Clinical Research Directory

Elderly Care in Transition - Perspectives of the Elderly and the Staff

Elderly care in Sweden faces several significant challenges. The number of older people is increasing at the same time as there are fewer of working age. Elderly care staff, such as nurses, care assistants and nurses, have on average more sick days than many other professional groups and often experience high work-related stress. In some municipalities, there are also problems with high staff turnover and a lack of formal competence. At the same time, research shows that many employees experience work in elderly care as meaningful and valuable. Taking advantage of and strengthening these positive aspects is central to creating good conditions for the health and well-being of staff and for the quality of care and care for older people. An important area of development in elderly care is person-centred care, which means that care is based on the individual person's needs, wishes, life history and resources. Person-centred practice emphasises the relationship between the older person, the staff and, if the person so wishes, relatives. Although person-centered care is often seen as an obvious part of good care, research shows that it is not fully implemented in practice and that the introduction of person-centered working methods can be complex and demanding. This study is being carried out in collaboration between municipalities and the University of Gävle and is linked to the establishment of nursing homes for the elderly that will function as academic nursing homes. In these nursing homes, person-centered care will be a pronounced focus area. Through recurring measurements, the activities will be monitored and developed in close collaboration between practice and research. The overall aim of the study is to investigate older people's experience of academic nursing homes with a focus on person-centered care and nursing, outdoor environment, health and well-being, and to investigate the staff's experience of person-centered working methods, learning, structural conditions and work-related well-being. The study also aims to analyze the relationship between older people's experiences of person-centered care, outdoor environment, health and well-being, both among older people living in academic nursing homes and among older people living in their own homes. The study has a longitudinal design and data will be collected at several points in time using questionnaires and interviews, which enables both statistical analyses and an in-depth understanding of the participants' experiences over time. By highlighting the perspectives of both older people and staff, the study can contribute new knowledge about how person-centered care can be developed and maintained in practice. In the long term, the results can contribute to a more health-promoting, sustainable and attractive elderly care for both older people and staff.

The Ku Ola Project: Enhancing Health Promotion Among Native Hawaiian Men.

The Ku Ola Project: The goal of this study is to determine if community-based discussion groups and small educational sessions enhance health awareness and behaviors among Native Hawaiian men. The study will examine if these interventions improve participants' health knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy while fostering local networks to support ongoing health promotion. Participants will engage in group discussions and educational sessions designed to build capacity and encourage healthy lifestyle choices.

Nutrition for Precision Health, Powered by the All of Us

The goal of this Nutrition for Precision Health (NPH) powered by All of Us research study is to develop Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) algorithms that predict individual responses to diet patterns using rich multimodal data streams collected across multiple domains (e.g., behavior, social, environmental, clinical and molecular biomarkers). NPH includes a large phenotyping cohort (Module 1, N=8000) and two separate follow-up groups drawn from a subset of Module 1participants. One group (Module 2, N=1200) receives three distinct diets in a 14-day crossover sequence, with at least a 14-day washout period between diets, while living in their own homes. A second group (Module 3, N=150) receives the same three diets under full-time supervision in a residential research setting. We will train and test AI/ML models to predict 0-4 hour postprandial response curves for glucose, insulin, triglycerides, and GLP-1, to the standardized diet-specific meal test (DSMT) collected after each of the three different diets delivered in Module 2. Each diet functions as a controlled stimulus to reveal biological features (such as individual variables, patterns, or clusters of measurements) that best predict a person's response. The Module 2 DSMT response curves are the primary outcomes (dependent variables) for AI/ML algorithms that predict individual responses to diet patterns. As a secondary objective, NPH will evaluate the validity and acceptability of technology-based dietary assessment tools. The Automated Self-Administered 24-hour recall (ASA24), Automatic Ingestion Monitor-2 (AIM-2), and the mobile food record (mFR) will be evaluated in Modules 2 and 3, and the ASA24 food record and the image-assisted ASA24 recall will be evaluated only in Module 3. Total energy intake, macronutrient and dietary fiber intake data are the main outcomes for validity testing compared against measures of actual intake. Acceptability will be determined from feedback surveys.

Food Typologies and Multidimensional Phenotyping of Elderly in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (Part'AGE)

To better understand how diet influences health during aging, the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (INRAE) is working with the Gérontopôle Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes on a project called Part'AGE. Part'AGE is a participatory research project where researchers want to recruit 1,000 people aged between 55 and 75 years, men and women, living in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes in urban or rural areas. The goal is to study eating habits and state of health. To do this, researchers will examine many factors that can influence them, such as physical activity, overall health, consumption patterns or territories. Researchers will collect detailed information to classify participants into different groups (food typologies) based on their eating habits and state of health. With this distribution, the goal is to be able to give each group personalized nutritional advice to age in better health. To participate in the study, the participants will need to collect a few drops of blood from the end of the finger, a urine sample, and do some tests (mobility, oral health). It will also be necessary to fill out questionnaires on eating habits, physical activity, and other aspects that may influence health. The benefices for to participants will be to contribute to nutrition research and to receive personalized feedback and advices on eating habits.

