Duke University

This study compares two approaches for people with an uncomplicated type B aortic dissection (a tear in the main artery). One group gets a stent procedure plus medication, the other gets medication alone with close monitoring. The goal is to see which strategy better prevents dea…

This study tests if transplanting a donated abdominal wall can safely repair large defects in the belly area. It is for people aged 18-65 who need this repair, sometimes along with an organ transplant. The main goal is to see if the transplanted tissue stays healthy after 18 mont…

This study looks at 400 children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis whose first TNF inhibitor medication did not work well enough. It compares three other types of medication to a second TNF inhibitor to see which works better. The goal is to find the best treatment plan to contr…

This study tests whether the drug atezolizumab can help people whose glioblastoma (a type of brain cancer) has come back after standard treatment. About 80 adults will receive the drug before surgery, and researchers will track how long they live and any side effects. The goal is…

This study tests whether an oral drug called deferiprone can safely reduce harmful iron buildup in the brain after a bleeding aneurysm. About 66 adults who have had a ruptured aneurysm will receive either deferiprone plus standard care or standard care alone for 14 days. The goal…

This study tests whether switching to very low nicotine cigarettes can reduce cravings, withdrawal, and pain in daily smokers who have chronic pain and are on buprenorphine for opioid use disorder. Sixty participants will be randomly assigned to either very low or normal nicotine…

This early-stage study tests a modified herpes virus (MVR-C5252) that is injected directly into brain tumors to kill cancer cells. It is for adults with recurrent high-grade glioma, a serious brain cancer that has come back. The main goals are to check safety and find the best do…

This study tests a 6-month holistic wellness program for 200 adults with HIV or seeking HIV prevention who also use alcohol or drugs. Participants receive counseling, peer support, and education tailored to their needs. Researchers will measure changes in depression, anxiety, sub…

This study looks at whether montelukast, a drug used for asthma, is safe and how it works in very premature babies at high risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a serious lung condition. About 28 critically ill infants born before 28 weeks and weighing under 1000 grams will …

This study looks at whether giving free fruits and vegetables, plus some extra support like health coaching, can help people with congestive heart failure avoid emergency room visits and hospital stays. About 900 adults with heart failure who also have trouble affording food will…

This pilot study tests a new handheld device that automatically aligns to take detailed pictures of the retina (the back of the eye). Researchers will scan healthy adult volunteers and patients (adults and children) in eye clinics to see if the device works well. The goal is to i…

This study compares newer CT and ultrasound methods to standard MRI for finding fat and scarring in the liver. About 45 adults with liver disease will get a special CT scan, an MRI, and an ultrasound. The goal is to see if these newer tests can reliably detect liver problems, whi…

This study is testing whether a special light tool can find early signs of cervical cancer. Researchers will look at the light patterns from cervical tissue in 350 women who are already getting a colposcopy or treatment. The goal is to make diagnosis faster and less invasive.

This study aims to develop better ways to measure eye pressure, which is important for diagnosing and managing glaucoma. Current methods are either subjective or not portable. Researchers will test two new devices on 200 adults and compare them to standard eye pressure tests.

This study is testing whether a special imaging agent called Tc 99m Tilmanocept can find heart inflammation caused by sarcoidosis. About 15 adults with confirmed sarcoidosis will receive this agent and undergo a SPECT/CT scan. The results will be compared to standard PET scans an…

This study tests a special CT scanner that can be moved to a child's bedside. It aims to see if the scanner can safely take pictures of the chest and belly in children under 5 or those too small or sick to go to the radiology department. The main goal is to check if the images ar…

This study tests a six-session program called SER Familia, designed to help Latino immigrant families reduce stress from adapting to a new culture and build resilience. The goal is to prevent serious health issues like substance abuse, intimate partner violence, HIV risk, depress…

This study tests whether offering HIV prevention medication (PrEP) on a mobile medical van is a good way to reach people who inject drugs or are sexually active and at higher risk for HIV. About 20 adults will receive PrEP consultations and medication on the van, and researchers …

This study tests an online program called UPDOs Protective Styles to help Black women in the southeastern US learn about and start using PrEP, a daily pill that prevents HIV. About 1000 women from 32 beauty salons will either use the program (videos, blogs, and telehealth) or rec…

