Clinical Research Directory

Effect of Magnesium Supplementation on Sleep Quality and Cognitive Function in Saudi Adults

The goal of this clinical trial was to evaluate whether magnesium citrate supplementation improved sleep quality and cognitive function in healthy Saudi adults. It also assessed the effects of magnesium on selected blood markers. The main questions it aimed to answer were: Did magnesium supplementation improve sleep quality? Did magnesium supplementation improve cognitive function? Researchers compared participants who received magnesium citrate to a control group that did not receive any intervention to evaluate its effects. Participants: Took magnesium citrate (400 mg daily) for 90 days (two capsules: one in the afternoon and one 1-2 hours before bedtime) Visited Umm Al-Qura University twice (before and after the intervention) for: Sleep quality assessment Cognitive function assessment Blood sample collection to measure serum magnesium and HbA1c The control group did not receive any supplementation during the study period.

Music Induced Modulation of Pressure Pain Sensitivity and Affective Valence, Comparing Silence and Self-Selected Levantine Music

Pain perception is strongly influenced by emotional state, and music has emerged as a promising non-pharmacological tool for pain modulation through its effects on affective state, attention, and autonomic physiology. Despite growing evidence supporting music-induced analgesia, most studies have focused on Western populations and music genres. Levantine music, rooted in the maqam system-melodic modes with deeply embedded emotional associations- remains largely unexplored in this context. Furthermore, evidence on the effects of music on healthy individuals is limited. Objective: This pilot study aims to examine the effect of self-selected Levantine music on pressure pain threshold (PPT) and affective valence compared to silence in healthy Lebanese university students, and to establish feasibility for a future full-scale randomized controlled trial. Design: Randomized, crossover, counterbalanced pilot study with assessor blinding. Approved by the Antonine University Ethics Committee. Reported following CONSORT guidelines. Participants: 12 healthy Lebanese adults (aged 18-25), divided into 2 groups of 6. Inclusion requires no chronic pain, no hearing impairment, and no current analgesic use. Participants are excluded for neurological, cardiovascular, metabolic, or psychiatric conditions, recent injury at testing sites, or hypertension (\>140/90 mmHg). Procedure: Both groups were assessed at baseline while seated, with PPT, blood pressure, heart rate, and affective valence (SAM) all recorded before any auditory condition began. Participants were then fitted with the Sony WH-1000XM6 noise-cancelling headphones. Group 1 starts with silence, then listens to self-selected Levantine music. Group 2 does the reverse. A 15-minute rest period separates the two conditions to avoid carryover effects. All sessions take place at the same time of day, in a standardized environment, with noise controlled through the same headphones. Outcome Measures: * Primary: PPT, measured using a Wagner FPX 50 digital algometer (kg/cm²) at two sites on the non-dominant side: the upper trapezius and the lateral calf. Pressure is applied at 1 kg/s; the mean of four readings is used. A ≥10% increase in PPT from baseline defines a responder. Meaningful change is evaluated against the Minimal Detectable Change (MDC95). * Primary: NPRS: An 11-point numeric pain rating scale (0 = no pain, 10 = worst possible pain) administered during each PPT measurement. * Secondary: SAM: The Self-Assessment Manikin, a non-verbal pictorial scale measuring emotional valence, arousal, and dominance (Cronbach's α = 0.83), completed at baseline and after each condition. * Secondary: BP \& HR: Blood pressure and heart rate measured via digital sphygmomanometer and oximeter as markers of autonomic cardiovascular response. Statistical Analysis: Descriptive statistics (mean ± SD) will be reported for all outcomes. Primary inferential analysis will use a repeated-measures ANOVA or linear mixed-effects model. Exploratory mediation analysis will assess whether changes in valence and/or arousal mediate the relationship between auditory condition and PPT change. Pilot findings will inform power calculations for the full-scale trial. Hypotheses: Self-selected Levantine music is expected to produce a greater increase in PPT than silence, with positive affective valence and optimal arousal hypothesized as partial mediators of this effect.

