University Of California, San Francisco

This study tested whether removing sugary drinks from hospital workplaces and offering brief counseling could help employees lose belly fat and improve insulin sensitivity. Over 600 full-time workers who drank at least three sugary beverages per week took part. The main measures …

This study tested clemastine fumarate, an old allergy medicine, to see if it could repair damaged nerves in people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). Fifty adults with MS took either the drug or a placebo for up to 3 months while continuing their usual MS treatment…

This study tested whether sending text messages to Latino parents could help reduce the amount of sugary drinks their young children consume and encourage more reading aloud. 171 parents of children ages 1 to 5 took part. The goal was to see if a simple phone-based program could …

This small pilot study tested whether injecting the Gardasil 9 HPV vaccine directly into genital warts could help treat them. Only 2 adults with at least 3 warts each took part. Researchers measured changes in wart number, size, and quality of life over 12 weeks.

This study tested the drug everolimus in 65 children whose low-grade gliomas (a type of brain tumor) had come back or worsened. The goal was to see if the drug could stop or slow tumor growth for at least 6 months. Children took everolimus by mouth and had regular MRI scans to tr…

This study looked at whether taking birth control pills continuously for 6 months is better than the usual 3-weeks-on, 1-week-off schedule for women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). The goal was to see if continuous use lowers testosterone levels and improves symptoms like …

This study looked at whether giving insulin over a longer period (extended bolus) helps control blood sugar after high-fat, high-protein meals in teens with type 1 diabetes. Thirty teens aged 13-19 who already use a closed-loop insulin system took part. The goal was to see if thi…

This study tested a new combination pill (polypill) that packs four heart failure medications into one tablet. The goal was to see if it helps people take their medicine more regularly compared to taking several separate pills. The study included 35 adults with heart failure and …

This study tested whether providing medically tailored meals and nutrition support for six months can improve blood sugar control and reduce food insecurity in adults with type 2 diabetes. A total of 281 participants were enrolled. The approach combines healthy food delivery with…

This study tested two drugs, norepinephrine and phenylephrine, to treat low blood pressure during major surgery under general anesthesia. Over 3,600 adults having long surgeries (over 2 hours) took part. The goal was to see which drug leads to fewer serious problems like kidney i…

This study tested a program called CareConnect that uses automated phone calls to help cancer patients stop smoking. 400 cancer patients who smoked took part. The program offered educational messages and direct referrals to quitlines and other resources. The goal was to see if th…

This study gave fruit and vegetable vouchers to 19 children and young adults who had a kidney transplant and faced food insecurity. Over six months, researchers checked if the program improved diet quality, satisfaction, and health. The goal was to see if helping families afford …

This study tested whether a diabetes drug (SGLT-2 inhibitor) can prevent cystine kidney stones in people with cystinuria, a genetic condition causing painful stones. Ten adults took the drug to see if it increases urine glucose and stops stones from forming. The goal was to find …

This pilot study tested whether a problem-solving program delivered by video call or text message could help young adults (ages 18-29) living with HIV stay engaged in care, improve mental health, and reduce substance use. Fifty participants from the East Bay area of San Francisco…

This study tested whether adding a special light treatment (rose Bengal plus green light) to standard antibiotic or antifungal eye drops could improve vision after 6 months in people with severe corneal infections. 330 adults in India and Brazil with fungal, amoeba, or other seri…

This study tested whether giving people home blood pressure monitors and digital tools (like texting and online portals) helps them better manage their high blood pressure. 540 adults with uncontrolled hypertension took part. The goal was to see if these tools improve blood press…

This study tested whether giving an extra hormone (FSH) along with the usual hCG trigger shot before egg retrieval improves egg quality and pregnancy rates in people undergoing IVF. Researchers compared the two-hormone combination to the standard single-hormone approach in 232 pa…

This pilot study tested a multi-disciplinary health behavior program for 50 breast cancer survivors to reduce their risk of heart disease after cancer treatment. Participants learned about exercise, diet, and other healthy habits. The study measured changes in walking distance an…

This study tested whether adding targeted radiation to a hormone-blocking drug (apalutamide) helps control prostate cancer that has stopped responding to standard hormone therapy and spread to a few spots. Twenty-six men with castration-resistant prostate cancer took part. The ma…

