Clinical trials

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a novel noninvasive therapy, Nanopulse Laser Therapy (NPLT), to improve recovery following traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the effects of peer coaching models in older adults with unmanaged type two diabetes. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Are peer coaching models effective at promoting Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus self-management? * If effective, which facets of the peer model are most effective? Peer coaches will undergo peer coach training. * Reach out to peer participants on a weekly/biweekly time frame to discuss self-management and goal setting. Retain records of contact, topics discussed, and general notes on interactions. Researchers will compare differences in the frequency of contact, as well as how peer coaches were matched to peer participants to see if efficacy of the intervention is altered between groups.

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the effects of peer coaching models in older adults with unmanaged type two diabetes. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Are peer coaching models effective at promoting Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus self-management? * If effective, which facets of the peer model are most effective? Peer coaches will undergo peer coach training. * Reach out to peer participants on a weekly/biweekly time frame to discuss self-management and goal setting. * Retain records of contact, topics discussed, and general notes on interactions. Researchers will compare differences in the frequency of contact, as well as how peer coaches were matched to peer participants to see if efficacy of the intervention is altered between groups.

Weight loss surgery is very good at reducing body weight but it can also cause the loss of both muscle and strength. Some patients undergoing weight loss surgery do not achieve their weight loss goals and regain the weight they lost. When this occurs, the loss of muscle and strength combined with the regain of weight can impact the individual's quality of life and ability to remain active and mobile. The purpose of this study is to understand the behavioral, biological, and genetic factors that influence the success of weight loss surgery and its impact on muscle mass. Bariatric surgery patients participating in the trial will be monitored prior to, and for a year following weight loss surgery, with data collected about their eating habits, hand grip strength, and the loss of fat, muscle, and body weight following surgery. Some patients will be additionally invited to undergo detailed metabolic assessment, where we will measure how their body uses nutrients it consumes, the composition of their body (e.g. how much lean and fat tissue they have and where it is stored), identify the bacteria living in their gut, and determine their physical performance. In all patients a small sample of gut tissue will be collected at a routine endoscopy performed in advance of weight loss surgery to identify the expression (activity) of genes in their DNA. Healthy subjects will also be recruited to allow us to compare between healthy weight individuals and those undergoing weight loss surgery. On a single occasion, the healthy volunteers will undergo the same detailed metabolic assessment performed in patients as described above. We will not examine the bacteria living in the gut of the healthy volunteers, nor will we collect gut tissue from these individuals.

The goal of this clinical trial is to test in moderately symptomatic chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) patients if middle meningeal artery embolization (MMAE) can be used as an alternative to conventional open surgery. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Compared to open conventional surgery, does MMAE reduce the need for rescue surgery or deaths? * What is the safety of MMAE and conventional open surgery in these patients? Participants will be asked to: * Share their medical history and undergo physical examinations * Have blood drawn * Have CT scans of the head * Answer questionnaires * Undergo MMAE or conventional open surgery * Provide information about possible adverse events Researchers will compare participants in the MMAE group with those in the conventional open surgery group to see if there is a reduced need for rescue surgery or deaths and evaluate safety.

This study is examining the effects of standard of care cancer treatment as well as a medication called Sildenafil, on the cancer associated fatigue, cognition and the gut microbiome.

This is a single-arm feasibility study employing a pre-post design with a 12-week intervention period. The study utilizes a telehealth-assisted home-based resistance exercise program, with a structured progression from supervised to unsupervised sessions over 12 weeks.

This research study aims to evaluate injectional pain at the site of needle insertion for corticosteroid injections (CSI) of the upper extremity depending on different modes of anesthetics. Each individual's perception of pain upon receiving a CSI with two out of three modes of anesthesia (control/no anesthesia, vibrational anesthesia, vapo-coolant anesthesia) will be utilized to compare these variables and determine the method that is associated with the least pain.

The goal of this study is to evaluate a Community Health Worker (CHW) program for people living with diabetes in rural areas or locations that are remote from the research team. The study aims to answer the following questions: 1. Does the CHW program improve diabetes-related health outcomes, such as blood sugar control? 2. What is the sustainability of the program? 3. Is the program feasible and acceptable? Participants will be invited to attend monthly diabetes education classes led by CHWs and receive weekly mobile health check-ins from CHWs for coaching and to help coordinate care with their clinic team.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a novel noninvasive therapy, Nanopulse Laser Therapy (NPLT), to improve recovery following traumatic brain injury (TBI).

This single-session study aims to evaluate a novel gait training protocol that integrates mechanical constraints and sensory feedback to enhance paretic leg propulsion in individuals post-stroke. The study will include 15 individuals who have experienced a stroke and 15 healthy adults, each aged 20 years or older. Participants will walk on both tied-belt and split-belt treadmills under various training conditions, including backward-directed resistance (applied at the pelvis, ankle, or both) and real-time sensory feedback (visual, auditory, or combined). These interventions will be applied individually and in combination to identify the most effective environment for promoting symmetrical gait patterns. Each session will last approximately two hours. The equipment used is non-invasive, and the risk to participants is minimal.

