Stanford University

This study compared two ways to treat people with multiple blocked heart arteries: a less invasive stenting procedure guided by a special pressure test (FFR) versus open-heart bypass surgery. About 1,500 adults with chest pain or signs of heart strain took part. The goal was to s…

This study looked at whether eating a whole-food, plant-based diet for 8 weeks could lower markers of cancer and inflammation in 121 active firefighters. Participants either followed the plant-based diet or their usual diet. The goal was to see if diet changes could help reduce l…

This study tested whether having a support person, like a family member or friend, involved in a patient's buprenorphine treatment for opioid addiction can improve outcomes. 439 patients and their support persons took part. The study looked at whether a counseling program for the…

This study tested a program called 4T (Teamwork, Targets, Technology, and Tight Control) in 316 children and teens newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. The goal was to help them better manage blood sugar levels and improve how they feel about their care. The program used educati…

This study tested a drug called alirocumab in 114 heart transplant recipients to see if it could slow or prevent damage to the blood vessels of the new heart. The drug works by lowering cholesterol and other fats in the blood. The main goal was to measure changes in plaque buildu…

This study tested whether a digital program that includes personalized health coaching and a connected blood pressure cuff, all delivered via smartphone or website, can help people with high blood pressure get it under control better than usual care. About 318 adults with hyperte…

This early-stage study tested an oral drug called idebenone in 53 adults with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and mild-to-moderate liver scarring. The main goal was to check safety and tolerability, while also looking at whether the drug could improve fibrosis. Results are n…

This study tested whether family therapy helps children aged 6 to 12 with a serious eating disorder called ARFID, where they eat very little and lose weight. Researchers compared family therapy to usual care and looked at how parents' confidence in feeding their child affected re…

This study looked at whether two behavioral weight-management programs can help adults with obesity and high blood pressure lose at least 7% of their body weight and keep it off for 3 years. Over 300 participants were randomly assigned to one of two 12-month programs and followed…

This study looked for new substances in the blood that could help diagnose liver cancer more accurately. Researchers tested blood samples from 573 people with and without liver cancer. The goal is to improve upon current tests and catch the disease earlier.

This study tested whether a mobile health app could help women who had a preterm baby reduce the risk of having another preterm birth. Researchers enrolled 221 women and compared the app-based approach to standard paper-based care. The goal was to improve pregnancy spacing, care …

This study tested whether pregnenolone, a natural hormone in the brain, can help reduce irritability and improve social communication in people with autism. Forty teens and young adults (ages 14–25) with autism took part. The goal was to see if the treatment is safe and effective…

This study tested whether a single dose of cabergoline can prevent breast pain, engorgement, and milk leakage in people who had an abortion or pregnancy loss between 16 and 20 weeks of pregnancy. 69 participants were randomly assigned to receive cabergoline or a placebo. The goal…

This study tested whether taking Paxlovid for 15 days helps reduce severe Long COVID symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and shortness of breath. 168 adults with persistent symptoms took either the drug or a placebo. Researchers tracked symptom changes over 15 weeks to see if the t…

This small pilot study tested an accelerated version of theta-burst stimulation, a type of magnetic brain stimulation, in 7 adults with bipolar depression that hadn't improved with other treatments. All participants received the active treatment (no placebo). The main goal was to…

This study tested a voluntary, doctor-guided program to help adults with chronic pain slowly lower their opioid doses. 51 people who wanted to reduce their painkiller use took part. Over 4 months, they received a self-help book and personalized tapering plans. The main goal was t…

This study tested a procedure called cryoablation, which uses cold to numb nerves around broken ribs, to help elderly patients manage pain. The goal was to reduce complications and help patients get back to normal activities sooner. 127 adults over 65 with rib fractures took part…

This study tested whether a computer-based training program designed to change how people process emotions could reduce obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors in adults with OCD. Five participants took part in the training. The goal was to see if this approach could offer a …

This study tested whether adding virtual reality (VR) to standard physical therapy helps teenagers with chronic musculoskeletal pain. 34 teens aged 10-17 used VR during their therapy sessions. The main goal was to see if the VR approach was easy to use and enjoyable, and if it he…

This study looked at whether a special knee brace (Tri-Compartment Unloader) can help people with anterior knee pain during physical therapy. Twenty adults with knee pain that worsens when bending the knee took part. Some wore the brace during daily activities and therapy, while …

This study tested an online program called 'Empowered Relief: On-Demand' to help people with chronic pain who misuse prescription opioids. 234 adults were randomly assigned to either the pain relief skills program or a general health education program. Researchers measured pain, …

This study tested whether a live-video-supervised exercise program (aerobic plus strength training) can improve fitness, muscle mass, and blood vessel function in children and teens who had Fontan surgery for a single-ventricle heart. 150 participants aged 8-19 were enrolled. The…

This study tested whether a nerve block in the cheek can reduce pain and the need for strong painkillers in children after tonsil and adenoid removal. About 114 children aged 6 months to 18 years took part. Researchers added a medicine called dexmedetomidine to the block to see i…

This study looked at 113 adults with carpal tunnel syndrome to see if there is a difference in pain and hand function in the first few weeks after surgery. One group had endoscopic surgery (through a small cut) and the other had open surgery (a larger cut). The goal was to find o…

