Clinical Trials

The goal of this research study is to develop and test a website to help primary care providers (PCPs) discuss the pros and cons of mammography with women aged 75 and older and to help participants make decisions about mammography.

This study is intended to determine whether ultrasound imaging can improve the ability to place a spinal or epidural needle in obstetric anesthesia. By evaluating the use of ultrasound for the placement of epidural catheters the investigators hope to answer two questions:

How does the traditional technique based on palpation compare to one using ultrasound to place an epidural catheter? 2. Does ultrasound reduce one potential risk in epidural placement?

The objective of this study is to investigate a technique to monitor blood pressure in women undergoing cesarean delivery with suspected placenta accreta spectrum. To achieve this objective, the investigators plan to conduct a prospective, observational study with the following aims:

Specific Aim 1: Compare concordance between the systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP), and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) readings from the continuous non-invasive arterial blood pressure (CNAP) and IABP at several discrete points throughout the procedure

Specific Aim 2: Determine the feasibility of using CNAP to aid in decision making by examining the parameters of volume responsiveness and arterial elastance at several discrete points throughout the procedure.

The investigators hypothesize that the investigators can obtain similar blood pressure monitoring using CNAP as compared to the gold standard IABP in women undergoing cesarean delivery with suspected placenta accreta.

To determine the half time of the emptying of the stomach of women in early labor with and without epidural pain relief when drinking either water or a carbohydrate-based sports drink.

This is a randomized double blinded non-inferiority study comparing the duration of pain relief when patients receive one of three doses of spinal morphine. Enrolled patients will be randomly assigned to receive either 50 mcg, 150 mcg, or 250 mcg. All patients will receive standardized postoperative care, including multimodal analgesia. The primary outcome will be the time until the patient requests additional opioid pain medications.

Cesarean delivery has become the most common surgical procedure in the US. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been shown to improve the quality of post-cesarean analgesia and markedly reduce opioid consumption. The effect of NSAIDs on healthy volunteers results in inhibition of platelet aggregation and prolonged bleeding time. However, in the obstetric population, the presence and degree of platelet inhibition after NSAID exposure is less clear. The investigators plan to use Platelet Aggregometry and Thromboelastography (TEG) to evaluate the effect of ketorolac on platelets.

This study is a pilot clinical trial to assess the feasibility of implementing a group-psychotherapy intervention to modify emotional stress (e.g., anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress) following ICU hospitalization

The goal of this pilot study is to obtain preliminary data on the magnitude of the treatment effect of IVIG on the neuropathic pain and neuropathy severity associated with treatment induced neuropathy (TIND).

The investigators hypothesize that immune globulin, administered intravenously (IVIG), will reduce the pain associated with treatment induced neuropathy and reduce the neuropathy severity.

Treatment induced neuropathy in diabetes, is an iatrogenic complications of diabetes. The preliminary data will be used to power a larger treatment trial, and to aid the understanding of the mitigating factors in the treatment response.

The investigators hypothesize that multi-port thoracic epidural catheters will provide superior pain relief when compared to uniport catheters for post-surgical patients.

Airway stents are used as standard of care to identify which patients with excessive dynamic airway collapse will benefit from a definitive surgical treatment. However, the specific way in which these stents are effective has not been tested. The purpose of this research study is to determine the effectiveness of airway stents when used in the airways of patients with severe symptomatic excessive dynamic airway collapse compared to patients with severe symptomatic excessive dynamic airway collapse that do not receive airway stent.

The investigators are studying the use of an advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique for measuring blood flow into brain tumors. This technique does not use radioactive tracers, and it can provide high quality images that can be obtained in a standard MRI scanner.

The long-term goal of this proposal is to provide a pre-treatment evaluation that can assist in the rational selection of patients to undergo appropriate and definitive therapy for prostate cancer. In so doing, it may be possible to further improve the numbers and percentage of cancer patients who receive effective therapy that will cure the disease and maximize their quality of life following therapy.

Aim 1: To evaluate the accuracy of T2W MRI, DCE-MRI and their combined data for staging prostate cancer.

Aim 2: To evaluate the accuracy of MRI in determining tumor volume in the prostate gland.

Aim 3: To evaluate the accuracy of MRI in grading prostate cancer.

Overview of study. This is an observational study that is intended to provide the first in-human data using EIT as a biomarker of muscle health in neuromuscular conditions. We will seek patients with neurological disorders (both neuromuscular and other neurological conditions) as well as healthy subjects for study. EIT measurements will be performed on appendicular muscles (in the upper and lower extremities) depending on the condition, both at rest and with contraction. EIT measurements will be repeated on an intermittent basis to assess repeatability as well disease progression or improvement over time.