Effects of Feedback and Aging on Aiming Movements in Virtual Reality

This study has two main objectives: First, to better understand how a motor task commonly used by researchers, known as the Fitts' task, is performed in virtual reality. It consists of reaching a target, which may be large or small, by extending the right arm. This task is similar to movements commonly performed in everyday life. It is also increasingly used in virtual reality video games designed to train older adults or patients with functional limitations. Secondly, the investigators aim to describe how age influences performance in this task by comparing young adults and older adults. This can help better adapt the protocols used in virtual reality to the characteristics of users. It is of particular interest how movements change when the task becomes more difficult, whether these changes differ between young adults and older adults, and whether the information and feedback provided through virtual reality can improve the quality of motor performance. What is expected of participants: Participants will be seated comfortably, wearing a lightweight virtual reality headset and holding a controller in their right hand that will be used to reach for a target by keeping the controller within the target for about one second. The targets will vary in size, so some trials will seem easier and others more difficult. The task is simply to move as quickly as possible while remaining accurate (hitting the target). This instruction is important, and the experimenter will repeat it regularly during the experiment. The task will be performed under different conditions: sometimes participants will see the actual configuration of the experimental device in the physical world through the headset, and other times they will see the same configuration presented in virtual reality. In some virtual reality conditions, participants will also receive additional visual information indicating whether the target has been hit correctly. Short breaks are scheduled at regular intervals. Additional breaks can be asked for at any time when needed. The most important point is to avoid any fatigue or discomfort. If participants experience any, they are asked and encouraged to inform the experimenter. Before starting the experiment, participants will undergo a short training session to familiarize themselves with the task and the device.

Understanding How Young Adults Perceive Blurred Image Quality and Creating a Model Predicting Their Quality Ratings

This clinical study wants to understand how blurred images look to young adults. The main question is: How do different kinds of images and different kinds of blur change the way people think those images look? Participants will get an eye exam, then look at several blurred images and rate how good or bad each one looks on a quality scale from 1 (very bad) to 10 (very good).

Development of a Real-time Controller to Estimate Walking Performance Using a Bilateral Ankle Exoskeleton

This study is developing and testing a new controller for a robotic ankle exoskeleton (Biomotum) that can adjust itself in real time to better support people while they walk. The system learns how each person moves and automatically changes the amount and timing of assistance to make walking feel easier and more efficient. By using information from the person wearing the device, the exoskeleton can quickly find the level of support that works best for them. The long-term goal is to create personalized walking assistance that can help people with mobility limitations move more comfortably and with less effort.

Remote Ischemic Conditioning and Spinal Reflex Modulation

Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) is a clinically feasible method that protects distant organs from severe injury through brief, sub lethal periods of ischemia followed by re-perfusion. Recent studies suggest that RIC, combined with training, improves muscle strength and balance in healthy adults and post-stroke survivors. While the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood, RIC's neuroprotective effects - such as promoting angiogenesis, neurogenesis, and modulating glutamate and GABA synthesis - overlap with neuroplasticity processes. Evidence indicates that neuroplasticity from exercise training occurs not only in the cerebral cortex but also within the spinal cord, yet the role of spinal reflex mechanisms underlying the benefits of RIC remains under explored. Therefore, this study aims to investigate effects of RIC on spinal reflex modulation in healthy adults, both independently and combined with balance training.

Investigating the Relationships Between Body Composition, Peripheral Muscle Strength, and Cough Force in Healthy Young Adults

Introduction: Body mass index (BMI) is a key parameter used for obesity classification and the evaluation and monitoring of individuals' health status. Obesity, described by the World Health Organization as a major global epidemic, remains one of the most significant preventable and manageable conditions contributing to increased risks of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. In addition to BMI, anthropometric measurements such as the waist-to-hip ratio are crucial indicators for risk assessment. While numerous studies in the literature have addressed the detrimental effects of obesity on respiratory functions, no study has specifically examined the relationship between cough strength-a vital respiratory parameter that reflects expiratory muscle strength- and body composition, waist-to-hip ratio, and peripheral muscle strength. Furthermore, although several studies have investigated the association between grip strength-a recognized indicator of peripheral muscle function in healthy individuals-and cough strength, no research to date has explored the relationship between pinch grip strength and cough strength. Objective: This study aims to investigate the relationships among body composition, waist-to-hip ratio, peripheral muscle strength, and cough strength in healthy young adults. Methods: This study was designed as a cross-sectional analysis. After providing detailed information about the study to potential participants, written informed consent will be obtained in duplicate from those who agree to participate. Following the completion of a general assessment form that captures demographic characteristics, each participant's height will be measured using a measuring tape. Body composition parameters-including body weight, BMI, body fat percentage, total body water percentage, muscle mass, basal metabolic rate, and metabolic age-will be assessed using a bioelectrical impedance analysis device (Tanita) available at our faculty. Waist and hip circumferences will be measured and used to calculate the waist-to-hip ratio for each participant. Peripheral muscle strength will be assessed using a hydraulic hand dynamometer and a pinch meter, while cough strength will be evaluated using a peak cough expiratory flow meter (PEF meter). All measurements will be repeated three times, with the best result recorded for analysis. Results: Statistical analysis will be performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 30 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Normality of continuous variables will be assessed through normality tests, coefficient of variation, and graphical representations (e.g., histograms, detrended plots). Descriptive statistics will be presented as mean ± standard deviation for normally distributed variables, and as median and interquartile range for non-normally distributed variables. Categorical variables will be expressed as percentages (%). Pearson correlation analysis will be used for normally distributed variables, and Spearman correlation analysis for non-normally distributed ones. The appropriate correlation coefficients and p-values will be reported. A p-value of \<0.05 will be considered statistically significant. Discussion: Interpretation will be based on the results of the statistical analyses.