This study tests a program called Nite2Day+ that uses mindfulness and sleep tips to help people with blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma sleep better and manage fatigue, stress, and pain. About 60 patients will either get the program or standard care. The program includes a …

This study tests a training program that helps family caregivers assist older adults with mild to moderate dementia and chronic pain learn coping skills. The goal is to reduce pain interference and improve quality of life for both the patient and caregiver. The study involves 60 …

This study tests a new telehealth program called ENGAGE for people with stage IV breast, prostate, lung, or colorectal cancer. The program aims to reduce how much symptoms like pain, fatigue, and distress interfere with daily life. About 190 participants will be randomly assigned…

This study compares four new tonometer tips that don't require numbing eye drops to the standard tip used with anesthesia. Researchers want to see which tip feels most comfortable for patients. The goal is to develop a tip that people can use at home to monitor their glaucoma. Ab…

This study tests a digital health program called AYA STEPS for adolescent and young adult cancer survivors. The program helps manage symptoms like pain, fatigue, and emotional distress, and encourages engagement with recommended follow-up care. Researchers will enroll 260 survivo…

This study tests whether injecting numbing medicine near the femoral artery can reverse high blood pressure caused by a tourniquet during ankle surgery. About 40 adults aged 18-75 having total ankle replacement will participate. The goal is to see if this injection safely lowers …

This early study tests a 14-day course of the oral drug zuranolone in 6 stroke survivors with moderate to severe depression. Researchers want to see if the drug is safe, well-tolerated, and helps improve mood. Participants take the pill daily and complete mood questionnaires and …

This study looks at how two different non-surgical treatments for liver cancer affect patients' quality of life. About 78 adults with early-stage liver cancer who cannot have surgery will receive either a targeted radiology treatment or focused radiation therapy. Researchers will…

This study compares methadone (a long-acting opioid) to standard short-acting opioids like fentanyl for pain relief after cleft palate repair in children aged 6 months to 4 years. The goal is to see if methadone reduces the total amount of pain medicine needed. The trial is curre…

This study tests a program for older adults (65+) with cancer and mild memory issues, along with their spouse or caregiver. Over six video sessions, the pair learn strategies to cope and communicate better. The goal is to see if this approach reduces stress and improves quality o…

This study tests whether using virtual reality (VR) can help patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) become more active and improve their mental well-being. Researchers at Duke University will enroll 60 adults who have been in the ICU for at least 3 days and have limited mobili…

This study compares two group therapies—organizational skills training and mindfulness—for 30 teens aged 13-17 with ADHD. Both treatments involve eight 90-minute sessions. Researchers will measure changes in ADHD symptoms, daily functioning, and emotional control using questionna…

This study tests whether a month of personalized calming music can improve sleep for people with dementia and reduce stress for their caregivers. About 144 participants (72 pairs of a person with dementia and their caregiver) will use a mobile app or receive sleep education. The …

This pilot study tests whether a supervised, at-home exercise program combining aerobic and strength training is feasible for people recently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (within 6 months). Fifteen participants will follow the program remotely, and researchers will measure…

This study tests a mobile app called Blueprint that teaches coping skills to people who survived a serious illness in the ICU. Many survivors struggle with anxiety, depression, and PTSD, but mental health care is hard to access. The app is designed to be used at home, and researc…

This study tests a program called CO-LEAD that helps doctors and patients with lupus talk more effectively about medications. The goal is to improve how often patients take their medicine as prescribed. About 480 patients and their doctors will take part, and researchers will lis…

This study looks at how long-term opioid therapy changes brain and spinal cord activity in women with chronic pain. Researchers will compare brain scans of women with chronic pain, those with opioid use, and healthy women. The goal is to find new ways to treat chronic pain withou…

This study is a registry that will follow 1,000 pregnant women or those planning pregnancy who have autoimmune diseases like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. Researchers at Duke University want to learn what factors lead to better health for both mother and baby. The goal is to ide…

This study aims to understand how tiny blood vessels around the fovea (the part of the eye responsible for sharp vision) develop in infants with retinopathy of prematurity, a leading cause of childhood blindness. Researchers will use a special eye imaging technique called OCTA to…

This study aims to find out how common acid reflux symptoms are in children with cystic fibrosis. Researchers will use a symptom questionnaire and also look at what happens when children stop taking their reflux medication. About 20 children aged 2 to 18 will take part.