Obesity Medicine Bank of the Quebec Heart and Lung Institute - Laval University (IUCPQ-ULaval)

Obesity medicine, or bariatric medicine, focuses not only on the biological and behavioral aspects, but also on the environmental and social factors that contribute to the development of obesity. Many diseases are associated with obesity, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, numerous cancers, gynecological disorders, etc. Focusing on obesity medicine is crucial for improving patients' quality of life, reducing healthcare costs, and developing effective prevention strategies. The Quebec Heart and Lung Institute - Laval University (IUCPQ-ULaval) maintains a clinical database and biological material bank for studying the multidisciplinary management of obesity and its complications. A biobank is a collection of information, clinical or biochemical data (including radiological, cardiac, and genetic data), and blood samples concerning donors. The information that can be collected includes, for example, age, sex, diagnosis, progression or treatment of a medical condition, medications, DNA, etc. DNA is a molecule present in all cells and contains all the information necessary for the development and functioning of our body. This bank aims to better characterize patients' profile receiving follow-up care in obesity medicine, identify predictive factors of success or failure of interventions and adapt management strategies according to specific needs. The collected data and blood samples will be used in several research projects with the following objectives: 1. To document the socioeconomic, demographic, clinical, radiological, genetic, and biochemical characteristics of patients living with obesity and requiring medical follow-up at the bariatric medicine clinic at the IUCPQ-ULaval 2. To explore the effects or associations of genetic and biochemical determinants on health in the context of obesity 3. To gain a better understanding of the pathophysiology and genes involved in obesity and associated metabolic abnormalities 4. To evaluate the clinical utility of non-invasive biomarkers in the screening of preclinical obesity and its comorbidities and/or 5. To evaluate the effectiveness of medications, health behavior changes, and bariatric surgery in order to develop optimal interventions aimed at improving the health and medical management of people with obesity.

Expanding Veteran Sponsorship Initiative+ to Support High-Risk Transitioning Servicemembers and Veterans: A Precision Medicine Approach

Background Young Veterans in the U.S. face a heightened risk of suicide, particularly during the first year after leaving military service-a period often referred to as the "deadly gap." Suicide rates among Veterans aged 18 to 34 have nearly doubled since 2001, and research shows that reintegration challenges during this transition are closely linked to increased suicide risk. The Veteran Sponsorship Initiative (VSI) was developed to address this critical period by connecting Transitioning Servicemembers and Veterans (TSMVs) with trained, VA-certified peer sponsors. These sponsors help TSMVs navigate civilian life and access VA care. Early evaluations show that TSMVs matched with sponsors are more likely to report lower levels of reintegration difficulties, higher levels of social support, engage in VA services and report lower rates of depression and suicide risk. This project enhances VSI by integrating predictive analytics-developed in partnership with Harvard Medical School and the DoW STARRS-LS team-to identify high-risk TSMVs before they leave the military. Those identified receive not only a sponsor but also targeted VA mental and health care services. This hybrid effectiveness-implementation study will evaluate the impact of this enhanced model (VSI+) on mental health outcomes and VA engagement among 2,700 high-risk TSMVs. Method/Design The purpose of this PEI proposal is to evaluate VSI expansion into VSI+ with enrollment occurring on four US Army installations (FY2026-2027). The study employs a pragmatic cluster-randomized trial with embedded mixed-method implementation evaluation to compare three arms: 1. Transition as Usual (TAU) 2. VSI Base= peer sponsorship and community support 3. VSI+= VSI Base plus VA stepped care services The evaluation is guided by the RE-AIM framework to assess: * Reach (enrollment rates) * Effectiveness (reintegration difficulties, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation/behavior, and VA utilization outcomes) * Adoption (site and staff uptake) * Implementation (fidelity and feasibility) * Maintenance (sustainability) Study Aims 1. Effectiveness: Evaluate the impact of VSI Base and VSI+ on reintegration difficulties, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation/behavior, and VA utilization outcomes. 2. Implementation: Assess the feasibility and fidelity of implementing VSI Base and VSI+ across multiple sites using a bundled strategy. 3. Economic Impact: Estimate the budget impact of VSI Base and VSI+ on healthcare costs, including inpatient, emergency, and outpatient care.

