Clinical Research Directory

PULP SENSIBILITY AND MASSETER INHIBITORY REFLEX IN DIABETIC POLYNEUROPATHY

Accurate evaluation of dental pulp health is essential to avoid unnecessary endodontic treatments. In routine dental practice, pulp sensibility is commonly assessed using electric pulp testing and thermal (cold) testing. However, these tests depend on patient perception and may be influenced by various factors such as systemic diseases, nerve damage, anxiety, trauma, or medication use. Diabetic polyneuropathy is a common complication of diabetes mellitus and may alter peripheral nerve function, potentially affecting dental pulp sensibility test responses. This clinical study aims to evaluate how the severity of diabetic polyneuropathy influences dental pulp sensibility responses and masseter inhibitory reflex (MIR) parameters. The MIR is an objective neurophysiological reflex that allows quantitative assessment of trigeminal nerve function. In this study, individuals with mild diabetic polyneuropathy, severe diabetic polyneuropathy, and healthy controls will be evaluated. All participants will undergo electric pulp testing, cold testing, and MIR measurements using standardized protocols. The primary hypothesis of this study is that increasing severity of diabetic polyneuropathy leads to reduced dental pulp sensibility responses and altered MIR parameters compared to healthy individuals. It is further hypothesized that conventional pulp sensibility tests may produce false-negative results in patients with advanced neuropathy. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to more accurate endodontic diagnosis and improved understanding of orofacial neurophysiological changes in diabetic patients.

The Effect of Motivational Interviewing on Knowledge, Self-Efficacy, and Treatment Adherence in Patients With Primary Hypertension Living in Semi-Rural Areas

This study is a single-center, single-blind, parallel-group randomized controlled trial designed to examine the impact of a Health Belief Model (HBM)-based motivational interviewing (MI) intervention on knowledge level, self-efficacy, and treatment adherence among primary hypertension patients living in a semi-rural region. Hypertension, despite its typically asymptomatic course, is a prevalent chronic condition that contributes significantly to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Poor adherence to treatment and insufficient disease-related knowledge remain major barriers to achieving optimal blood pressure control. Self-efficacy is recognized as a crucial psychological determinant influencing lifestyle modification and medication adherence, and theoretical models-particularly the HBM-provide a structured framework for understanding individuals' health perceptions and facilitating behavioral change. Motivational interviewing, a patient-centered counseling method aimed at strengthening intrinsic motivation, is thought to be particularly effective when combined with the HBM. The integration of these two approaches is expected to enhance individuals' readiness for change and promote active engagement in treatment. Existing evidence indicates that MI-based interventions can improve medication adherence, encourage lifestyle modifications, increase self-efficacy, and support better blood pressure control. These findings form the conceptual basis of the present study. The trial was conducted between November 2025 and April 2026 at Hisarardı Family Health Center in Simav, Kütahya. The target population consisted of 140 individuals diagnosed with primary hypertension. Using G\*Power with an effect size of 0.60, 80% power, and α=0.05, the required sample size was calculated as 50 participants per arm. Stratified randomization by sex and block randomization with blocks of four were employed. The intervention group received a four-session MI program structured according to the HBM, consisting of the following components: Enhancing risk perception and awareness of disease severity Highlighting treatment benefits and reducing perceived barriers Strengthening self-efficacy and developing a personalized action plan Strategies for maintaining behavioral change and identifying cues to action Each session lasted 30-45 minutes and was delivered biweekly. Participants in the control group did not receive any educational intervention and continued with routine clinical follow-up only. Data were collected using the following instruments: Hypertension Knowledge Level Scale Hill-Bone Medication Adherence Scale Hypertension Self-Efficacy Scale Systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements Assessments were conducted at baseline (0 month), mid-intervention (3 months), and at the end of follow-up (6 months). Statistical analyses will be performed using SPSS 26.0, including paired and independent sample tests, correlation analyses, and effect size calculations. Ethics approval, institutional permissions, and scale-use authorizations were obtained prior to data collection, and all procedures were carried out in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. This study is expected to offer valuable insights into the applicability of theory-driven educational interventions in primary care settings, clarify the contribution of motivational interviewing to hypertension management, and inform national initiatives such as the Disease Management Platform (HYP).

Healthy Adult Reference Biobank for Cardiovascular Biomarkers in China

Establishing reference intervals for high-sensitivity cardiac troponin in the apparently healthy population in China.

Haemodialysis Alters Hypercoagulability of Blood in Dialysis Patients

Primary Objective: To develop a thrombotic event risk assessment model integrating serum biomarkers (TM, TAT, t-PAIC, PIC) with clinical data, systematically compare its predictive performance across healthy populations, vascular surgery patients with acute thrombosis, and dialysis patients, and evaluate its predictive advantages over the Padua Prediction Score and D-dimer. Secondary Objective: To investigate the expression profiles of these four thrombotic biomarkers in different populations and their associations with thrombotic event types and clinical contexts (e.g., duration of dialysis, anticoagulation regimens), identifying independent risk factors and underlying mechanisms to provide a scientific foundation for stratified thrombotic risk management and personalized intervention strategies.

Motor Learning in Health and Movement Disorders: Role of Physical Activity and Advanced Devices

The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate motor responses in healthy subjects and patients with movement disorders, brain and spinal cord injury, neuromuscular diseases, or cardiovascular diseases. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of traditional physical activities combined with innovative interventions such as cryotherapy, ultrasound therapy, laser therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). It will also assess the impact of proprioceptive stimuli provided by either the immersive virtual reality (CAREN), or visuo-cognitive-motor enhancement (S.V.T.A.), and music therapy. The main questions it aims to answer are: How do these interventions affect motor activities and their functional recovery? What are the temporal and spatial changes in activation sequences related to motor learning and maintenance? When there is a comparison group: Researchers will compare outcomes between different intervention arms (e.g., physical activity with advanced devices vs. traditional methods) to find out if the advanced interventions result in better motor control and functional recovery. Participants will: * Undergo various rehabilitation protocols including physical activity and advanced interventions. * Be assessed using different tool, such as fMRI, dtMRI, and NIRS to study in vivo neuroimaging and assess changes in brain function and connectivity.

Effects of Combined Exercise Training Modality

This study aims to investigate the effects of combined Inspiratory Muscle Training and aerobic exercise on diaphragm and pulmonary functions, respiratory muscle function, performance, and body composition

Bimanual Motor Skill Learning Through Robotics in Chronic Cerebellar Stroke Survivors and Healthy Individuals

To test capacity of chronic cerebellar stroke patients and healthy individuals to learn and retain a complex bimanual motor skill, trained on the neurorehabilitation robot REAplan® (bimanual version).