Clinical Research Directory

Effect of Vegetarien Diet on Protein Digestibility in Young and Elderly Volunteers

Plant proteins are usually less digestible than animal proteins, but they may benefit gut health through effects on the microbiome. The long-term impact of diets rich in plant products on protein digestion and metabolism is still unknown, especially in older adults with higher protein needs. This study aims to compare the digestion and use of pea proteins in young and older adults, both vegetarians and omnivores. Volunteers are divided into four groups: young omnivores, young vegetarians, older omnivores, and older vegetarians. They take part in two clinical investigation days. On the first day, nitrogen retention and protein metabolism is measured after consumption of a pea-based meal. On the second day, amino acid digestibility of pea is evaluated. These results will provide valuable data on how plant proteins are digested and metabolized depending on age and diet. They will also help determine whether aging reduces the availability of plant proteins. This knowledge is important to support nutritional strategies for populations with specific protein needs, such as older adults.

MDT-Based Umbrella Decision Model for Geriatric Lung Cancer Patients

This is a single-center, prospective, single-arm interventional study with historical control, designed to evaluate the clinical value of a multidisciplinary team (MDT)-based decision-making umbrella decision model in elderly patients with lung cancer. A total of 2,000 patients aged 60-90 years with newly diagnosed non-small cell or small cell lung cancer will be enrolled. Each patient will undergo comprehensive geriatric assessment and receive an individualized treatment plan formulated by an MDT comprising thoracic surgeons, geriatricians, oncologists, pulmonologists, rehabilitation therapists, and radiologists. Treatment options include surgery, ablation, stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy, targeted therapy, and best supportive care. The primary outcome is 3-year progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary outcomes include overall survival, objective response rate, quality of life (EORTC QLQ-LC43), incidence of adverse events (CTCAE v5.0), and healthcare economics. Historical controls (2014-2024) will be extracted from hospital records and matched using propensity score matching. The study aims to establish a standardized MDT pathway to improve treatment outcomes and reduce risks in the geriatric lung cancer population.

Elderly Patients Undergoing Surgery During Perioperative Period

The elderly patients have poorer overall conditions and have lower tolerance to trauma, anesthesia, and surgery. Therefore, the incidence of postoperative complications is relatively higher. In non-cardiac surgeries, approximately 20% of elderly patients experience postoperative complications, and the incidence of postoperative delirium (POD) is 23.8%. This may lead to prolonged hospital stays, increased hospital costs, and affect prognosis and even mortality. The investigators plan to conduct a prospective cohort study by systematically collecting biological samples and clinical information of elderly patients during the perioperative period to explore the possible risk factors and pathogenesis of postoperative delirium and postoperative complications in elderly surgical patients, and to construct a risk prediction model for postoperative complications.

Aurora: AI-Based Narrative Intervention to Support Emotional Well-Being in Clinical and Non-Clinical Populations

Aurora is an interdisciplinary project evaluating a chatbot-mediated supportive care intervention designed to promote emotional expression, autobiographical meaning-making, identity processes, and emotional well-being through guided narrative reconstruction. The Aurora system provides a structured, person-centered storytelling process supported by generative AI and human facilitation. Under the supervision of a trained facilitator (licensed mental health professional), participants engage in guided reminiscence and storytelling sessions to co-create a personalized "life book." The chatbot is not a diagnostic or treatment tool; rather, it is intended to support emotional expression, narrative reconstruction, and recovery-oriented processes. The study includes three non-randomized arms implemented sequentially: (1) a single-session arm of healthy adults focused on acceptability, usability, and emotional safety; (2) a four-hour intervention arm of adults with DSM-5 diagnosed mental disorders in residential care; and (3) a four-hour intervention arm of healthy older adults aged 65 years and older. Quantitative outcomes assess affect, mental well-being, and recovery-related constructs. Additional measures include usability, satisfaction, and qualitative feedback. Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) is conducted in Arms 2 and 3.