National Sponsorship Program for Transitioning Service Members

Background: The United States is undergoing a suicide epidemic for its youngest Veterans (18-to-34-years-old) as their suicide rate has almost doubled since 2001. Veterans are at the highest risk during their first-year post-discharge, thus creating a "deadly gap" for them. In response, the nation has developed strategies that emphasize a preventive, universal and public health approach and embrace the value of community interventions. The three-step theory of suicide suggests that community interventions that reduce pain from reintegration difficulties and promote connectedness for Veterans as they transition to civilian life have the greatest likelihood of success. Recent research shows that the effectiveness of community interventions can be enhanced when augmented by volunteer and certified sponsors (1-on-1) who actively engage with Veterans, as part of the Veterans Affairs' Transitioning Servicemember/Veteran (TSMV) Sponsorship Initiative. Method/Design: The purpose of this trial is to determine how to implement the Veteran Sponsorship Initiative in six cities in Texas in collaboration with the US Department of Defense, VA, Texas government, and local stakeholders. Texas is an optimal location for this large-scale implementation as it has the second largest population of Veterans aged 18-to-34-years-old and is home to the largest US military installation, Fort Hood. The first aim is to further determine the effectiveness of the Sponsorship Initiative, as evidenced by measures of proximal variables (reintegration difficulties, health/psychological distress, VA healthcare utilization and connectedness) and distal variables (suicidal ideation and behaviors). The second aim is to determine how best to implement the Veteran Sponsorship Initiative in Texas with the intent of future expansion in more states. TSMVs (n=630) will be recruited from military installations six months prior to discharge and prior to moving to target cities. The evaluators are utilizing implementation strategies, such as building community partnerships and external facilitation. Evaluation will be conducted through interviews with TSMVs and periodic reflections with key stakeholders to identify barriers, facilitators, and adaptations. Outcome evaluations will be conducted with TSMVs completing surveys and data collection from working with stakeholders. Discussion: This evaluation will have important implications for the national implementation of community interventions that address the epidemic of TSMV suicide. Aligned with the Evidence Act, it is the first large-scale implementation of an evidence-based practice that conducts a thorough assessment of TSMVs during the "deadly gap".

Temporal Investigation of Multimodal Elements

The TIME Study is a research project aiming to understand the body's natural rhythms. The goal is to see how daily and weekly changes in our bodies-from what's happening at a molecular level to data from wearable devices-are connected. What is the study about? This study is trying to create a detailed map of how a person's body changes over time. By looking at information from blood, urine, and other samples, as well as data from smartwatches and other devices, researchers want to learn how our bodies' natural cycles work in healthy older adults. The long-term goal is to use this knowledge to help develop more personalized healthcare in the future. Who can participate? The study is looking for healthy adults, age 55 or older, who have a smartphone and are able to travel to the Buck Institute in Novato, California, for study visits. Participants will be asked to: Attend weekly visits over 11 weeks to provide blood and other samples. Wear health-tracking devices like a smart ring and watch. Use a smartphone app to answer questions about their daily routines. Complete two "challenge" tests, including drinking a glucose solution and exercising on a stationary bicycle. Return for follow-up visits after 6 and 12 months. Are there any risks or benefits? Benefits: There are no direct health benefits for participants. However, the information gained will help scientists create better diagnostic tools and treatments for future generations. Risks: The main risks are minor discomfort from things like blood draws or skin irritation from the wearable devices. All personal information and data are kept private and secure.

Effectiveness of School-based Oral Health Intervention for Children

Schools provide an ideal setting for early interventions. Evidence suggests that educational programs incorporating behavioural change theories can improve oral hygiene practices and clinical outcomes. A School-Based Oral Health Promotion Program on Oral Health Practices, Behaviour, Self-Efficacy, and Clinical Outcomes Among Primary School Children for six months, while the control group will receive no intervention, only routine care.

How a Single Workout Affects Gut Bugs in Women With Different Fitness Levels and Body Types

This study aims to elucidate the differences in the gut microbiome functional activity and metabolome in adult premenopausal women with distinctive fitness levels and BMIs (with obesity, w/o obesity). The specific aims are as follows: * Aim 1: To examine the effects of acute aerobic exercise at 60-70% heart rate reserve (HRRmax) for 30 minutes bout on changes in the abundance of SCFA-producing bacteria and their functional downstream metabolic activity. * Aim 2: To examine the effects of acute aerobic exercise at 60-70% HRRmax 30-minute bout on changes in GM-released SCFA concentrations in stool and plasmatic metabolome.

