Northwestern University

This study tested whether a program combining mobile health tools and peer support could help Nigerian adolescents with HIV stick to their medication and keep the virus suppressed. Over 500 teens from four cities took part. The goal was to see if this approach, which worked in a …

This study tested a vacuum-assisted closure device (Prevena) on the surgical wounds of 104 adults who had spinal fusion surgery. The goal was to see if the device could reduce common wound problems like infections, reopening, or fluid buildup. The device was placed over the close…

This study tested whether giving donor stem cells to kidney transplant recipients could allow them to safely stop taking anti-rejection drugs after one year. It involved 88 people receiving a kidney from a matched sibling. The goal was to see if the body would accept the new kidn…

This study tested whether a single dose of zoledronic acid, a drug already used for osteoporosis, can prevent the rapid bone loss that often follows a spinal cord injury. Researchers measured bone density and strength in 60 adults who had recently lost the ability to walk. The go…

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

This study looked at whether using a device to practice everyday activities, like moving blocks, can help people with moderate to severe stroke improve arm movement. 53 adults with arm weakness after a stroke participated. The goal was to see if this approach leads to better moto…

This study tested a 6-week online sleep program for 40 people who recently lost a spouse or long-term partner. The program used cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) to help improve sleep and reduce inflammation. Participants attended weekly video sessions and wore a …

This study tested whether starting physical therapy and extra education before breast cancer treatment can help prevent or manage common side effects like joint pain, muscle weakness, and fatigue. 75 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients took part. Some received the extra suppor…

This study tested a new therapy for head and neck cancer survivors who have long-term swallowing problems. 88 adults who finished cancer treatment at least 3 months ago learned to swallow at the right time during breathing. The goal was to make swallowing safer and reduce food or…

This study tested a symptom-monitoring system (SyMon-SAYS) for children with cancer aged 8–17. Kids used an app to report symptoms to their parents and doctors. The goal was to see if this tool could reduce symptom burden, improve quality of life, and help families manage side ef…

This study tested whether having a physical therapist available in the emergency department helps people with chronic low back pain feel better and use fewer painkillers. 128 adults with low back pain were included. The approach focused on improving daily function and reducing re…

This study looked at two methods for removing kidney stones 6 mm or larger: laser dusting (breaking stones into tiny pieces that pass in urine) and basket extraction (using a small wire basket to grab and remove fragments). Researchers compared how well each method cleared stones…

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

This study tested whether having a physical therapist in the emergency department helps people with sudden low back pain feel better and use fewer opioids. 360 adults with back pain for less than 30 days took part. The goal was to improve daily function and reduce reliance on pai…

This study tested a 5-week online program called ALDER for adults over 65 who use benzodiazepines (like Xanax or Valium) or similar sleep aids. The program teaches positive emotion skills to help lower anxiety and improve sleep, with the goal of reducing reliance on these medicat…

This study tested an online program called LEAF that teaches positive emotion skills to family caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease. About 386 caregivers either joined a live video group, used a self-guided version, or were placed on a waiting list. The goal was to see i…

This study tested an online program called ORCHID that helps people living with HIV build positive emotions and coping skills. 29 participants from Chicago HIV clinics used the program after screening for depression. The goal was to see if boosting positive feelings could reduce …

This study tested whether a specific nerve block (Pecs block) using a non-opioid painkiller called Exparel can help patients who are having breast reconstruction with tissue expanders. The goal was to see if it reduces pain, nausea, and the need for opioid painkillers after surge…

This study tested whether training with a myoelectric computer interface (MyCI) could help stroke survivors reduce abnormal muscle co-activation. 35 adults who had a stroke at least 6 months prior and had moderate to severe arm impairment participated. They used a computer system…

This study tested a free online program called Project WAVE that teaches young adults (ages 18-29) skills to handle distressing emotions. 550 participants completed either the active program or a control activity. The goal was to see if a single session could reduce negative beli…

This study tested two types of hospital beds to see which helps pressure ulcers (bedsores) heal better after surgery. 80 adults with stage III or IV pressure ulcers were randomly assigned to either a fluid immersion simulation bed or an air fluidized bed. The main goal was to che…