This study tested a drug called alirocumab in 118 people with HIV who were at risk for heart disease. The drug aims to lower cholesterol and reduce inflammation in the arteries, which can lead to heart attacks. Participants received either the drug or a placebo for about a year, …

This study looked at the best way to treat acanthamoeba keratitis, a rare but serious eye infection caused by a parasite. 49 people took part and were first given either chlorhexidine alone or chlorhexidine plus povidone iodine. Later, some received corticosteroids early, some la…

This study looked at whether finding and treating low-density malaria infections (infections with very few parasites) in children can improve their health and well-being over time. 600 children in Tanzania were involved. The goal was to see if this approach reduces illness, anemi…

This study looked at whether it's safe to stop yearly mass antibiotic treatment in communities with low levels of trachoma, an eye infection that can cause blindness. Over 3,900 people in Niger took part. Researchers compared communities that stopped treatment to those that conti…

This study tested a program where people living with HIV who use stimulants like methamphetamine could earn rewards for staying drug-free and taking their HIV medications. The program took place in a primary care clinic and used simple urine tests to check progress. The goal was …

This study looked at whether a simple urine test can help people remember to take their daily HIV prevention pills (PrEP). About 100 women already taking PrEP were split into two groups: one got their urine test results with encouraging messages, the other got standard advice. Th…

This study tested strategies to treat depression and PTSD in adults visiting a public hospital in Kenya. Over 2,100 participants received therapy or medication through their primary care clinic. The goal was to find cost-effective ways to integrate mental health care into regular…

This study compared two surgical methods for glaucoma: a standard trabeculectomy and a newer 'micro' version. Researchers measured how well each surgery lowered eye pressure and how often complications occurred in the first 3 months after surgery. 100 adults with glaucoma who wer…

This study tested whether adding an antifungal injection (voriconazole) directly into the cornea improves treatment for fungal eye ulcers compared to standard antifungal drops alone. 70 adults with moderate to severe fungal corneal ulcers were randomly assigned to receive either …

This study tested whether a special silver dressing can help prevent infections where the LVAD driveline exits the body. 25 adults with a heart pump took part. Researchers compared infection rates and comfort between the silver dressing and standard care.

This study tested a smartphone app called LetSync designed to help Black men who have sex with men and their partners stay engaged in HIV care and take their medications as prescribed. About 144 participants (80 couples) used the app for up to 14 months. The goal was to see if th…

This study looked at whether giving people more money each month to buy fruits and vegetables helps them actually use the benefit and eat healthier. 242 adults in Stockton, California were randomly assigned to receive $40, $80, or $110 per month for 6 months. Researchers tracked …

This study tested a tool called eRADAR that uses information already in a patient's electronic health records to identify people who might have undiagnosed dementia. Over 1,200 adults without a prior dementia diagnosis took part. The goal was to see if this low-cost method could …

This study tested a program to reduce pesticide exposure in preschool children at 85 child care centers in California. Over 7 months, centers used integrated pest management (IPM) practices like sealing cracks and using bait traps instead of sprays. Researchers measured pesticide…

This study tested whether a simple urine test, combined with brief counseling, could help young men who have sex with men (ages 18-30) take their daily HIV prevention pill (PrEP) more consistently. 63 participants used the test during clinic visits to see if it made the counselin…

This study tested a program to reduce stigma and help transgender women in São Paulo, Brazil get HIV testing and start taking PrEP (daily pills that prevent HIV). 392 women took part. The program aimed to lower internalized stigma and build resilience, with the goal of increasing…

This study tested a program where trained peer navigators helped women involved in the criminal justice system access HIV prevention medication (PrEP). The goal was to reduce stigma and improve health. Thirty women at risk for HIV participated, and the program focused on linking …

This study tested a program to help healthcare providers better prescribe HIV PrEP, a daily pill that prevents HIV infection. The program included a web-based tool and a coordinator to support doctors. Ten clinics in San Francisco took part, and the study measured how many PrEP p…

This study tested whether giving antimalarial drugs to people in high-risk groups (like those living near forests) can reduce malaria cases in the community. Over 14,000 people in five Thai provinces took part. The goal was to see if this approach lowers infection rates compared …

