Articles tagged with Randomization
This observational study of older adults reveals racial and ethnic differences in depression severity and care. The findings suggest that these disparities exist even among those participating in a cancer and cardiovascular disease prevention clinical trial.
A randomized controlled trial found that tailored messages addressing HPV vaccine concerns improved intent to vaccinate, while a bundled approach was less effective. The study suggests that personalized messaging may be essential for increasing HPV vaccination uptake among hesitant parents.
A study of 217 adults found no difference in the effectiveness of morning versus evening warfarin dosing. The researchers concluded that patients should take warfarin at a time when compliance is easiest, regardless of day or night.
A randomized controlled trial shows that lay health coaching can significantly improve inhaler use among low-income COPD patients, with 40% of health-coached patients demonstrating effective use of their inhalers. The intervention also improved inhaler technique, contributing to long-term COPD outcomes.
A randomized crossover study found that eating non-fried potatoes instead of refined grains improved diet quality and was associated with lower cardiometabolic risk factors. Participants who ate potatoes had higher potassium and fiber intake, as well as a healthier index score.
A randomized clinical trial found that outpatient palliative care was associated with better patient and caregiver outcomes for patients with Parkinson disease. The study included 210 patients and 175 caregivers and examined the effects of palliative care on quality of life, mood, and sleep.
A community health worker program in Philadelphia reduced hospital admissions by 38% and saved Medicaid $1.4 million annually, resulting in a $2.47 return on investment for every $1 spent. The program's success was demonstrated through a randomized controlled trial, improving quality of care and patient outcomes.
A multi-site randomized experiment is being conducted to test a structured investigation protocol for robbery cases in Rochester, NY, and Seattle, WA police departments. The goal is to improve clearance rates and enhance victim satisfaction through standardized investigative actions by trained patrol officers.
A new randomized controlled trial found that the guided self-help intervention SH+ significantly reduced psychological distress and improved functioning, depression, and wellbeing among South Sudanese female refugees. The intervention was highly acceptable to participants, with 80% attending all five sessions.
A guided self-help approach was safe and effective in reducing psychological distress and improving functioning among female South Sudanese refugee women living in Uganda. The intervention resulted in meaningful improvements in symptoms of depression, PTSD, and explosive anger, with benefits seen across different trauma histories and l...
A randomized controlled trial found that the ACE method was as effective as a specialist stop smoking service in quitting smoking. The study's results suggest that ACE may offer a viable cost-effective alternative for public-funded healthcare settings.
A randomized clinical trial found that a telephone-based program encouraging increased vegetable consumption did not decrease the risk of prostate cancer progression over two years. The study suggested that the intervention may have been underpowered to identify a clinically important difference in cancer progression.
A new study by MIT economists found that a hotspotting program has virtually no impact on patient health care use, contradicting previous claims of a significant reduction in rehospitalizations. The study evaluated 800 patients and found similar outcomes between those enrolled in the program and those not.
A study found that advance care planning is associated with improved survival among terminally ill patients, particularly those with diseases other than cancer. This approach enables adults to discuss their wishes and priorities for end-of-life care.
Researchers aim to provide evidence for micro-fragmented adipose tissue as a viable alternative to surgery for treating meniscal tears. The one-year study will monitor changes in meniscal tissue, pain levels, and functional activity.
In a randomized clinical trial, adults with moderate to severe migraines took either ubrogepant or a placebo. After two hours, participants reported a significant reduction in pain and associated symptoms. The study provides encouraging results for the treatment of migraine pain.
A randomized clinical trial evaluated mailed HPV self-sampling test kits versus standard care reminders for detecting and treating cervical precancers. The study found that the self-sampling kit increased detection rates without a significant impact on treatment outcomes.
A randomized controlled trial found that young adults with unhealthy diets showed significant improvements in mood and reduced symptoms of depression after eating a healthy diet for three weeks. The study provides preliminary evidence that small, simple diet adjustments can improve depression symptoms.
Emerging norms in engaged translational genomics research raise substantial ethical concerns. Simplified Spanish-language consent materials require cultural congruence, while participant benefits in HIV prevention research highlight potential direct and indirect benefits for stigmatized populations.
A major meta-analysis found daily omega-3 supplementation reduced risks of heart attack and CVD events by 8%, with higher doses providing greater risk reduction. The study included over 120,000 adults in 13 randomized trials worldwide.
