Northwestern University

This study looked at whether people who have an abortion are more likely to keep using a birth control shot (DMPA) if they can inject it themselves at home versus getting it from a nurse. About 263 participants chose either self-injection or clinic injection and were followed for…

This study tested whether giving donor stem cells along with a kidney transplant could allow recipients to safely stop taking anti-rejection drugs. It involved 88 pairs of HLA-identical siblings. The main goal was to see if patients could stop immunosuppression one year after tra…

This study tested two types of hospital beds to see which one helps pressure ulcers (bedsores) heal better after surgery. 80 adults with stage 3 or 4 pressure ulcers were randomly assigned to either a Fluid Immersion Simulation bed or an air fluidized bed. The main goal was to ch…

This study tested a 5-week online program called ALDER for adults over 65 who use benzodiazepines (anti-anxiety or sleep medications). The goal was to see if the program was easy to use and helped people feel less anxious, sleep better, and use less medication. 33 people took par…

This study looked at two common ways to remove kidney stones during a procedure called ureteroscopy. One method uses a laser to turn the stone into tiny dust that can pass naturally, while the other uses a small basket to grab and remove the pieces. Researchers compared how well …

This study tested a computer program that reads muscle signals to help stroke survivors reduce unwanted muscle tightness in their arm. 35 people who had a stroke at least 6 months earlier and had moderate to severe arm problems took part. They trained with the system in a lab to …

This pilot study tested a mobile app designed to help adults who struggle with binge eating, have type 2 diabetes, and face food insecurity. The goal was to see if the app was easy to use and helpful for managing eating and weight. Thirty-one people took part, and researchers mea…

This study tested whether having a physical therapist in the emergency department can help people with sudden low back pain feel better and use fewer painkillers. About 360 adults with back pain for less than 30 days took part. The goal was to see if early physical therapy improv…

This study tested a technology service to help care managers in obstetrics clinics treat depression in pregnant women and new mothers. 75 English-speaking adults with moderate to severe depression who owned a smartphone took part. The goal was to see if the tech support improved …

This study looked at ways to reduce pain in women who had severe tears during childbirth (called OASIS). 67 women were given either a placebo, a low dose of ketamine plus morphine, or morphine alone. The goal was to see which treatment worked best for pain one week after delivery…

This study tested a digital mental health app for young adults (ages 18-25) who hurt themselves but are not in treatment. Participants used either a self-guided app, the app with coaching, or received educational content. The goal was to see if the app is practical and helpful in…

This study tested a program called OPTIMIZE that helps African American pregnant women get better care during and after pregnancy. Half of the clinics used the program, which included a checklist and a patient navigator, while the other half gave standard care. The goal was to se…

This study looked at whether giving metoclopramide before a planned C-section reduces stomach fluid, which could lower the risk of breathing in stomach contents during surgery. Researchers measured stomach volume using ultrasound in 72 healthy pregnant women who had fasted proper…

This small pilot study tested whether alerts sent to pharmacists could help heart failure patients stick to their medications. Only 3 pharmacists took part. The goal was to see if the alert system was practical and useful, not to directly improve health. The study focused on meas…

This study looked at how older adults, including those with Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment, make decisions about where to live and how to get care as they age. Researchers surveyed 293 participants to understand what influences their long-term care planning. The…

This study tested new MRI methods to see if they can better predict stroke risk in people with intracranial atherosclerosis (narrowing of brain arteries). Researchers measured how well blood flow changes in response to carbon dioxide, which may indicate areas at higher risk. The …

This study looked at how the brain processes speech sounds in healthy people aged 13 to 25. Researchers measured brain waves while participants listened to sounds, comparing English and Mandarin speakers to see how language experience affects hearing. The goal was to better under…

This study looked at whether a person's working memory (a type of short-term memory) can help decide which hearing aid settings work best for them. 42 adults with hearing loss listened to sentences in noisy situations using different hearing aid features. The goal is to make hear…

This study followed over 2,000 pregnant women to measure their blood sugar levels throughout pregnancy. The goal was to see how glucose patterns relate to gestational diabetes and whether the baby is born larger than normal. Researchers used continuous glucose monitors and standa…