University Of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

This study tests whether combining data tracking with community doula support can reduce racial disparities in pregnancy outcomes, especially low birthweight. About 60,000 Black patients at 39 North Carolina clinics will be randomly assigned to standard care, data tracking, doula…

This study tests a drug called finerenone in 100 adults who received a kidney transplant 1 to 10 years ago. The goal is to see if the drug is safe, well-tolerated, and helps protect the transplanted kidney from damage. Participants will be randomly assigned to take finerenone or …

This study aims to see if giving people healthy prepared meals and education helps them eat better compared to just physical activity coaching. It involves 120 adults in Anson County who have or are at risk for chronic conditions like obesity, diabetes, or heart disease. Particip…

This study tests a program called Enhanced Friendship Bench, which combines problem-solving therapy with HIV support, for pregnant women in Malawi who have HIV and depression. Researchers want to see if it reduces depressive symptoms and helps women stay in HIV care. About 400 wo…

This study aims to find the best telehealth weight loss program for adults aged 65-85 who have obesity and at least two other chronic health conditions. Researchers will test different treatment combinations to see which helps participants lose the most weight over 52 weeks. The …

This early-stage study tests whether two experimental antibodies (MGD014 and MGD020) are safe in people with HIV who are on standard antiretroviral therapy. Some participants will also take a drug to wake up hidden HIV, and others will pause their regular HIV meds for up to 8 wee…

This study tests a device called LOBO™ to block abnormal blood vessels in the lungs (PAVMs). About 30 adults with at least one treatable PAVM will get the device and be followed for 3 years. The goal is to see if the device safely and effectively stops blood flow through these ve…

This study tests whether giving enzyme medications once a day through a chest tube works as well as the standard twice-a-day schedule for treating serious lung infections (pleural infections). About 270 adults hospitalized with infected fluid around the lung will be randomly assi…

This study tests whether adding a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and nutrition counseling to a food assistance program helps adults with type 2 diabetes better control their blood sugar. About 60 participants will be split into two groups: one gets the food program alone, the o…

This study tests if mirikizumab can reduce symptoms like frequent bowel movements and urgency in adults with chronic pouch inflammation. About 25 participants will receive the drug every 4 weeks for a year and track their symptoms. The goal is to see if the treatment helps contro…

This study tests whether a 3-D brain imaging technique called tractography can make focused ultrasound ablation more precise for people with essential tremor. About 24 adults with moderate to severe tremor that hasn't responded to medication will receive the procedure. The goal i…

This study tests two different surgical techniques for people who need repeat eyelid surgery for trichiasis, a condition where eyelashes grow inward and scratch the eye. About 1,000 adults in Tanzania will receive either the standard procedure or a newer technique called B-RAP. T…

This study tests whether a program designed with American Indian culture in mind can help improve heart health in Lumbee women aged 18-55 who have risk factors like high blood pressure or being overweight. Participants will be randomly placed into either a group that attends 8 we…

This study tests a program called PACE that helps adults with intellectual disability become more physically active. About 120 adults, their caregivers, and coaches will take part. The program focuses on increasing daily steps and moderate-to-vigorous activity to improve overall …

This study tests whether providing medically tailored meals along with intensive lifestyle coaching helps adults with HIV and type 2 diabetes (or high risk for it) lose weight and control blood sugar better than meals alone. About 200 participants will be followed for 18 months. …

This study tests a program called CommunityRx-Kidney Health for people with early-stage chronic kidney disease living in rural North Carolina. The program connects patients with medical care, community resources, and self-care tools to improve their health. Researchers will see i…

This study looks at how well newer inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) medications work in children whose previous treatment (anti-TNF drugs) stopped working or didn't help. About 1,100 kids with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis will answer questions about their symptoms and pr…

This study is testing a special PET/MRI scan to see if it can accurately diagnose endometriosis in women with symptoms. About 24 women will get the scan before their planned surgery. The goal is to find a less invasive way to detect this painful condition.

