About Featured Pediatric Research

Please see newly added pediatric research studies and other select study opportunities for children below.

CURRENT STUDIES THAT MAY INTEREST YOU


Children and Colds: Telemedicine Use Study – Parent Interviews

Are you the parent of a child who is 1 to 5 years old? Is your child insured through Medicaid? You may be able to participate in a research study to help better understand how families make decisions about seeking medical care for children with colds. This study involves a one 1-hour interview conducted by Zoom or by phone. Compensation provided.

NO IN-PERSON VISITS REQUIRED
 
Age Range
AGE:   1-5

Duration DURATION:  1 hour
VISITS:  1
Location LOCATION: 

Over Zoom or by phone
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

YES

Teen Brain Online

Are you the parent of a 13-17 year old girl? Does your daughter use Instagram at least once a week? Your daughter may be able to participate in a research study to help better understand how the teen brain responds to peer feedback on social media. This study involves one in-person visit lasting about two hours. Compensation provided.

Age Range
AGE:   13-17

 
Gender List
SEX ASSIGNED AT BIRTH:   Female

Duration DURATION:  About 2 hours
VISITS:  1
Location LOCATION: 

UPMC Presbyterian Hospital & UPMC Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic - Oakland
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

YES

Homewood Healthy Smiles Program

Are you the parent of a child who is 12-17 years old, and do you live in Pittsburgh’s Homewood community? Your child may be able to participate in two 1-hour virtual sessions as part of a research study examining oral health knowledge in children and teens. Topics will include soda and diet, oral hygiene, smoking, vaping, and more. All participants will receive a toothbrush kit.

NO IN-PERSON VISITS REQUIRED
 
Age Range
AGE:   12-17

Duration VISITS:  2
Location LOCATION: 

Online
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

NONE

LEADS Study: Life Experiences in Adolescents and the Development of Skills

Are you the parent of a child aged 12-15 years old who is sad, depressed, irritable, or withdrawn? Your child may be able to participate in a research study to help understand how children and teens learn and use a common coping skill. Participation may take place mostly online. Compensation is provided.

Age Range
AGE:   12-15

Duration DURATION:  6 months
VISITS:  2 in-person visits & 4 remote visits
Location LOCATION: 

Bellefield Towers - Oakland, Online or by Phone
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

YES

Needle Phobia Study

Are you the parent of a 3-6 year old who is afraid of needles? Is your child currently scheduled to receive a vaccination in the near future? You and your child may be able to participate in a research study to help develop a game designed to reduce fear of needles in young children. The study involves playing online games and completing questionnaires. Compensation is provided.

NO IN-PERSON VISITS REQUIRED
 
Age Range
AGE:   3-6

Duration DURATION:  10 days
Location LOCATION: 

At home
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

YES

Computer Science Education Parent Perspectives

Are you the parent of a child in 6th-12th grade? You may be able to take part in a research study to help understand parents’ perspectives about computer science education. Eligible participants may or may not have experience with computer science. Participation involves one short online survey. Upon completing the survey, participants may enter a random drawing for one of five Amazon gift cards.

NO IN-PERSON VISITS REQUIRED
 
Age Range
AGE:   11-17

Duration DURATION:  5-10 minutes
VISITS:  1 survey
Location LOCATION: 

Online
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

NONE

Addressing Autism in African American Families Research Study – Children Ages 7-11

Are you the parent of an African American/Black child aged 7-11 who has autism or a related disorder? You and your child may be able to participate in a research study to find out if a new therapy can help autistic children improve their coping and problem-solving skills. This study includes two 30-minute sessions per week conducted via Zoom. Compensation is provided.

NO IN-PERSON VISITS REQUIRED
 
Age Range
AGE:   7-11

Duration DURATION:  10-12 weeks
VISITS:  16
Location LOCATION: 

Online
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

YES

Playful Learning Study

Are you the parent of a healthy, typically developing 4-year old? You and your child may be able to participate in an online research study to help understand how parents support children’s learning and development. Participation involves 4 virtual home visits, a short phone interview, child development assessments, and questionnaires about family activities. Compensation is provided.

