Duke University

This study tests whether a special clinic staffed by heart, kidney, diabetes, and liver doctors can help people with type 2 diabetes and heart disease get their blood pressure and cholesterol under control. About 150 adults will be randomly assigned to either usual care or the te…

This study tests a 3-session telehealth counseling program called IDEAS for Hope, delivered by nurses, to reduce suicide risk and improve HIV care in Tanzania. About 600 adults living with HIV who have had recent suicidal thoughts will take part. The goal is to see if this brief,…

This study tests a program called CROSSROADS for adults who recently survived an opioid or stimulant overdose. Participants will either get standard paramedic care or that care plus help with legal issues like housing or benefits. Researchers will track drug use and contact with …

This study tests a new eye imaging device that takes pictures of the eye in seconds. About 70 people with eye problems will try it. The goal is to see if the device is easy to use and can correctly diagnose eye conditions.

This study compares spinal anesthesia to general anesthesia for a procedure that treats knee stiffness after knee replacement. About 128 adults will be randomly assigned to one type of anesthesia to see which leads to better knee motion and less pain. The goal is to improve recov…

This study tests a simple eye-movement treatment that people can do at home to help with spatial neglect, a condition where stroke survivors ignore one side of their world. The goal is to see if it improves mobility and reduces falls. The study will involve 90 adults over 60 who …

This study tests whether a special nerve block (ESP block) can reduce pain and the need for strong painkillers after spinal fusion surgery. About 75 adults having back or neck fusion will be randomly assigned to receive either a standard numbing medicine or a longer-acting versio…

This study tests whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called TMS can reduce pain, fatigue, and brain fog in people with fibromyalgia. Thirty adults will receive multiple TMS sessions and undergo MRI scans to see how the brain changes. The goal is to gather early dat…

This study tests whether phenobarbital, an older sedative, works as well as standard treatments for agitated delirium in ICU adults. About 150 participants will receive either phenobarbital or usual care. Researchers will measure how long patients stay in the ICU and hospital, an…

This study tests two programs to help women aged 65 and older with hormone-positive breast cancer manage pain and side effects from aromatase inhibitor therapy. One program offers a geriatric assessment and support from a care team, while the other teaches coping skills. The goal…

This study tests a nurse-led program to help women with HER2+ metastatic breast cancer better manage their treatment. The program includes coaching sessions over 12 weeks to improve understanding of the drug regimen, manage side effects, and build coping skills. Researchers want …

This study tests a program called SickleFit that combines exercise and nutrition advice for adults aged 35 and older with sickle cell disease. The goal is to see if the program is safe, doable, and helpful for improving fitness and well-being. About 40 participants will be random…

This study tests a mobile app called CALM to help veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) manage anger and impulsivity. One hundred veterans and a family member or friend will be randomly assigned to use the CALM app or receive brain h…

This study will develop and test a robotically assisted imaging system for examining the front of the eye. About 93 adults with eye complaints in the emergency department will have their eyes checked by both standard methods and the new robot system. The goal is to see if the rob…

This study compares two methods of giving a nerve block to numb the front of the belly. 25 healthy adults will receive the block using either a sideways or a lengthwise ultrasound probe placement. The goal is to see which method numbs a larger area of skin. This is a Phase 2 tria…

This study explores whether drones can deliver automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to people having a cardiac arrest in rural areas faster than traditional emergency responders. Researchers will compare arrival times and see if drone delivery is practical. The goal is to gat…

This study tests two different methods of numbing the front-inside of the knee in 25 healthy adults. One method targets the saphenous nerve, while the other also targets a nearby nerve called the nerve to vastus medialis. The goal is to see which approach provides better numbness…

This study tests whether training obstetric providers to counsel patients about workplace accommodations improves job and health outcomes for pregnant people. Researchers will compare usual care to the PROMOTE program in 404 participants. The goal is to see if this training reduc…

This study aims to understand why people with HIV who have suppressed viral loads often struggle to take their blood pressure medications as prescribed. Researchers will interview patients and providers to identify barriers, then design and test a nurse-led support program. The g…

This study looks at how two different treatments—massage and talk therapy—affect stress and bonding hormones in people with long-term back or neck pain. Researchers will measure oxytocin and cortisol levels before and after each session in 25 adults. The goal is to understand how…

This study tests if waking epilepsy patients with an alarm during sleep can trigger seizures sooner. The goal is to shorten hospital stays for monitoring. 75 people aged 14-60 with hard-to-control seizures will participate. Researchers will track seizure timing, sleep quality, an…

This study looks at whether teaching teens with epilepsy about their condition can improve how they take their medicine and reduce feelings of stigma. About 60 adolescents aged 12-18 will take part. Researchers will measure changes in knowledge, attitudes, and practices before an…

This study tests a new tool to help intensive care doctors have fairer conversations with families of patients on breathing machines. The goal is to see if the tool is practical and acceptable to doctors, and whether it can reduce racial differences in how decisions are made. Abo…

This study tests a new mobile app-based program (mSTARS) for people who drink heavily and have recently been hospitalized for a suicide crisis. The goal is to see if the program is practical and acceptable to patients. Thirty-five adults will be randomly assigned to the app, stan…

This study looks at how a targeted nerve block near the wrist affects blood flow and hand temperature in 20 healthy adults. Participants will receive an ultrasound-guided injection of anesthetic around the radial artery, and researchers will measure changes in finger pulse and ha…

This study looks at whether giving extra protein drinks to older adults (45+) who have been seriously injured helps them regain muscle and function faster. Sixty participants will be split into two groups: one gets extra protein drinks in the hospital and for four weeks after dis…

This study tests a new ultrasound device that creates 4D moving images of the upper airway, head, and neck. Researchers want to see if it can overcome current limits where bone or air block the view. About 100 healthy adults will lie still while the device scans their neck and ja…