Northwestern University

This study aims to help 2,000 adults in Chicago's South Side better control their high blood pressure. The program adapts proven clinic-based methods for use in local churches and community clinics, led by health workers and church volunteers. The goal is to make blood pressure m…

This study compares two ways to treat an infected artificial knee: a one-stage surgery that puts in a new knee right away with antibiotic cement, or a two-stage surgery that uses a temporary antibiotic spacer first. Both methods aim to clear the infection, but researchers want to…

This study tests a telehealth program for cancer survivors to help them quit smoking, lose weight, and be more active. About 1500 adults who have had cancer (except skin cancer) and have at least one risk behavior will join. Some will get 12 coaching sessions by phone or video, w…

This study tests a drug called zanzalintinib (XL092) in 29 people with advanced leiomyosarcoma that has spread or cannot be removed by surgery. The drug works by blocking signals that help cancer cells grow. The goal is to see if it can slow the disease better than current treatm…

This study tests a special vacuum device that cleans and helps close chronic pressure sores. About 62 adults with stage 3 or 4 pressure sores will be randomly assigned to get either the vacuum therapy or standard wet-to-dry dressings. The goal is to see if the vacuum device leads…

This study is testing whether giving fresh frozen plasma (FFP) to people with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury is safe and helps them recover better. About 357 adults aged 18 to 65 will either get standard care or standard care plus two units of FFP. Researchers will che…

This study tests a drug called cemiplimab in 15 people with NUT carcinoma, a rare cancer that has spread or cannot be removed and has no cure. The drug helps the immune system attack cancer cells. The main goal is to see if it helps patients live longer and shrink their tumors.

This early study tests an immunotherapy drug called N-803 in 8 people with rare soft-tissue sarcomas (synovial sarcoma or myxoid/round cell liposarcoma) whose cancer got worse after a prior cell therapy. N-803 aims to wake up leftover immune cells from the earlier treatment so th…

This study tests whether adding two hormone-blocking drugs (relugolix and enzalutamide) to radiation therapy can better control very-high-risk prostate cancer. About 50 men will receive the combination for 18 months. The main goal is to see if cancer cells disappear from biopsy s…

This early-stage trial tests whether giving multiple doses of a special stem cell treatment (NSC-CRAd-S-pk7) directly into the brain is safe and possible for people with newly diagnosed high-grade glioma. The stem cells are designed to deliver a virus that attacks cancer cells. P…

This early-stage trial tests a combination of two drugs, triapine and temozolomide, in about 30 adults whose glioblastoma (a type of brain cancer) has come back. The main goal is to find the safest dose and understand side effects. The drugs work by damaging cancer cells' DNA to …

This study tests a new drug called XL092 in people with advanced thyroid cancer that no longer responds to standard radioiodine therapy. The drug works by blocking a protein that helps cancer cells grow. Researchers want to see if it can slow or stop the cancer from spreading, an…

This study tests whether high-intensity treadmill exercise can slow the worsening of motor symptoms in people with early-stage Parkinson's disease. 370 participants who have not yet started medication will be assigned to either moderate or high-intensity treadmill workouts four t…

This study looks at whether adding a GLP-1 agonist (a type of diabetes drug) to the MS treatment ocrelizumab can reduce disability progression in people with multiple sclerosis. Researchers will track 100 adults with MS over 72 weeks, measuring changes in walking, hand function, …

This study tests whether artificial intelligence can help doctors choose the right radiation dose for each person's lung tumor. About 70 adults with lung cancer or tumors that spread to the lung will receive stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) with doses guided by an AI to…

This study is for people with a common type of advanced breast cancer (ER+/HER2-) that has stopped responding to a previous targeted treatment. It compares taking the hormone drug elacestrant alone versus combining it with another targeted drug (palbociclib, abemaciclib, or riboc…