This study looks at whether fitness classes held in parks can improve the health of adults aged 50 and older. Researchers will measure changes in weight, blood pressure, strength, and mobility in 1,000 participants. The goal is to see if community park programs are an effective w…

This study looks at whether a short, hands-on training program can help emergency department staff (like nurse practitioners and physician assistants) learn to use heart ultrasound at the bedside. About 75 providers will take part in simulation training and then use ultrasound on…

This study involves 80 adults with opioid use disorder who are starting buprenorphine treatment and want to stop using opioids. Researchers will use MRI scans to see if brain markers can predict who will successfully quit, and will test whether real or sham repetitive Transcrania…

This study looks at two different ways to help children with special health care needs transition from hospital to home. Researchers will compare a focused program versus an extended program to see which one reduces emergency room visits and hospital readmissions, and improves pa…

This study tests whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called TMS can improve working memory in healthy older adults and those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Researchers will use brain scans to personalize the stimulation for each participant. The goal is to u…

This study looks at how common prescription drugs move from a breastfeeding mother into her breastmilk and then to her baby. Researchers will measure drug levels in milk and the baby's blood to estimate how much drug the infant receives. The goal is to provide better safety infor…

This study tests a new imaging tool that gives surgeons a live, 3D view inside the eye during surgery. It includes up to 262 people with various eye conditions like retinal detachment, cataracts, or macular holes, as well as healthy volunteers. The goal is to see if this technolo…

This study looks at how children under 21 with a type of leukemia process medicines they already receive as part of their standard care. Researchers will measure drug levels in the blood to learn more about dosing. No new treatments are tested, and participants continue their usu…

This study tests a program to help doctors better screen for chronic kidney disease (CKD) in people with type 2 diabetes. The goal is to make sure patients get the recommended lab tests (eGFR and UACR) that can catch kidney problems early. About 750 adults with diabetes who are m…

This study looks at whether a short exercise test can accurately measure how fit you are before surgery. Researchers will compare the oxygen you use during the test with a fitness questionnaire. The goal is to find a better way to assess surgical risk. About 100 adults scheduled …

This study is testing a new device called the Calla introducer to see if women prefer it over the standard speculum during cervical cancer screening. About 305 healthy women aged 21-65 who have had a pelvic exam will take part. Researchers will interview and survey participants t…

This study is a registry that follows up to 3,000 people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) or other chronic fibrosing interstitial lung diseases. Researchers collect health information, blood samples, and lung images over time to better understand how these diseases progre…

This study looks at why people with rheumatoid arthritis often have trouble controlling high blood pressure, which raises their risk of heart disease. Researchers will work with 25 adults to identify obstacles and test ways to improve care. The goal is to learn what helps patient…

This study looks at whether a computer-based virtual agent or a real person is better at teaching lung cancer patients how to use devices at home to check their weight, blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and oxygen levels. About 36 adults with solid tumors will be randomly …

This study looks at the best time to get a patient's consent for a possible C-section. Some hospitals ask everyone when they arrive, while others wait until it seems needed. Researchers will compare these two approaches in 200 pregnant people to see which leads to a better experi…

This study is creating a registry of 1,000 people with lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus or cutaneous lupus) seen at Duke University. Researchers will collect medical information and blood samples over time to learn how lupus changes and how to improve care. Participants must b…

This study tests a program to help children and families learn more about acute kidney injury (AKI). Researchers will measure how much participants know before and after the program. The goal is to improve care and reduce health problems from AKI. The study includes 25 children a…

This study collects information from 300 adults with cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic cancer) who are receiving a precise, high-dose type of radiation called ablative radiotherapy. The goal is to track and understand short-term side effects that happe…

This study tests whether a single session of brain stimulation (rTMS) combined with emotion regulation skills training can help people with mood, anxiety, or related disorders better control their emotions. 240 adults aged 18-55 with high emotional distress will be randomly assig…

This study looks at whether a skin treatment given to mothers before delivery can lower the amount of Staph aureus bacteria on their skin and reduce spread to their newborns. Researchers will also survey mothers about their interest in and willingness to use the treatment. The st…

This study is testing whether combining MRI and ultrasound images can help doctors guide needles more accurately during brachytherapy (internal radiation) for uterine cancer. Researchers will enroll 17 adults with uterine or cervical cancer who are scheduled for brachytherapy. Th…

