The University Of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

This pilot study tested whether adding asthma education through social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat could reduce hospital visits, emergency room trips, and clinic appointments for children with asthma. Two hundred children hospitalized for asthm…

This small pilot study tested whether pairing vagus nerve stimulation with rehabilitation is safe and feasible for people with cervical spinal cord injury. Six participants received an implanted nerve stimulator and underwent rehab sessions. The study focused on safety and whethe…

This study looked at whether pioglitazone, a drug used for diabetes, can help people who recently stopped using cocaine stay off the drug when combined with talk therapy. 61 adults with cocaine use disorder took part. The goal was to see if the drug improves brain health and redu…

This study tested two common blood pressure medications in 70 women who had high blood pressure after giving birth. One group took a combined pill (hydrochlorothiazide/lisinopril) and the other took nifedipine. The goal was to see which pill controlled blood pressure better in th…

This study looked at whether adding a special light therapy (antimicrobial photodynamic therapy) to standard deep cleaning helps treat gum disease. Twenty adults with deep gum pockets and bleeding were treated on both sides of the mouth—one side got the light therapy, the other d…

This study tested a virtual culinary medicine program for 89 adults with type 2 diabetes and high body mass index. Participants took online cooking classes to learn healthy eating habits. Researchers measured changes in blood sugar (HbA1c), weight, and cholesterol to see if the p…

This study tested a rapid point-of-care test for syphilis and HIV in pregnant women at clinics in Guatemala. The goal was to see if this quick test could increase screening and treatment rates, ultimately preventing passing these infections to babies. The study enrolled 149 women…

This study looked at whether using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to screen for gestational diabetes is better than the usual test. Over 1,600 pregnant women participated. The goal was to see if CGM screening leads to fewer health problems for babies and lower healthcare cost…

This study tested a program called CATCH My Breath to see if it could delay or prevent e-cigarette use in middle school students. About 1,400 students from 20 schools took part, with half getting the program and half receiving standard health lessons. Researchers tracked how many…

This study tested whether giving the acid-reducing drug pantoprazole during heart surgery could prevent acute kidney injury, a common complication. One hundred adults at moderate-to-high risk for kidney damage were randomly assigned to receive either pantoprazole or another acid …

This study tested a program that gives healthy food incentives and coaching to adults at risk for diabetes. The goal was to help them stick with healthy habits and lower their chances of getting diabetes. 61 participants joined the program, and researchers tracked weight, blood s…

This study tested an internet-based program called 'Me & You-Tech' designed to prevent dating violence in 6th graders. The program involved students, parents, and schools. Researchers measured whether the program reduced how many teens hurt or were hurt by a dating partner.

This completed study looked at whether giving intravenous methocarbamol (Robaxin) soon after elective spine surgery helps reduce pain and the need for opioid painkillers. Over 1,200 adults were tracked for 6 hours after surgery. Researchers measured pain scores and total opioid u…

This study tested whether a natural compound called palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) can help reduce depression in people with bipolar disorder. 34 adults who were already taking a mood stabilizer took PEA or a placebo. Researchers measured changes in depression scores and looked at h…

This study looked at whether people with spinal cord injuries can safely reach a high heart rate while walking in a robotic exoskeleton. Eleven participants completed five training sessions using the Ekso exoskeleton. Researchers measured heart rate and walking ability before and…

This small study tested whether a home-use brain stimulation device (tDCS) is safe and acceptable for people with Alzheimer's who have behavioral symptoms like agitation or apathy. Only 3 participants completed the trial, with caregivers helping to set up the device. The main goa…

This study tested whether a special tissue graft (ActiveMatrix) works better than the usual steroid injection for frozen shoulder. 56 adults with frozen shoulder took part. The main goal was to see if the graft reduced pain and improved shoulder function more than the standard tr…

This study tested a program called PALS (Play and Learning Strategies) for 28 homeless women who had experienced violence from a partner. The program aimed to reduce parenting stress, increase social support, and improve mothers' confidence and connection with their young childre…

This study tested the drug crofelemer in 93 adults with chronic diarrhea of unknown cause (not related to HIV). The goal was to see if the drug reduces stool frequency and improves consistency, and to find out which diagnostic tests are most useful. Results may help doctors bette…

This study tested a probiotic (BB-12 with LGG) in 123 children with autism and stomach problems. The goal was to see if different doses are safe and can improve behavior and gut health. Researchers tracked side effects, behavior changes, and gut bacteria over 56 days of treatment…

