Mass General - Division of Clinical Research

Current methods of measuring the response to new treatments for muscular dystrophies involve the examination of small pieces of muscle tissue called biopsies. The investigators are interested in finding less invasive methods that reduce the need for muscle biopsies. The purpose of this research is to learn about the possibility of detecting and measuring the activity and severity of muscular dystrophies by examining a urine sample and a blood sample.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Nov 2019

open study

The overall goal of the DISCOVERY study is to better understand what factors contribute to changes in cognitive (i.e., thinking and memory) abilities in patients who experienced a stroke. The purpose of the study is to help doctors identify patients at risk for dementia (decline in memory, thinking and other mental abilities that significantly affects daily functioning) after their stroke so that future treatments may be developed to improve outcomes in stroke patients. For this study, a "stroke" is defined as either (1) an acute ischemic stroke (AIS, or blood clot in the brain), (2) an intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH, or bleeding in the brain), (3) or an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH, or bleeding around the brain caused by an abnormal bulge in a blood vessel that bursts). The investigators hypothesize that: 1. The size, type and location of the stroke play an important role in recovery of thinking and memory abilities after stroke, and pre-existing indicators of brain health further determine the extent of this recovery. 2. Specific stroke events occurring in individuals with underlying genetic or biological risk factors can cause further declines in brain heath, leading to changes in thinking and memory abilities after stroke. 3. Studying thinking and memory alongside brain imaging and blood samples in patients who have had a stroke allows for earlier identification of declining brain health and development of individualized treatment plans to improve patient outcomes in the future.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Mar 2021

open study

Machine perfusion technology is nearing the point of rescuing discarded liver grafts in the hope of proving them to be or improving them to the point of being transplantable. However, there are no validated metrics to determine transplantability after machine perfusion. This study involves collecting biopsies from transplanted livers before and after implantation to correlate metabolite and gene expression with post-transplant function. This data will help develop a viability index for machine perfused livers.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2018

open study

Continuation of the CARRA Registry as described in the protocol will support data collection on patients with pediatric-onset rheumatic diseases. The CARRA Registry will form the basis for future CARRA studies. In particular, this observational registry will be used to answer pressing questions about therapeutics used to treat pediatric rheumatic diseases, including safety questions.

Type: Observational [Patient Registry]

Start Date: Jul 2015

open study

This study aims to evaluate a preoperative fracture analysis tool that uses 3D visualization and biomechanical modeling to assist surgeons in planning screw and plate fixation for complex tibial plateau fractures. By simulating different fixation strategies based on patient-specific CT data, the tool provides insights into construct stability, potentially improving surgical precision and reducing intraoperative uncertainty. The study also investigates the tool's feasibility within current clinical workflows without altering the standard of care.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2025

open study

This Registry is a sponsor initiated, multi-center, observational post-approval registry with independent academic oversight.

Type: Observational [Patient Registry]

Start Date: Aug 2023

open study

This is a Prospective Registry study to collect imaging and clinical data both on patients with aortic aneurysm disease undergoing serial monitoring and on patients pre and post-endovascular repair, using ViTAA (The Sponsor) aortic mapping technology.

Type: Observational [Patient Registry]

Start Date: Dec 2021

open study

This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover pilot study of single-dose intranasal oxytocin (6 IU and 24 IU) vs. placebo in adult men and women (aged 18 years and above) with arginine-vasopressin deficiency to evaluate the effect of oxytocin on anxiety, depression, and socioemotional functioning (Part A), with an optional randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 2-week repeated dose substudy of intranasal oxytocin 6 IU or placebo (Part B). Following a screening visit to determine eligibility, participants will return for three main study visits in Part A. During the main study visits, study participants will receive either oxytocin or placebo, followed by assessments of emotional behavior. In Part A, thirty participants will be equally randomized to one of six possible groups: 1. 6 IU oxytocin - 24 IU oxytocin - placebo 2. 6 IU oxytocin - placebo - 24 IU oxytocin 3. 24 IU oxytocin - 6 IU oxytocin - placebo 4. 24 IU oxytocin - placebo - 6 IU oxytocin 5. placebo - 6 IU oxytocin - 24 IU oxytocin 6. placebo - 24 IU oxytocin - 6 IU oxytocin Following completion of the Part A crossover portion of the study, in Part B participants may also choose to continue participation in an optional, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled substudy of intranasal oxytocin 6 IU or placebo three times a day for two weeks, followed by assessments of emotional behavior.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2025

open study

A device registry to compile data on the performance of CERAMENT BONE VOID FILLER in normal use.

