Clinical Research Directory

Changes in 24-hour Activity Cycle Behaviors During a Time-Restricted Eating Intervention in College-Aged Women

Time-restricted Eating (TRE) is a dietary approach that limits food intake to 4 - 12-hour windows without intentionally altering diet quality. TRE has several benefits including modest reductions in body weight and fat mass, improved glucose control, and reduced inflammatory markers. While research supports the metabolic and weight related benefits of TRE, there is limited evidence of its effects on physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB) and sleep - the core components of 24-hour Activity Cycle (24-HAC), which is a holistic framework that integrates the three health-related activities. TRE research has largely focused on clinical populations, leaving its feasibility and adherence in healthy younger adults understudied. Within this group, college students' misaligned circadian rhythms and unpredictable schedules may make adherence to TRE challenging, highlighting the need for research on its practicality in this group. These outcomes are also particularly important to investigate in women, considering that SB is more prevalent among college-aged women (69%) compared to men (46%). To address these issues, we will conduct a three-week intervention to study the effects of TRE on the 24-HAC outcomes. College aged women will be screened and enrolled, then assigned to either a control or TRE group. Participants in the TRE group will self-select the timing of their 8-hour eating window which they will maintain throughout the study (with compliance on at least six days per week needed to be considered adherent). The control group will receive a basic nutrition education at the start of the study and will have no restriction on eating times. 24 HAC behaviors will be measured continuously for one-week of baseline measurement and throughout the intervention by wrist-worn ActiGraph GT9X monitors. Participants will also record the timing of their first and last meal each day and receive periodic reminders to report their hunger and satiety ratings using visual analog scales.

Clinical ,Microbiological and Compliance Outcomes of AI-based Toothbrushes in Plaque Induced Gingivitis

Severe periodontitis is widespread and begins with reversible gingivitis, driven by poor oral hygiene and a dysbiotic microbiome. Daily toothbrushing is the simplest prevention, but patients still leave plaque. Electric brushes remove more plaque and reduce gingivitis better than manual ones, and users show better periodontal status. App-connected smart brushes and apps aim to improve adherence. Trials increased plaque reduction and brushing time versus manual brushing, but app layers have not clearly beaten standard power brushes, and microbiological outcomes are rarely reported. Xiaomi's AI-based sonic T501 adds pressure sensing, personalised coaching and coverage tracking, whereas the T302 is a simpler non-connected sonic brush. Streptococcus sanguinis is a health-associated early coloniser; its qPCR-measured relative abundance marks a healthy supragingival profile. It is still unclear whether AI guidance adds extra benefit beyond a standard electric brush in adult gingivitis.

A Low-Insulinemic Dietary Intervention to Reduce Breast Cancer Risk in High-Risk Women

This clinical trial tests whether a new dietary pattern that consists of foods that lower the blood insulin response can reduce breast cancer risk in high-risk women. In a large group of patients, this new dietary pattern was associated with reduced risk of multiple cancers and reduced risk of long-term weight gain. Parts of this new dietary pattern are quite different from typical dietary recommendations, and much education is needed. Overall, compared to the typical American diet, this new dietary pattern is moderately low in total fat and saturated fat, low in protein from animal foods but high in protein from plant sources, high in fruits and vegetables, high in whole grains, and high in dietary fiber. We will determine if a low-insulinemic dietary pattern intervention is feasible and effective in reducing breast cancer risk in high-risk women.

Pre-habilitation Within ERAS Protocol for Gynecologic Oncology Surgery: The Pre_ERAS Study

ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) protocols are step-by-step care plans that help patients recover faster after surgery. They focus on keeping the body's normal functions, lowering stress from surgery, and supporting a quicker recovery. In gynecologic cancer surgeries, ERAS has been shown to help patients do better, have fewer problems, and leave the hospital sooner. A prehabilitation program, in combination with ERAS protocols, aims to optimize patients' physical and psychological condition prior to surgery for gynecological cancers. Interventions may include tailored exercise, nutritional support, respiratory training, and psychological preparation. By enhancing baseline fitness and resilience, prehabilitation improves the body's ability to tolerate surgical stress, reduces complications, and facilitates a faster, smoother recovery within the ERAS framework.

Combining Light Therapy and CPAP in Depression

In a double-blind, parallel-group controlled trial, we aim to measure the effect of two weeks of light therapy combined with the CPAP on compliance CPAP in patients with major depressive disorder.

Genetic Testing and Motivational Counseling for FH

To date, there are highly effective lipid-lowering drugs, the combination of which makes it possible to achieve the target level of LDL-C in most patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). However, the effectiveness of treatment of FH patients strongly depends on adherence to lipid-lowering therapy and to the healthy lifestyle, as well as the detection of the disease and the therapy prescription as early as possible, better in childhood. The aim of the study is to assess the impact of genetic testing and motivational counseling on the effectiveness of treatment and cascade screening in patients with FH.