SENIOR: Stroke Prevention in the Elderly by Patent Foramen Ovale closuRe vs Anticoagulation

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is an important mechanism of embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS). Current guidelines recommend PFO closure for high-risk PFO in patients younger than 60 years, and a recent retrospective cohort study from Taichung Veterans General Hospital has shown that closure is effective and safe in older adults; however, the optimal treatment strategy for those \>60 years and direct head-to-head comparisons of PFO closure versus direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) remain insufficient. Robust evidence from a multicenter study combining prospective and retrospective cohorts is warranted. The SENIOR study is a multicenter observational cohort registry with a combined retrospective and prospective design. The prospective period is from September 15, 2025 to December 31, 2031, and the retrospective period covers January 1, 2013 to September 1, 2025; target sample sizes are 400 (prospective) and 500 (retrospective). We will enroll adults with ESUS and PFO; the prospective arm will focus on patients aged \>60 years with PFO related stroke. Treatments will be assigned as PFO closure, standard-dose DOAC, or antiplatelet agents (if DOAC intolerance) by local principal investigator. The primary outcome is recurrent ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack. Secondary outcomes include 6-month functional outcome, all stroke, and serial comparison of atrial cardiopathy changes. Safety endpoints include peri-procedural adverse events (including newly-onset atrial fibrillation), hemorrhagic stroke, and all caused mortality. Clinical presentation, imaging, cardiac testing, biomarker, and genetic data will be collected for stratified and multivariable analyses.

Anesthesia Maintenance With Target-controlled Infusion of Propofol and Remifentanil at Fixed Ratio

The impact of anesthesia depths on early postoperative neurocognitive complications after total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) remains controversial. In some studies investigating TIVA, anesthesiologists mainly achieve the target depth of anesthesia by adjusting the dose of propofol, whereas the doses of opioids remains comparable between different anesthetic depth groups, possibly resulting inadequate analgesia. This study is aimed to investigate the impact of different anesthesia depths maintained by target-controlled infusion of propofol and remifentanil at a fixed ratio on the incidence of early postoperative neurocognitive complications in older patients undergoing noncardiac surgery.

Prognostic Factors of Hospitalization for Patients Aged 75 and Over in Emergency Department in France - Monocentric Retrospective Cohort Study

A geriatric patient is defined as a patient aged 75 and over who meets certain medical or social vulnerability criteria and is characterised by coexisting physical and/or psychological dependence. The proportion of patients with a geriatric profile in the general population is growing. The average time spent in the emergency department by the elderly population is about 3 hours longer than for patients under 75 years old in France, which is associated with the risk of decompensation of chronic conditions, confusion, falls or agitation. An overnight stay in the emergency department for these patients increases the risk of mortality and the length of hospital stay. Several prognostic scores for hospitalization have been studied in adult populations. The most widely used scores are the Sydney Triage to Admission Risk Tool (START), the Ambulatory (AMB) and the Glasgow Admission Prediction Score (GAPS). Studies have compared these three scores and demonstrated the greater robustness of GAPS. The CalcuLation of the Elderly Admission Risk in the Emergency Department (CLEARED) tool, developed for the elderly population, has lower performance than GAPS. A systematic review of the literature studied the power of GAPS for the geriatric population and highlighted the need for validation in the target population. No validated hospitalization prognostic score was found in France for this population. The research hypothesis is that GAPS would detect hight probability of admission at the time of triage for the patients aged 75 and over in emergency department in France. The primary objective of this monocentric study is to evaluate the prognostic performance of GAPS for the target population (on the group 1). The secondary objectives consist of developing and internally validating a new score (PROFACTHOS) (on the group 2), then performing a temporal validation of PROFACTHOS with comparison to the GAPS (on the group 1), and finally to determine the threshold for classifying patients with a high probability of hospitalization for the score with the strongest discriminatory performance among GAPS or PROFACTHOS. Group 1: Patients aged 75 and over admitted to emergency department from 10/01/2024 to 09/30/2025. Group 2 : Patients aged 75 and over admitted to emergency department from 10/01/2022 to 09/30/2023

Estimate the Safety and Effectiveness of Adjuvanted Influenza Vaccine Among Asian Elderly People When Compared to Non-adjuvanted Vaccines

To compare the immunogenicity, cellular immune response, and safety between adjuvanted (aIIV4) and non-adjuvanted (IIV4) seasonal influenza vaccines in the Taiwanese elderly population with chronic medical conditions.

