Clinical Research Directory

Driver Education Research Study

This study will test the effectiveness of different types of driver training interventions for reducing young new driver crash risk early after licensure.

Nurse-Family Partnership Impact Evaluation in South Carolina

This study evaluates the effects of the Nurse Family Partnership (NFP), an established home-visiting program, using a scientifically rigorous individual-level randomized controlled trial. The study will be based in South Carolina, where a Medicaid waiver in combination with a pay-for-success contract will allow expansion of the program to women on Medicaid. The study plans to enroll 4000 low-income, first time mothers and their children into the intervention group, and another 2000 into the control group. The study will evaluate the program's impacts on outcomes using administrative records. This study aims to yield new evidence on the effect of NFP in a modern context, applied to a new population, across a broad range of outcomes, and financed by a novel public-private partnership based on accountability for outcomes.

The Leksand Hockey Trial on Grip Strength

This project, titled The Leksand Hockey Trial on Grip Strength, investigates whether grip strength is related to performance in professional hockey players. Grip strength is already known to reflect general health and muscle function, and it plays a key role in ice hockey, where players rely on strong hands and forearms for stick handling, shooting, and physical challenges on the ice. Despite this, no clinical study has yet explored whether stronger grip strength leads to better on-ice performance. In this pilot study, we will first examine if there is a correlation between grip strength and key performance indicators such as game score (a combined measure of offensive and defensive contribution), number of shots on goal, and shooting precision. Grip strength will be measured using a standardized protocol and professional players from SHL, SDHL, and HockeyAllsvenskan will be included. Performance data will be collected before and after the grip strength assessment. Additionally, injuries sustained during the study period will be recorded and monitored as an outcome measure. We will investigate whether there is any correlation between grip strength and injury incidence to assess if stronger grip strength may influence injury risk or resilience in professional hockey players. In the second part of the study, players will follow a grip-strength training program to determine whether improvements in grip strength lead to better performance. If a link is found, grip strength could be used as a simple and reliable proxy for player performance and may justify the inclusion of specific grip training in professional hockey conditioning programs. This study aims to fill a knowledge gap in elite sports science and could help optimize training and evaluation methods in professional ice hockey.

The Mother in Norway Study

The Norwegian government is implementing the Nurse Family Partnership program (NFP) to combat child abuse and social inequality. This study will examine NFP with an individually randomized controlled parallel-group trial. The study will enroll 700 mothers over three years, with half receiving NFP services and the other half receiving standard care. The primary outcome is violence towards mothers and their children, assessed through questionnaires and observation tests. The study will also evaluate the program's effects on various health-related outcomes using administrative data. Cost-effectiveness analyses will be conducted to compare NFP to existing services and improve its delivery efficiency.

Generation Victoria Cohort 2020s: A Statewide Longitudinal Cohort Study of Victorian Children and Their Parents

Generation Victoria (GenV) is a longitudinal, population-based study of Victorian children and their parents that will bring together data on a wide range of conditions ,exposures and outcomes. GenV blends study-collected, study-enhanced and linked data. It will be multi-purpose, supporting observational, interventional, health services and policy research within the same cohort. It is designed to address physical, mental and social issues experienced during childhood, as well as the antecedents of a wide range of diseases of ageing. It seeks to generate translatable evidence (prediction, prevention, treatments, services) to improve future wellbeing and reduce the future disease burden of children and adults. The GenV Cohort 2020s is open to all children born over a two-year period, and their parents, residing in the state of Victoria Australia. The GenV Cohort 2020s is preceded by an Advance Cohort of children born between 5 Dec 2020 and 3 October 2021, and their parents. This comprises all families recruited at GenV's Vanguard hospital (Joan Kirner Women's and Children's) and at birthing hospitals throughout Victoria as GenV scaled up to commence recruiting for the GenV Cohort 2020s. The Advance Cohort have ongoing and full participation in GenV for their lifetime unless they withdraw but may have less complete data and biosamples.

The Swedish Hockey League Hand and Wrist Injury Tracking Trial

This study, titled Hand and Wrist Injuries in Professional Hockey Players in Sweden: A Nationwide Observational Cohort Study from the Swedish Hockey League (SHL-HITT), aims to deliver a comprehensive national overview of hand and wrist injuries among professional hockey players. These injuries are relatively common-accounting for approximately 16% of all hockey-related injuries-and can range from minor issues to severe conditions that jeopardize player performance and careers due to prolonged absences or lasting impairment. Despite their significance, there is limited detailed knowledge regarding the specific patterns, mechanisms, and consequences of hand and wrist injuries at the elite level. Utilizing data from a nationwide injury registry, this observational cohort study will cover three full SHL seasons: 2022/23, 2023/24, and 2024/25. The dataset is expected to include approximately 2,300 games, encompassing both regular season and playoff matches. The study will examine injury characteristics such as type (e.g., fractures, soft tissue damage), player position, in-game timing, and additional contextual factors. Statistical analyses will be conducted to identify trends, correlations, and potential risk profiles among different player groups or positions. The findings are expected to support the development of enhanced protective equipment and targeted prevention strategies, ultimately contributing to reduced injury incidence and improved athlete health and career sustainability. The study timeline includes preparation in late 2024, with data collection already ongoing and ethical approval obtained. The analysis will begin following the publication of the study protocol, and we aim for final publication of results in the second half of 2025.

