Sponsor or institution
Clinical trials and research at VA Puget Sound Healthcare System
As of November 12, 2026, Find a Trial lists 91 NIH-funded research projects at this institution. Every study is explained in plain English. Data from ClinicalTrials.gov and NIH RePORTER, updated November 12, 2026.
- 91NIH research projects
NIH-funded research (newest 40 of 91)
Early-stage science funded by the US National Institutes of Health. Most of these projects don't enroll patients, but they show what is being worked on.
-
Improving prosthetic fitting in rural areas with remote limb scanning
A study tests whether a helper can remotely capture limb shape with affordable digital tools to create a well-fitting prosthetic socket, reducing travel for rural Veterans.
-
Gentle electrical stimulation to keep muscles strong during stem cell transplant
This project uses small, gentle electrical pulses to try to help Veterans keep muscle strength and reduce fatigue during and after stem cell transplants for blood cancers.
-
Home-based conservative care for advanced kidney disease in older adults
A patient-friendly look at a program that uses home-based, multidisciplinary care to support older Veterans with advanced kidney disease who choose to avoid dialysis.
-
Genetic predictors of recovery and surgical outcomes for Veterans with chronic low back pain and lumbosacral spine disorders
This project uses VA health records and genetic information to find DNA markers linked to how Veterans fare with chronic low back pain and related spine conditions.
-
Optimizing how we capture foot shape to make better custom insoles for diabetes-related foot problems
A new project will compare different ways of capturing foot shape to make more comfortable, better-fitting insoles that reduce pressure and help prevent ulcers in adults with diabetes.
-
Center for Limb Loss and Mobility at VA Puget Sound: improving mobility for Veterans with limb loss
A VA center funded to improve movement, independence, and participation for Veterans with lower limb loss or mobility challenges through innovative research and patient-focused care.
-
Better staffing and workload for VA primary care teams
This project develops a new way to set how many patients each VA primary care team manages so providers stay healthier and veterans get reliable care.
-
AMPDECIDE: Helping Veterans choose amputation level with personalized outcome information
A doctor helps a veteran facing leg amputation learn personalized risks and likely outcomes for different amputation levels to guide their care choices.
-
Restore motion in the big-toe joint for people with hallux rigidus
Trying new 3D motion measurements and design ideas to improve big-toe joint movement for adults with hallux rigidus.
-
Evaluating how Veterans access and experience reproductive healthcare in a changing landscape
This project looks at how US veterans obtain contraceptive care, how satisfied they are with it, and where gaps still exist, especially for Black veterans and during the COVID era.
-
Supporting VA healthcare workers during the switch to a new electronic health record
This project will find ways to keep VA clinicians healthy, reduce burnout, and prevent staff leaving while hospitals switch to a new electronic health record.
-
Methylphenidate for PTSD with cognitive symptoms in veterans
A controlled trial tests whether methylphenidate helps veterans with PTSD and cognitive problems feel and think more clearly.
-
Smartphone app plus medications to help Veterans manage heavy drinking
A VA-led project tests whether using a mobile app together with medications for alcohol use disorder helps Veterans in primary care drink less and stick with treatment.
-
High-throughput functional testing of MYH7 variants in heart cells
Researchers are testing thousands of MYH7 gene variants in heart cells to better understand which changes cause disease, with the goal of helping people with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and their families.
-
Why ulcers form on the toes, heel, and top of the foot in diabetes
This project will measure how tissues at common non-sole areas of the diabetic foot (toes, heel, and top) respond to pressure and movement to help people with diabetes avoid ulcers.
-
Personalized 3D-printed diabetic insoles to reduce foot pressure
This project makes custom 3D-printed shoe insoles with special lattice patterns to lower high pressure on the feet of adults with diabetes who are at risk for foot ulcers.
-
Veterans' Center for Limb Loss and Mobility (CLiMB)
New prosthetics, rehabilitation approaches, and personalized care to help Veterans with lower limb loss or other mobility-limiting injuries move better and live more independently.
-
Preventing foot problems and amputations in veterans
Developing better measurements, devices, and treatment plans to help veterans with foot and ankle pain and people with diabetes keep their feet and avoid amputations.
-
Easier prosthetic socket fitting using caregiver-guided limb scans
See if caregivers using simple digital scans at home can help make prosthetic sockets that fit Veterans with lower-leg amputations as well as sockets made in the clinic.