Catheter Ablation vs Conservative Care in Elderly Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

ACE-AF is a multicenter randomized study in people aged 78 years and older with symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF). AF is a common heart rhythm disorder in older adults and can cause reduced quality of life and lead to serious complications such as stroke and heart failure. The study compares two established treatment strategies: 1. Catheter ablation (an invasive procedure aimed at reducing AF by electrically isolating triggers in the heart, primarily through pulmonary vein isolation), and 2. Optimized medical therapy without AF ablation (medications for rate and/or rhythm control; AV node ablation with pacemaker may be used if clinically indicated according to routine care). Participants are randomized 1:1 to one of these strategies. All participants will receive an implantable loop recorder (a small heart rhythm monitor placed under the skin) to continuously track heart rhythm and measure AF burden over time. The study has two co-primary outcomes assessed over 24 months: 1. a composite of major clinical events (all-cause mortality, stroke, major bleeding, cardiac arrest, or hospitalization due to heart failure), and 2. patient-reported health-related quality of life (HRQoL), measured by the SF-36 "General Health" domain. ACE-AF will provide evidence to guide treatment decisions for very elderly patients with symptomatic AF and help identify which patients benefit most from an ablation-based strategy compared with optimized medical therapy.

Feasibility of Integrating Local Vibration Into Rehabilitation of Elderly Patients After Hip Fracture

Fractures of the upper end of the femur in elderly patients are the 2nd most common fracture. A fracture leads to a syndrome of psychomotor maladjustment, encouraged by pain and aggravated by hospitalisation. In 2014, 50,000 women and 16,000 men suffered this type of fracture every year. The consequences are serious, with a one-year mortality rate of 20 to 24% and an institutionalisation rate of 25%. In 2015, the direct cost of hip fracture in France was estimated at around €1 billion. In line with the recommendations of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the results of meta-analyses, it is recommended that, in the absence of surgical or medical contraindications, patients should be assessed within 24 hours of hip fracture surgery, with a view to initiating early mobilisation and multidisciplinary rehabilitation. It has been shown in healthy subjects that prolonged application of localised vibrations optimises nerve capacity, leading to an increase in maximum voluntary force. For population of frail elderly post-operative patients, this localised vibration technique could accelerate and improve functional recovery, particularly in terms of muscle strength, joint mobility and pain. A reduction in muscle loss is hoped for, with benefits in terms of tolerance compared with neurostimulation. As part of the implementation of the above-mentioned recommendations, the investigators wish to assess the quality of the integration of this technique, already in use in the department on an ad hoc basis, into the organisation of the department and of the patient's care pathway as a complement to the rehabilitation protocols, by identifying the obstacles and facilitating factors. The study will also provide the first estimates of the effect on muscle recovery. The investigator hypothesise that this local vibration protocol can be integrated into the rehabilitation department's work schedule and into the patient's care pathway, and that it will be acceptable to both the patient and the nursing staff.

The Efficacy and Safety of Metformin Intervention in Elderly Overweight or Obesity With Mild Cognitive Impairment

The prevalence of cognitive impairment in elderly obese patients is high, and the burden on families and society is heavy. Early intervention for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is of great value. Central nervous system insulin resistance plays a role in the pathogenesis of cognitive impairment, and functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI) can evaluate cognitive impairment by observing central insulin resistance. Some large database studies of Type 2 Diabetes show that metformin is related to reducing the risk of dementia, but some studies have different conclusions, and there is few related study in elderly obese patients. The investigators speculate that metformin may improve cognitive dysfunction by improving central insulin resistance in elderly obese patients. A prospective, randomized controlled single center clinical cohort study will be conducted on 54 elderly obese patients with MCI. One group will receive metformin and lifestyle intervention, while the control group will receive simple lifestyle intervention. All subjects will be followed up for 26 weeks. Medical history collection, physical examination, and laboratory tests will be conducted before and after intervention, and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale will be used for evaluation. Nasal insulin inhalation combined with fMRI will be used to evaluate central insulin resistance status as an objective basis for cognitive function evaluation. The main purpose of the study is to provide more accurate clinical research evidence for the prevention and treatment of MCI in elderly obese patients, in order to reduce the risk of developing dementia and alleviate the burden on families and society.