This study tests whether combining a topical immune-stimulating cream (imiquimod) with local radiation therapy is safe and effective for treating mycosis fungoides, a rare type of skin lymphoma. About 25 adults with early-stage disease who have not responded to standard treatment…

This study tests whether adding radiation therapy guided by a special PET scan to standard hormone therapy can help men with prostate cancer that has spread. About 125 men will be randomly assigned to receive either standard treatment alone or standard treatment plus radiation to…

This study tests a new type of proton radiation called P-SFRT for people with a rare cancer called retroperitoneal sarcoma. The treatment gives high doses of radiation to parts of the tumor while protecting nearby organs. The goal is to find the safest dose and see if it helps sh…

This study looks at whether combining a weight loss program with a walking exercise plan helps people with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and overweight walk farther after 12 months, compared to just walking exercise alone. About 212 adults with PAD and a BMI over 25 will take p…

This study tests whether adding hydroxychloroquine (a drug used for malaria) to standard targeted therapy can help people with a specific type of advanced colon cancer (BRAF V600E mutation) that has stopped responding to other treatments. About 43 adults will receive the combinat…

This study tests whether taking selenium supplements can help people with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis respond better to advanced therapies like biologics. About 180 participants will receive either selenium or a placebo alongside their regular treatment. The goal is to …

This study tests the drug pemetrexed in people with metastatic bladder cancer or other solid tumors that have certain gene mutations (MLL4, UTX, or MTAP). The drug works by blocking a nutrient cancer cells need to grow. Researchers want to see if it can shrink tumors in these pat…

This study tests whether breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber (hyperbaric oxygen therapy) can help people hospitalized with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis feel better faster. Researchers want to see if this treatment can reduce the need for stronger medications o…

This study tests a program that combines peer support and text messages to help HIV-positive young men who have sex with men and transgender women (ages 15-29) in Nigeria stick with their HIV treatment and lower their virus levels. About 100 participants will receive the program …

This study tests two ways to help people with peripheral artery disease (PAD) walk farther and with less pain. It compares supervised treadmill exercise versus home walking, with or without nitrate-rich beetroot juice. The goal is to find a more convenient and effective treatment…

This study tests whether adding the drug WP1066 to standard radiation therapy can help people with a newly diagnosed, aggressive brain cancer called glioblastoma. The drug targets a protein that helps the tumor grow and hide from the immune system. About 39 adults will take part …

This study tests two programs to help find and treat HIV in young people aged 15-24 in Nigeria. One program focuses on finding HIV cases and linking them to care, while the other helps those already diagnosed achieve viral suppression. Both use mobile health tools and peer suppor…

This study tests a program called FOREST that teaches positive emotion skills to staff at a violence prevention agency. The goal is to reduce burnout, depression, and anxiety while boosting well-being and job retention. About 100 employees will learn these skills over nine months…

This study tests an updated relationship education and HIV prevention program for gay, bisexual, queer men, and transgender/non-binary people who partner with cisgender men. About 5,000 participants will be randomly assigned to either the program or no program, and will be follow…

This study tests whether text messages can encourage teens (ages 13-19) who have had sex to get tested for HIV. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either helpful texts or general health information. The main goal is to see if more teens get tested and share proof of th…

This study tests whether a virtual group program called Mothers and Babies can prevent postpartum depression in immigrant Latinas who are at risk. About 300 pregnant women and new mothers will either join the virtual group or receive usual support services. The program teaches co…

This study tests a web-based toolkit called CONNECT designed to help rural older cancer survivors manage cancer-related emotional distress and anxiety. The toolkit includes interactive activities for setting up telehealth visits, educational materials, and personalized mental hea…

This study tests whether a single spinal injection of morphine before lung surgery can reduce the amount of pain medication patients need afterward. About 90 adults having video-assisted or robotic lung surgery will receive either the morphine injection or a placebo. The goal is …