Type: Observational [Patient Registry]

Start Date: Mar 2020

open study

This is a prospective, observational, multi-center cohort study of pediatric cardiac arrests. The purpose of the study is to determine the association between chest compression mechanics (rate, depth, flow fraction, compression release) and patient outcomes. In addition, the investigators will determine the association of post cardiac arrest care with patient outcomes.

Type: Observational

Start Date: May 2016

open study

The study team aims to adapt a psychosocial intervention to reduce psychological distress among the caregiving parents of adolescents and young adults (aged 15-39) who have cancer. First, the study team will adapt an evidence-supported, group-based program for improving psychological resiliency (Stress Management and Resiliency Training - Relaxation Response Resiliency Program; SMART-3RP(E. R. Park et al., 2021)), and iteratively incorporate feedback from parents of AYA with cancer using a mixed-methods approach. Next, the study team will pilot the refined intervention to assess for preliminary indicators of feasibility, acceptability, and potential for efficacy in reducing parental distress.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2025

open study

This study aims to refine and pilot test HARMONY, a psychoeducational intervention for patients with newly diagnosed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2024

open study

During breast surgery, sensory nerves are cut which may lead to reduced sensation and pain. Surgical reinnervation techniques have been developed with the aim of improving postoperative sensation by preserving the nerves and connecting them to the nipple and areola. The investigators aim to compare postoperative sensation and patient reported outcomes in patients undergoing reinnervation versus those not undergoing reinnervation to determine if there is a difference. The investigators will investigate this in patients undergoing gender-affirming mastectomy, implant-based breast reconstruction and autologous breast reconstruction. The investigators will use various tools that measure sensation quantitatively.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Feb 2022

open study

The purpose of this study is to examine the usefulness of implanting small 24-K gold fiducial markers around a bladder tumor site, so that a Radiation Oncologist can identify the original tumor location at the time of radiation treatment. Other goals of the study include assessing whether a new MRI imaging technology can help with detection of bladder cancer earlier and more accurately when evidence of bladder cancer is not visible by scope.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2020

open study

The investigators will conduct a 13,000-patient randomized multi-center trial to determine (i) which general anesthesia technique yields superior patient recovery experiences in any of three surgical categories ((a) major inpatient surgery, (b) minor inpatient surgery, (c) outpatient surgery) and (ii) whether TIVA confers no more than a small (0.2 %) increased risk of intraoperative awareness than INVA in patients undergoing both outpatient and inpatient surgeries

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2023

open study

Patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) often have concomitant coronary artery disease (CAD) which may adversely affect prognosis. There is uncertainty about the benefits and the optimal timing of revascularization for such patients. There is currently clinical equipoise regarding the management of concomitant CAD in patients undergoing TAVR. Some centers perform routine revascularization with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (either before or after TAVR), while others follow an alternative strategy of medical management. The potential benefits and optimal timing of PCI in these patients are unknown. As TAVR expands to lower risk patients, and potentially becomes the preferred therapy for the majority of patients with severe aortic stenosis, the optimal management of concomitant coronary artery disease will be of increasing importance. The COMPLETE TAVR study will determine whether, on a background of guideline-directed medical therapy, a strategy of complete revascularization involving staged PCI using drug eluting stents to treat all suitable coronary artery lesions is superior to a strategy of medical therapy alone in reducing the composite outcome of Cardiovascular Death, new Myocardial Infarction, Ischemia-driven Revascularization or Hospitalization for Unstable Angina or Heart Failure. The study will be a randomized, multicenter, open-label trial with blinded adjudication of outcomes. Patients will be screened and consented for elective transfemoral TAVR and randomized within 96 hours of successful balloon expandable TAVR. Complete Revascularization: Staged PCI using third generation drug eluting stents to treat all suitable coronary artery lesions in vessels that are at least 2.5 mm in diameter and that are amenable to treatment with PCI and have a ≥70% visual angiographic diameter stenosis. Staged PCI can occur any time from 1 to 45 days post successful transfemoral TAVR. Vs. Medical Therapy Alone: No further revascularization of coronary artery lesions. All patients, regardless of randomized treatment allocation, will receive guideline-directed medical therapy consisting of risk factor modification and use of evidence-based therapies. The COMPLETE TAVR study will help address the current lack of evidence in this area. It will likely impact both the global delivery of health care and the management and clinical outcomes of all patients undergoing TAVR with concomitant CAD.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Dec 2020

