Clinical Research Directory

Identification of Urinary Retention by Simplified Ultrasound: Diagnostic Without Volumetric Measurements

Urinary retention is a urological emergency that requires prompt management to prevent complications such as acute kidney injury or bladder rupture. Currently, diagnosis is based on clinical examination, sometimes supplemented by a bladder scanner (a device used to measure bladder volume) or by a more detailed ultrasound examination with measurement of bladder volume. A bladder volume greater than 400 mL (urinary bladder distension), combined with anuria, dysuria, or suprapubic pain, is diagnostic of urinary retention. The aim of this prospective study protocol is to determine whether simple visualization of the bladder using an ultrasound probe placed between the umbilicus and the pubic bone, performed by trained nurses, can reliably diagnose urinary bladder distension (bladder volume greater than 400 mL). If this hypothesis is confirmed, this approach could enable a simple and rapid diagnosis, thereby facilitating earlier treatment of bladder distension secondary to urinary retention.

Wearable Sleep EEG and Auditory Stimulation in Healthy Adults

The purpose of this single-site pilot study is to evaluate the feasibility, usability, and technical performance of a wearable sleep-monitoring system that records electroencephalography (EEG) and delivers brief, low-volume sounds during selected stages of sleep. Approximately 30 healthy adults aged 18 to 30 years will use the system at home for up to 12 weeks, with a target of at least 15 usable nights of sleep recording. Participants will also complete smartphone-based assessments of sleep, mood, stress, device experience, and memory. The study will evaluate home-use completion, EEG signal quality, automated sleep-stage detection, delivery of auditory stimulation, participant adherence, and safety and tolerability. This pilot study is intended to refine the device and study procedures and is not designed to determine whether the system treats depression or another medical condition.

A Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics of PTT-121

This is a Phase I, single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled SAD/MAD study to evaluate safety, tolerability, and PK of Intravenously Administered PTT-121 in healthy Chinese adults.

Effect of β-alanine Supplementation and Training on Ergogenic Measures and Plasma Metabolites in Untrained Young Adults

This study enrolled untrained young adults to evaluate the effects of β-alanine supplementation combined with a structured exercise training program. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either β-alanine or a placebo while completing a six-week training regimen. Before and after the intervention, physical performance tests and blood samples were collected to assess changes in performance measures and biochemical markers in the blood. The purpose of the study was to determine how β-alanine supplementation influences exercise performance and related physiological outcomes in individuals who had not previously engaged in regular training.

Effects of Multifidus Lift Exercise on Endurance, Pain, and Disability in University Students With Low Back Pain

Nonspecific low back pain is a common musculoskeletal problem that also affects many young adults, including university students. It can negatively impact academic performance, daily life, and overall well-being. Research shows that stabilization exercises targeting the lumbar multifidus muscle play an important role in rehabilitation, but it is unclear whether modified versions of these exercises may provide additional benefits. This study will investigate a simple modification of the traditional "bird-dog" exercise, called the "Multifidus Lift Exercise." In this version, participants maintain the contralateral knee about 10 cm above the ground while in a four-point kneeling position. This adjustment is expected to increase multifidus activation and improve back endurance. University students aged 18-25 with nonspecific low back pain will participate in a 6-week supervised program, performing the exercise twice weekly. A healthy control group without low back pain will also be included. The main outcome will be back extensor muscle endurance (Biering-Sørensen Test). In participants with back pain, pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale) and functional disability (Oswestry Disability Index) will also be measured. The study aims to determine whether this low-cost, practical, and time-efficient exercise can improve muscle endurance, reduce pain, and decrease disability in young adults with low back pain. Results may provide evidence for an effective and accessible preventive and therapeutic approach in student populations.