-
Cerebellum pathways that shape thinking, reward, and fear responses
This project looks at specific cerebellar brain circuits that influence thinking, reward signals, and avoidance of threats to help adults with cognitive and psychiatric symptoms, including veterans with PTSD or TBI.
-
Nanobody treatment to block MSUT2 and reduce harmful tau in Alzheimer's
Tiny antibody-like treatments called nanobodies will be developed to block a protein (MSUT2) that helps harmful tau damage brain cells in people with Alzheimer's disease.
-
Oxytocin for weight, blood pressure, and metabolism in diet-related obesity
This project explores whether the hormone oxytocin can reduce appetite, boost calorie burning, and improve blood pressure and metabolic health for adults with diet-related obesity.
-
How protein clumps in the pancreas harm insulin-making cells
Researchers are trying to understand why sticky protein clumps form in the pancreas and how they damage the insulin-producing cells that are important in type 2 diabetes.
-
Home smart mat for foot temperature monitoring to help prevent diabetic foot ulcers
A smart mat you stand on at home for about 20 seconds will record foot temperatures to spot early warning signs for people with diabetes who have had prior foot ulcers.
-
Improving how VA heart doctors' performance is measured
This project measures new ways to track how well VA cardiology clinicians follow care standards to help make veterans' heart care safer and more consistent.
-
Home-based conservative kidney care for older adults
A home-based program to provide supportive kidney care to older Veterans with advanced chronic kidney disease who prefer not to start dialysis.
-
PET imaging of alpha-1 receptors in the brain for PTSD
A new PET brain scan to visualize alpha-1 adrenoceptors in people with PTSD to help identify who may benefit from prazosin treatment.
-
HealthyTogether: partner and family support to help with weight loss
HealthyTogether joins Veterans with a partner to teach communication and relationship skills to support healthier eating, activity, and weight loss.
-
Using balance training to wake up cerebellum circuits and help thinking after mild head injury
This project uses balance training in a mouse model of mild traumatic brain injury to change cerebellum circuits with the goal of improving thinking and balance for people with TBI.
-
A weight management program designed for Veterans with PTSD
This study is testing a special weight loss program called MOVE!+UP designed for Veterans with PTSD, combining support for losing weight with helpful therapy to tackle challenges like stress and unhealthy eating, while also encouraging group activities like walks to boost both weight loss and mental well-being.
-
Comparing two PTSD treatments for Veterans at high suicide risk
This project compares a combined Dialectical Behavior Therapy plus Prolonged Exposure approach to standard Prolonged Exposure with suicide risk management for Veterans with PTSD who are at high immediate risk of suicide.
-
Personalized prosthetic choice and rehab planning tool
This project will create a tool that helps clinicians pick prosthetic parts and rehab plans that match each lower-leg amputee's likely mobility and personal goals.
-
Virtual peer support for Veterans with multiple chronic conditions
This project offers virtual peer coaching to help Veterans who have two or more chronic health conditions better manage their care and feel healthier.
-
Raising NAD levels to reduce inflammation in heart failure
This project will try boosting the body's NAD levels to calm harmful inflammation in people with heart failure.
-
How the protein TDP-43 may make Alzheimer's worse
Researchers are looking at how the protein TDP-43 works with tau to make Alzheimer’s disease worse in older adults.
-
Decision aids to help Veterans choose the best amputation level
This project will build easy-to-use tools that show Veterans their personalized chances of outcomes for different lower-leg amputation levels so they can choose what fits their goals.
-
Testing a medication to improve cognitive function and reduce PTSD symptoms in Veterans
This study is looking at whether a medication called methylphenidate, often used for ADHD, can help improve thinking skills and reduce PTSD symptoms in Veterans, especially those who also have mild brain injuries. If you’re a Veteran dealing with these issues, you might be able to join and see if this medication works
-
Exploring mental health and risky behaviors in LGBT Veterans
This study is looking at the mental health challenges and risky behaviors that LGBT Veterans face, like depression and PTSD, to better understand their unique experiences and improve healthcare for them, and we’d love to hear from you about your mental health and treatment preferences.
-
Surgery risk calculator for people with cirrhosis
Building a calculator that estimates the chance of death and complications after surgery for people who have cirrhosis.
-
Preventing evictions, homelessness, and related health problems for Washington State veterans
Linking court eviction records with VA health and housing data to find Washington State veterans at risk of losing their homes so VA can offer help sooner.
Find the studies that fit you
A list is a starting point. Tell us your situation in your own words and we'll rank the studies that match and explain why. It's free and needs no account.