This study tested two different medical skin glues (2-Octylcyanoacrylate and n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate) used to close small cuts from laparoscopic or robotic abdominal surgery. The goal was to see which glue causes less contact dermatitis (redness or rash) around the incision. 180 …

This study looked at 260 people having emergency stroke treatment to see if being awake with sedation or fully asleep under general anesthesia leads to better recovery. The goal was to find out which approach reduces disability and improves quality of life three months after the …

This study tested a 16-week exercise program designed for wheelchair users with multiple sclerosis. Researchers wanted to see if the program was safe, doable, and liked by participants. They also checked if it improved symptoms and overall health. The study involved 24 people who…

This study looked at whether taking estrogen pills along with a type of talk therapy called prolonged exposure (PE) can improve PTSD symptoms in women. 83 women aged 18-45 with PTSD took part. They were randomly assigned to receive either estrogen or a placebo pill with their the…

This study tested whether raising a patient's legs before general anesthesia can prevent a sudden drop in blood pressure. Researchers studied 200 adults undergoing surgery. The goal was to see if this simple technique reduces the need for emergency medications and keeps the heart…

This study tested whether spraying lidocaine into the breathing tube before suctioning can prevent dangerous spikes in brain pressure in children with severe traumatic brain injury. Ten children in intensive care received either lidocaine spray, lidocaine drops, or saltwater drop…

This study tested whether exenatide, a drug used for diabetes, can help people quit smoking and prevent the weight gain that often happens after quitting. 140 adults who smoked at least 5 cigarettes daily and wanted to quit took part. They received either exenatide or a placebo a…

This study tested whether suvorexant, a sleep aid, could help smokers manage cravings, withdrawal, and stress that often lead to relapse. Fourteen non-treatment-seeking smokers took the drug or a placebo and were monitored for stress reactions, smoking urges, and sleep quality. T…

This study analyzed blood and saliva samples from 260 people, including those with traumatic brain injury, mild head injury, orthopedic injury, and healthy volunteers. The goal was to find protein markers that appear in the blood before a dangerous rise in pressure inside the sku…

This study looked at how gun owners feel about secure firearm storage and temporarily storing guns away from home to prevent suicide. Researchers worked with 310 gun store owners, range owners, and healthcare providers in the Houston area. The goal was to learn what messages abou…

This study looked for protein markers in the blood and saliva of 96 people with long-term traumatic brain injury (TBI), including blast and non-penetrating injuries. Researchers used advanced lab techniques to find biological changes that might explain lasting symptoms. The goal …

This study tested whether a semi-structured handoff tool (a checklist in the electronic health record) used when anesthesia teams change shifts during surgery could reduce complications like heart injury, kidney injury, or pneumonia. Over 3,700 non-cardiac surgery patients took p…

This study surveyed 803 people diagnosed with New Daily Persistent Headache (NDPH) to learn about their headache patterns and what treatments they have tried. The goal was to gather information on this poorly understood condition. The survey is now complete, and the results may h…

This study tested a program to help elementary school teachers use active learning—getting kids moving during lessons. Over 300 teachers and students took part. The program included training and newsletters. Researchers measured how acceptable teachers found it and how much physi…

This study tested a new method (MTPI) for giving anesthesia drugs to make inserting a breathing tube faster and easier. It involved 154 adults with higher airway risk (e.g., obesity). The goal was to see if MTPI works better than the standard approach.

This study tested a short screening tool to identify older adults who may be experiencing abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation while they are still in the hospital. Researchers worked with 100 patients in a special geriatric unit to see if the tool could be easily used and h…

This study looked at 20 mothers who had a previous child with jaundice needing treatment. Researchers wanted to see if waiting longer to clamp the umbilical cord after birth would lead to higher bilirubin levels (a marker for jaundice) in the newborn. The goal was to better under…

This study looked at 255 women who chose to have permanent sterilization (tubal ligation) surgery. Researchers compared three different surgical approaches to see which one led to the best recovery and highest patient satisfaction. The goal was to help doctors and patients choose…

This study surveyed nearly 2,500 people diagnosed with cluster headache to learn which treatments work best and what they think about new options. Participants filled out one online questionnaire. The goal was to gather patient views, not to test a new drug or device.

This study tested a program that used community health workers and text messages to encourage COVID-19 testing and vaccination in vulnerable populations. A total of 384 adults with smartphones took part. The goal was to see if this approach could increase testing and vaccination …

This study tested a new approach to help people with dementia and their caregivers reduce unnecessary medications. Researchers compared patients who received care focused on their personal health priorities to those who got usual care. The goal was to see if this method leads to …