Clinical Trials

Pneumonia is a major public health problem for the elderly and is one of the leading causes of hospitalization and death for this population, particularly for elderly nursing home residents. This planning grants seeks to establish a safe and effective dose of zinc supplementation with the goal to conduct a larger randomized clinical trial to study the effect of zinc supplementation in nursing home elderly with low serum zinc levels on the risk, antibiotic use, and duration of sick days with pneumonia. This project has significant potential to positively impact the health and quality of life in the elderly and to reduce the economic costs associated with their care.

This observational trial studies whether respiratory viruses are the cause of lung disease (bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome [BOS] or graft-versus-host disease of the lung) and changes in lung function in patients who have received a donor stem cell transplant. Patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) are at higher risk of developing BOS. Studies have also shown that patients who had a respiratory viral illness early after their transplant are at higher risk of developing lung problems later on. Patients who are at risk and who already have BOS might benefit from being monitored more closely. Spirometry is a way of assessing a patient's lung function and is often used to diagnose lung disease. Spirometry measured at home with a simple handheld device may reduce the burden of performing pulmonary function testing at a facility and potentially help patients get their lung disease diagnosed and treated sooner.

The objective of this study is to investigate the mechanisms of respiratory functional and respiratory motor responses to the scES as an important step toward the long-term goal of developing effective evidence-based rehabilitation strategies for patients with SCI. The central hypothesis is that scES raises the excitability of motor networks for respiration resulting in amplified use-dependent neural plasticity in response to the respiratory training. The rationale for the proposed study is to justify the development of a new direction in respiratory rehabilitation by using respiratory training in combination with electrical spinal cord stimulation.

The purpose of this study is to see if adding a drug called Regadenoson to the EVLP circulation reservoir during perfusion of marginal donor lungs will help increase the likelihood that the donor lungs will become usable for transplantation.

Are you in need of a heart or lung transplant or have you had one in the past 3 months? Have you undergone a lung or heart transplant in the past 3 months or are you a candidate for heart or lung transplant? Some people with advanced heart and lung disease have heart and lung transplants but these new organs are often rejected. When this happens, patients must have repeated biopsies, which are invasive and expensive. Researchers in this clinical study want to see if a blood test can predict organ rejection and take the place of biopsies. To participate, you must be 18 to 80 years old and be a candidate for heart or lung transplant or have had a heart or lung transplant no more than three months ago. The study is taking place in Bethesda, Maryland, at the NIH Clinical Center, as well as in Baltimore, Maryland, and Falls Church, Virginia.

Have you received treatment from a doctor for COPD that has gotten worse and have you been referred for pulmonary rehabilitation, which can help ease the symptoms of COPD.? In this study, researchers are comparing two ways to encourage people to participate in pulmonary rehabilitation. Participants must be at least 40 years old and be willing to participate in calls with a peer coach and view videos. The study is taking place in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Are you an adult who has received urgent care for moderate to serious COPD in the past 4 weeks? This study aims to find out whether a method called Comprehensive Health Informatics Engagement Framework for Pulmonary Rehabilitation can help people who have COPD stick to their treatment plan. To participate in this study, you must be at least 18 years old. This study takes place in New York, New York.

This study is testing whether a new imaging technique can help healthcare providers diagnose venous thromboembolism. To participate in this study, you must be at least 18 years old and diagnosed with venous thromboembolism. This study takes place in Boston, Massachusetts.

Are you a healthy adult between 40 and 90 years old and willing to help research? This study will test whether a new device called the OsciPulse system, which is designed to repeatedly compress a person’s legs, can improve blood flow through the legs to prevent or treat varicose veins. To participate in this study, you must be 40 to 90 years old and healthy. This study takes place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.