Articles tagged with Randomization
A randomized clinical trial involving 16,000 participants found that receiving text messages had no significant impact on COVID-19 vaccination rates compared to telephone calls. The study suggests that alternative communication methods may be more effective in promoting vaccine uptake.
A nationwide study in Sweden found that receiving red blood cells from female donors does not increase the risk of death in transfused patients. The study controlled for lower haemoglobin levels in women's blood and found no difference in survival rates between male and female donors.
Researchers found that combining chemotherapy with immunotherapy increased one-year survival rates for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, with anti-PD-1/chemo regimen showing the highest response. The study identified key immune system biomarkers associated with better outcomes, offering new hope for precision oncology.
A peer-led, family-centered preventive intervention is being tested to reduce stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms among Bhutanese immigrants. The program, developed by Kalpana Poudel-Tandukar, uses problem management plus (PMP) and addresses multiple stressors, resulting in improved coping skills and social networking.
A cohort study found that moderate coffee consumption, especially unsweetened coffee, is associated with a lower risk of death. The results suggest that adults who drink 1.5 to 3.5 cups of coffee per day may be less likely to die during a 7-year follow-up period compared to non-coffee drinkers.
The ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group presented promising trial results at ASCO 2022, including an 8-year survival rate in the CHAARTED prostate trial. The research also explored outcomes by tobacco use in head and neck studies, shedding light on cancer treatment effectiveness.
Researchers at FAU's Schmidt College of Medicine are conducting a two-year study to investigate emergency department-based prevention strategies for high-risk older patients. The project aims to identify effective fall prevention strategies that target limited resources to improve patient outcomes, safety, and reduce healthcare costs.
Stepped wedge cluster randomized trials offer statistical power, incentivized recruitment, and staggered resource allocation. However, challenges include time-sensitive recruitment, retention issues, and the Hawthorne effect.
A randomized clinical trial found that expanding common medical abbreviations increased overall comprehension, suggesting automated expansion can enhance patient understanding of their health information. Researchers observed significant improvements in patient comprehension after the expansion of 10 common medical abbreviations.
A systematic review and meta-analysis compared traditional strength training with power training for improving physical function in older adults. Power training showed similar benefits to strength training in terms of muscle power and functional ability.
A combination of aerobic, strength, flexibility, and balance exercises alongside personalized nutritional counselling reduced mobility disability by 22% over three years. The intervention also improved physical performance and reduced muscle loss in older adults.
A mailed at-home disposal kit increased self-reported rates of disposal of unused opioids after common surgical procedures. The study found that patients who received the kit reported a higher rate of opioid disposal compared to those without access to such kits.
James Anderson, assistant professor of electrical engineering at Columbia University, has received a National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER award for his work on developing randomized algorithms for the analysis and control of large-scale cyber-physical systems. His goal is to provide robust, reliable, and secure autonomy to large-sc...
A randomized clinical trial found that outreach messages were minimally effective at promoting scheduling of adolescent well care visits, but had limited impact on completing visits. Efforts to address widening disparities are needed.
A randomized controlled trial found that furosemide increases the risk of electrolyte adverse events but no difference in hearing loss or nephrocalcinosis was observed. The study suggests caution when using furosemide in preterm infants at high risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
Researchers found no evidence that early selective treatment with ibuprofen reduces death or moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia in extreme preterm infants. However, treatment reduced the risk of an open patent ductus arteriosus and surgical treatment for a symptomatic PDA.
The study compares current recommendations for ventilation and chest compression versus ventilation during neonatal resuscitation using an ovine model. The findings suggest that optimizing ventilation could reduce the need for chest compressions and improve gas exchange in neonates, potentially improving overall outcomes.
A new online program has been shown to improve health-related quality of life among adult stroke survivors. The study found that participants who received access to the program had higher scores on health-related quality of life and reported fewer problems with personal care and daily activities.
Researchers at Rutgers University propose a new approach to COVID-19 vaccine testing by combining conventional and challenge trials. This parallel approach, called Combining Conventional and Challenge trials (CCC), aims to facilitate faster and more accurate vaccine assessment and more effective pandemic response.
A new study found the second-generation Chocolate Touch paclitaxel-coated balloon catheter to be superior for opening blocked leg arteries. The trial showed improved patency rates and lower mortality rates compared to the commercially available Lutonix device.
