Clinical Research Directory

Optimizing Prescribing Decisions for Hospitalized Older Adults With Chronic Conditions

The goal of this pilot clinical trial is to learn if providing a clinical decision framework for managing older adults chronic conditions during hospitalization to inpatient clinicians improves clinicians' ability to individualize chronic condition prescribing decisions for hospitalized older adults (65 and older). The main questions it aims to answer are: * Will the clinical decision framework lead to clinicians having greater confidence to individualize discharge prescribing? * Will clinicians using the framework discharge make fewer changes to hospitalized older adults with home diabetes and hypertension medications than they did prior to receiving the framework? * Will older adult patients of participating clinicians will report fewer gaps in understanding of medication changes after the clinician is exposed to the framework? Researchers will compare participating clinician survey responses and prescribing records from before and after an educational session presenting the clinical decision framework. Participants will be asked to * Attend a one-time educational session on the clinical decision framework * Complete 2 electronic surveys, one before and one following the educational session. * Agree for researchers to contact their patients, in order for patients to complete a one-time phone survey about changes made to home medications during hospitalization and quality of communication from the hospital team.

Breast Cancer Screening Decision Aid

This is a randomized survey study of 2 decision aids for breast cancer screening. Decision aids are tools that present structured information to patients about a medical test or treatment. The goal of this study is to compare a video-based decision aid to a written decision aid and assess the impact on intention to screen in the future, readiness to make a decision about screening, and knowledge of screening. The study will use an online survey platform (YouGov) and will include women 75 and older who have been previously screened for breast cancer and do not have a history of breast cancer.

Strength-based Tailored-Exercise Program at Home for Geriatric Patients

This study focuses on the "Strength-based Tailored-Exercise Program at Home (STEP@Home)" aimed at improving health outcomes for geriatric patients at risk of hospitalization-associated functional decline. It is a sequential mixed-method study that combines quantitative and qualitative approaches.

Evaluation of Efficacy of Coconut Oil Mouth Care for Non-autonomous Hospitalised Elderly People.

This is a prospective, longitudinal, randomised, open-label, multicentric, interventional, comparative superiority study. The main objective is to demonstrate the superiority of oral care with coconut oil on the oral status of elderly people hospitalised in geriatrics, versus oral care with glycerol sticks.

Geriatrics in the Intensive Care Unit

Life expectancy is longer in populations of medium- and high-income countries. Older adults are an increasingly large population in intensive care units (ICUs). There are limited publications about the epidemiology, benefits, expenditure, and outcomes of elderly and very old critically ill patients. We are designing a study to characterize older adults admitted to the intensive care unit and determine factors associated with adverse outcomes. The discharge registry of the ICU of a third-level hospital was reviewed. Records from January to December 2024 were reviewed. Three age groups were selected for comparison: A. \<65 years; B. 65-79 years; C. 80 years and above. The outcomes to compare will be: mortality, need for invasive mechanical ventilation, ICU length of stay, and duration of mechanical ventilation.

Clinical Efficacy of Exoskeleton Robot-Assisted Rehabilitation on Lower Limb Functional Recovery in Elderly Patients With Hip Fracture

With the intensification of population aging, hip fracture, as a common bone disease, is seeing an increasing incidence rate among the elderly population. Traditional rehabilitation training methods can no longer fully meet the functional recovery needs of elderly patients with hip fractures. Due to their wearability and intelligence, exoskeleton robots provide an innovative solution for rehabilitation training. This study aims to explore the application effects of exoskeleton robots in postoperative rehabilitation for elderly patients with hip fractures by utilizing exoskeleton robot-assisted rehabilitation training for elderly hip surgery patients. The focus is on its improvements in motor ability, balance ability, and pain levels, while also assessing its impact on patients' overall quality of life and the prevention of complications.