Hydration Guided by Remote Dielectric Sensing (ReDS) System for Preventing Acute Kidney Injury in Elderly Patients With Renal Insufficiency for Coronary Angiography and Intervention

Explore the effectiveness and safety of tailored hydration guided by lung water index monitor system for prevention of acute kidney injury after percutaneous coronary intervention for elderly patients with renal insufficiency.

Progressive Resistance Exercise Versus Functional Training in Elderly With Risk of Fall.

Study Design: Randomized Clinical Trial Objective: To find the effects of Progressive Resistance Exercises for balance and risk of falls in elderly population. To find the effects of Functional Training for balance and risk of falls in elderly population. To compare the effects of Progressive Resistance Exercises and Functional Training for balance and risk of falls in elderly population. Inclusion Criteria: Both Males and Female Patients Patients Age 65 years or above Participants with intact cognitive function or mild cognitive impairment who can follow instructions and provide informed consent Individuals medically cleared by their physician to engage in moderate-intensity physical activities, with no unstable medical conditions that could impede participation Participants willing to commit to an 8-week intervention program (3 sessions per week) and attend follow-ups as required. Exclusion Criteria: Elderly individuals who are non-ambulatory or unable to perform basic mobility tasks, such as standing or walking independently, even with assistive devices. Uncontrolled medical conditions such as uncontrolled hypertension, unstable angina, or severe arrhythmias. Participants with severe musculoskeletal conditions that significantly limit mobility or exercise participation (e.g., severe arthritis, recent fractures, or joint replacements within the last 6 months). Presence of acute pain or injury that may worsen with physical activity. Individuals with progressive neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease, stroke with severe residual deficits, or multiple sclerosis that impede safe participation in physical activities. Group 1: Progressive Resistance Exercises Participants in the Progressive Resistance Training (PRT) group will engage in a structured exercise program designed to progressively increase muscle strength, balance, and overall physical function. Group 2: Functional Training Participants in the Functional Training (FT) group will engage in exercises that mimic daily activities to improve balance, strength, mobility, and functional independence.

A Study to Evaluate the Effects of the Combination of GI-102 With GIB-7 on Biomarkers of Aging in Healthy Adults and Cancer Survivors

This Phase 2a clinical study (GIANTS-1) aims to evaluate a novel dual-combination strategy using GI-102 and GIB-7 to address key pathological features of aging, including immunosenescence (the aging of the immune system), metabolic dysfunction, and gut-brain-muscle axis dysregulation.

Hybrid Group Singing

The overall objective of the planned future clinical trial is to test the investigator's central hypothesis that habitual singing over several weeks, similar to habitual exercise, will lead to sustained and favorable vascular adaptation, thereby lowering cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. The overall objective of this study is to refine and protocolize the singing interventions and test the feasibility of the future trial design. The investigative team has previously studied solo singing. Collective singing, as in a choir or small group, is associated with a positive sense of social inclusion, well-being, and improved mood, including in older adults.

Effects of Laughter Therapy on Respiratory Functions and Geriatric Pain in Elderly Individuals

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of laughter therapy on respiratory functions and geriatric pain in elderly individuals.

Early Discontinuation of Antibiotic Therapy in Elderly Patients Hospitalized for a Viral Infection

Among winter respiratory viruses, influenza is the most common and therefore responsible for the highest mortality, but parainfluenza and RSV viruses have an even higher risk of mortality (1.6 to 1.9 times), this toll being paid mainly by the elderly and co-morbid population. Futhermore, SARS-Cov2 will probably become endemic and/or epidemic with the same targets of fragile patients. These viral infections are serious, however a bacterial co-infection worsens the prognosis even more: excess risk of mortality = 2.6, 95% CI \[1.9-3.7\]. Although rare, these co-infections are the subject of a prescription of antibiotics in more than 50% of influenza infections or other serious viral infections. Mainly due to this excess risk of mortality associated with the difficulty of diagnosing these co-infections. Proper antibiotic use requires preventing this misuse and its harmful consequences in the short and long term at all costs. It is therefore imperative to have solid (grade A) evidence showing that antibiotic therapy in viral infections is not only futile but also potentially harmful.