A Crossover Clinical Trial Investigating the Effects of Geranylgeraniol (GG) Supplementation on Testosterone Levels in Healthy Men and Women Over an 18-week Period

The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of geranylgeraniol (GG) supplementation on testosterone levels in middle-aged (40 to 65 years) healthy men and women. The research team hypothesizes that geranylgeraniol (GG) supplementation will enhance testosterone levels and improve self-reported health outcomes in a healthy population.

Optical Coherence Tomography And NEphropathy: The OCTANE Study

Patients with high blood pressure (hypertension) and chronic kidney disease are at an increased risk of developing heart disease and strokes. Part of this risk is due to changes in the structure and function of the blood vessels throughout the body. It is thought that reducing high blood pressure and treating chronic kidney disease improves the structure and function of blood vessels but information on this is limited. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a method of looking at the blood vessels at the back of the eye. It is a simple, quick and non-invasive test that you may have previously had during a visit to the optician. The purpose of the study is to ascertain whether OCT is able to detect changes in the eye's blood vessels in patients with hypertension and chronic kidney disease compared to healthy individuals and also to see if any differences seen improve with treatment.

Characteristics of Intestinal Bacteria and Their Effects on Growth and Immune Function in Children at High Altitude

Microbes and the human body maintain a complex relationship of interaction and influence. Different regions, altitudes, and dietary habits have different degrees of influence on the composition of children's intestinal flora. Therefore, the development and maturation process of children's intestinal flora in plateau areas was discovered, and its relationship with children's immunity, metabolism, and growth was understood. The mechanism of action of children's intestinal flora on immunity, growth and development was further analyzed by comparing it with people in low-altitude areas, to provide a scientific basis for improving children's health in plateau areas.

Bile Acids As Determinants of Postprandial Metabolism

This study aims to understand how bile acids (BAs) appear in the bloodstream after eating and how this might affect inflammation and metabolism. To do this, we will measure changes in BA levels in 100 healthy women after they eat a high-fat and high-carbohydrate meal. Blood samples (a small amount of 500 µL) will be collected from a finger prick at 7 time points over 5 hours. In the second part of the study, 40 women will be invited back-20 with the highest and 20 with the lowest increases in BAs. These participants will eat the same test meal, and blood samples will be taken from a vein to study markers of health, metabolism, inflammation, and the gut microbiome. By exploring how BAs work in the body, this study hopes to find new ways to understand and prevent chronic diseases.

A Study on the Changes and Prognosis of Intestinal Microbiota and Function in Infants With Food Allergies

Microorganisms maintain a complex interrelationship with the human body, influencing each other. In recent years, people have gradually realized that the formation of the pediatric microecosystem is closely related to the development of gastrointestinal and even systemic immunity in children. The establishment of the pediatric microecosystem during childhood has significant implications for various diseases in adulthood. They are crucial for the host's nutrition, metabolism, resistance to pathogens, and immune function. Increasing evidence supports the association between gut microbiota abnormalities and the pathophysiology of food allergies, but the conclusions of existing clinical efficacy studies remain controversial. Previous research by the team has found that the gut microbiome has a clear impact on the occurrence and development of digestive and allergic diseases in children.

Nursing Strategies to Increase Vaccination Rates in Adolescents: Education, Video Animation and Games