This study tested whether showing a short video or asking a simple question in the emergency department could encourage more adults to get a COVID-19 booster shot. Over 900 people took part, and researchers checked if they got vaccinated within 30 days. The goal was to find easy …

This study tested whether offering small financial rewards to parents would encourage them to brush their young children's teeth more often, aiming to prevent cavities. 244 families with children in Early Head Start programs took part. Parents used a special Bluetooth toothbrush …

This study tested a school-based program called Fuerte for newcomer immigrant teens who recently arrived in the U.S. The program aimed to prevent traumatic stress by teaching about mental health, improving social connections, and linking at-risk youth to professional help. Over 3…

This study tested whether a tailored package of HIV prevention and treatment tools, delivered through community health programs, could lower new HIV infections in East Africa. Over 80,000 adults aged 15 and older took part. The approach focused on reaching people most at risk and…

This study tested new ways to help women and men who visit or work at drinking venues in rural Kenya and Uganda start using HIV prevention medication like PrEP. Over 9,000 adults took part, and the program tracked how many began prevention within 4 to 8 weeks. The goal was to mak…

This study tested a program called Malkia Klabu ("Queen Club") in Tanzania. It made local drug shops more welcoming for adolescent girls and young women, so they could easily get HIV prevention services and contraception. The goal was to see if this approach increases HIV testing…

This study tested a tablet-based tool and clinic training to help cisgender women learn about HIV prevention options like PrEP. 141 women from a Florida clinic participated. The goal was to see if the tool helped women make informed choices and start prevention methods.

This study tested two kinds of long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets to see which better prevents malaria in Uganda. Over 200,000 people took part, and researchers tracked malaria cases at health clinics. The goal is to find the most effective net to protect communities from …

This study tested whether adding peer mentors to a social media program helps teens and young adults quit vaping. 27 participants in California used a private Instagram group with mentors who had already quit. The study measured how many people stayed engaged and completed a 5-we…

This study tested three different programs (TunedIn, FixIt, and StreamLine) to help adults with type 1 diabetes reduce diabetes distress—the worry and frustration of managing blood sugar. 296 adults with type 1 diabetes and high blood sugar took part. The goal was to see which pr…

This study explored whether music improvisation training can improve self-regulation and brain health in older adults, including those with mild cognitive impairment. Fifty-three participants aged 60 and older with little to no music background took part. The goal was to see if i…

This pilot study tested an 8-week online mindfulness course in 38 adults with rheumatoid arthritis. The goal was to see if people liked the course and if it might help with symptoms. Half the group took the course, while the other half received standard care. Researchers will use…

This study looked at 132 people having knee arthroscopy (for ACL or meniscus tears) to compare two types of nerve blocks: one in the thigh (femoral) and one near the knee (adductor canal). The goal was to see which block better preserves leg muscle strength while still controllin…

This study looked at whether a root canal for an infected tooth with an abscess can be done in one visit or needs two visits. Fifty-nine adults with tooth infections were treated and followed for a year to see how well the infection healed. The goal was to find out which approach…

This study looked at whether the drug letrozole can reduce pain during ovarian stimulation (a part of fertility treatment) in women with endometriosis. 60 women participated, and researchers measured pain levels and egg quality. The goal was to find a way to make fertility treatm…

This study tested a 6-week online workshop for 109 family caregivers of people with dementia. The workshop taught caregiving skills and ways to manage stress and difficult emotions. Caregivers could join from home at any time and chat with other caregivers and trained leaders. Th…

This study tested a live-streaming group program called Brain Health Together for older adults with mild memory problems. 208 participants joined from home to learn about brain-healthy habits like exercise, social connection, and healthy eating. The goal was to see if the program…

This study tested whether a smartphone-based attention training program can reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Over 1,300 adults with significant PTSD symptoms participated entirely from home, completing 14 sessions over two weeks. The goal was to see if tr…

This study tested whether virtual reality (VR) could help children aged 5-17 feel less pain and anxiety during a kidney biopsy, possibly reducing the need for sedation drugs. 32 children participated, and the results showed that most parents and patients would recommend VR to oth…