This study tests a new approach called PAC-Man to help prevent HIV from passing from mother to child during pregnancy and breastfeeding. About 2,400 mothers and infants in Malawi will take part. The goal is to see if this model improves early infant testing and viral load checks …

This study tests a program called PriCARE/CARIÑO that helps parents and children ages 18 months to 6 years build better relationships. The goal is to reduce child maltreatment, harsh parenting, and stress, while improving child behavior. About 1,900 parent-child pairs will take p…

This study looks at the safety of two HIV prevention methods—an injectable drug (CAB-LA) and daily pills (oral PrEP)—in pregnant and breastfeeding women in Malawi. About 621 women who are already using or start PrEP during pregnancy will choose their preferred option and be follo…

This study tests a program called Treat4All that helps people reduce heavy drinking and improve HIV prevention or treatment. About 160 adults receiving STI care in Lilongwe, Malawi, who report recent heavy drinking will take part. Half will get the Treat4All program, and half wil…

This study tests whether combining job support with HIV prevention messages can help young adults in Baltimore improve their economic stability and reduce risky sexual behaviors. About 500 participants aged 18-24 will be randomly assigned to receive either job alerts alone or job…

This study is testing a 90-day support program called 'Caring Connections' designed to prevent suicide in high-risk teenagers. The program connects teens with mental health services, helps create safety plans, and builds a network of community support, often through faith-based o…

This study tests whether using virtual reality for mindfulness meditation can help women who had ACL knee surgery feel less afraid of re-injury and move better during sports. About 48 women aged 14-25 who had surgery 6 months to 10 years ago will try VR meditation or a sham versi…

This study tests a fast, 60-120 second technique called iCOVER to help people who are overwhelmed by a stressful event (acute stress reaction). Researchers will compare iCOVER to usual care and simple reassurance in 450 adults visiting an emergency department. The goal is to see …

This early study is testing whether a personalized form of brain stimulation, called tACS, is safe and tolerable for pregnant women with depression. The treatment uses a mild electrical current to gently stimulate the brain based on each person's unique brain activity. The goal i…

This study tests a new one-session treatment for people with major depression that hasn't improved with standard care. It combines a type of brain stimulation (called iTBS) with psychotherapy, and some participants also get a second type of brain stimulation or a placebo. The mai…

This study tests a new cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program for parents and caregivers of young people who have experienced psychosis. The goal is to see if the program is helpful and easy to use, and whether it improves caregiver well-being. About 30 caregivers will take p…

This study tests whether estradiol (a form of estrogen) can improve symptoms of depression, psychosis, and loss of pleasure in perimenopausal women aged 44-55. Participants will receive either estradiol or a placebo and undergo brain scans to see how the treatment affects reward-…

This study tests whether a numbing injection around the cervix during vaginal hysterectomy for pelvic organ prolapse can lower pain and reduce the need for opioid painkillers after surgery. About 56 adults having this surgery will be randomly assigned to receive either the numbin…

This study tests a fast-acting tablet (TNX-102 SL) given in the emergency room after a car accident to see if it can reduce immediate stress reactions and prevent long-term PTSD. About 180 adults who were in a motor vehicle collision will receive either the drug or a placebo for …

This study tests a 12-session walking training program for people with Parkinson's disease. Participants will walk on a treadmill and overground while following a metronome beat at slow and fast speeds to improve step size and speed. The goal is to see if this training helps them…

This study tests if teachers can be trained to provide mental health support to teenagers in rural India. About 216 students from 60 low-cost private schools will take part. The goal is to see if this approach can reduce depression and anxiety symptoms and be a sustainable way to…

This study tests a 90-day program called Caring Connections that helps high-risk youth (ages 13-19) who have thoughts of suicide or have attempted suicide. The program provides support, safety planning, and connections to mental health services. Researchers will compare this prog…

This study tests a mobile health app called Bolster designed to help caregivers of young adults (ages 15-30) who have early psychosis. The goal is to see if the app can reduce caregiver stress and improve family communication. About 30 caregivers in North Carolina will use the ap…

This study tests whether a program combining graded exposure (slowly facing feared movements) and mindfulness meditation can help people who had ACL knee surgery feel less afraid of re-injury. About 50 participants, aged 14 to 35, who had surgery 6 months to 10 years ago will be …

This study looks at whether the Alliance180 Program can help improve anxiety, depression, and overall well-being in adults who are or were U.S. veterans, first responders, or frontline healthcare workers. About 50 participants will complete surveys before the program and at sever…

This study tests a medicine called BXCL501 (a fast-dissolving film placed under the tongue) to see if it can reduce severe stress symptoms and prevent PTSD in people who have just been in a car accident. About 100 adults who come to the emergency room within 72 hours of a crash w…

This study compares two types of nerve blocks for shoulder surgery in adults with obesity. The goal is to see if a phrenic-sparing block reduces early breathing problems like shortness of breath or need for oxygen, compared to the standard block. Participants will take a simple b…

This study tests a transitional care program for people with Alzheimer's or dementia who are leaving a skilled nursing facility to go home, to assisted living, or to long-term care. The program also supports their caregivers. The goal is to see if the program can reduce caregiver…