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate how immunization education, video animation, and game interventions based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) affect the immunization decisions of late adolescents. The findings could contribute to the development of targeted interventions to increase vaccine acceptance among adolescents. Hypotheses: Does the educational intervention, video animation, and game application affect adolescents' knowledge of vaccines? Do these interventions influence adolescents' positive attitudes towards vaccines? Will the interventions lead to significant changes in adolescents' health beliefs, especially regarding perceived risks, benefits, and barriers? Do the interventions increase vaccine acceptance and vaccination rates among adolescents? Do the interventions reduce vaccine hesitancy among adolescents? Can the Health Belief Model-based interventions provide an effective communication strategy to increase vaccine acceptance? Method: The research will be conducted from March 3 to March 30, 2025. Participants will undergo immunization education, video animation, and game applications. Expert opinions will be consulted for developing educational materials, videos, and games. Institutional approval will be obtained, and an informed consent form will be distributed to participants. Those who volunteer will be assigned numbers, and participants for the intervention and control groups will be selected using simple random sampling. Interventions: Educational Material: Aimed at increasing awareness about vaccines, the education focuses on the perceived risks, benefits, and barriers to vaccination. Video Animation: A video that explains how vaccines work, strengthen the immune system, and address perceived risks and benefits. Game Application: A simulation game called "infected interaction," where participants learn about the spread of infectious diseases during social interactions. Inclusion Criteria: Inclusion: Adolescents aged 18-21, willing to participate, complete research forms, and attend the sessions. Exclusion: Withdrawal from the study. Variables: Independent Variables: Gender, age, income, school, chronic illness, etc. Dependent Variables: Scale scores. Data Collection Tools: Adolescent Introductory Questionnaire: A form with 14 questions about demographic information and attitudes toward vaccination. Vaccine Hesitancy Scale: A 9-item scale measuring vaccine hesitancy. Self-Efficacy Scale: A 23-item scale to assess adolescents' self-efficacy in various contexts. Statistical Analysis: Sample size was determined by power analysis: 210 participants (105 intervention, 105 control). Data will be analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics V 26. Normal distribution will be assessed with the Shapiro-Wilk test, and homogeneity of variance will be tested with Levene's test. Pre- and post-test scores will be compared using repeated measures ANOVA. A p-value of \<0.05 will be considered statistically significant. Expected Outcomes: Increased Knowledge: It is expected that educational interventions and video animations will improve adolescents' knowledge about vaccines, potentially influencing their attitudes. Positive Attitude Change: The intervention may lead to more positive attitudes towards vaccination. Changes in Health Beliefs: The intervention could alter adolescents' perceived risks, benefits, and personal beliefs regarding vaccines. Increased Vaccine Acceptance: The study may demonstrate that these interventions increase vaccine acceptance and vaccination rates. Effective Communication Strategies: The study may identify effective communication strategies for increasing vaccine acceptance among adolescents. Contribution to Public Health: This research could show that interventions targeting adolescents may play a critical role in improving public health by reducing the spread of infectious diseases.

Application of Elbow Manipulation in Archers

The aim of this study was to: (i) assess the impact of maximal muscle strength and stiffness on EMG and Myoton parameters for selected upper limb muscles; and (ii) assess how manipulation of the initial 2-s tension phase, in particular involving muscle stretching, affects these EMG and Myoton parameters during karting training.

Survey for Caregivers Aged 50 and Over

There are more and more informal caregivers (PPA) in Quebec. Their increase between 2012 and 2018, according to data from the "General Social Survey - Care Given and Received," was significant, around 32%. The available data paint a typical portrait of a Quebec caregiver: (a) she is a woman, (b) aged between 50-55 years, (c) who devotes at least 3 hours of her time per week, on a regular basis, (d) to caring for an elderly parent. To this date, there is no reliable data on the health status-whether mental, physical, or social-of caregivers in Quebec. Yet this information is crucial because it affects the ability of caregivers to fulfill their role and, consequently, the stable health of the individuals they care for, allowing them to continue living at home. This situation exposes caregivers to a decline in their own health, and by extension, the health of those they care for. The fact that the typical Quebec caregiver is 50 years old or older increases the risk of health deterioration within the caregiver-care receiver pair. Indeed, age 50 is when the effects of physiological and pathological aging begin to impact the physical capacities of the elderly. Developing new practices that focus on the health characteristics of both caregivers and care receivers, in order to prevent health deterioration, is therefore a crucial step in supporting caregivers in their role and ensuring that care receivers can stay at home in good conditions for as long as possible. The issue of caregivers' health is still under-addressed in Quebec, both in the scientific literature and in population surveys. It seems that caregivers need a comprehensive evaluation of their health status (physical, mental, and social), given the significant impact caregiving has on their health. Research conducted within the Living Lab, led by Dr. Beauchet's team, has helped develop tools and questionnaires that effectively assess the frailty of individuals aged 50 and over and produce reports that raise awareness about their health status, enabling them to implement future care solutions that meet their needs. The overall objective is to assess the health status (mental, physical, social) of caregivers aged 50 and over, living in Quebec-through self-assessment to make them aware of their actual health condition and engage them in a process of self-care.

Acute Effects of Meteorological Factors and Air Pollution on Cardiovascular Health

The goal of this observational study is to analyze the acute effects of meteorological factors and air pollution on cardiovascular system. The main question it aims to answer is: 1. How do meteorological factors and air pollution affect cardiovascular system? 2. What is the interaction between meteorological factors and air pollution on cardiovascular system? Participants will: 1. Provide their health data obtained in physical examination, including but not limited to blood pressure, blood routine, urine routine and B-ultrasound. 2. agree that the research team will use their personal identification number, gender, age, education level and other information for statistical analysis of the data.

Effect of Oral D-mannose Tablets on Pharmacokinetics of Dabigatranate in Healthy Adults

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of oral D-mannose tablets for 2 consecutive weeks on the pharmacokinetics of dabigatrun etexilate, a P-glycoprotein probe substrate drug, in healthy adults