VR-PAT During Home Burn Dressings - Multisite

This study will evaluate the effectiveness of smartphone Virtual Reality Pain Alleviation Therapy (VR-PAT) as a pain distraction tool during repeated at-home burn dressing changes among 100 children (age 6-17 years) with a burn injury in comparison to 100 children with a burn injury who do not use the VR-PAT.

Arabic Version of Marx Activity Rating and Knee Stability in Sports/Cutting-Pivoting Ability Scales

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are among the most common knee ligament injuries, causing joint instability and impairments. Besides being challenging, this type of injury greatly affects the athlete's passion and wellbeing, and it is associated with several risk factors. Injuries to the ACL are estimated to occur within 80,000 to 250,000 young, active and healthy athletes each year. This cross-sectional observational study aimed at translating, adapting cross-culturally, and investigating the psychometric properties of the Marx Activity Rating Scale (MARS) and the Knee Stability in Sports/Cutting-Pivoting Ability (KSS/CPA) scale in Saudi patients with anterior cruciate ligament injuries. For this study, a convenient sample size of 100 athletes with ACL injuries and healthy participants will be selected from different Saudi hospitals and clubs. Study participants will be informed about the study and a consent form will be obtained before they participate. A number of scales will be used as outcome measures, including the MARS, KSS/CPA scale, Knee Injury, and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Lysholm Knee Score, and International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form. Internal consistency of both the MARS and KSS/CPA scales will be tested using Cronbach's alpha. A construct's validity will be measured by Spearman's correlation coefficient. Content validity can be determined by examining whether there are floor and ceiling effects. A significance level of 0.05 will be used to determine whether the data is significant. Ultimately, the study will help patients with ACL injuries to make informed decisions about their treatment, empower healthcare professionals to understand patients' concerns, and facilitate research.

A Study of Child Injury Based on Data Mining

A comprehensive pediatric injury burden assessment is an essential foundation for formulating injury prevention strategies and improving emergency care for injured children. Although the hospital-based passive surveillance of national injury surveillance system of medical and health institutions has been well-established in China, the monitoring points of hospitals were not stratified according to children's hospital. Aim of the project is to collect epidemiological and clinical data to describe causes, clinical features and outcomes of pediatric injuries at a Children's Hospital in Shanghai, China. The project intends to establish a method for collecting and analyzing high quality data of child injury using data mining based on the hospital information system.

Characteristics of Injury Claims by Chronic Pain Patients

Chronic pain is associated with injuries and disabilities. This prospective observational study explores the injury or disability claims made by chronic pain patients. It evaluates the socio-demographics of the patient population. It explores the impact of pain clinic services on the patients' injury rehabilitation, insurance claim outcome, and socioeconomic situation.

The Use of the Functional Movement Screen™ in Preventing Injuries in Amateur Rugby Players

Rugby is a team contact sport that demands unparalleled physical engagement. This practice, which combines random running patterns with changes in speed and direction, also involves frequent contact situations with other players. These phases of the game account for 48% to 80% of total injuries. Injury prevention is an integral part of the physical therapist's expertise and plays a crucial role in reducing the occurrence of musculoskeletal injuries and mitigating their devastating consequences. The implementation of a risk prevention tool is particularly relevant for a population prone to injuries. However, the practicality of such a tool must be considered, as adherence to an injury prevention program depends on the "perceived usefulness, intensity, and time investment of the program". One tool appears to meet these criteria: the Functional Movement Screen™ (FMS™). This tool is designed to "evaluate an individual's functional movement patterns" and, according to its authors, can serve as "a crucial tool" for returning to sports after an injury or a period of inactivity. Given the high incidence of injuries in rugby players, calculating the injury incidence in this population and correlating it with FMS™ scores could provide valuable insights. For this prospective study, forty amateur rugby players from various clubs in Normandy competing at the Federal 3 level will be recruited using a recruitment letter and a call for volunteers. Each participant will perform two FMS™ (7 movements), at the beginning of the competitive season and at the end of the competitive season. The test will last 30 minutes per player. The initial interview will last 20 minutes. There will also be a follow-up of the players throughout the season to collect all injuries sustained by participants in the intervention. The main expected outcome is a significant correlation (p \< 0.05) between the FMS™ score and injury incidence. This correlation may then indicate a good predictive capacity of the FMS™, allowing it to be considered a predictive tool for injury risk. To evaluate the correlation between two variables (injury incidence sustained by the player and the FMS™ score), the Spearman correlation coefficient will be used. This coefficient, if its value approaches -1 or 1, will indicate a good correlation between the player's injury incidence and their FMS™ score. Conversely, if the coefficient approaches 0, the correlation will be considered poor. In a second phase, it is expected that a competitive season will directly affect the FMS™ score, highlighting the difficulty for an amateur player to maintain their physical capacities throughout an entire season.

The Safety Integration Stakeholders (SAINTS) Program to Integrate Worker and Patient Safety in Oregon Rural Hospitals

The safety integration stakeholders (saints) program to integrate worker and patient safety in Oregon rural hospitals. The rationale is that the saints program will positively impact outcomes by identifying and training peer leaders on strategies to optimize environmental, administrative, and educational components to become a saint and regularly collaborate with safety stakeholders/administrative leaders at each site through continuous improvement cycles (e.g. plan-do-study-act).

Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology Study

To examine the impact of health determinants at the individual (e.g. health related behaviors) and societal level (e.g. environmental factors, health related policy, quality of health systems) on health outcomes (e.g. death, non-communicable disease development) across a range of socioeconomic and health resource settings. Additional components of this study will examine genetic factors for non-communicable diseases. This will be examined both through a cross sectional component, and prospectively (cohort component).