University Of Southern California

This study tested a mindfulness program designed for women in residential treatment for substance use disorders. The program, called Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention for Women (MBRP-W), teaches stress management skills to help women stay in treatment and avoid relapse. Resear…

This study tested whether daily nicotine patches could improve memory and daily function in 348 people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Participants wore either a nicotine patch (up to 21 mg) or a placebo patch for two years. The goal was to see if nicotine, known to affect …

This pilot study tested a 30-minute online educational program called 'Live Free From E-cigarettes' in 105 young adults aged 18-24 who vape at least once a week. The program provides information about the harms of e-cigarettes and smoking, social norms, and tips to quit or reduce…

This study tested whether adding Celebrex to the experimental drug EPO906 could reduce severe diarrhea in people with advanced colorectal cancer. It involved 75 patients who had already tried standard treatments. The first phase found the safest dose, and the second phase looked …

This study tested a chemotherapy drug called eribulin in 32 people with advanced or recurrent cervical cancer that had spread or come back. The goal was to see how long the drug could keep the cancer from growing and to check for side effects. Participants had already received up…

This study tested two chemotherapy drugs, cisplatin and mitomycin-C, given directly into the liver artery for people with liver cancer that cannot be surgically removed. The goal was to see how long tumors stay controlled and to track side effects. 76 participants were enrolled. …

This study compared an online, team-based care model to standard in-person care for managing atopic dermatitis (eczema). 300 patients were randomly assigned to either online or in-person care for 12 months. The goal was to see if the online approach could match in-person care in …

This study tested a combination of two drugs—sEphB4-HSA and pembrolizumab—in 42 people with advanced non-small cell lung cancer or head & neck cancer that had spread or returned. The goal was to see if the combo could shrink tumors better than standard treatments. Participants ha…

This early trial tested a new approach for prostate cancer: using heat from microwaves to kill tumor cells before standard surgery. Only one man took part, and the main goal was to see how much tissue the heat treatment actually destroyed. The hope is that this less invasive step…

This study tested a new way to prevent type 2 diabetes in people with pre-diabetes. Participants wore a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) on their arm and received AI-generated educational videos on their smartphone. The goal was to see if this combination could help lower average…

This study looked at whether ringing a bell on the last day of radiation therapy helps cancer patients remember their treatment as less distressing. 82 patients were involved. The idea is that a positive final moment could improve how they recall the whole experience.

This study tested a special movement and sensory program for babies who had a brain injury around birth (called HIE). The program started in the NICU and continued at home for 6 months. Researchers wanted to see if it was possible for families to do and if it might help babies' d…

This study compared two well-known talk therapies for depression: cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Both were delivered in online group sessions over 8 weeks. A total of 116 adults with major depressive disorder took part. The goal wa…

This small study tested whether narrative medicine—using close reading, creative writing, and discussion—can improve well-being in people with digestive system cancers. Eight patients receiving infusional therapy took part. The goal was to see if the approach was feasible and if …

This study tested a gel called PuraSinus to see if it makes follow-up cleanings after sinus surgery less painful. 30 adults with chronic sinus disease took part. The gel was compared to standard nasal dressings. The goal was to reduce pain and discomfort during these cleanings.

This study tested a new cognitive-behavioral skills training program delivered in the metaverse (virtual reality or on a computer) for people with depression. 306 participants were split into three groups: VR, flat-screen, or a waitlist. The goal was to see if this peer-based coa…

This study tested whether wearing virtual reality goggles during dental sealant placement helps children ages 6-18 feel less anxious and behave better. Each child served as their own control, receiving VR on one side of the mouth and standard care on the other. The researchers me…

This study tested whether two types of belly-focus meditation, practiced 40 minutes daily for a week, could change blood markers linked to Alzheimer's disease in healthy adults aged 18-35. Participants provided blood samples and completed memory tests before and after the meditat…

This study checked how often a simulated eye implant (OTX-TIC) might touch the clear front part of the eye (the cornea). Researchers took special images of the eye's drainage angle in 100 adults over 40 who had not had eye surgery (except cataract surgery). They measured the spac…

This study looked at how a genetic test that checks 25 genes linked to hereditary cancers is used in clinics. Over 1,500 people with a personal or family history of cancer took part. Researchers collected blood samples and had participants fill out questionnaires over five years …

This study looked at how different labels on vaping devices (like 'contains nicotine' or 'high potency') affect teens' interest in trying them, their views on health risks, and what effects they expect. Over 3,000 high school students viewed images of vaping devices with various …

This study looked at whether daily paced breathing and brain training can improve memory and attention in healthy adults aged 50-70. Participants did brain games followed by either a relaxing or alertness-boosting breathing exercise for 10 weeks. Researchers measured changes in b…

This study looked at whether musical pitch training can improve music appreciation and hearing in people with cochlear implants. 120 teenage and adult implant users took part, with some receiving musical training and others visual training as a comparison. The goal was to underst…

This completed study followed over 1,100 older adults with normal memory, mild cognitive impairment, or early Alzheimer's disease. Researchers tracked changes in thinking, memory, brain scans, and blood markers over time. The goal was to find better ways to measure the disease an…

This study looked at whether a brief stressful event can quickly change levels of certain proteins in the blood that are linked to Alzheimer's disease. Researchers measured these proteins in 38 healthy adults before and after a short stress test. The goal was to understand how th…

This study tested whether sending letters to doctors about their patients' opioid overdoses would reduce how often they prescribe strong painkillers. Researchers looked at 61 clinicians who had prescribed opioids to patients who later had a non-fatal or fatal overdose. The goal w…

This study looked at whether a very low-dose combination birth control pill (10 mcg estrogen) prevents ovulation better than a progestin-only pill with a similar amount of progestin. Fifty-eight women took one of the two pills for a few months. Researchers checked ovulation using…

This study involved 700 teenagers aged 14-17 from California. They watched videos of social media influencers promoting e-cigarettes, with some influencers appearing younger or older and some videos showing fitness activities. After watching, the teens rated how harmful they thou…

This study looked at how different types of birth control pills affect breast cell growth in 82 women aged 18-35. Researchers wanted to see if pills with lower estrogen cause less breast cell growth than those with higher estrogen. The goal was to understand if we can reduce brea…

This study tested whether giving free Lyft rides to liver transplant candidates for their medical visits helps them get on the transplant waiting list faster. 261 adults took part. The goal was to see if removing transportation barriers improves access to care.

This study tested whether an AI tool can help health providers write medical summaries that are easier for patients to understand. 120 providers were split into two groups: one used the AI tool, the other did not. The goal was to see if AI could improve readability and save time,…

This study looked at whether MDMA-assisted psychotherapy can change how stress-related genes work in people with PTSD. Researchers collected saliva samples from 45 participants before and after treatment to measure changes in gene activity. The goal was to see if these genetic ch…

This study looked at 75 adults who had reconstructive surgery on their face or mouth using tissue from their arm or leg. After surgery, a skin graft was placed on the donor site and covered with a cast. The study compared the standard 5-7 day cast wear to a longer 10-14 day perio…