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


KEYSTUDY – Children Ages 12-17

Does your child ages 12-17 have a parent with bipolar disorder? You and your child may be able to participate in a research study focused on early intervention for children who are at risk of developing mental health disorders due to their family history. This study involves assessments, interviews, and online sessions with a study therapist. Compensation provided.

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

Duration DURATION:  18 months
Location LOCATION: 

Videoconference or Bellefield Towers
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

YES
NO IN-PERSON VISITS REQUIRED
 

AGE:  12-17

DURATION: 18 months

LOCATION: Videoconference or Bellefield Towers

COMPENSATION:  YES

Sleep Health in Children with Sensory Processing Difficulties Study

Are you the parent of a child aged 6-10 who has sensory sensitivities or sensory processing disorder? You and your child may be able to participate in a remote research study to help learn more about sleep health in children with sensory sensitivities. Study participation involves questionnaires, at-home activity monitoring, and a short interview. Compensation is provided.

NO IN-PERSON VISITS REQUIRED
 
Age Range
AGE:   6-10

Duration DURATION:  3 weeks of active participation

Location LOCATION: 

Online or by mail
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

YES
NO IN-PERSON VISITS REQUIRED
 

AGE:  6-10

DURATION: 3 weeks of active participation

LOCATION: Online or by mail

COMPENSATION:  YES

Project WORD – Children with Dyslexia and/or Language Disorders

Are you the parent of a child who is currently enrolled in 2nd grade? Does your child have a diagnosis of dyslexia and/or another speech or language disorder? Your child may be able to participate in a research study to find out how children learn new words. This study involves 8 visits over 8 weeks that are done online via Zoom. Compensation is provided.

NO IN-PERSON VISITS REQUIRED
 
Age Range
AGE:   7-8

Duration DURATION:  8 weeks
VISITS:  A minimum of 8, a maximum of 10 (45-60 min)
Location LOCATION: 

Online via Zoom
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

YES
NO IN-PERSON VISITS REQUIRED
 

AGE:  7-8

DURATION: 8 weeks

VISITS: A minimum of 8, a maximum of 10 (45-60 min)

LOCATION: Online via Zoom

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

AGE:  13-17

SEX ASSIGNED AT BIRTH:  Female

DURATION: About 2 hours

VISITS: 1

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

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
NO IN-PERSON VISITS REQUIRED
 

AGE:  12-17

VISITS: 2

LOCATION: Online

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 (in-person visits occur in first month)
VISITS:  2 in-person visits & 4 remote visits
Location LOCATION: 

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

YES

AGE:  12-15

DURATION: 6 months (in-person visits occur in first month)

VISITS: 2 in-person visits & 4 remote visits

LOCATION: Bellefield Towers - Oakland, Online or by Phone

COMPENSATION:  YES

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 help autistic Black children increase their coping and problem solving skills in social, academic, and everyday situations. This study includes weekly 40-minute sessions conducted via Zoom. Compensation is provided.

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

Duration DURATION:  8 weeks
VISITS:  8 online sessions
Location LOCATION: 

Online
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

YES
NO IN-PERSON VISITS REQUIRED
 

AGE:  7-11

DURATION: 8 weeks

VISITS: 8 online sessions

LOCATION: Online

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
NO IN-PERSON VISITS REQUIRED
 

AGE:  13-15

DURATION: 5-10 minutes

LOCATION: Online or by phone

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
NO IN-PERSON VISITS REQUIRED
 

AGE:  0-3

DURATION: 1 hour

VISITS: 1

LOCATION: Video Call

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
NO IN-PERSON VISITS REQUIRED
 

AGE:  2-5

DURATION: Up to 1 hour

VISITS: 1

LOCATION: Online

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
NO IN-PERSON VISITS REQUIRED
 

AGE:  2-5 year olds

DURATION: Up to 1 hour

VISITS: 1

LOCATION: Online

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
NO IN-PERSON VISITS REQUIRED
 

AGE:  11-14

DURATION: 5-6 months

LOCATION: Online

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

AGE:  12-15

DURATION: 3 months

VISITS: 5

LOCATION: Bellefield Towers – Oakland and/or Online or By Phone

COMPENSATION:  YES