The study found that TAVR resulted in significantly less structural valve deterioration after five years compared to SAVR. Patients with structural valve deterioration were at about twice the risk of death or rehospitalization as those without, highlighting the benefits of TAVR in reducing mortality and hospitalization risks.
A randomized clinical trial comparing FFR-guided and IVUS-guided PCI found similar outcomes for patients with intermediate coronary artery stenosis. Patients evaluated by FFR underwent fewer stents but had similar rates of adverse events and improved quality of life.
Treatment with an antiplatelet agent had a low likelihood of providing improvement in the number of organ support-free days within 21 days in critically ill COVID-19 patients. The study found no significant benefit from using antiplatelet therapy in this population.
A randomized clinical trial found that low-cost letters encouraging individuals to complete the enrollment process resulted in a significant increase in health insurance enrollment. The study suggests that such letters could be an effective tool for promoting health insurance coverage, particularly among underserved populations.
A 5-day course of oral ivermectin failed to reduce the risk of severe disease in high-risk patients with COVID-19. The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, suggests ivermectin may not be an effective treatment for COVID-19.
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University advise against prescribing ivermectin to treat or prevent COVID-19 due to the lack of reliable evidence. They emphasize the importance of relying on proven therapeutic innovations and vaccinations to combat the pandemic, citing the risks of unproven treatments like ivermectin.
A large-scale study found that simulation-based surgical training increased surgeons' skills for complex surgeries, with fewer total complications and ureteric injuries. Simulation training led to higher overall proficiency scores and fewer procedures required to achieve proficiency in complex surgeries.
A recent study found that using personal assistant applications on smartphones can significantly improve memory in older adults with dementia. The researchers trained participants to use the technology to receive reminders about daily events and activities, resulting in improved memory performance.
A randomized clinical trial examined how users interpret instructions and results from at-home tests, affecting quarantine decisions. The study found that many users misinterpret test results or do not follow recommended quarantine protocols.
A review of 392 clinical trials found increased representation of diverse groups in dermatology trials for common skin conditions. The study also highlighted persistent disparities in clinical trial participation among underrepresented populations.
A new study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that resuming non-contact physical activity 72 hours after a concussion is safe for children and youth. The study, which involved 456 participants, showed that early return to physical activity can reduce symptoms and delayed recovery.
A Children's Hospital Colorado study explores a neuromuscular training intervention to reduce injury risk in athletes returning from sports-related concussions. The research found that athletes who completed the 8-week training program had a significantly lower risk of time-loss injuries compared to those who did not participate.
A landmark VA study found that prolonged exposure was statistically more effective than cognitive processing therapy in easing PTSD symptoms, with most Veterans showing meaningful improvement from both treatments. The researchers recommended shared decision-making between clinicians and patients to select their preferred treatment.
A randomized controlled trial found that remdesivir reduced the need for mechanical ventilation in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. The study involved 1282 patients and showed that those treated with remdesivir were able to come off oxygen and ventilators sooner than those receiving standard care.
A global trial led by UCL found that a dolutegravir-based regimen reduced treatment failure among young people aged three to 18 by around 40% compared to standard treatments. The study also showed better growth and lipid profiles in children receiving dolutegravir, making it an effective option for treating HIV in children.
The study combined seven randomized clinical trials with 8,000 patients to compare overall and treatment-specific outcomes of Black and white men with localized prostate cancer who received radiation therapy. The results showed that there were significant racial disparities in response to radiation therapy for prostate cancer.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's Advanced Quantum Testbed demonstrated a method to reduce error rates in quantum algorithms, leading to more accurate and stable computations. The technique, known as randomized compiling, can suppress one of the most severe types of errors: coherent errors.
A randomized clinical trial investigated the effects of a Mediterranean diet and mindfulness-based stress reduction on preventing small-for-gestational age birth weights. The study found that these interventions significantly reduced the risk of this adverse pregnancy outcome.
A new study from the University of South Australia found that vitamin D deficiency is associated with a higher risk of heart disease and higher blood pressure. Increasing vitamin D levels in deficient individuals may prevent up to 4.4% of all CVD cases, according to the research.
A UK trial shows six different COVID-19 boosters are safe and stimulate strong immune responses in people who have previously received a two-dose course of ChAdOx1-nCov19 or BNT162b2, according to the first randomised trial of boosters given after two doses. The study found varying levels of protection against COVID-19 infection and ho...