This study looked at 72 healthy pregnant women having planned C-sections to see if metoclopramide, a drug often given to reduce stomach fluid, actually works when patients have fasted properly. Researchers used ultrasound to measure stomach volume before and after the drug or a p…

This small pilot study tested whether alerts in the electronic health record could help pharmacists reach out to heart failure patients who were not taking their medications as prescribed. Only 3 pharmacists took part. The goal was to see if the system was practical and useful, n…

This study tested whether a program based on Tibetan Dream Yoga—using meditation, guided imagination, and lucid dreaming with virtual reality—is practical and acceptable for adults with mild anxiety. 25 healthy adults with good dream recall took part. The main goal was to see if …

This study looked at whether a person's working memory (the ability to hold and use information briefly) should guide how hearing aids are set. 42 adults with hearing loss tested different hearing aid features in noisy environments. The goal was to see if matching settings to mem…

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…

This study tested a website and app called BC-Navigate designed to help Black women and other women of color with breast cancer start their chemotherapy on time. Researchers wanted to see if the tool was easy to use and helpful. 64 women who had surgery for early-stage breast can…

This study tested small, wearable sensors to see if they can accurately measure lymphedema (swelling) in the arm. Thirty adults with lymphedema from cancer wore the sensors during one visit, and a follow-up call checked on their well-being. The goal was to see if these sensors co…

This study looked at how the brain tracks speech sounds in healthy young adults. Researchers compared English and Mandarin speakers to see how language experience and attention affect brain responses. The goal was to better understand the brain's role in hearing, not to treat any…

This study looked at whether a home semen test can help couples detect male infertility early and reduce worry. About 200 men without children and their partners used a smartphone-compatible test at home. The goal was to see if it's easy to use and if it leads to faster fertility…

This study looked at whether a patient navigation program helps low-income women stay healthy after giving birth. Over 400 women were assigned to either get a navigator or standard care. The navigator helped with things like doctor visits, breastfeeding, birth control, and mental…

This study tested a device called VerTouch against standard methods (feeling for landmarks or using ultrasound) to find the best spot for spinal injections in 86 adults. The goal was to see if VerTouch reduces how many times the needle needs to be adjusted. Results will help doct…

This study tracked 20 women aged 35–50 who had a hysterectomy but kept at least one ovary. Researchers wanted to see how often and how bothersome hot flashes, night sweats, and related symptoms were right after surgery. Participants filled out surveys before and two weeks after t…

This study looked at how older adults make decisions about where to live and how to get care if they develop memory loss or Alzheimer's disease. Researchers followed 293 participants over time to see if they had made plans for staying at home or moving to a care facility. The goa…

This study looked at 120 men who had prostate surgery (HoLEP) for an enlarged prostate. Researchers wanted to see if having bowel issues like constipation or incontinence before surgery made recovery harder. They used simple questionnaires to measure bowel health and compared it …

This study tested whether a special MRI scan can better predict stroke risk in people with intracranial atherosclerosis (narrowing of brain arteries). Researchers measured how blood flow changes in the brain during breathing challenges. The goal was to find new imaging markers to…

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 a special checklist and provided a patient navigator to support women, while the other half gave standard care. The goal was…

This study tested whether gentle reminders in electronic health records could help doctors avoid tests and treatments that may do more harm than good in older adults. Researchers focused on three common examples: unnecessary urine tests, prostate cancer screening in very elderly …

This pilot study tested whether a primary care outreach program could increase the number of patients with Medicare who complete their annual wellness visit. Researchers randomly assigned doctors and their patients to receive early or delayed outreach. The goal was to see if this…

This early-phase study tested two drugs, abemaciclib and letrozole, in 27 women with endometrial cancer who were scheduled for hysterectomy. The goal was to see if the drugs could slow cancer cell growth by measuring changes in a biomarker called Ki-67. The study focused on under…

This study tested whether older adults (60+) who take multiple medications would find a smart pillbox with automatic reminders helpful and easy to use. Twelve participants used the device for 30 days, and researchers measured how acceptable it was and whether it improved medicati…

This study tested a method called measurement-based care in opioid treatment programs. It involved 35 clinic leaders and providers who used patient surveys to guide treatment. The goal was to see if this approach could improve patient attendance and reduce opioid use. The study d…