University Of British Columbia

This study looked at whether a resistance exercise program (like lifting weights) can help preserve brain health and thinking skills in older adults who have memory or thinking problems due to small vessel disease in the brain. 91 participants were randomly assigned to either a r…

This study tested whether people with ulcerative colitis can prevent symptom flare-ups by regularly testing a stool sample at home. The test measures calprotectin, a marker of gut inflammation, allowing doctors to adjust treatment early. Over 700 adults in remission participated,…

This study tested non-surgical treatments for a common problem in children: a persistent opening between the stomach and skin after a feeding tube is removed. 100 children were enrolled to see if these treatments could close the opening without surgery. The goal was to find a sim…

This study tested whether an oral antibiotic (moxifloxacin) works as well as an IV antibiotic (cefazolin) for people with moderate skin infections (cellulitis) in the emergency department. About 390 adults with moderate infections who would normally need daily IV treatment for se…

This study tested whether offering genetic testing for familial hypercholesterolemia (a genetic condition causing very high cholesterol) to people hospitalized for a heart attack could help doctors diagnose the condition more often. Researchers enrolled 140 patients under age 60 …

This study tested a new blood test called HEARTBiT that may detect when the body is rejecting a transplanted heart. Currently, patients need many invasive heart biopsies to check for rejection. The test looks at 9 RNA markers in the blood and could be faster, cheaper, and less pa…

This study looked at whether a two-step screening process can help find postmenopausal women at higher risk for uterine cancer and offer them ways to lower that risk. About 96 women took part. First, researchers used a risk model to identify those with a higher chance of developi…

This study looked at whether different types of exercise can improve thinking and memory in older adults with mild cognitive impairment, a condition that can lead to dementia. Researchers compared aerobic training (like walking), resistance training (like lifting weights), and a …

This study tested whether a set of exercises called FAST (Fast muscle Activation and Stepping Training) can improve walking balance in people who had a stroke. 55 participants who had a stroke less than 6 months ago and had weakness on one side took part. They did 12 sessions of …

This study tested if playing a video during a child's eye exam makes it easier for doctors to see the back of the eye. Researchers studied 101 children aged 1 to 4 years old. They found that using a video helped kids cooperate, so the exam was more successful and faster.

This study looked at a parent training program for children aged 6-11 with ADHD and peer difficulties. The program was designed to help parents with their own ADHD or depression symptoms better connect with the training and improve their parenting skills. 33 parents took part to …

This study looked at whether applying ice to the neck before Botox injections can reduce pain for people with spasmodic dysphonia, a chronic voice disorder. 116 adults who get regular Botox injections for their voice spasms took part. They filled out pain questionnaires right aft…

This study tested whether using a Fitbit activity tracker, a smartphone app, and brief coaching from a physical therapist could help people with knee osteoarthritis become more active and sit less. Fifty-one participants were split into two groups to compare the program against s…

This study looked at whether breathing 60% oxygen during an 8-week exercise program helps people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) who are taking nintedanib. 78 adults with IPF took part. Researchers measured how long they could exercise on a bike and how far they could wa…

This study tested a 7-week program that teaches people with spinal cord injury and chronic pain how to manage their pain using brain-based techniques and self-care tools. Participants attended group sessions and one-on-one coaching to learn about pain science, movement, and relax…

This study tested a dietary supplement made from medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), a type of fat found in coconut oil, in 43 people with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease or a related language disorder. The main goal was to see if the supplement was safe and tolerable, and to…

This study tested a program called OPERAS for people with rheumatoid arthritis. Participants used a web app to track symptoms and medication, and received remote coaching from a physiotherapist using a Fitbit. The goal was to see if this approach helps people feel more confident …

This study looked at whether a modified Mediterranean-ketogenic diet is safe for the gut microbiome in people with Parkinson's disease. Fifty-two adults with mild to moderate Parkinson's followed the diet for 8 weeks. Researchers measured gut inflammation and other markers to see…

This study tested a non-drug treatment called myoActivation for chronic pain in 41 people from marginalized communities. The treatment involves a structured assessment and hands-on therapy to reduce pain and improve daily life. Researchers measured pain levels, function, and qual…

This study tested whether letting children watch a short video during an eye exam helps doctors see the back of the eye more easily. 60 children aged 1-8 took part. The goal was to see if videos improve success and speed of the exam.