A major Canadian-led study has found that most adults can continue to eat red and processed meat without significant impacts on heart disease, diabetes, or cancer. The researchers concluded that a small reduction in risk was associated with reducing meat consumption by three servings per week.
The study implemented randomized quality improvement projects across NYU Langone Health, finding that changing prompts for tobacco cessation counseling increased medication prescription rates. Post-discharge phone calls were largely ineffective in improving patient satisfaction or hospital readmissions.
Researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial in New Haven, Connecticut, where police officers made community policing visits to residents' homes. The study found that positive interactions improved public trust and cooperation with police, especially among black individuals and those with strong negative views towards the police.
The Lancet published several studies on cardiovascular disease, including a new risk chart for 21 global regions and a trial on percutaneous coronary intervention versus coronary artery bypass grafting. Additionally, the journal presented findings on sirolimus-eluting stents versus durable polymer everolimus-eluting stents in patients ...
A new study finds that excess body fat increases the risk of depression, with a 17% higher probability for every ten kilograms of extra weight. The study suggests that psychological consequences of being overweight or obese drive this increased risk, rather than biological effects.
Researchers at Boston University School of Public Health found that patients who start long-term buprenorphine treatment before discharge from a short-term inpatient program are less likely to relapse and more likely to keep up treatment. This approach reduces the risk of overdose and improves outcomes for opioid users.
The study analyzed combined patient-level data from two randomized clinical trials to examine the effectiveness of dual antiplatelet therapy in patients who experienced a minor stroke or transient ischemic attack. The results indicate that treatment with clopidogrel and aspirin can improve outcomes for these patients.
A randomized trial of 120 hospital patients found that virtual reality (VR) sessions significantly reduced severe pain scores compared to a relaxation program on TV. Patients who used VR reported higher satisfaction with the experience and no difference in opioid prescribing.
A Finnish study has found that bowel preparation before colon surgery does not reduce surgical site infections or complications. The study of 400 patients showed no benefits to the procedure, suggesting it may be unnecessary.
This systematic review and meta-analysis found parent-based interventions associated with improved condom use and parent-child sexual communication in adolescents. The findings were generally modest, but there was a significant association across studies.
A randomized clinical trial and meta-analysis found intensive blood pressure control to be more effective than standard control in reducing stroke recurrence risk. Patients who received intensive blood pressure control had a lower risk of stroke compared to those on standard control, suggesting potential benefits for stroke prevention.
A new study suggests that partial knee replacements (PKR) are as effective as total knee replacements (TKR), with a lower cost. Over five years, PKR has similar or slightly better clinical outcomes than TKR, while offering substantial economic benefits.
A WVU study found that only folic acid and omega-3 supplements showed promise in reducing cardiovascular risk. Eating less salt was also beneficial for overall survival and cardiovascular mortality rates. However, the quality of evidence supporting other supplements and diets was considered low due to methodological issues.
The University of North Carolina will test the effectiveness of Med-South, an adapted form of the Mediterranean diet, in promoting long-term weight loss among patients with obesity. The randomized trial aims to assess the impact of this unique dietary approach on cardiovascular risk factors and blood pressure.
Two new trials show oral semaglutide is more effective than subcutaneous liraglutide in treating type 2 diabetes, with the latest trial showing it's also safe for patients with moderate renal impairment. Another trial found that insulin degludec plus liraglutide is a durable therapy option for type 2 diabetes.
The Lancet journals present research on improving stroke outcomes, including effects of antiplatelet therapy and robotic training for upper limb rehabilitation. Papers also explore extending thrombolysis and stenting for symptomatic vertebral artery stenosis.
The BRAVO-3 clinical trial found ProGlide VCD to be associated with lower rates of vascular complications and shorter hospitalizations after TAVR. The study showed ProGlide offered fewer complications compared to ProStar XL, with lower rates of acute kidney injury.
A new minimally invasive treatment option has been shown to dramatically lower rates of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in patients following a heart attack. The procedure, called LDL-apheresis, decreases LDL levels by 50-80 percent in two to three hours.
A year-long randomized controlled study is being conducted to evaluate the impact of switching from cigarettes to glo on markers of smoking-related disease development. The study aims to observe any favorable changes and determine if THPs may provide a less risky alternative to cigarette smoking.