This study tested a dementia care program delivered by phone and web, called the Care Ecosystem, in 6 health systems across the U.S. Over 1,200 people with dementia and their caregivers took part. The program used trained navigators supervised by dementia experts to improve care …

This study tested whether a simple walking program using a pedometer could help reduce fatigue and improve quality of life in people with lupus. 101 participants were randomly assigned to either start the walking program right away or join a waitlist. The program gradually increa…

This study tested whether using a digital mindfulness and meditation app (Calm Health) can improve mental health and vision-related quality of life in adults with non-infectious uveitis, an inflammatory eye disease. One hundred participants were randomly assigned to use the app o…

This study tested whether health coaches can help low-income patients with COPD or asthma get better access to lung specialists and follow their treatment plans. 328 adults from public clinics took part, with half receiving health coaching and half getting usual care. The goal wa…

This study tested a microfluidic chip that gently sorts sperm by swimming ability, compared to the standard spinning method, in 393 couples doing IVF for unexplained infertility. The goal was to see if the chip leads to more high-quality embryos on day 3. The approach aims to red…

This study tested a new type of botulinum toxin (daxibotulinumtoxinA) in 22 adults with adductor spasmodic dysphonia, a condition that causes voice spasms. The goal was to see if it works as well as standard Botox but lasts longer, so patients need fewer injections. Participants …

This study tested two different computer-based brain training programs, combined with light physical activity, to see if they could improve thinking skills like memory and attention in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Forty adults with MS who had some cognitive complaints too…

This study tested whether a drug called lemborexant can help night shift workers sleep longer during the day. 29 full-time night shift workers who had trouble sleeping took either the drug or a placebo for two weeks. The goal was to see if the drug increased their total daytime s…

This study tested whether extra education and coping skills, delivered through a smartphone app, could help teens aged 11-18 manage pain and recover faster after scoliosis surgery. Forty participants were randomly assigned to receive either standard care or the app-based program …

This study tested whether montelukast (Singulair), an allergy medication, can lower the chance and severity of infusion reactions in people receiving monoclonal antibody treatments for blood cancers or disorders. Forty adults took montelukast before their regular premedication an…

This study looked at three different online wellness programs to see if they could help improve memory, thinking, and brain function in adults aged 55 and older who were experiencing memory problems. The goal was to find out which program worked best for supporting brain health. …

This study tested whether mindfulness training helps people with type 2 diabetes better manage food cravings and stick to a low-carb diet. Sixty adults with type 2 diabetes who often ate in response to cravings participated. The goal was to see if mindfulness skills could reduce …

This study tested whether adding whole-body hyperthermia (a treatment that safely raises body temperature) to standard cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) could help adults with major depression. Thirty participants received either real or sham heat sessions alongside weekly thera…

This small study tested whether combining online cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) with passive body heating (using a sauna blanket) is feasible for adults with insomnia. Ten participants used the treatments over 9 weeks. The goal was to see if people would stick …

This study tested a program that treats both mothers with depression and their young children (ages 2-4) with behavior problems at the same time. The goal was to see if treating them together works better than treating each separately. 76 mother-child pairs took part, and the stu…

This study tested two sleep medications (suvorexant and zolpidem) against a placebo in 40 adults with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a brain disease that disrupts sleep. Each person tried all three options for one week each, with a week off in between. The goal was to see …

This study tested an online sleep program for 20 preschool children with autism who had trouble sleeping. The program taught parents behavioral strategies to improve their child's sleep. Researchers measured changes in sleep habits and quality to see if the program was easy to us…

This study tested if brief phone coaching could help people with sleep apnea use their positive airway pressure (PAP) machine more regularly. 27 adults who were not using their device enough took part. The coaching aimed to improve adherence and reduce daytime sleepiness.