This study watches 60 adults having shoulder surgery to see how often a common nerve block temporarily paralyzes part of the diaphragm, a muscle that helps you breathe. Participants get one of three types of nerve blocks, and doctors use ultrasound to check for diaphragm movement…

This study follows preterm infants at risk for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), a condition that can affect vision. Researchers use a special camera (OCT) to take detailed images of the back of the eye, looking for early signs that might predict future vision or brain developmen…

This study tests a prototype toilet device that automatically measures urine and stool output in hospital patients. Researchers want to see if the device is as accurate as manual measurements by nurses. The study involves 54 adults undergoing stem cell transplants at Duke Univers…

This study is building a nationwide registry of 400 people who have experienced drug-induced liver injury (DILI). Researchers will collect blood samples and medical information to create a resource for future studies. The goal is to better understand why some people develop sever…

This study looks at why some blood cancers come back after CAR T therapy. Researchers will track immune cells in 50 patients over time to find patterns linked to relapse. The goal is to understand resistance, not to test a new treatment.

This study is for people with hypophosphatasia, a rare genetic condition that weakens bones and teeth. Researchers will collect medical history and track how the disease progresses, how treatments work, and how it affects daily life. The goal is to better understand the disease, …

This study tests whether applying minoxidil (a hair-growth cream) to the breast for two weeks before surgery can improve blood flow and tissue survival in women undergoing preventive mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction. Twenty-five women at high genetic risk for breast…

This study enrolls up to 4,000 people who have had liver injury from prescription drugs or herbal supplements. Researchers will collect medical data and use FibroScan tests to track liver health over time. The goal is to build a detailed database to better understand and identify…

This study tests a new, more comfortable eye camera (WiSLO) for children and adults with or without eye disease. Researchers want to see if it takes better pictures and is more comfortable than current cameras. About 42 participants will have their eyes imaged with both the new a…

This study is for people already in the SYNERGY-201 trial, which tests a drug combination for prostate cancer. Researchers want to see if a biomarker called CXCR2 can predict who will benefit from the treatment. Blood samples and optional tumor biopsies will be collected over tim…

This study looks at whether sending informative text messages to people after lumbar spine surgery can lower the chance of being readmitted to the hospital or visiting the emergency room within 30 days. About 224 adults who are getting their first lumbar fusion will be randomly a…

This study aims to learn more about how Pompe disease affects the brain and nerves over time. Researchers will use brain scans and tests of thinking, language, and movement to track changes in 45 children and adults. Participants will be followed for 3 to 6 years to better unders…

This study looks at how to improve care for people with infections in their heart devices (like pacemakers). Doctors will work in teams to follow best-practice guidelines, aiming to diagnose infections earlier and start the right treatment faster. About 200 adults with a heart de…

This study looks at how a park-based afterschool program called Fit2Play affects children's physical fitness and mental health. Researchers will analyze data from about 5,000 kids who took part in the program. They will measure changes in weight, blood pressure, fitness tests, an…

This study follows up to 400 people with Pompe disease to track how their immune system reacts to standard enzyme replacement therapy. Researchers will collect medical records from birth to age 18 to learn why some patients develop antibodies that reduce treatment effectiveness. …

This study looks at how medications behave in children under 21 who are in the heart intensive care unit. Researchers will collect leftover blood samples and medical data to learn how the body processes these drugs. The goal is to improve dosing and safety for future patients. No…

This study follows 200 adults with glioblastoma, a severe brain cancer, to understand how genetics, immune system, and personal history affect survival and quality of life. Participants fill out online surveys and may provide a blood sample from home. The goal is to gather inform…

This study looks at how the heart medication digoxin is processed in infants born with a single ventricle heart defect. Researchers will collect blood samples and review medical records from about 20 babies under 6 months old. The study does not change the baby's treatment plan o…

This study explores how aging changes the way our bodies respond to exercise. Researchers will follow up with older adults who completed a structured exercise program up to 15 years ago. They will measure insulin sensitivity, heart and lung fitness, and overall health after a 6-m…

This study looks at how a park-based afterschool program affects the mental health, resilience, physical fitness, and violence prevention of teenagers. Researchers will analyze data from 1,000 teens aged 12-17 in Miami-Dade County. The goal is to see if community programs can imp…