Clinical Research Directory

Sleep Hygiene Plus Physiotherapy for Sleep and Disability in Chronic Neck Pain

This study investigates the effectiveness of a combined intervention that integrates sleep hygiene education with physiotherapy exercises in patients suffering from chronic neck pain. Chronic neck pain is often associated with both musculoskeletal dysfunction and secondary sleep disturbances, which in turn may exacerbate pain perception, fatigue, and disability. Traditional physiotherapy exercise programs focus primarily on improving cervical mobility, muscle strength, and postural control, but they do not typically address sleep-related problems that can hinder recovery. The intervention in this study consists of two main components: Physiotherapy Exercise Program - A structured regimen targeting cervical spine mobility, deep cervical flexor strengthening, scapular stabilization, and postural correction. These exercises aim to reduce pain, restore function, and improve overall physical performance. Sleep Hygiene Education - A structured educational module covering principles of healthy sleep habits, including maintaining consistent sleep-wake schedules, creating an optimal sleep environment, limiting stimulants before bedtime, and adopting relaxation strategies to promote better sleep initiation and maintenance. By combining these approaches, the intervention addresses not only the physical impairments associated with chronic neck pain but also the psychosocial and behavioral factors contributing to poor sleep quality. Outcome Measures: Primary Outcomes: Sleep quality, assessed using validated tools such as the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Secondary Outcomes: Disability and functional limitations, measured by the Neck Disability Index (NDI), along with pain intensity assessed using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Fatigue will be assessed by fatigue inventory index Study Hypothesis: The combined intervention of sleep hygiene education and physiotherapy exercise will lead to greater improvements in sleep quality and reductions in disability and fatigue compared to physiotherapy exercise alone. Clinical Significance: If effective, this integrative approach may provide a cost-effective, non-pharmacological management strategy for patients with chronic neck pain, targeting both physical and behavioral contributors to their condition.

Monitoring Fatigue In Daily Life In Adults With Cerebral Palsy or Acquired Brain Injury

The goal of this observational study is to learn about levels and patterns of fatigue in adults with cerebral palsy (CP) and acquired brain injury (ABI) in daily life. The main question it aims to answer is: How do adults with CP and ABI experience fatigue in daily life? Researchers will compare data from CP and ABI with healthy volunteers to see if they experience fatigue differently. Participants will: * Monitor their symptoms, mood, and behavior in real-time by completing a brief survey on their mobile phone 10 times a day for seven consecutive days. * Attend a briefing session the day prior to the seven-day period of real-time monitoring. * Wear an accelerometer for the seven-day period. * Complete a daily sleep diary for the seven-day period. * Receive feedback on their real-time monitoring data, sleep and activity data.

Neuromodulation of the Autonomic Nervous System in Athletes

There are few studies in the literature that have evaluated the effects of using percutaneous stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve for sports purposes (to accelerate recovery after physical exertion). It has been demonstrated that tVNS in athletes improved the rate of heart rate recovery, reduced lactic acid levels in blood plasma, reduced pain, reduced overtraining syndrome and fatigue levels.

Effects of Oral Nicotine and Caffeine Pouches on Anaerobic Performance, Autonomic Function, Cognition, and Behavior

The goal of this randomized placebo controlled crossover trial is to determine effects of oral nicotine and caffeine pouches on anaerobic performance, autonomic function, cognition, and behavior in adult non-obese adult male volunteers between ages 21 and 40. Accordingly, the primary aims of the study are to determine the effects of acute oral nicotine pouches, oral caffeine pouches, or both, on measures of * anaerobic performance * cognition * cardiovascular and autonomic function * appetite and food intake. Researchers will compare oral nicotine pouches, oral caffeine pouches, both oral nicotine and caffeine pouches, and a flavor and color matched placebo to see if how they differentially affect measurements of * physical performance, * cognition, * cardiovascular and autonomic function * appetite and food intake. On four separate occasions, participants will be asked to place the oral pouches in their mouth and complete several anerobic cycling, cognitive, and balance tests while blood and salivary biomarkers, subjective appetite ratings, and cardiovascular and autonomic function measurements are collected. After each trial, participants will complete a 24-hr food record.