This small study tests whether a sleep-focused therapy delivered by video call can help prevent PTSD and depression in people who recently had a car accident. About 20 adults at high risk for PTSD will be enrolled within 72 hours of their crash. The goal is to see if the therapy …

This study tests two types of pain medicine given as a nerve block before wrist surgery. One is a standard drug (bupivacaine) and the other is a longer-acting version (liposomal bupivacaine). The goal is to see which provides better pain control and recovery in the first two days…

This study compares two virtual group programs—one focused on emotions, the other on problem-solving—to help adults with type 1 diabetes reduce diabetes distress. Participants who don't improve may get extra one-on-one sessions. The goal is to find better ways to support emotiona…

This study compares two well-known therapies—cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based therapy (MBT)—to see which one works better for autistic adults with depression or anxiety. About 300 participants from North Carolina and Virginia will receive therapy sessions …

This study tests a rehabilitation program for soldiers who have had a mild traumatic brain injury (concussion). The program adds extra activities to standard recovery guidelines to help soldiers return to duty faster and improve their thinking and daily function. About 130 active…

This study is testing a virtual reality (VR) program for teens ages 13-18 who are in the hospital for suicidal thoughts or behaviors. The VR program lets them practice school and social situations in a safe, guided environment. The goal is to see if the program is easy to use and…

This study looks at how natural hormone changes during the menstrual cycle affect mood in women whose depression worsens before their period. Researchers will give participants hormones or a placebo to see if stabilizing hormone levels helps with pleasure and reward sensitivity. …

This study follows 200 adults with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis who are prescribed Zymfentra as part of their normal care. Participants answer online surveys about their bowel symptoms over one year. The goal is to see if Zymfentra helps reduce symptoms and improve disea…

This study looks at whether breastfeeding mothers who eat whole eggs pass more brain-healthy nutrients (like choline and DHA) to their babies compared to mothers who eat only egg whites. 84 mother-infant pairs will take part over 3 months. Researchers will measure the babies' mem…

This study looks at how personality traits and stress influence decision-making in people with borderline personality disorder (BPD) compared to healthy adults. About 106 participants aged 18-45 will complete online tasks, surveys, and a stress test while their heart rate, sweat …

This study looks at whether adding warning labels about added sugar on sugary drinks can influence what people choose to buy. About 543 adults who regularly buy sugary drinks will shop in a mock store and complete surveys over four weekly visits. The goal is to see if the labels …

This study looks at whether taking a daily supplement called SPM Active® for 12 weeks can increase certain omega-3 fatty acid derivatives in the blood and improve feelings of burnout, life satisfaction, and sleep quality in adults with obesity. About 33 people aged 45-60 with a B…

This study looks at whether easy-to-do tests for muscle strength and frailty can help predict complications after major abdominal surgery in people aged 65 and older. About 100 participants will complete brief assessments during a routine pre-surgery visit, and researchers will c…

This pilot study is testing how well ibuprofen and acetaminophen work for period cramps in women with Crohn's disease. The goal is to see if a larger study is possible by tracking enrollment, adherence, and completion. Participants will take each medication for two menstrual cycl…

This study tests whether a 12-week personalized nutrition supplement (beta-hydroxy-methylbutyrate) can improve physical function in older adults aged 65-85 with multiple health conditions. The main goal is to see if the study procedures are practical and acceptable for participan…

This study looks at whether a physical therapy program in the NICU helps reduce stress for parents and improves the motor skills of preterm infants born before 29 weeks. Researchers will track therapy visits, parent involvement, and infant development in 150 babies. The goal is t…

This study looks at how the brain talks to muscles in people who have had a stroke. Researchers will use gentle brain stimulation and measure brain and muscle activity while participants squeeze a device with their weak hand. The goal is to see if stimulation improves communicati…

This study is testing new wearable sensors made in a lab to see if they are comfortable and safe to wear. About 22 healthy adults will wear the sensors, and researchers will compare their readings of heart rate, breathing, and blood flow to approved medical devices. The goal is t…

This study looks at whether warning labels on sugary drinks affect people's negative beliefs about weight. About 543 adults will shop in a pretend store and answer surveys over four weekly visits. The goal is to see if these labels make people more likely to blame or stereotype t…

This study looks at whether breastfeeding mothers who eat one avocado daily for 12 weeks can increase key nutrients in their milk that support baby brain growth. Eighty-eight healthy moms and their 3-month-old infants will take part. Researchers will measure nutrients like cholin…

This study looks at how hormones during puberty might affect mood differently in boys and girls. Researchers will use a smartphone app to track mood and brain activity in 60 teens aged 11-14 who have had a stressful event or feel down. The goal is to understand why depression rat…