This study evaluates a novel Virtual Reality (VR)-integrated visual feedback system designed to enhance limb propulsion during robot-assisted gait rehabilitation in individuals post-stroke. In collaboration with CUREXO, a rehabilitation robotics company, the system is embedded within the Morning Walk® end-effector robot and provides real-time visual feedback to facilitate symmetrical use of the paretic and non-paretic limbs. The goal is to address gait asymmetry commonly observed in hemiparetic stroke survivors by promoting improved paretic leg propulsion, which is a key contributor to forward movement during walking. A total of 30 participants (15 stroke, 15 healthy controls) aged 20 years or older will undergo single-session gait training using the VR-robot system. Participants will be assessed using spatiotemporal gait parameters, muscle activity, foot pressure, and vertical ground reaction forces. Additional safety measures-including a saddle-type weight support and real-time heart rate monitoring via smartwatch-are implemented to ensure a safe and controlled training environment. This study aims to test the feasibility and effectiveness of this VR-based system in improving gait symmetry and functional walking capacity in people recovering from stroke.

The objective of this project is to test the feasibility of using a smartphone app in a community setting through collaborating with community-based organizations. The app is called utmbHealthyBrain and it has three activities: (1) drawing, (2) Tai-Chi and meditation, and (3) prayer reading. It also has a "share" function to enable users to interact with their family and friend. These activities can be translated to humans' well-beings such as a more stable emotion, more muscle movement, and better social engagement. This app does not collect any personal data and users are not required to register an account either. The overall study period is 6 weeks including one introduction session (week 1), four weeks of intervention (week 2 to 5), and final feedback session (week 6).

This pilot clinical study aims to investigate the potential effects of tirzepatide on biological aging in older adults. In this novel study, 90 adults aged 55-70 years with an indication for tirzepatide weight-loss therapy will be randomized to receive either tirzepatide 2.5 mg subcutaneously (SC) weekly or no drug for 24 weeks, followed by 12 weeks off the drug. Since tirzepatide is already recognized as a highly effective weight-loss agent in this population, the primary focus will not be on measuring weight loss. Instead, the study will document the effects of tirzepatide on markers of aging, physical function, and overall health.

The study's purpose is to determine the effects of three different dry needling sessions on pain and quality of life for those with chronic low back pain. Dry needling is a therapeutic procedure in which a very thin, monofilament needle is inserted through the skin to reach a target tissue like a muscle to help reduce pain, improve muscle activation, and increase blood flow. Dry needling has also been shown to improve nervous system function.

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of participating in a tele-rehabilitation program after a burn.

This study purpose of this study to see how consuming pistachios and completing a health intervention session a study therapist may improve sleep health in midlife women with poor sleep. Participants in this study will be asked to consume a study snack for about one month, complete a health education session with a study therapist and record information about their sleep. At baseline and after the intervention we will collect information about sleep, alertness, body composition, and blood lipids.

The purpose of the study is to determine which combination of neuromuscular blocking agent and reversal agent is safer to use during anesthesia for patients with chronic kidney disease. The main question it aims to answer is "The use of Cisatracurium with neostigmine leads to less post-operative pulmonary complications than Rocuronium with sugammadex."

This study is testing a new approach to help people with migraine headaches. Researchers want to find out if using electrical stimulation to affect blood flow in the external carotid artery is safe and practical for helping control headaches. The goal of the study is to determine whether this approach could improve headache symptoms and overall outcomes for people with migraines.

The primary objective of this R34 proposal is to increase willingness for PrEP initiation and PrEP initiation among Black Women (BW) and increase willingness to prescribe/refer pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to CBW among healthcare providers (HCPs) in Houston/Harris County, a high priority Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) jurisdiction.

The purpose of this study is to complete a neuromuscular performance assessment of high school athletes who are participating in school based pre-season strength and performance training program. The performance assessment will screen for existing muscle imbalances and strength deficits known to increase risk for sports injury, and provide a baseline performance measurement. Athletes will be measured before the start of the program and then again at the end of the pre-season training period to measure changes in motor coordination, muscle strength, and performance and injury risk category. Internal and external training load will be measured weekly during the training program to track intensity of the training program. In addition to the pre and post measurements, sports injury occurrence and time away from sports participation will be tracked throughout the sport season/school year to evaluate training program outcomes and accuracy of risk assessment.

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if an infusion of lidocaine, with or without steroids, into the middle meningeal artery (MMA) helps relieve severe headaches in patients with spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). It will also study the safety of this treatment.

The goal of this feasibility study is to use family units as support to promote nutrition and physical activity of individuals with type 2 diabetes. The main question it aims to answer is: • How does the family structure impact the health of its members living with type 2 diabetes? Participants will be asked to; * Tell us about their access to food sources and places in the community to engage in physical activity. * A nutrition and physical activity plan will be developed for participants and their families to use for 6 months.

The study's purpose is to evaluate whether creatine supplementation can help breast cancer survivors respond quicker to exercise by improving strength, endurance, and body composition. We are seeking to compare information collected from healthy woman of the same age who have never had breast cancer to those participants who have had breast cancer and undergone chemotherapy treatment.

The aim of this study is to characterize the microbiome of patients undergoing post-acute residential neurorehabilitation compared to community controls and to determine if a dietary fiber, Inulin, can create a shift in the microbiome leading to changes in fatigue and cognition.