This study looks at whether having a physical therapist in the emergency department (ED) can help people with low back pain get faster care. About 140 adults with recent low back pain will take part at two hospitals. The goal is to see if this approach is practical and can reduce…

This study looks at whether alternate day fasting (eating very little every other day) before chemotherapy can help reduce side effects and improve quality of life for women with ovarian, endometrial, or uterine cancer. About 30 women who have had surgery and are about to start c…

This study is testing a wearable device called a myoelectric-computer interface (MCI) to help people who have had a stroke improve arm movement. The device works by giving feedback on individual muscle activations to reduce abnormal co-contractions that limit coordination. The st…

This early-stage study tests whether fisetin, a compound found in fruits, can reduce aging-related cells in the body and improve walking ability in 34 people aged 50+ with peripheral artery disease (PAD). Participants will take fisetin or a placebo for several months, and researc…

This study looks at whether over-the-counter hearing aids can improve communication for people over 60 with mild hearing loss and mild cognitive impairment or early Alzheimer's. Participants and their communication partners will try either hearing aids first or special communicat…

This study tests a non-invasive treatment using sound waves (shockwave therapy) to reduce hard scar tissue that can form after breast surgery. Researchers will enroll 100 adults who have developed firmness after plastic surgery. The goal is to see if the therapy can shrink the sc…

This study tests whether drinking beetroot juice for four months helps people with peripheral artery disease (PAD) walk farther. PAD narrows leg arteries, causing pain and difficulty walking. The trial will compare beetroot juice to a placebo in 210 adults aged 50 and older, meas…

This study tests two treatments—ketamine (a medication) and stellate ganglion blocks (a nerve injection)—alone or together, to see if they can reduce headaches and PTSD symptoms after traumatic brain injury. About 175 adults with long-lasting symptoms will receive either real tre…

This study looks at the best way to combine two parent-led therapies for young children with autism. One therapy focuses on improving social communication, and the other on reducing disruptive behaviors. Researchers will compare different sequences of these therapies in 184 child…

This study looks at whether taking pumpkin seed oil extract can improve bladder function in people with overactive bladder. Researchers at Northwestern University will give 40 participants the supplement for 12 weeks and track changes using surveys. The goal is to see if this nat…

This study looks at whether dupilumab, a medication for moderate to severe eczema, can improve sleep and reduce itching in children aged 6 to 17. Researchers will track sleep quality and itchiness over 12 weeks. The goal is to see if treating the skin condition also helps kids re…

This study tests whether giving misoprostol (a medication often used for other purposes) before hysteroscopic myomectomy can reduce the amount of fluid that enters the body during surgery. Too much fluid can be dangerous. About 40 women with uterine fibroids will be randomly assi…

This study compares two methods of knee replacement surgery: mechanical alignment (traditional, neutral position) and kinematic alignment (mimics natural knee position). About 95 adults with knee arthritis will be randomly assigned to one method. The goal is to see which approach…

This study tests an 8-week mindfulness program designed for African American adults who have both high blood pressure and depression. Participants will learn stress management techniques like deep breathing and meditation in a group setting. Researchers want to see if the program…

This study is testing a 7-week online program called My Wellbeing Guide to see if it can reduce depression and anxiety in cancer patients. About 6,500 adults with cancer and high depressive symptoms will be randomly assigned to use the program or a control app with resource links…

This study looks at whether the way doctors talk about a common back pain treatment—epidural steroid injections—changes how much pain relief patients feel. Researchers will compare a very positive description (like in regular practice) with a more neutral one, and also with medic…

This study looks at ways to help women with type 2 diabetes learn more about their health and how to take care of themselves before getting pregnant. About 840 women aged 18-44 who are not currently pregnant will take part. The goal is to see if special education and text message…

This study looks at how doctors decide the length of muscle cut during a procedure called POEM for people with certain swallowing disorders. Researchers want to see if pre-surgery testing helps choose the right cut length. About 200 adults will allow their medical records to be r…