This is an observational study that is intended to determine the capacity of three technologies to serve as diagnostic biomarkers for myofascial pain syndrome. Investigators will seek patients with myofasical pain syndrome as well as healthy subjects for this study. Electrical impedance myography (EIM), myofiber threshold tracking (TT) excitability testing, and ultrasound with shear wave elastography (SWE) measurements will be obtained from the trapezius muscle (the muscle that extends over the back of the neck and shoulders). These measurements will be repeated within 2-5 days to assess repeatability of these methods.

This is an unblinded pilot study to investigate the technical feasibility of using an electrical impedance tomography device for noninvasive pulmonary function monitoring in ALS patients. The study will enroll patients with ALS in one cohort and healthy volunteers in a second cohort that will both undergo EIT imaging with the investigational device prior to and while performing a standard PFT procedure.

This study is evaluating the use of two painless, non-invasive technologies in the assessment of muscle health over time in both healthy volunteers and patients who have diseases that affect the nervous system.

The purpose of this protocol is to perform a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, pacebo-controlled clinical trial to determine the influence of a non-invasive positive pressure ventilation device on exercise capacity and symptoms in adult patients with ECAC. Primary outcome will include the total distance traversed by the study subject during a standard 6-minute walk test, and secondary outcomes will include peak flow measurement and symptom reporting before and after the exercise testing. The study will focus on the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device. CPAP is FDA-approved for the treatment of various medical conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea and heart failure, but is not FDA-approved for the treatment of ECAC. The study will enroll 32 ambulatory study subjects with confirmed ECAC at the BIDMC, and each study subject will be monitored for up to 3 months.

This is a randomized, controlled trial designed to investigate whether the use of virtual reality immersive relaxation during hand/arm operations can allow for a relaxing operating room experience for patients while potentially reducing anesthesia requirements.

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether speed-dependent measures of gait can be identified in patients with neurological conditions that affect gait, particularly in subjects with parkinsonian disorders.

The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of ultrasound guided hematoma block versus traditional "blind" hematoma block for analgesia in distal radius fracture reduction.

The goal of the study is to evaluate whether pain control achieved by Ultrasound Guided Femoral Nerve Blockade (USFNB) is equal in efficacy to standard pain management practice of parenteral injection of opioid pain medication in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with hip fracture.

The main purpose of this study is to test the safety of the dendritic cell/tumor fusion study vaccine in combination with a laboratory-made agent called Granulocyte Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF). Another purpose is to determine the type and severity of any side effects associated with this study vaccine. GM-CSF is similar to a substance in the body that stimulates the production of white blood cells. To create the study vaccine, cells will be removed from the participants tumor and fused with dendritic cells which are obtained from the participants blood. Dendritic cells are responsible for immune responses to "foreign" substances that enter the body. Animal studies have shown that these fused cells can stimulate powerful anti-tumor responses.

The study is being conducted to learn why some patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) do not respond to a commonly used treatment drug, Finasteride. The hope is to find ways to predict which patients will not respond to Finasteride so that, in the future, these patients can be identified prior to offering this treatment and they can be offered alternative treatment strategies in its place. The aim is to see if noninvasive techniques such as MRI can detect inflammation of the prostate to assist with early detection of those who will and who will not respond to Finasteride.

This project proposes to conduct the first study of the predictive utility of olfactory hedonic measurement for targeted psychosocial rehabilitation in schizophrenia. The information gathered from the project is of considerable public health relevance, in that, through simple, reliable olfactory assessment, it will provide knowledge about which individuals are most likely to benefit from these psychosocial interventions. Such information is crucial for tailoring existing interventions and developing new approaches to optimize outcomes in schizophrenia.

Simple meditation and EEG changes

The purpose of this study is to test a double screening strategy for pancreatic cancer, based on a model developed using patient medical records. Investigators would also like to test whether adding specific blood tests, can further help identify people who have a higher risk of pancreatic cancer than the general population, and would benefit from imaging in order to detect cancer early.

This study is to determine the tolerability and efficacy of an accelerated schedule of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for treating symptoms of psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia.

The main purpose of this study is to learn how transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) helps improve negative symptoms of schizophrenia. These 'negative symptoms' include anhedonia (the inability to enjoy things), low motivation, and decreased facial expression.

