences—can help young adults (ages 18-26) with congenital heart disease better manage their condition. Participants receive 6 months of coaching via secure phone and text. The study tracks how ma…

This study compares a new spine specialist care model to usual care for 1800 adults with low back pain. The goal is to see if the new approach reduces how much pain interferes with daily life and improves physical function after 3 months. Participants are 18 or older and starting…

This study tests a new program for women who have had pelvic radiation for cancer. It combines physical therapy with coping skills training to help improve sexual function. The study involves 12 cancer survivors and focuses on whether the program is practical and helpful.

This study tests whether advanced brain imaging can help doctors fine-tune deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson's disease. Twenty adults who already have DBS implants will have their stimulation settings adjusted based on detailed brain maps. The goal is to better control t…

This study is testing a 12-week online program called WeCan-Rural for breast cancer survivors living in rural, underserved communities. The program aims to help manage symptoms like pain and fatigue while building healthy habits around eating, exercise, and weight management to l…

This study tests whether a ketone drink can help people with a type of heart failure (HFpEF) exercise more. Twenty participants will take either the ketone drink or a placebo for 8 weeks, then switch. The main goal is to see if the drink improves exercise capacity measured by a s…

This study explores whether virtual reality (VR) can help patients in the cardiothoracic ICU move their arms and feel less anxious or lonely. Thirty adults who have been in the ICU for at least three days with limited mobility will use VR games that involve dancing or hitting obj…

This study tests whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called TMS can reduce attention to cannabis cues and help heavy users cut down. Fifty near-daily cannabis users will receive either real or placebo TMS over five days, then be followed for four weeks. The goal is…

This study tests whether a rapid form of brain stimulation (accelerated TMS) can improve hand function in people with focal hand dystonia, a condition causing involuntary muscle contractions during tasks like writing. Twenty-one adults receive four TMS sessions in one day, with f…

This pilot study tests a new approach for misophonia, a condition where common sounds like chewing or breathing cause extreme distress. Sixty adults with moderate to severe misophonia will learn emotion regulation skills and receive one of two types of brain stimulation (rTMS) ov…

This study tests a mindfulness-based program (Nite2Day) for women with breast cancer who have trouble sleeping. Participants learn strategies to cope with insomnia, fatigue, stress, and pain during six remote sessions with a therapist. The goal is to see if the program is practic…

This study tests whether a personalized form of brain stimulation (TMS) combined with a medication can improve neck muscle control in people with cervical dystonia. Fifty adults with the condition will receive either real or sham TMS in a single day, along with the drug trihexyph…

This study looks at whether wearing a sling for three weeks after reverse shoulder replacement is better than wearing it for only three days. About 100 people having shoulder surgery at Duke University will be randomly assigned to one of the two groups. Researchers will track com…

This study looks at different treatments to help people with Long COVID who have trouble exercising and feel very tired after activity. Researchers will test if these treatments can improve how long patients can walk and their overall quality of life. About 360 adults with Long C…

This study tests giving a single, strong dose of radiation to the tumor before surgery in women with early-stage breast cancer. The goal is to see if this approach keeps the breast looking good and reduces the need for weeks of daily radiation. About 110 women will take part, and…

This study is testing whether doing a special PET scan during radiation treatment can help doctors adjust the plan to better target tumors and spare healthy tissue. It involves 90 adults with cervical, vulvar, esophageal, or anal cancer. The goal is to see if this approach improv…

This study collects blood and bone marrow samples from 40 adults with newly diagnosed glioblastoma to track changes in immune cells over time. Researchers aim to understand how the immune system responds to the tumor and standard treatments. The goal is to gather foundational dat…

This large trial tests whether a coordinated community approach can improve survival and brain function after cardiac arrest. The plan includes faster 911 dispatch, CPR instructions over the phone, public CPR and AED training, and better first responder performance. About 20,000 …

This study follows 468 people with metastatic kidney cancer to see how their treatment and quality of life change over time in real-world clinics, not just in controlled research settings. Participants report their medication use and fill out questionnaires about symptoms and wel…

This study asks over 2,300 people with various joint conditions (like arthritis, fractures, and hip problems) to fill out surveys about their treatment preferences. Researchers want to learn how factors like pain, recovery time, cost, and surgery versus non-surgery affect patient…

This study tested a 30-minute online training for doctors and nurses to help them counsel pregnant patients about workplace rights and accommodations. The trial was withdrawn before enrolling any participants, so no results are available. The goal was to see if the training could…

This pilot study tests a program that screens older dialysis patients for common age-related problems like falls, memory trouble, and medication issues. A geriatrics team then gives personalized recommendations to the dialysis clinic. The goal is to see if this approach is practi…

This study is creating a large community registry and biorepository with 50,000 adults from Cabarrus County and Kannapolis. Participants provide health information and biological samples to help researchers better understand chronic diseases and improve medicine. It is an observa…

This study was designed to test a new tool that helps surgeons measure and adjust the spine during fusion surgery. The goal was to see if using the tool leads to better spinal alignment and improved patient outcomes, such as less disability. However, the study was withdrawn befor…

This study tracks 42 people with ocular melanoma who received radiation therapy via eye plaque brachytherapy. Researchers want to see if using lower radiation doses can still keep the cancer from coming back while reducing harmful side effects. The goal is to find the safest effe…