This study tests whether a single session of personalized brain stimulation can cause lasting changes in how people approach or avoid things. Researchers will use EEG to tailor the stimulation to each person's brain rhythm. The study involves 26 healthy adults aged 18-65 and aims…

This study looks at whether a cone-shaped blood pressure cuff placed on the forearm gives more accurate readings than the standard cylindrical cuff on the upper arm in pregnant women. The goal is to improve diagnosis and management of high blood pressure during pregnancy, especia…

This study is creating a large collection of blood, skin, and spinal fluid samples, along with health information, from 2,500 adults with neuromuscular diseases like ALS, neuropathy, and muscular dystrophy. The goal is to provide these resources to researchers worldwide to speed …

This study tests a 5-week educational program called Family Navigator Plus (FN+) for foster parents. The program helps parents understand their child's mental health needs and find services. Researchers want to see if foster parents find the program useful, easy to use, and satis…

This study looks at how people with anxiety or depression react to uncertain situations. Researchers will use a one-time mental exercise to see if it changes decision-making and brain activity. About 140 adults aged 25 to 60 who struggle with uncertainty will take part. The goal …

This study looks at whether giving pediatric residents a choice in how long their online mindfulness program lasts helps them stick with it. About 42 residents will use the Wakeful app, with some picking a 3, 5, or 7-week program and others being assigned a length. The goal is to…

This study looks at how the pupils of people with delayed sleep-wake phase disorder react to light. Researchers want to see if there are differences in light sensitivity and whether a single dose of citalopram can boost melatonin suppression during bright light exposure. About 22…

This study looks at how the brain identifies different smells. Researchers will record brain activity in epilepsy patients who are already having brain surgery, while they smell various odors. The goal is to find patterns in brain signals that match what a person is smelling. Thi…

This study is testing whether having a physical therapist in the emergency department can help people with dizziness. The researchers want to see if this approach is practical and if patients will take part. About 100 adults with dizziness will be involved at two hospitals.

This study is testing whether giving low-income pregnant women a personal navigator—someone to help them overcome barriers to care—leads to healthier outcomes for both mother and baby. About 600 first-time mothers will be randomly assigned to receive either a navigator or standar…

This study looks at how different hearing aid settings affect speech understanding in older adults with Alzheimer's disease or mild memory problems. Researchers want to see if simpler, high-quality sound processing works better than advanced features for people with limited cogni…

This study looks at how the brain changes after a stroke and how those changes affect arm and hand movement. Researchers will use brain scans and movement tests to find early signs that predict recovery. The goal is to better understand why some people develop movement problems a…

This study aims to see if a quick cognitive test, given during regular check-ups, can help doctors detect early memory problems or dementia in underserved communities. Over 45,000 adults without prior diagnosis will take part across 24 clinics. The goal is to improve early detect…

This study aims to find better ways to monitor kidney transplant recipients for signs of rejection or long-term damage. Current tests like creatinine levels are not sensitive enough to catch early problems. Researchers will collect blood, urine, and tissue samples from 1,000 part…

This study looks at how smell information from the nose reaches different parts of the amygdala, a brain area involved in emotion and memory. Researchers will measure the strength of smell signals in each subregion. The goal is to better understand how the brain processes odors, …

This study aims to understand how different parts of the amygdala, a brain region involved in emotion and smell, process odors. Researchers will measure how healthy adults rate smells in different situations. The goal is to learn more about basic brain function, not to treat any …

This study looks at how insomnia affects a brain chemical called norepinephrine, sleep quality, and thinking skills in adults aged 55 and older. Researchers will compare 60 people with insomnia to those with normal sleep, using blood tests, sleep monitoring, and a light therapy i…

This study tests three different ways of providing speech therapy to toddlers with developmental delays. About 1,269 families will take part. The goal is to find out which approach—therapist-led, caregiver coaching, or a combination—helps children communicate best.

