Clinical Research Directory

Efficacy Trial of Healthy Together ("Juntos")

The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of a family-based digital (web and mobile phone-based) program known as Healthy Together ("Juntos") in preventing increases in body mass index and improving moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, diet quality, and percentage body fat among Hispanic adolescents.

With Love, Grandma ("Con Cariño, Abuelita") Pilot Study

The purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of a digital (web and mobile-phone-based) program to improve lifestyle behaviors (physical activity, dietary intake) among Hispanic female cancer survivors and adult daughters.

Power Training Progression Methods

This study will investigate the impact of two unique progression models for power training in a sample of healthy older adults. The objective is to identify the most practical methodology for implementing power training, which is considered a critical marker of functional capacity in older populations.

Low Versus High Load Training and Parkinson's Disease

This study will compare the effects of high-load resistance training to low-load resistance training, on measures of muscle strength and power and tests of daily performance in older adults with Parkinson's disease.

Feasibility and Fidelity of a Gross Motor-based Physical Activity Intervention on Cognition in Preschool-age Children

The goal of this study will be to examine the implementation and preliminary efficacy of a teacher taught gross motor skill-based physical activity (PA) intervention on cognitive variables in low low socio-economic (SES) preschoolers. The movement and cognition intervention will be implemented for 4 days per week for 6 months. Primary outcome variables will be processed evaluation data. Secondary outcome variables will be changes in children's cognitive function (executive functions and memory), gross motor skills, and PA levels at baseline, 3- and 6-month.

Periodization and Parkinson's Disease

This study will compare the effects of high-speed power resistance training to periodized training, which includes cycle of hypertrophy, strength and power, on measures of muscle strength and power and tests of daily performance in older adults with Parkinson's disease.

Early Psychological Intervention After Rape

Rape is a common cause of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among women, as around 30-50% will develop PTSD in the aftermath of rape. A modified protocol based on Prolonged Exposure Therapy (mPE), has been developed, consisting of three to five once or twice weekly 60 minutes sessions, and studies indicate that if implemented early after rape, mPE may prevent the development of PTSD. The aim of the study is to conduct a multi-site (4 Sexual assault care centers in Norway) randomized control trial (RCT) in which patients are recruited early after rape, and randomized to intervention (mPE) or treatment as usual (TAU).

Power or Plyometric Training in Older Adults

This study will compare the effects of high-speed power resistance training or plyometric jump training on muscle stiffness, jump performance and measures of daily activity in older adults living independently in the community.

Comparison of the Effects of Aerobic-Anaerobic Exercises on Hormonal and Immune Biomarkers

This study aims to compare the effects of aerobic and anaerobic exercise on hormonal, immunological, and metabolic biomarkers in young individuals using blood and saliva samples. It will also assess participants' physical activity levels, depression levels, and general lifestyle habits to explore their relationship with biomarker profiles. Biomarkers such as testosterone, progesterone, cortisol, IgA, alpha-amylase, insulin, lactate, and various inflammatory cytokines will be measured using ELISA. The study seeks to evaluate the physiological and psychosocial effects of different types of exercise in a holistic manner.

Perceptual-vision Training and Intellectual Disabilities

Physical activity for healthy ageing is an important feature and the possibility to detect practical solutions to solve the need for feasible health promotion interventions to reduce health disparities and wellbeing in individuals with intellectual disability (ID) is an open question. In this perspective, vision has a remarkable role in spatial cognition and organization, especially in individuals with ID. Therefore, the aim is to investigate the effectiveness of a perceptual-vision training program on cognitive performance (inhibitory control) and physical fitness (balance, agility and muscular strength) in adults with ID throughout 16 weeks. Participants with mild ID will be randomly divided into a perceptual-vision training group, a perceptual-vision training-detraining group and a control group. Cognitive performance and physical fitness will be assessed at baseline, mid and at the end of 16 weeks. In conclusion, a visual training program may present the potentiality to impact various health domains, from cognition to physical performance in individuals with intellectual disabilities, promoting their healthy aging.

Reference Values for the Muscle Power Sprint Test

The goal of this prospective, cross-sectional study is to develop updated reference values for the Muscle Power Sprint Test (MPST) in children aged 5-12 years. The main question it aims to answer is: • What are reference ('normal') values for the MPST in children aged 5-12 years? Participants will be asked to perform six short sprints of fifteen meters each, with a ten-second rest between each effort.

Investigation of Impairments in Body Functions and Structures, Activities and Participation Restrictions in COPD

This cross-sectional study aims to investigate to the impairments in body functions and structures, activities and participation restrictions according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD) patients.

PROCO Neck: The Course and Neuroplasticity in Neck Pain-Associated Disorders and Whiplash-Associated Disorders

Neck pain-associated disorders (NAD) and whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) are major health problems. NAD has a lifetime prevalence of 54%. Although the majority of patients recovers within the first three months, a minority develops persistent pain. WAD, in contrast, is reported less frequently, but patients are often suffering more badly. Patients with chronic symptoms represent a considerable burden in terms of pain, suffering, health care needs, and social costs. Findings on the natural course of NAD and WAD reflect the necessity to identify factors besides pain related to the persistence of symptoms. First, alterations of input and processing of multiple sensory modalities causing movement control impairment can result in persistent symptoms and affect the quality of life. Besides, findings of psychosocial factors predictive of pain outcomes support the growing body of research proposing a bidirectional relationship between somatic and psychosocial variables. In particular, there is a pressing need to investigate pain-related activity patterns, besides fear-avoidance behavior in NAD and WAD. Maladaptive activity pattern have an impact on on pain and disability in the long-term prognosis. Mt important, given the high prevalence of NAD and WAD, the cortical representation of the cervical spine has not yet been investigated and, reports on neuroplasticity remain scarce. These shortcomings should be addressed to provide evidence for the temporal aspect of neuroplasticity and its involvement in pain persistence. Hypotheses: We hypothesize I. that impaired sensorimotor abilities, mental health at baseline increase pain intensity and disability during measurement. II. that maladaptive pain-related activity patterns avoidance and overactivity at baseline are prognostic factors for pain persistence and disability. III. that the WAD cohort shows more depression, anxiety and stress compared to the NAD cohort.