Kinesiophobia and Physical Function in Elderly With Musculoskeletal Pain

This study aims to investigate how kinesiophobia (fear of movement), pain intensity, and physical performance are related in older adults experiencing musculoskeletal pain. Musculoskeletal pain is highly common in the elderly due to age-related degenerative changes, such as osteoarthritis, chronic low back pain, osteoporosis, and muscle weakness. These conditions often lead to reduced mobility, impaired balance, and limitations in daily living activities. As a result, many older adults may avoid physical activity due to fear of pain or reinjury, which may further decrease their functional capacity. The primary purpose of this study is to understand whether kinesiophobia contributes to lower physical performance in elderly individuals who have musculoskeletal pain. The study will also examine how pain intensity relates to balance, upper and lower limb strength, and overall functional ability. Participants aged 65 years and older will complete a set of standard assessments in a single 30-minute session. Kinesiophobia will be measured using the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, a 17-item questionnaire designed to assess fear of movement and avoidance behaviors. Balance will be evaluated with the Berg Balance Scale, which includes 14 tasks commonly performed in daily life. Lower limb strength will be assessed with the 30-Second Sit-to-Stand Test, while upper limb strength will be measured with a handgrip dynamometer. Understanding these relationships may help clinicians design better rehabilitation programs that reduce fear, improve physical performance, and support healthy aging. The findings of this study may also contribute to strategies for preventing disability and promoting independence in older adults with musculoskeletal pain.

Carotid Artery Corrected Flow Time and Inferior Vena Cava Collapsibility Index for Prediction of Hypotension After Induction of General Anesthesia in Geriatric Patients Undergoing Elective Surgery

In this observational study, we will assess cFT by Carotid ultrasound and IVC collapsibility index for prediction of hypotension after induction of general anesthesia in geriatric patients undergoing elective surgery.

Perturbation-Based Treadmill Training to Prevent Unrecovered Falls in Geriatric Patients

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine the effectiveness of perturbation-based balance training (PBT) in preventing unrecovered falls among geriatric patients aged ≥70 years with a prospective fall risk of ≥40%. The study will also assess the safety and feasibility of PBT. The main research questions are: A total of 396 participants will receive 9 training sessions of either PBT or conventional treadmill training and will attend an assessment before and after the intervention, as well as 6 and 12 months follow up. Falls will be documented throughout the entire study period using calendars, telephone interviews, and proxy information. The primary outcome, unrecovered falls, will be recorded after the end of the intervention until 12 months follow up.

Aging, Geriatric Syndromes and Clonal Hematopoiesis

In this study the investigators will incorporate a wide range of clinical variables associated with aging and cardiovascular disease to determine whether they are associated with mutation status independent of chronologic age. Clinically, aging can be operationalized using geriatric assessment, which entails a comprehensive multi-dimensional assessment of the health of an older adult, including measures of comorbidity, polypharmacy, functional status, cognition, depression, falls, social activities and social support. Given that aging is heterogeneous, geriatric assessment allows greater specificity for aging than chronological age alone.

Pericapsular Nerve Group and Lumbar Erector Spinae Plane Blocks for Geriatrics Undergoing Total Hip Arthroplasty

This study will be conducted to evaluate the effect of pericapsular nerve group and erector spinae plane block as adjuvants to general anesthesia in geriatrics undergoing total hip arthroplasty.

Understanding the Preferences and Views of Older Adults on the Use of Geriatric and Objective Functional Assessments for Cancer Treatment Planning.

This Interventional clinical study aims to explore how receiving information about their health and physical abilities affects the treatment decisions of older adults. The study will look at whether sharing detailed assessments of their health and functional status helps older adults better understand their condition and make informed decisions about their care. The main question it aims to answer is if providing this information changes the treatment priorities of older adults, helping them focus on what matters most to them in their medical care.

Risk Factors for Falls and Neurocognitive Disorders CLSA

The study evaluates the association between the neurocognitive decline and falls.

Social Deprivation Assessment in Older Adults

Social deprivation is a state to which older adults may be exposed, leading to adverse social, psychological, and health outcomes. Social deprivation may be more sensitive than socioeconomic status for predicting adversity while using only a few items for evaluation. However, there is no practical assessment for social deprivation in older Canadian adults. Two indices that capture a broad picture of social vulnerability have previously been developed for older Canadians. Using participants in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA), the overall objective is to examine and compare the associations of the COAD score and index, as well as the Keefe et al. and Andrew et al. indices with prevalent and incident adverse social, psychological, and health outcomes in participants at baseline assessment.