open study

The TricValve® Transcatheter Bicaval Valve System is a bicaval transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement system, which includes the TricValve® Transcatheter Bicaval Valve for superior vena cava (SVC) and the TricValve® Transcatheter Bicaval Valve for inferior vena cava (IVC). The TricValve® Transcatheter Bicaval Valves are pre-mounted into the TricValve® Delivery System which is used for percutaneous access and delivery of the TricValve® Transcatheter Bicaval Valve in the vena cava. The system is a single use, sterile device compatible with all the valve sizes. The prostheses are implanted percutaneously into the inferior and superior vena cava without disturbing the native tricuspid valve. The device is made of bovine pericardium leaflets sutured on a nitinol self-expanding stent system.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2024

open study

A study of how supplemental oxygen helps patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE). Hypothesis: Oxygen affects right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) primarily by relieving hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction and reducing pulmonary pressure (PA) pressure, and that this process is metabolically driven.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2023

open study

This study is a mechanistic randomized controlled trial that investigates whether inhibition of tumor necrosis factor signaling via intravenous infusion of infliximab improves psychomotor speed and executive functioning in depressed individuals who exhibit an inflammatory phenotype.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jan 2025

open study

The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of conducting a randomized trial of a brief psychoeducational intervention versus enhanced usual care for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who are initiating neoadjuvant multimodality treatment.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2023

open study

NMOSDCopilot is a digital tool developed for the self-assessment of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder symptoms that impact patients' functioning and quality of life. It has been co-designed with the help of patient advocacy groups, NMOSD patients and medical experts. It includes a smartphone-based application for patients, connected to a web portal developed for healthcare professionals (HCSPs). The patient application is composed of vision, walking, cognition, and dexterity e-active tests inspired by clinical standards, as well as e-questionnaires. The HCP web portal is a desktop-based software that allows HCPs to access the results generated via the patient application and facilitates remote monitoring of patients' symptoms. The objectives of this study are to validate the accuracy, reliability and reproducibility of the unsupervised at-home self-assessment of symptoms on the patient's smartphone versus the standard in-clinic testing, as well as to evaluate the safety of use of the tool, its usability, and satisfaction towards the patient application among NMOSD patients, and the HCP web dashboard among HCPs.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Nov 2023

open study

The purpose of this Clinical Research Collaboration is to investigate the prognostic implications of pulmonary hemodynamics during exercise based on a large scale multi-centre approach by using retrospective and prospective analysis of hemodynamic data.

Type: Observational [Patient Registry]

Start Date: Dec 2018

open study

Individuals with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) frequently report difficulties with attention and memory. The main question this study seeks to answer is: Do patients with ITP have evidence of cognitive impairment as detected by a cognitive function test battery? To address this issue, participants will take a cognitive function test and complete surveys on quality of life, fatigue, depression, and cognitive symptoms. The primary aim of the study is to evaluate for the presence and extent of cognitive impairment in patients with ITP. The study will also assess whether cognitive impairment in ITP is associated with patient-reported impacts on quality of life, fatigue, mood, and cognitive symptoms as well as clinical characteristics such as ITP disease and treatment history.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Sep 2024

open study

The study will enroll 200 women newly diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy within 5 months postpartum in a randomized placebo controlled trial of bromocriptine therapy to evaluate its impact on myocardial recovery and clinical outcomes. Given that bromocriptine prevents breastfeeding, an additional 50 women with peripartum cardiomyopathy excluded from the trial due to a desire to continue breastfeeding but meeting all other entry criteria will be followed in an observational cohort.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2022

open study

RATIONALE: Studying samples of blood and tissue from patients with cancer in the laboratory may help doctors learn more about changes that occur in DNA and identify biomarkers related to cancer. It may also help the study of cancer in the future. PURPOSE: This clinical trial is analyzing the DNA in blood and tissue samples from patients with lung cancer.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Sep 2005

open study