The study found that the Moderna vaccine offered a lower risk of documented infection (21% reduced), symptomatic COVID-19 (44% reduced), hospitalization (55% reduced), ICU admission (10% reduced), and death (2% reduced) compared to the Pfizer vaccine. The results suggest that either vaccine is effective, but Moderna may be slightly mor...
Researchers at the Texas Heart Institute have made significant breakthroughs in treating persistent heart failure with a novel stem cell therapy. The phase 3 clinical trial results show that this treatment has the potential to alter the natural history of heart disease, reducing hospitalizations and improving patient outcomes.
A phase 2 clinical trial found that losartan, commonly used to treat high blood pressure, did not significantly slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease in people with mild-to-moderate symptoms. However, the drug may still be beneficial for those with early-stage disease if prescribed for longer periods.
A large-scale trial found that penicillin can prevent progression of latent rheumatic heart disease in Ugandan children. The study enrolled 818 children and showed that early detection coupled with prophylactic treatment significantly reduced worsened heart conditions, offering hope for addressing this neglected disease.
Aspen recovery in Yellowstone National Park has been found to be less robust than previously believed due to biased sampling methods. Random sampling of all young aspen within a stand revealed a slower rate of recovery compared to the five tallest young aspen, which were used in previous studies.
The largest trial to date shows that fluvoxamine treatment for high-risk outpatients with early-diagnosed COVID-19 reduces the need for prolonged observation or hospitalization. The study found an absolute reduction in risk of prolonged hospitalization and a relative risk reduction of 32% compared to the control group.
A randomized clinical trial found that combined varenicline and nicotine patch therapy did not improve 7-day abstinence rates compared to varenicline treatment alone or extended vs. reduced treatment duration
A new trial has found that vaginal laser therapy treatments claim to reduce negative vaginal symptoms of menopause – experienced by about half of all women – by up to 100 per cent. However, the study shows they might not work at all, with no difference found between the laser treatment and a placebo.
A randomized controlled trial of 1,600 patients found that rates of survival, functional recovery, and post-operative delirium are similar for both general and spinal anesthesia. This challenges common thinking about spinal anesthesia being safer.
A parent-led therapy for early signs of autism has significantly reduced the likelihood of an autism diagnosis at age three. The iBASIS-VIPP program uses video-feedback to support social development and unique abilities, resulting in increased parental sensitivity and language development.
A two-dose Ebola vaccine regimen has been found to be safe, well-tolerated, and produce a strong immune response in people over 1 year old. The study also supports the use of this regimen for Ebola virus disease prevention in children and adults.
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University's Schmidt College of Medicine review recent randomized trials, concluding that hydroxychloroquine poses significant harm in treating COVID-19. The study suggests a halt on prescribing the medication, recommending vaccination and masking instead as effective public health strategies.
Researchers compared the accuracy of two types of fecal tests for detecting colorectal cancer, finding that both types are reliable when thresholds are adjusted. The study suggests that health providers should select the best type of test based on specific demands in screening settings.
New research published in PNAS suggests that community-based monitoring can improve water management in rural Costa Rica by reducing groundwater extraction and improving water quality. The program, which used a smartphone application and WhatsApp, showed modest but significant effects after one year.
A NIH study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that administering convalescent plasma to outpatients with early symptoms of COVID-19 did not prevent disease progression. The trial, which enrolled over 500 participants, showed a significant reduction of less than 2% in disease progression.
A randomized trial in Bangladesh shows that training in the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) method increases rice yield and profit by 14-17% and 22-31%, respectively. Additionally, household well-being is higher for farmers in training communities compared to those without training.
A new randomized controlled trial found that Transcendental Meditation significantly improved emotional stress symptoms, quality of sleep, and English Language Arts academic achievement in high school students. The study showed that meditation was more effective than sustained silent reading in improving academic outcomes.
The VATRAC trial confirms VivAer's safety and efficacy in treating nasal airway obstruction caused by nasal valve collapse. Patients treated with VivAer showed significant improvement in symptoms compared to the control group, with superior responder rates and symptom reduction.
Despite widespread use, many common joint procedures like hip replacements and shoulder repair surgery have limited high-quality evidence to support their clinical effectiveness. The analysis highlights the urgent need for research and definitive trials to evaluate these interventions.
A new modeling study suggests that randomization and early recruitment in COVID-19 clinical trials can help identify effective antiviral drugs. The researchers found that timing of treatment initiation also plays a crucial role, with treatments administered within the first day of symptom onset showing improved outcomes.