This study aimed to see if limiting food intake to a 10-hour window each day (with 14 hours of nightly fasting) could improve how well immunotherapy works in people with advanced head/neck or kidney cancer. Researchers planned to track changes in gut bacteria and immune markers. …

This study looks at how the location of a tumor in the cerebellum (the part of the brain that controls balance and coordination) affects a person's thinking and movement. Researchers will follow 66 adults with brain tumors before and after surgery, using brain scans and tests of …

This study tests a training program for doctors to improve how they talk with and listen to patients. The program includes online lessons and coaching sessions. Researchers will see if the training is practical and if it leads to better patient-centered care and lower blood press…

This registry enrolls up to 1,000 women aged 12–55 with rheumatic or autoimmune diseases who are pregnant or planning pregnancy. Researchers will collect data from medical records and patient surveys to study pregnancy outcomes, disease activity, and medication use. No experiment…

This observational study collects blood and tumor tissue samples from people with gastroesophageal cancer to study genetic changes that may cause resistance to immunotherapy. It does not involve any treatment or experimental drugs. The goal is to identify new targets for future i…

This study tests a program called BETTER that helps adults with traumatic brain injury and their families after they leave the hospital. The program provides education, training, and therapy to support recovery at home. Researchers will compare the program to usual care in 500 pa…

This study was designed to check how consistent MRI scans are in people with a slow-growing brain tumor (IDH1-mutant low-grade glioma) who are taking the drug ivosidenib. The goal was to improve how doctors measure tumor changes over time. However, the study was withdrawn before …

This study looks at how often and when doctors talk with seriously ill patients about their care wishes. It includes up to 5,000 adults with cancer, heart failure, COPD, or dementia. The goal is to learn how to make these conversations happen earlier and more often, so care match…

This study tests a program called HOP-STEP that helps doctors talk about pregnancy planning with women who have lupus. The goal is to make sure doctors document contraception use and pregnancy intentions during visits. The study involves 14 participants and is being tested at two…

This study is a registry that collects medical records, quality-of-life surveys, and tissue samples from 900 people with spine tumors or other spine disorders. The goal is to learn more about these conditions so doctors can make better treatment decisions in the future. No new tr…

This study is testing a new program called mSTARS for people who drink heavily and have been hospitalized for a suicide crisis. The program combines in-hospital therapy with a smartphone app to help manage emotions after leaving. Ten participants will try the program and give fee…

This study is building a large group of people living in the US who are willing to be contacted about future research, especially on COVID-19. Participants sign up online and share health information through surveys. The goal is to create a ready pool of volunteers for upcoming s…

This study collects fluid from the joints of 149 adults having knee, hip, or shoulder surgery. Researchers will analyze the fluid for molecules and genetic clues that could help detect osteoarthritis earlier or predict how the disease will progress. The goal is to build a biobank…

This study follows over 6,000 people over many years to see if feelings like hostility and other psychological factors are linked to heart disease. Researchers are tracking who develops heart problems and looking for patterns. The goal is to better understand how our minds and em…

This study looks at whether simple blood tests can help doctors understand how glioblastoma, a serious brain cancer, changes over time. About 100 newly diagnosed patients will give blood samples before and after standard radiation and chemotherapy. The goal is to see if DNA from …

This study follows 20 newborns and children who were found to have late-onset Pompe disease through newborn screening. Researchers will track their health over up to 4.5 years to understand early symptoms and decide when to start treatment. No experimental treatments are given; t…

This study looks at how doctors and nurses in radiation oncology used telehealth instead of in-person visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers will survey 1,000 healthcare providers at Duke Cancer Center to understand their experiences and challenges. They will also track…

This study is testing a new, low-cost eye scanner to see if it can take clear pictures of the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. Researchers will compare images from this device with those from a standard, expensive scanner. They will also measure the thick…

This study aimed to see if a virtual agent (like a smart assistant) or a human over the phone is better at teaching lung cancer patients how to use devices that measure weight, blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and oxygen at home. Patients would have been randomly assigned…

This study aims to understand how the immune system changes in people with kidney or bladder cancer when they receive immunotherapy. Researchers will measure different immune cells and tumor cells in the blood before and during treatment. The goal is to learn more about how these…

This study looks at whether a simple scoring system, called the 5-SENSE score, can accurately predict where seizures begin in the brain. Researchers will test this in 400 people with hard-to-treat epilepsy who are already scheduled for an invasive brain test called SEEG. If the s…

This study explores how aging changes the way older adults respond to exercise. Researchers will measure fitness and insulin sensitivity in 26 people who previously completed a structured exercise program. Participants will do a 6-month aerobic exercise routine to see how their b…

This study looks at 40 people aged 18-25, some recovering from ACL surgery and some healthy, to see if adding a quick-reaction task to a standard balance test reveals hidden differences between legs. The goal is to help doctors design better rehab programs for athletes returning …

This study tests whether a special MRI using inhaled xenon gas can show changes in lung function over time in people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) who are starting approved treatments. About 34 participants will have an MRI before starting therapy and again at 3, 6, an…

This study brings together medical teams that treat children with cleft lip and/or palate. They will collect information on speech, hearing, dental health, and quality of life from about 1,000 patients. The goal is to compare results across centers and find ways to improve care. …