This study tested a computer program called D-kit/EF1 to see if it could improve thinking and problem-solving skills in children aged 4-8 with mild intellectual disability. Eleven children used the program on an iPad for 30 minutes, five times a week, for 12 weeks. Researchers co…

This study examined blood and tumor samples from 25 people with advanced melanoma to understand why some respond to the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab while others do not. Researchers analyzed T cells—key immune cells—to find genetic and behavioral clues that predict treatment …

This study tested whether personalized text messages can help colorectal cancer survivors eat more whole grains and less refined grains. 46 survivors who had finished active treatment took part. The main goal was to see if the program was easy to use and acceptable, not to measur…

This study looked at whether offering extra help, like personal guidance and text messages, encourages people in cardiac rehabilitation to take part in a Food is Medicine program. 84 adults from San Francisco were randomly assigned to receive navigation support, text messages, bo…

This study looked at mucus samples from healthy people and those with cystic fibrosis (CF). Researchers tested whether certain sugar-like compounds could make CF mucus less sticky and disrupt harmful bacteria. The goal was to better understand how infections take hold in CF lungs…

This study looked at whether genetics play a role in how often people have extra heartbeats (called PACs and PVCs). Researchers compared identical twins (who share all their DNA) and fraternal twins (who share about half) by having them wear portable heart monitors. The goal was …

This study looked at 220 adults with acute kidney injury who needed dialysis. Researchers compared a conservative (less frequent) dialysis approach to the usual thrice-weekly schedule to see if it helped kidneys recover faster. The goal was to learn how to best guide dialysis to …

This study looked at whether sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), a common additive in many medications, changes how the body absorbs the allergy drug fexofenadine. Twelve healthy adults took fexofenadine alone or with low or high amounts of SLS. Researchers measured drug levels in the b…

This study looked at blood and airway samples from 23 adults during a sudden asthma attack and again after recovery. The goal was to understand what causes these attacks at a molecular level. The findings may help researchers develop better treatments in the future.

This study looked at whether a special video game that combines physical exercise with cognitive challenges can improve attention and working memory in healthy adults. 49 participants were assigned to different training groups over 8 weeks. The goal was to understand if combining…

This study looked at 228 adults with major depression and healthy volunteers to see if blood levels of natural brain compounds and genetic markers differ between the groups. Participants took a standard antidepressant for 8 weeks while researchers tracked mood, memory, and change…

This study looked at 217 Hispanic people living with HIV in California, Mexico, and Puerto Rico to see if the types of bacteria in the anus are linked to HPV infection or anal precancer. Researchers compared the anal microbiome between those with and without high-risk HPV or prec…

This study tested a tablet-based screening tool for substance use, depression, and anxiety in over 10,000 HIV-positive adults during routine clinic visits. The goal was to see if computerized screening could help more patients get the mental health and substance use treatment the…

This study tested whether giving older adults a pill instead of IV sedation before cataract surgery is feasible and safe. Twenty participants aged 65 and older were randomly assigned to receive either a sedative pill or IV sedation. The goal was to see how well their thinking and…

This study looked at how dupilumab affects the immune and genetic activity inside eczema skin lesions. Seventeen adults with moderate-to-severe eczema received the drug, and researchers measured changes in immune cells and gene activity over 12 weeks. The goal was to understand h…

This study looked at how losing sleep affects blood pressure and feelings of discrimination in 77 African American adults. Participants had their blood pressure and heart activity measured after social tasks. The goal was to understand the link between poor sleep, race-related st…

This study looked at whether using telemedicine (video or phone doctor visits) could help people in rural northern Nigeria see a urologist faster than traveling to an in-person appointment. About 220 adults with urologic problems took part. Researchers measured how quickly each g…

This study tested whether a simple, in-office app could help glaucoma patients better remember their eye drop schedule. Twenty participants who used multiple eye drops were split into two groups: one used the app, the other did not. After one month, researchers checked how accura…

This small pilot study tested whether people with major depression who eat a lot of ultra-processed foods could reduce them. 20 participants tried a personalized diet change. The goal was to see if this approach is feasible and acceptable, not to measure mood effects directly.