TMS is a noninvasive way of stimulating the brain. TMS uses a magnetic field to cause changes in activity in the brain. The magnetic field is produced by a coil that is held next to the scalp. In this study we will be stimulating the brain to learn more about how TMS may improve these symptoms from schizophrenia.

Fulvestrant has proven effective in the treatment of hormone receptor positive metastatic breast cancer. The dose used in studies so far has been well tolerated and may be too low for optimal effectiveness. In this study, a higher dose will be used to see whether an improved outcome will result.

The objective of this study is to investigate whether the use of virtual reality (VR) during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can facilitate reductions in intraoperative sedative requirements while maintaining high levels of patient satisfaction as compared to both a music and sham VR + usual care control.

The objective of this study is to investigate whether the addition of immersive virtual reality (VR) in the immediate postoperative period to an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol could improve postoperative recovery from bariatric surgery.

The primary objective of this study is to examine the safety and effectiveness of physician-modified endovascular grafts (PMEGs) for endovascular repair of complex aortic pathology in high-risk patients. The study is divided into three study arms based on the subject's aortic pathology: (1) Complex abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA); (2) Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm; and (3) Aortic dissection.

Live donor kidney transplantation (LDKT) offers the most optimal survival and quality of life benefit for those with late-stage chronic kidney disease. However, minorities, especially blacks, are much less likely to receive LDKT than whites. Given the shortage of deceased donor organs, interventions expanding access to LDKT are needed, particularly for minority patients. House Calls (HC), an educational intervention developed by this study's PI has been shown to be an effective program for raising rates of live donation, especially for black patients. While the HC program has shown outstanding results, participant feedback suggested that follow-up may provide even more benefits. Previous research suggests that peer mentorship (PM) from former or current patients with ESRD may be effective in raising rates of living donation. As such, peer mentorship programs may act as an effective follow-up for HC participants. This study will examine the impact of the HC intervention combined with the peer mentorship program of the National Kidney Foundation on rates of live donor kidney transplantation.

This study will include any participant who registered, and plans to attend the Inner Engineering In-Person Completion Course. In 2019, this course was offered in: Los Angeles in March, Philadelphia in April and Toronto & Dallas in November. This study has been involved in every IECO Course since 2019 and is still active today. Beginning in August 2021, investigators will recruit for the August Inner Engineering In-Person Completion Course. Investigators anticipate that this study can include up to 5,000 study participants. Participants would attend this course and complete the pre-modules regardless of whether or not they participate in this study.

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of offering reimbursement for living donor lost wages on the rate of live donor kidney transplantation.

This is a pilot study evaluating the feasibility and acceptability of a non-pharmacological, mind-body intervention to improve sleep quality, including a preliminary evaluation of neurophysiological signals. The study involves 4 weeks of guided mind-body practice at home using a smartphone app during bedtime and pre/post in-lab sleep study visits.

Acute hypoxemia is common and deadly in resource variable settings. While studies in high income countries (HICs) have indicated a possible benefit to high flow oxygen as compared with standard flow oxygen, rigorous studies in low or lower middle income countries (LMICs) have not been performed. Studies in sepsis have demonstrated that interventions that improve outcomes in one context may actually be neutral or harmful in a different context.

The goal of this study is to test whether high flow oxygen results in better outcomes for hypoxemic adult patients, as compared with standard flow oxygen, in five LMIC hospitals. The main questions it aims to answer are:

For hypoxemic adults in these LMIC study settings, does high flow oxygen or standard flow oxygen result in lower mortality?

What are the facilitators and barriers to using high flow oxygen in these settings?

Does high flow or standard flow oxygen use more oxygen?

Participants will be randomized to receive either high flow oxygen through a large nasal cannula, or to receive standard flow oxygen, through nasal cannulas, face masks, or non-rebreather masks. Researchers will compare the outcomes for the two groups, to see if one group of patients has better outcomes than the other.

The study will also examine how much oxygen is used by the two patient groups, as well as other factors relevant to the feasibility of implementation of high flow oxygen in these sites.

This study will compare stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) to trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE) as a bridging strategy for patients with HCC undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation. We propose that SBRT will be associated with longer time intervals between initial treatment and the need for retreatment, compared to TACE, as a "bridge" to orthotopic liver transplantation.

The purpose of this study is to determine if analysis of DNA and protein material found in urine will be useful in the detection of urothelial cancer of the bladder and kidney. This analysis may be helpful to determine if how a particular cancer will act regarding remission and recurrence

The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility and acceptability (e.g., enrollment, adherence, retention, acceptability of procedures and interventions) of a pilot factorial study design that will help elucidate components of mind-body exercise interventions. The study involves completing a walking program, a mindful attention program, a walking program that includes mindful attention, or no program at all. A "pilot" study is a smaller study that helps researchers to understand whether the study design can be carried out and what participants think about the study.