This study tested a procedure called cryoneurolysis, which uses a special device to freeze the nerves around broken ribs. The goal was to see if this could provide better pain relief and reduce the need for strong painkillers like opioids. The study included 43 adults aged 18 to …

This study tested whether a sleep improvement program (CBT-I) could reduce depression and anxiety symptoms in 51 adults with poor sleep and high emotional distress. Participants received six sessions of CBT-I over eight weeks, and researchers used brain scans to see if sleep chan…

This study tested whether a faster schedule of brain stimulation (called accelerated theta burst) can help people with depression that hasn't improved with other treatments. 40 adults who had already tried transcranial magnetic stimulation received this new approach. Researchers …

This study tested a new type of brain stimulation, called accelerated intermittent theta burst stimulation (aiTBS), in 79 adults with treatment-resistant depression. The goal was to see if it could help with anhedonia, or the inability to feel pleasure. The treatment was personal…

This study tested a new type of brain stimulation for 12 people with Parkinson's disease who experience freezing of gait—a sudden inability to move their feet while walking. Instead of delivering constant stimulation, the device adapts in real-time based on the person's brain sig…

This study looked at how ketamine changes activity in brain areas linked to reward and emotion. Thirteen healthy adults who had used ketamine before underwent brain scans while doing tasks. The goal was to understand ketamine's effects on brain circuits, not to treat any disease.

This study looked at how brain circuits relate to anxiety and depression in 167 adults. Participants had brain scans and cognitive tests, and some received a 12-week course of pramipexole medication or rTMS therapy. The goal was to understand which brain areas are involved and to…

This study looked at how reading education changes the brains of 90 children with dyslexia. Using advanced brain scans, researchers measured changes in brain connections and reading skills. The goal was to understand why some children improve more than others, paving the way for …

This study tested whether warning labels on social media can discourage teens and young adults (ages 13-29) from using it. Over 1,000 participants rated how effective different labels were at making them want to use social media less. The study also compared labels refined by art…

This study looked at whether notifying patients and their doctors about calcium buildup in the heart arteries (found by chance on a chest CT scan) leads to more people taking cholesterol-lowering statins. About 200 adults with this finding were randomly assigned to receive a noti…

This study tested a new way to deliver brain stimulation for depression by targeting each person's unique brain network. 50 adults with major depression received a single session of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) aimed at their individual 'central executive network.' The…

This study looked at whether a person's genes can predict how well they respond to hypnosis for pain after surgery. Researchers tested a new, faster, and cheaper way to check for certain gene markers (COMT) from saliva or blood samples. The goal was to see if these markers could …

This study tested a digital health program called Bladder Basics for children ages 5-10 with bladder problems. Researchers wanted to see if the program was easy to use and if it improved parents' knowledge and children's symptoms. The study involved 204 parents and measured how m…

This study tested whether a personalized form of brain stimulation, called closed-loop rTMS, can better target depression-related brain activity. 44 adults with medication-resistant depression received different types of stimulation to see which patterns worked best. The goal was…

This study looked at whether video or text-based education helps heart failure patients learn more about their condition. 130 adults with heart failure took part. They watched videos or read materials and then answered questions to see which method improved their knowledge and wh…

This study looked at whether a special virtual therapy platform called Teleo helps children with anxiety or mood disorders stay more engaged in their therapy sessions compared to regular video calls. 41 children already in therapy took part. The goal was to see if the platform im…

This study looked at how reliable a new imaging tracer called [18F]-FTC-146 is for brain scans in healthy adults. Five volunteers aged 18 to 65 had PET and MRI scans to see if the tracer gives consistent results. The goal was to understand the tracer's stability, not to treat any…

This study looked at how the immune system reacts to exercise and how that might cause delayed muscle soreness. Twenty-two healthy adults did arm curls and gave blood samples over several days. Researchers tracked pain and lactate levels to better understand why muscles ache afte…

This study looked at 319 adults having an ERCP procedure to treat bile duct or pancreas problems. Researchers compared a standard reusable endoscope with one that has a single-use disposable cover to see if one caused fewer complications or worked better. The goal was to find out…

This study tested whether a short animated storytelling video can reduce stigma, boost optimism, and increase empathy towards people with addiction. Over 13,000 adults from multiple countries participated online. The goal was to see if this easy-to-share approach can help change …

This study looked at whether notifying both patients and their doctors about calcium found in the heart arteries (on a chest CT scan) helps more people start cholesterol-lowering therapy. The study included 233 adults with known heart or blood vessel disease who were not already …

This study looked at whether playing recordings of a mother's voice to preterm babies in the NICU helps their brain and language development. 57 infants born very early participated. Researchers measured language skills and brain scans to see if the voice recordings made a differ…

This study collected genetic information from over 1,000 adults with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) to find out why some people get more skin tumors than others. Researchers built a biobank and analyzed DNA to identify gene variants linked to tumor development. The goal is to bet…

This study tested a low-cost, low-intensity egg freezing protocol (called the Cardinal protocol) against standard high-intensity methods. Researchers wanted to see if the simpler approach could collect a similar number of eggs while reducing costs and time off work. The study inv…

This study tested whether playing an active virtual reality game (where you move) or watching a passive VR video changes how much heat and pressure pain healthy adults can tolerate. 265 participants tried both types of VR. The goal was to see which approach raises pain thresholds…