This study aims to understand how different parts of the amygdala, a brain region involved in emotion and memory, process smells. Researchers will electrically stimulate the amygdala in 12 adults and measure changes in how they perceive odors. The goal is to map brain functions, …

This study looks at what to do when a surgeon finds a small, symptom-free hernia on the opposite side during a routine groin hernia repair. Some doctors fix it immediately to prevent future problems, while others prefer to leave it alone to avoid unnecessary surgery risks. The st…

This study enrolls 222 men with low- to intermediate-risk prostate cancer to see if combining MRI scans and a genetic test (GPS) helps them stick with active surveillance—monitoring the cancer instead of treating it right away. The goal is to find out whether one or both tests im…

This study follows 500 people with primary progressive aphasia, a condition that slowly damages the parts of the brain responsible for language. Researchers use brain scans and language tests to see how the disease changes over time. The goal is to better understand the disease, …

This study looks at how much tension is placed on the belly wall during hernia surgery and how it affects the body's inflammation and immune response. Researchers will collect blood and fluid samples from 25 adults before and after surgery to measure markers of inflammation. The …

This study is testing a small, privacy-focused wearable device worn around the neck that records images of what you eat and drink. About 72 adults will wear the device for four weeks while keeping a food log and talking with a dietitian. The goal is to see how well the device wor…

This study tests whether a special MRI can replace invasive tests like biopsies to monitor heart transplant patients for complications. About 247 adults who have had a heart transplant will get regular MRIs over 5 years. The goal is to see if the MRI can detect problems like reje…

This study looks at whether a training and support program can help addiction clinics start using contingency management—a proven method that gives small rewards to people who test negative for stimulants. Researchers will work with 76 staff members from opioid treatment programs…

This study explores whether dream yoga practices, like lucid dreaming, can improve sleep and reduce anxiety. About 70 adults with mild anxiety will learn techniques using virtual reality and home sleep monitors. The goal is to understand how these practices affect brain activity …

This study looks at how dapagliflozin, a drug used for diabetes, affects heart and lung function in people with chronic kidney disease and early signs of heart failure. Researchers will measure heart strain, oxygen use during exercise, and blood markers. About 60 adults with mode…

This study collects tumor tissue from 10,000 women having breast cancer surgery. The samples are stored and used for laboratory research to help scientists learn more about breast cancer. No treatment or direct benefit is offered to participants.

This study looks at 180 people with knee osteoarthritis to see if brain scans, knee MRIs, and pain tests can predict who will get good pain relief from duloxetine, celecoxib, or a placebo. Participants take one of these pills for about 20 weeks and report their pain levels. The g…

This study looks at heart tissue from people with a type of heart failure called HFpEF. Researchers will take tiny samples of heart muscle during a routine procedure to find changes that could lead to new treatments. About 180 adults with heart failure symptoms will take part.

This study looks at the types of bacteria living on the skin of people with cutaneous T cell lymphoma and compares them to bacteria on healthy people of similar age and sex. Researchers aim to understand if differences in skin bacteria are linked to the disease. About 300 partici…

This study looks at whether people with long-term low back pain can correctly identify the source of their pain after learning about common causes. About 269 participants will review slides showing pain patterns for different conditions, then guess their top two diagnoses. Resear…

This study looks at whether practicing breathing exercises while awake and then replaying them during sleep can change how people with sleep apnea breathe at night and boost their thinking skills the next day. Researchers will recruit 18 adults with untreated sleep apnea to do br…

This study is testing a new mobile app that sends timely reminders and support to help teens and young adults (ages 14-29) with acute lymphoblastic leukemia or lymphoma take their oral chemotherapy pills as prescribed. The study enrolls 60 participants who are in the maintenance …

This study uses MRI scans to look at brain and spinal cord activity in people who have had a stroke and have weakness on one side. Researchers want to understand which nerve pathways the brain uses to move the shoulder. The goal is to learn more about how movement is controlled a…