RISK FACTOR ANALYSIS OF CHEWING AND SWALLOWING PERFORMANCE IN GERIATRICS

Various structural and functional problems in neural, sensory and perceptual, cardiovascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, endocrine, and musculoskeletal systems occur in geriatrics not associated with a specific disease. One of the problems observed in geriatrics is chewing and swallowing disorders. Failure to detect changes in chewing and swallowing performance in elderly individuals at an early stage may lead to chewing and swallowing disorders and serious complications in later stages. Therefore, it is necessary to comprehensively and systematically address the possible factors affecting chewing and swallowing performance in geriatric individuals. The first aim of the study is to analyze the factors affecting chewing and swallowing performance in geriatric individuals within the scope of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF). The second aim of the study is to create a dysphagia risk prediction model for geriatric individuals based on the results of the analyses to be conducted. In the study, the dependent variables, chewing performance, will be evaluated with the Chewing and Swallowing Test of Solids, and swallowing performance will be assessed with the Repetitive Saliva Swallowing Test and Dysphagia Limit. Independent variables affecting chewing and swallowing performance have been considered within the scope of the ICF, and all possible factors determined for both geriatrics and swallowing have been listed, and the evaluation parameters and assessment tools have been decided. The evaluation parameters have been categorized under ICF headings such as personal factors, body structures, body functions, activity and participation, and environmental factors, and the evaluations to be conducted have been divided into two groups: geriatric and physiotherapy evaluations. The geriatric evaluations are part of routine geriatric assessment and do not include any specific evaluation for the study. Physiotherapy evaluations will be applied in a certain order to use time efficiently and will take approximately 35-45 minutes. Through geriatric and physiotherapy evaluations, a holistic assessment of participants within the scope of ICF will be ensured.

Comparative Effects of Sensory Integration Therapy and Balance Board Training in Community Dwelling Older Adults

Balance plays a significant role in stability and walking and it's essential for improving the quality of life and functional autonomy while reducing the risk of falling. This research intends to shed light on the advantages of sensory integration therapy and balance board training because it is important to addressing the issues related to ageing and their possible effects.

Comparative Effects of Modified Otago and Frenkel's Exercises in Geriatric Population

The goal of this randomized clinical trial is to compare the effects of modified Otago and Frenkel's exercises on balance, motor function, fear of fall and quality of life in the geriatric population. The main questions it aims to answer are: * How modified Otago and Frenkel's exercises affect balance, motor function, fear of fall and quality of life in the geriatric population? * Is there any difference between the effects of these two exercises? Researchers will compare the effects of modified Otago and Frenkel's exercises to see which kind of exercise has superior effects on the mentioned outcomes. Participants will be randomly divided into two groups who will perform their respective exercises for 45 minutes 3 days a week for 8 weeks. Outcomes will be evaluated at the baseline, 4th week and 8th week.

The Effect of Trunk and Upper Extremity Exercises Added to the Otago Exercise Program

This study is designed to investigate the effect of adding trunk and upper extremity exercises in traditional and mobile game formats to the Otago exercise program on balance performance, fall risk, and fear in older adults. A randomized controlled, cross-sectional, single-blind (evaluator) study will be conducted with 36 older adults aged 65 and older enrolled at Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University (MSKÜ) Elderly Studies Application and Research Center. Participants will be divided into three randomized groups: control group (12 individuals receiving the Otago exercise program), study group 1 (12 individuals receiving additional trunk and upper extremity exercises with traditional methods added to the Otago exercise program), and study group 2 (12 individuals receiving additional trunk and upper extremity exercises with mobile game method added to the Otago exercise program). Participant demographics informations will be recorded in Form 1. Participants' cognitive functions , levels of independence in activities of daily living, fall risk , and fear of falling will be evaluated. Balance performance will be assessed using the Mini Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest), portable computerized kinetic balance measurement (SportKAT 650-TS), "5 Times Sit-to-Stand" and "Four-Stage Balance Test" from the Otago Exercise Program. Participants' body sway will be assessed simultaneously with the second part of the Mini-BESTest using a mobile application. All assessments will be conducted by a researcher blinded to the exercises, both before and after the exercises, in a one-on-one face-to-face setting. In the exercise protocol, a personalized, home-based, 30-minute Otago exercise program consisting of strength, balance, and walking exercises performed three times a week will be implemented for 8 weeks with home visits and telerehabilitation sessions (via Videoconferencing) under the supervision of the responsible researcher. In addition to the Otago exercise program, trunk and upper extremity exercises (totaling 45 minutes) will be implemented in study group 1 using traditional methods and in study group 2 using the mobile game method. Telerehabilitation sessions will be conducted via an Android-based tablet if the study is supported by Tübitak 1002 A Rapid Support Module. Individual smartphones of participants will be used if the study is not supported. All questionnaires, scales, and tests used in the initial assessments will be repeated at the end of the 8-week exercise protocol for all participants.