Clinical Research Directory

Auricular Vagal Nerve Stimulation for Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) is a connective tissue disorder characterized by hyperextensible skin, joint hypermobility and additional connective tissue manifestations. For unclear reasons, hEDS is associated with many gastrointestinal (GI) and autonomic nervous system (ANS) complaints such as postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). This study will address the clinical relationship between hEDS/Hypermobile Spectrum Disorders and autonomic regulation and see if there is a benefit of two forms of non-invasive vagal nerve stimulation therapies to reduce GI symptoms in hEDS and POTS. The study will also investigate plausible effects of these nerve stimulation therapies on gastric function and autonomic signaling.

Evaluating the Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Outcomes of Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback for Individuals With Opioid Use Disorder.

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes of a heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVB) intervention among adults with opioid use disorder (OUD) receiving residential treatment. The study aims to learn whether HRVB can be implemented successfully in this setting and whether it may help participants manage stress, emotional regulation, and cravings. The main questions this study aims to answer are: Is HRVB feasible and acceptable for adults with OUD in a residential treatment program, as indicated by recruitment, retention, adherence, and participant satisfaction? Do participants show preliminary improvements in stress, affect, emotional regulation, self-efficacy, and cravings following participation in the HRVB intervention? Participants will be adults with OUD enrolled in a residential treatment program. Participants will: 1. Complete baseline and post-intervention questionnaires assessing stress, affect, emotional regulation, social support, self-efficacy, and cravings 2. Participate in daily HRVB practice using a portable biofeedback device for approximately 3 weeks 3. Complete brief daily diary assessments related to mood, stress, and cravings This is a single-arm pilot study designed to inform the feasibility and future refinement of HRVB as an adjunct intervention for individuals with OUD in residential treatment settings.

Clinical Characteristics of Sleep Disorders in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis(UC) is one of the two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease(IBD), which seriously affects the quality of life of patients. Previous studies have demonstrated that more than 60% of IBD patients have sleep disorders, which is emerging as an important risk factor for disease recurrence and poor prognosis. However, the mechanisms by which sleep disorders regulates the occurrence and development of IBD remain undefined. This study aims to explore the clinical characteristics of ulcerative colitis patients with sleep disorders based on the microbiota-gut-brain axis, to analyze the effects of sleep disorders on autonomic nervous function, gut microbiota, and metabolites in UC patients.

Exercise Prescription in Cardiac Rehabilitation Mediated by Autonomic Function

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is an essential secondary prevention component in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and one of the most cost- effective clinical interventions. Exercise training (ET) in CR programs (CRP) has unequivocal benefits in the reduction of cardiovascular adverse events, by decreasing the overactivated sympathetic tone. This ET added value can be measured by variables that express autonomic control using indirect (standard) or direct (experimental) methodologies. Direct autonomic assessment (ex. Microneurography) is accurate but unusable in daily practice, whereas standard indirect autonomic assessment using clinical parameters is imprecise, resulting in underprescription to safeguard patient safety, with less benefit to the patients. In this project, we aim to apply Machine Learning models to a set of indirect and direct variables, to make a multivariate correlation analysis and so define a normalization factor for exercise prescription.