NO IN-PERSON VISITS REQUIRED
 
Age Range
AGE:   4

Duration DURATION:  8 weeks
VISITS:  4 virtual visits & one phone call
Location LOCATION: 

Online & By Phone
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

YES

Circadian Rhythms, Reward, & Sleep, (CARRS) Research Study

Are you the parent of a teen aged 13-15? Your child may be able to participate in a research study to help understand how sleep timing and duration affects teens’ thinking, mood, and behavior. This study involves completing one brief survey online or by phone. Some participants will be invited to take part in additional sleep research studies.

NO IN-PERSON VISITS REQUIRED
 
Age Range
AGE:   13-15

Duration DURATION:  5-10 minutes
Location LOCATION: 

Online or by phone
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

NONE

Healthy Teeth, Healthy Me

Are you the parent of a child under 3 years old and do you live in the Homewood neighborhood of Pittsburgh? You may be able to participate in a research study to find out if an online telehealth visit about your child’s oral health is helpful. Participation involves a one-on-one online visit, a free tooth brushing demonstration, and a drop-off of dental health supplies.

NO IN-PERSON VISITS REQUIRED
 
Age Range
AGE:   0-3

Duration DURATION:  1 hour
VISITS:  1
Location LOCATION: 

Video Call
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

NONE

Measuring Meltdowns: Development of a New Questionnaire of Emotions for Young Children

Are you the parent of a 2-5 year old child? You may be able to participate in an online research study to help develop a new questionnaire for measuring emotion management in children. Compensation provided.

NO IN-PERSON VISITS REQUIRED
 
Age Range
AGE:   2-5

Duration DURATION:  Up to 1 hour
VISITS:  1
Location LOCATION: 

Online
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

YES

Measuring Meltdowns: Development of a New Questionnaire of Emotions for Young Children with Intellectual or Developmental Disorders

Are you the parent of a 2-5 year-old child who has an intellectual or developmental disorder such as Down syndrome, Fragile X, Rett, Angelman, Prader-Willi, or Williams syndrome? You may be able to participate in an online research study to help develop a new questionnaire for measuring emotion management in children. Compensation provided.

NO IN-PERSON VISITS REQUIRED
 
Age Range
AGE:   2-5 year olds

Duration DURATION:  Up to 1 hour
VISITS:  1
Location LOCATION: 

Online
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

YES

Virtual BEaM Study – Children ages 11-14

Are you the parent of a child aged 11-14 who has mood swings? Does your child have a biological parent or sibling with bipolar disorder or major depression? Your child may be able to participate in a research study to find out how a virtual mindfulness group works in adolescents with mood swings. The study involves participating in group mindfulness sessions via video. Compensation is provided.

NO IN-PERSON VISITS REQUIRED
 
Age Range
AGE:   11-14

Duration DURATION:  5-6 months
Location LOCATION: 

Online
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

YES

Shaping Actions and Responses to Emotions (ShARE) Study

Are you the parent of a child aged 12-15 years old who is feeling depressed? Your child may be able to participate in a research study to help compare two different approaches to therapy. This study involves an initial assessment, four weekly sessions to learn a therapy skill for teens, and online questionnaires. Some sessions may be completed online or by phone. Compensation is provided.

Age Range
AGE:   12-15

Duration DURATION:  3 months
VISITS:  5
Location LOCATION: 

Bellefield Towers – Oakland and/or Online or By Phone
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

YES

Language Use and Mental Health during Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period – Parents of Infants

Are you currently pregnant or did you give birth in the past 12 months? Are you age 18 or older? You may be able to participate in a research study about maternal mental health. This study involves completing five weekly online surveys that will take about 15-25 minutes each. Compensation is provided.

NO IN-PERSON VISITS REQUIRED
 
Age Range
AGE:   0-1

 
Gender List
SEX ASSIGNED AT BIRTH:   Female

Duration DURATION:  5 weeks
VISITS:  5 surveys
Location LOCATION: 

Online
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

YES