This study tests whether a 10-session parenting program called Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up (ABC) can reduce stress-related biomarkers in children aged 2 to 3 who have experienced early life challenges. About 150 caregiver-child pairs will be randomly assigned to receive…

This study aims to understand what sensations can be created by spinal cord stimulation in people with chronic pain. Researchers will adjust stimulation settings to see how sensations change. The goal is to improve pain management by learning how to control these artificial feeli…

This study tests whether adding a friendly AI chatbot to a 12-week smartphone weight loss program helps young adults (ages 18-35) with overweight or obesity lose more weight and stay more engaged. Twenty participants will either get the standard program with daily messages or the…

This study tests a telehealth program called REAL-Fam designed to help rural families manage a child's type 1 diabetes. About 16 families will take part, with some receiving the full 12-session program and others attending only 3 general meetings. The main goal is to see if the p…

This study looks at how interrupting long periods of sitting affects your heart and brain. Researchers will test different ways to take sitting breaks in 56 adults aged 30-60 who sit over 8 hours a day and exercise little. The goal is to find simple, practical strategies that cou…

This study looks at what happens when menthol cigarettes are banned and a quit-smoking campaign is launched. About 1,185 adults who smoke menthol cigarettes will be followed to see if they switch to other tobacco products or try to quit. The goal is to understand how such a ban a…

This study looks at how different colors of light can change the way the brain processes pain. Researchers will use brain scans to compare people with chronic muscle or fibromyalgia pain to healthy volunteers. The goal is to understand the brain connections that make light a poss…

This study looks at whether the brain activity of a therapist and a client with mild-to-moderate depression becomes synchronized during a therapy session. 45 college students will attend one session of either behavioral activation or psychoeducation while their brainwaves are mea…

This study looks at why depression and heart disease often happen together in women going through menopause. Researchers will measure stress-related chemicals and heart rate in 30 women aged 44-55. The goal is to find clues that could lead to better prevention and treatment.

This study looks at how a beta-blocker drug changes the body's stress response, focusing on inflammation and brain activity. Researchers will give the drug or a placebo to 120 healthy adults aged 18-30 and measure their immune markers and brain scans during a stressful task. The …

This study looks at how breathing in woodsmoke changes the way your nose's immune system reacts to the flu virus. Healthy adults aged 18-49 will be exposed to woodsmoke and then given a live but weakened flu vaccine to see how their nasal immune responses change. The goal is to u…

This study looks at whether new front-of-package health warnings on alcohol containers can reduce how much people drink. About 720 adults who drink at least once a week will be randomly assigned to receive either new warning labels or standard control labels on their own alcohol.…

This study tests whether virtual family navigation helps families in rural North Carolina start autism intervention sooner after diagnosis. About 60 toddlers under 4 and their caregivers will either get 4 telehealth sessions with a trained navigator or standard educational materi…

This study looks at how caffeine is processed in newborns who have brain injury from lack of oxygen at birth. Sixteen babies will receive caffeine while undergoing cooling therapy. The goal is to find the right dose and check for safety issues like seizures or low blood sugar.

This study looks at whether wearing clear aligners (like Invisalign) releases tiny plastic particles into the body. Researchers will measure microplastics in the saliva and urine of 150 orthodontic patients before and during treatment. The goal is to understand how much plastic e…

This study explores a new type of MRI that uses a harmless gas to create images of lung function in children aged 6-17 with mild cystic fibrosis and healthy children. The goal is to see if this technique is practical and acceptable for kids, and to compare it with standard lung t…

This study looks at why some people with alpha-gal syndrome (a meat allergy) get stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting after eating red meat. Researchers will give 30 adults pork with and without the allergy-triggering substance to see what happens inside their bodies. The …

This study looks at how well the lungs work in adults with cystic fibrosis (CF) using a special MRI that uses an inhaled gas. Over one year, 30 participants will have 3 to 5 visits to compare MRI images with standard breathing tests. The goal is to see if MRI can better detect ch…

This study compares two online training programs for staff who care for people with dementia in assisted living facilities. About 1,764 staff and family members will take part to see if the training improves staff knowledge, attitudes, and care practices. The goal is to find the …

This study enrolls 324 parent-child pairs to find better ways to support parents during hypospadias care. Parents and children are placed into different groups and followed for at least 6 months. Researchers will measure how well the support works by looking at parent feedback an…

This study compares two programs for child care staff: one focused on building resilience and stress management, the other on physical activity. About 640 staff from 80 centers will take part for 15 months. The goal is to see which program better improves well-being over time.