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Primed Self-controlled Practice on Motor Learning

This study aims to investigate the additive effects of combining self-controlled practice with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) pretreatment on motivation enhancement and motor learning performance in healthy young adults. According to the "Optimizing Performance Through Intrinsic Motivation and Attention for Learning" (OPTIMAL) theory, numerous studies have demonstrated that providing learners with autonomy during practice can facilitate intrinsic motivation and motor learning. However, self-controlled practice alone may have limited effects, and further interventions may be required to amplify learning outcomes. In recent years, non-invasive brain stimulation techniques-particularly high-frequency (facilitatory) rTMS applied to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC)-have been shown to enhance motivational drive and explicit learning performance by strengthening the connectivity of the DLPFC-midbrain dopamine pathway. For example, 10 Hz high-frequency stimulation can significantly improve learners' accuracy and motivation. Interestingly, several sequence learning studies have found that low-frequency (inhibitory) rTMS, when used as a priming intervention, can instead enhance implicit procedural learning. This effect may occur because inhibiting the lateral prefrontal cortex reduces its top-down suppression of implicit learning systems, thereby releasing procedural learning potential. Based on the theory of metaplasticity, applying facilitatory or inhibitory stimulation beforehand can alter the threshold of synaptic plasticity, thus influencing subsequent learning outcomes. Therefore, this study designed two DLPFC pretreatments-facilitatory and inhibitory-and combined them with self-controlled practice to systematically examine the interaction between different stimulation protocols on motivation and motor learning. This cross-sectional experiment plans to recruit 72 healthy participants aged 20 or older, randomly assigned to one of six groups: (1) facilitatory rTMS + self-controlled practice, (2) facilitatory rTMS + yoked control, (3) inhibitory rTMS + self-controlled practice, (4) inhibitory rTMS + yoked control, (5) sham rTMS + self-controlled practice, and (6) sham rTMS + yoked control. The experiment will last for seven days. On Day 1, participants will complete baseline testing, followed by facilitatory rTMS, inhibitory rTMS, or sham stimulation over the DLPFC. Immediately afterward, they will engage in a trajectory-tracking learning task (manipulating a joystick to reproduce a sine-wave pattern). After practice, participants will complete a motivation assessment. During the trajectory-tracking task, the self-controlled group can choose when to receive feedback to adjust their learning, whereas the yoked control group will receive feedback at time points matched to their paired counterpart. On Day 2, participants will again receive the assigned rTMS (facilitatory, inhibitory, or sham), complete the trajectory-tracking task, and undergo a motivation assessment. After a five-minute rest, they will perform retention and transfer tests, followed by TMS measurement of cortical excitability. On Day 7, participants will return to the laboratory to complete another retention and transfer test, along with cortical excitability measurement via TMS. The primary behavioral outcomes are the root mean square error (RMSE) and error estimation (EE) in the trajectory-tracking task. Motivation will be assessed using the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI). As there have been no prior studies combining DLPFC rTMS pretreatment with practice autonomy, the results of this experimental design are expected to provide new insights and references for enhancing motor learning ability in healthy adults.

Characterizing the Human Airway Immune Response to FluMist Vaccination

The goal of this clinical trial is to measure the immune response in the blood, nose, and lungs after participants receive either the FDA-approved inactivated influenza vaccine or the FDA-approved intranasal FluMist vaccine. The study will evaluate immune responses in groups of healthy, non-pregnant, volunteers between the ages of 18 and 40. The main purpose of the study is to measure the change in influenza vaccine-specific antibodies in the lower lungs and nose between vaccination and 14 days after participants receive the vaccine. All participants will be randomized to receive one of the two seasonal flu vaccines and will have blood and back of the nose swabs collected throughout the study. Some study participants will choose to undergo optional bronchoscopy procedures and will be included in the part of the study looking at lower lung immune responses.

Exercise Fatigue Prediction in Healthy Individuals

The goal of this research study is to develop an AI-based model to detect physical fatigue in healthy young adults. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Can muscle, heart, and brain signals be used to predict physical fatigue in real time? 2. How accurately can an AI model detect fatigue based on these signals? Participants will: * Perform moderate to high intensity physical exercises, including static bicycling and dumbbell squats, while wearing non-invasive sensors that measure muscle activity (sEMG), heart rate (HR), and brain activity (EEG). * Before starting the exercises, participants will complete a brief warm-up session that includes stretching and mobility movements. * Each participant undergoes two training sessions, with pre- and post-evaluations of their physical fitness status and static muscle strength.

Determine the Effect of the Fourth Ventricle Compression Technique on Physiological Variables

This study aims to analyze the influence of the fourth ventricle compression technique in heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, conductivity and thermal variability of the skin in healthy young adults.