This study looked at over 11,500 adults with overweight or obesity who used a breath-biofeedback mobile health program called Key to Health. Researchers wanted to see how much weight people lost and kept off after two years of using the app. The study did not test a new treatment…

This study involved 100 older adults (65+) to collect movement data from wearable sensors and video recordings. The goal was to create a computer algorithm that can predict who is at risk of falling. By identifying high-risk individuals earlier, doctors could offer better prevent…

This study looked at how much methionine, a key building block of protein, is needed during early and late pregnancy. Researchers tested 69 healthy pregnant women using special diets and breath samples. The goal is to improve current dietary recommendations, which are based on da…

This study looked at how appetite and food intake change across the menstrual cycle in healthy women aged 18-35. Researchers measured eating habits, hunger, metabolism, and body composition in two different phases of the cycle. The goal was to better understand how hormones may i…

This study looked at 300 people with multiple sclerosis (MS) to see if certain genes are linked to liver injury caused by beta-interferon, a common MS treatment. Researchers compared patients who had liver damage to those who did not. The goal was to find genetic markers that cou…

This study looked at a community-led outreach program for women and youth who have experienced gender-based violence. Over two years, 86 participants worked with outreach workers to build trust, improve safety at home and in the community, and connect with health and social servi…

This study looked at how lactose, the sugar in milk, affects blood sugar, insulin, and fat levels compared to other sugars like glucose and sucrose. Sixteen healthy men participated by drinking different sugar solutions and having their blood tested afterward. The goal was to see…

This study tested whether artificial intelligence (AI) can create multiple-choice exam questions for first-year medical students as well as humans can. 258 students took either an AI-written or a human-written mock exam. The goal was to compare the quality, fairness, and student …

This study tested a practical tool to help family doctors better identify and treat mental health issues like depression and anxiety after a mild concussion. Over 500 adults who visited the emergency department within 72 hours of a mild brain injury took part. The goal was to see…

This study looked at how people with spinal cord injury react physically and emotionally during bladder catheterization. Researchers measured heart rate, blood pressure, and anxiety in 22 adults while they did self-catheterization or had a nurse do it. The goal was to tell apart …

This small study looked at whether simple breath and urine tests can measure how well muscles produce energy in children with metabolic myopathies—rare disorders that cause exercise intolerance. Three participants completed a 12-week at-home physiotherapy program, and researchers…

This study tested a multi-day training course called Transfusion Camp for final-year medical students and new interns in Rwanda. The goal was to improve their knowledge and confidence in using blood products safely in district hospitals. Researchers measured learning through test…

This study aimed to find out how much tryptophan (an amino acid found in food) healthy pregnant women need. Researchers used a safe, noninvasive technique called indicator amino acid oxidation on 29 pregnant women. The results will help update dietary recommendations for pregnanc…

This study follows up with 1,710 women from an earlier study to see how well HPV testing alone works for cervical cancer screening over 10 years. Participants provide a cervical sample for both HPV and cell testing. The goal is to compare the long-term safety and effectiveness of…

This study looked at whether women need different amounts of leucine—a key protein building block—at different times of their menstrual cycle. Thirteen women with regular cycles followed special diets and gave breath and urine samples. The goal is to see if current one-size-fits-…

This study tested whether a ketone supplement can alter appetite-related hormones in adults with obesity compared to those without. Twenty-six participants received either a ketone drink or a placebo with a meal, and researchers measured hunger and fullness hormones over several …

This study tested whether using low-intensity focused ultrasound on a brain area called the zona incerta (ZI) can reduce tremors in people with Parkinson's disease. Twenty participants completed the study, which compared this new target to the standard target. The goal was to und…

This study looked at whether a simple home exercise program (the Otago Exercise Program) could reduce fall risk in older adults (65+) who have mild memory problems and recently broke a hip from a fall. About 60 participants were followed for 6 months. The goal was to see if the e…