A Study of the Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Anaprazole Sodium in Special Populations

The objective of this study is to evaluate the pharmacokinetic profile and safety of anaprazole sodium in adult subjects, particularly including the elderly and those with renal or hepatic impairment.

Association Between Geriatric Frailty and Medication Related Problems in the Emergency Department to Help Clinical Pharmacists Prioritise Patients

The healthcare systems are under increasing pressure due to a rise in emergency consultations, staff shortages, an ageing population and rising costs. Emergency departments are seeing more vulnerable patients, including elderly people, who are often on multiple medications and at risk of medication errors. To improve safety, the integration of pharmacists specialising in emergency medicine has proven beneficial: their presence in the team improves the detection of medication-related problems, speeds up and optimises treatment, reduces rehospitalisations and lowers healthcare costs. However, in most countries, these pharmacists are still rarely found in emergency departments, mainly due to a lack of resources and clinical prioritisation criteria tailored for them and adapted to this environment. Frailty screening tools and scores, such as ISAR, can be used to identify the elderly patients most at risk, predict adverse events such as fall or mortality, and thus adapt their care in the emergency department. Indeed, elderly frail patients often take many medications and consequently are at risk of medication errors, adverse events, inappropriate prescriptions or serious drug interactions. These patients may therefore require a specialised review on their medication by clinical pharmacists when they are admitted to the emergency department, but their high number make it impossible to care for all of them. We aim thus to evaluate the association between frailty (according to the ISAR score) and medication-related problems among elderly patients admitted to the emergency department. Researchers will examine whether this score can predict the presence of inappropriate prescribing and high-risk drug interactions. If so, pharmacists would then have a quick and easy tool to prioritise patients who would benefit most from a specialised review of their medications when they visit the emergency department. There will not be any intervention and this study will not influence patients care. Once patients agree to participate, researchers will prospectively collect medical data from elderly patients admitted to the emergency department and analyse their medical history, home medication, reason for admission, frailty score using ISAR, and perform a pharmaceutical analysis based on these data.

Effects of Physical Exercise and Cognitive Training on Quality of Life in Older Women

Ageing exposes people to a progressive loss of cognitive and functional abilities, especially in women. The aim of the study is to investigate the effectiveness of different types of intervention, based on physical exercise and/or cognitive stimulation or training, on quality of life, cognition and mobility, on a population of older women.

Biological & Fonctional Signatures for Muscle Failures, Aged People & Personalized Physical Activity

Physical activity is one of the most effective therapeutic interventions for frailty, sarcopenia or dynapenia. The benefits of physical activity processes are already widely documented. Typically, researchers want to understand the average response to an intervention to determine its overall effectiveness. However, sports trainers have understood it for a long time, the response of an athlete or a patient to training is very variable and the standard deviations present in all the scientific studies on the subject confirm it. There is therefore inter-individual variation in the response to exercise, with some subjects showing much greater improvements than others. Thus, one can wonder if this "non-response" following training is specific to the training modality. The effects of physical exercise on the body depend mainly on its type, intensity and duration. Thus, from a practical point of view, the most important perspective is the prediction and, ultimately, the individual optimization of management through physical activity.

Predictors of Emergency Department Use in Frail Patients

When admitted to the emergency department (ED), elderly non-autonomous patients show high risk of adverse health outcomes. The prompt identification of ED use risk factors in such population is hence needed. While cognitive impairment is a known clinical risk factor, biomarkers of most prevalent dementias have been scarcely investigated as possible ED use predictors. Within this context, this prospective study aims at exploring whether plasma phospho-tau181 and cerebrovascular burden can predict ED use at 6 months in elderly non-autonomous patients, irrespective of frailty.

PET-CT in Lymphoma Among the Eldery

This study investigates PET-CT imaging patterns and metabolic parameters in elderly patients (≥60 years) diagnosed with lymphoma, aiming to enhance diagnostic accuracy and prognosis using 18F-FDG PET/CT scans.

Paracetamol and Mannitol Injection and Postoperative Delirium

The aim of this multi-center RCT is to investigate the effect of intravenous acetaminophen (paracetamol and mannitol injection) on postoperative delirium, comparing with intravenous sufentanil, in elderly noncardiac surgical patients admitted to ICU.