This study looked at whether a set of care guidelines could help community hospitals use proven treatments for children with asthma, pneumonia, or bronchiolitis. Over 11,000 children participated across multiple hospitals. The goal was to see if these guidelines increased the use…

This study followed 188 children who had seizures shortly after birth to see how they develop over time. Researchers measured thinking skills, behavior, and daily living abilities to find risk factors for disabilities. The goal is to better understand long-term outcomes and help …

This study looked at 48 adults with obstructive sleep apnea to see if those with low oxygen levels have more insulin resistance in the liver and fat tissue. Researchers measured fat production and liver fat using special scans and tests. The goal was to understand why sleep apnea…

This study tested different methods to find eye diseases like cataracts and glaucoma in communities to prevent blindness. Over 87,000 people aged 50 and older in Nepal took part. Communities were randomly assigned to one of four approaches: a full eye screening, cataract camps, c…

This study looked at how stress, behavior, and social factors affect weight loss and heart health in people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Researchers tracked 15 adults with overweight or obesity to understand what helps or hinders weight management. The goal was to gather infor…

This study tested how trust in a short video about flu and COVID-19 vaccines changes depending on who shares it. Over 500 adults in California watched the video, which was created with input from Indigenous community members. Some saw it as a paid social media ad, others got it f…

This study followed 72 newborns who had seizures shortly after birth to see if inflammation plays a role in later developing epilepsy. Researchers measured seizure activity and checked how many children later developed epilepsy. The goal was to better understand the link between …

This study tested whether a family therapy program originally done in person could work over video calls for teens involved with child welfare and their parents. About 93 teens and their caregivers took part. The goal was to see if the program improved how they communicate and ha…

This study tested a 12-week web-based diet program with text messaging for 50 colorectal cancer survivors. The goal was to see if the program was easy to use and could help people eat more vegetables, whole grains, and fish while cutting back on red meat and sugary drinks. All pa…

This study gave 300 low-income Black young adults (ages 18-24) a guaranteed income for 12 months to see if it improved their mental health, financial stability, and access to healthcare. Researchers measured depression, savings, and whether participants invested in education or j…

This study tested a new urine test that can quickly show if people with HIV are taking their medication (tenofovir) as prescribed. The goal is to catch adherence problems early, before the virus becomes detectable in the blood. 200 adults with HIV who had a previous high viral lo…

This study tested whether speech and language therapy delivered through video calls (teletherapy) can improve communication skills in children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. Researchers enrolled 210 children up to 27 months old, some with public insurance who were randomly assi…

This pilot study tested whether remote smartphone tests of thinking, memory, and motor skills can identify older adults who might develop confusion (delirium) after spine surgery. 34 participants completed the tests before surgery. The goal was to see if this approach could help …

This study looked at how experiencing social rejection based on race affects sleep and nighttime heart function. About 139 African American and Caucasian adults spent two nights in a sleep lab—one after a rejection task and one after a neutral task. Researchers measured how long …

This study looked at how nicotine from a standardized research e-cigarette (SREC) compares to nicotine from a person's usual e-cigarette brand. 32 regular e-cigarette users took part. Researchers measured nicotine levels in the blood, puffing patterns, and how people felt after v…

This study looked at whether a person's blood group antigens are connected to asthma attacks. Researchers followed 126 people with asthma to see if certain blood types had more flare-ups needing steroids. The goal was to understand, not to test a new treatment.

This study tested a device that uses near-infrared light to help surgeons quickly locate parathyroid glands during surgery for overactive parathyroid glands. The goal was to see if this tool could reduce the number of tissue samples sent to the lab and lower the chance of needing…

This study looked at whether stopping coffee drinking can reduce the chance of atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat) returning after a procedure called cardioversion. About 200 adults who drank at least one cup of coffee daily were randomly assigned to either quit or keep …

This study looked at how a single dose of methamphetamine affects HIV activity in 14 people with HIV who were on effective treatment and had no history of meth use. Researchers measured changes in HIV production and inflammation over 4 hours. The goal was to understand how meth m…

This pilot study tested a program called the Brain Health Project for Korean American caregivers of people with dementia. The goal was to increase knowledge about Alzheimer's and related dementias and improve caregiving skills. Seventeen caregivers completed the program, which in…

This study looked at whether providing clean water, toilets, and hygiene training can reduce trachoma infections in rural Ethiopian communities that already receive antibiotic treatments. Over 47,000 people took part. The goal was to see if adding these basic resources makes a di…

This study looked at how nicotine enters the body when people use JUUL e-cigarettes compared to smoking regular tobacco cigarettes. Seventeen healthy adults took part, and researchers measured nicotine levels and heart rate after each product. The goal was to understand the diffe…