A field experiment in Uganda found that raising tenants' share of crops from 50% to 75% can increase agricultural output by 60%, thanks to higher investment and risk-taking. The change also led to a sharp gain in overall welfare for tenants, but a 20% drop in landlords' income.
A new study found that nasal high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (NHFOV) is superior to nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) in preventing reintubation in preterm infants with neonatal ARDS. NHFOV reduced PCO2 levels and enabled infants to leave the hospital in fewer days.
A new study from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that higher body mass index (BMI) is linked to an increased risk of developing psoriasis. The observational study analyzed data from over 750,000 individuals and found a 9% increase in risk for each whole BMI unit increase.
A randomized clinical trial found that employees with workplace wellness programs reported better health behaviors after 18 months, including more regular exercise and weight management. However, there were no significant differences in other health outcomes or employment metrics.
A new Harvard study found that workplace wellness programs can increase healthy behaviors such as exercise and weight management, but have no significant effects on clinical measures of health or other outcomes. The study suggests that these programs may not yield large returns on investment in the short term.
A randomized trial found that a plant-based whole food diet reduced gingival bleeding and increased vitamin D values in patients with gingivitis. The experimental group also experienced weight loss and showed significant benefits without changes to plaque values.
Researchers found that commonly used observational approaches often fail to accurately measure ad effectiveness, overestimating its impact. Large-scale randomized controlled trials are considered the gold standard for evaluating ad campaigns.
A study examining calcium intake found that higher intake was associated with a lower risk of progression to late AMD. However, the association between calcium intake and different stages of AMD was inconsistent.
A randomized trial of Smart Choices 4 Teens, an online family prevention program, found significant reductions in teen alcohol use and related problems. The program decreased drinking days, amount consumed, and parent-teen communication about social host laws.
A recent study found that less than 10% of US doctors' treatment recommendations for heart patients are based on evidence from multiple large, randomized clinical trials. The majority rely on lower-quality data, with only 8.5% supported by Level A evidence.
A randomized clinical trial found that a behavioral intervention with counseling sessions improved sustained physical activity and reduced sedentary behavior in patients with type 2 diabetes. The study compared the intervention to standard care with general physician recommendations.
A randomized clinical trial involving over 650 US Army soldiers and Marines found inconsistent results for a text-based suicide prevention intervention that supplemented standard care. The study suggests potential reasons for the uncertain results in the military population, but highlights the need for further research on this issue.
A recent study found that adding adjuvant capecitabine to standard treatment did not significantly improve disease-free or overall survival for patients with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer. However, a subset of patients with nonbasal-like disease showed a significant benefit from capecitabine.
A recent analysis of published studies suggests that cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, can reduce seizures in children with severe forms of epilepsy. The median frequency of monthly seizures decreased with cannabidiol treatment, with many participants experiencing a 50% or greater reduction.
Researchers developed a new method to study sensitive behaviors, using a probabilistic technique that protects responders' identities. The study found that people from rural communities with limited job opportunities and those displaced by civil war were more likely to engage in illegal activities.
A clinical trial found that a minimally invasive treatment for retinal detachment resulted in better visual acuity and reduced visual distortion compared to traditional surgery. The procedure, called pneumatic retinopexy (PnR), also showed significant cost benefits for healthcare systems.
A study published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology found that elderly patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC) can benefit from concurrent chemo-radiotherapy, similar to younger patients. The analysis showed comparable survival rates and toxicity between older and younger groups, providing robust evidence for tre...
A recent study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that oral curcumin did not reduce inflammation or improve outcomes in patients undergoing elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. In fact, the study showed an increased risk of post-surgical kidney damage in patients taking curcumin.
A large meta-analysis of 81 randomised trials found no effect of vitamin D supplementation on bone mineral density, fractures, or falls in adults. The study suggests that clinical guidelines should be changed to reflect the best available evidence and that there is little justification for using vitamin D supplements for musculoskeleta...
A recent study analyzing 21 randomized clinical trials with 2,200 participants found that thyroid hormone therapy was not associated with improved quality of life or thyroid-related symptoms in adults with subclinical hypothyroidism. The results suggest that routine use of thyroid hormone therapy may not be necessary for this condition.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are associated with increases in weight, but exercise and diet may reduce the obesogenic effects of these environmental contaminants. Lifestyle changes can fight the obesogenic action of PFAS.