This trial is designed to study a combination of interventions (chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation) as a potential new treatment for bile duct cancer that cannot be removed with surgery.

The specific names of the interventions that will be used are:

Y-90 (a type of radiation microsphere bead)

Durvalumab (a type of immunotherapy)

Gemcitabine (a type of chemotherapy)

Cisplatin (a type of chemotherapy)

This study aims to investigate the effect of a 15-minute meditation practice on sleep architecture and high-frequency Heart Rate Variability (HF-HRV), as well as cognitive performance after both a well-rested and sleep-deprived night.

Multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of anamorelin HCl. Approximately 100 subjects with advanced PDAC and cachexia will be randomized 1:1 to anamorelin HCl 100 mg or placebo, taken orally once daily (QD) for a total of 25 weeks. Subjects will be instructed to take the study drug at least 1 hour before their first meal of the day

The study is a randomized, proof of concept study. 30 patients aged 18 and over with HS will be included in this single center, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study. Dosage of deucravacitinib will be given according to the investigational regimen as follows: 6 mg po bid for 16 weeks. The study compromises a 4-week screening period, a 16-week study period, and a 4-week follow-up period. The follow-up period consists of a follow-up phone call 4 weeks after the last study drug dose.

The main goal of this study is to determine whether there is a relationship between fremanezumab's ability to prevent migraine and improved sleep quality in migraine patients (fremanezumab is a FDA-approved humanized CGRP monoclonal antibody for the treatment of migraine).

This is a within-person study design that examines treatment effects (changes) using high-resolution assessments. To complete the study, each participant will be observed using daily assessments of migraine and sleep outcomes before treatment (baseline: 0 to 30 days), and at 1, 2, and 3 months after treatment (injection 1: days 31-60, injection 2: days 61-90, injection 3: days 91-120). In essence, this creates an interrupted time-series design where repeated interventions are introduced at fixed intervals.

The study objective is to characterize the shift in the diversity and abundance of the skin microbial community at baseline and in response to Altreno monotherapy as compared to benzoyl peroxide (BPO) 2.5% leave-on gel monotherapy in acne patients.

This is a randomized controlled trial with a mixed method design to determine the impact of coaching on self-perceived medical errors, burnout, and resilience. The study team developed a novel coaching curriculum based in principles of positive psychology and self-reflection with the hypothesis that the coaching intervention will lead to decreased medical errors, decreased burnout, and increased resilience in trainee and faculty participants. Resident and fellow trainees as well as faculty members were recruited across departments and randomized to coaching or control. Faculty in the coaching arm were trained in coaching techniques and paired with a trainee coachee. Survey results as well as focus groups will be used to analyze the impact of the coaching program as compared to standard mentorship (control).

The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between cortical hyperexcitability, abnormalities of brain network function, and cognitive dysfunction in human patients with AD and whether administration of the antiepileptic medication levetiracetam (LEV) normalizes these measures and improves cognition.

It has been estimated that 1.7 billion people have tuberculosis (TB) infection; yet current tests are unable to predict which people are at highest risk of developing TB disease, which can be life-threatening. THWART-TB is a prospective longitudinal cohort study of health workers (HWs) in Cape Town, South Africa, where our preliminary data reveals HWs have a high annual TB infection risk (34%). This cohort, who will undergo frequent serial evaluation (every 3 months) with a combination of novel assays never previously evaluated together, presents a unique opportunity to evaluate immune responses at the time of initial infection and to characterize the dynamic profile of these immune responses over time in a high-risk population. The knowledge generated will improve our understanding of TB infection and help to identify which people exposed to TB may remain at risk, enabling us to better target preventive strategies.

Nearly 25% of Americans die in intensive care units (ICUs). Most deaths in ICUs are expected and involve the removal of ventilator support, or palliative withdrawal of mechanical ventilation (WMV). Prior work by the Principal Investigator (PI) found that patient suffering can be common; with 30-59% of patients going through this process experiencing distress. Thus, experts and national organizations have called for evidence to inform guidelines for WMV. This research study will 1) develop and refine a Comfort Measures Only Time out (CMOT) intervention consisting of a structured time out with check-list protocol for the ICU team (nurse, physician, respiratory therapist) to improve the process of WMV. and 2) Pilot test the CMOT intervention in 4 ICUs (2 medical/2 surgical) among 40 WMV patients.