Clinical Research Directory

Fermented Milk Drink With Lacticaseibacillus Paracasei Strain Shirota Helps Triathletes With Cold-Like Symptoms Before and After a Race

This study aims to evaluate whether a fermented milk drink containing the probiotic strain Lacticaseibacillus paracasei strain Shirota (LCS), commonly found in Yakult®, can help reduce upper respiratory symptoms in triathletes before and after competition. Athletes often experience cold-like symptoms due to physical stress, intense training, and immune system challenges. The study investigates whether daily consumption of this probiotic drink can help improve immune response and reduce the incidence or severity of symptoms such as sore throat, nasal congestion, or coughing. This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study involving healthy adult triathletes. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the probiotic drink or a placebo for a specific period before and after a triathlon event. Symptoms and health markers will be tracked through questionnaires and biological samples. The goal is to explore whether probiotic supplementation can provide practical, non-pharmacological support for athletes' immune health and well-being during intense physical activity.

A Natural History of Cardiometabolic Disease Among US Bhutanese: Developing the Cross-Sectional Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio Health Study to Understand Acculturation as Synergizing Socioenvironmental and Biobehavioral Risk Factors Propagating ...

Background: As of 2021, almost 45 million people in the United States were foreign-born immigrants. South Asians, including people from Bhutan, are the fastest-growing immigrant subgroup in the US. Their income and education levels are higher than the US average. Yet they have worse physical and mental health outcomes than their White US-born counterparts. These risks include type 2 diabetes and obesity. Objective: This natural history study will explore how life experiences and environmental factors affect heart health and metabolism among Bhutanese people living in the US. Eligibility: Adults aged 18 years or older who identify as Bhutanese and live in the US. Design: Participants will be recruited and screened by the Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio (BCCO). They will have 1 visit to the BCCO s Arogya Clinic in Reynoldsburg. The visit will last 2 hours. Participants will take a survey; they may use either English or Nepali. They will answer questions about their background; their experiences living in the US; and how their customs and habits might have changed. They will also be asked about their experiences with discrimination; their mental health and well-being; their community; quality of life; and overall physical health. The survey will take 60 minutes. Participants will also speak with a researcher. They will be asked how they feel about providing biological samples; these may include saliva, blood, and urine. Their answers will be audio recorded.

The Effectiveness of Augmented Reality to Enhance CPAP Therapy in OSA Patients

The goal of this clinical trial is to exam if artificial reality works to improve continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) adherence in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients. It will also learn about the feasibility of AR guided CPAP therapy. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does AR guided CPAP therapy increase the adherence of CPAP therapy among OSA patients? What barriers do participants have when using AR guided CPAP therapy? Researchers will compare AR guided CPAP therapy to a control (standard of care) to see if AR guided CPAP therapy works to enhance the adherence of CPAP therapy. Participants will: 1. Take AR guided CPAP therapy or standard of care every day for 6 months 2. Visit the clinic on baseline (t0), receiving CPAP therapy at the 1st month (t1), for checkups and tests, receiving CPAP therapy at the 3rd month (t2), receiving CPAP therapy at the 6th month (t3). 3. Response their symptoms on each following time.

Technology-Enabled Collaborative Care for Diabetes and Mental Health

Managing both type 2 diabetes and mental health challenges can be difficult, and many people do not receive care that supports both. This study looks at how virtual health coaching and support from interdisciplinary care teams can help people better manage their health. The purpose of this study is to test the effectiveness of a virtual health coaching program for adults living with type 2 diabetes and mental health challenges compared to usual care. The Technology-Enabled Collaborative Care for type 2 Diabetes and Mental health (TECC-DM) program includes weekly coaching calls, support from an interdisciplinary care team, and online tools to aid self-management. The findings from this study will be used to help improve services for people who have type 2 diabetes and co-occurring mental health symptoms.

PeerScreen Trial - Reducing Screen Media Use in Peer-groups of Young People

The purpose of the PeerScreen trial is to investigate whether reducing screen media use affects mental health, social interaction, sleep, physical activity, heart rate variability, and behavioral patterns in young people aged 13 to 24 years. The primary question the trial aims to answer is: Does reducing screen media use over a 4-week period improve mental health among young people? Researchers will compare a screen media reduction intervention with a control condition in which participants continue their usual screen media use to determine whether reducing screen media use leads to improvements in mental health. Participants will: * be allocated to either a 4-week screen media reduction intervention or a control condition * complete a study protocol including questionnaire-based assessments, daily self-reports, and objective monitoring of screen media use, sleep, physical activity, heart rate variability, social interactions, and geolocation

RISE for Nurse Preceptors

The purpose of this study is to determine whether RISE for Nurse Preceptors has a significant impact on nurse preceptors' burnout, resilience, insight, self-compassion, and empowerment, as well as mental well-being, in their personal lives and their working environment.

Study on the Prevention of Recidivism and the Consequences of Sexual Violence Suffered by Female Asylum Seekers in France

Women seeking asylum (WSA) are overexposed to sexual violence (SV) in their countries of origin, along migration routes, and within host countries. This overexposure does not cease upon arrival in host countries; on the contrary, the first months following arrival are characterised by heightened vulnerability, with an increased incidence of sexual violence, particularly among women with a prior history of victimisation. Sexual violence has major consequences on physical health, mental health, quality of life, and healthcare utilisation, and generates substantial individual and societal costs. International organisations, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, have identified the prevention of sexual violence and the improvement of care for survivors as public health priorities. Previous work suggests that addressing sexual violence within primary care, when embedded in a comprehensive, culturally informed, and coordinated approach integrating medical, psychological, social, and medico-legal dimensions, may contribute to preventing the occurrence or recurrence of sexual violence in host countries. However, no comparative study has yet evaluated the effectiveness of such a coordinated model of care on the prevention of sexual violence among women seeking asylum, nor assessed its efficiency or transferability. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a coordinated, transcultural, multidisciplinary outpatient care model on the prevention of sexual violence occurring in host European countries among women seeking asylum.

Testing Family Intervention to Address Mental Health and Domestic Violence Among Women

Domestic Violence (DV) is a major public health problem in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) including Nepal, where women often live in extended, multigenerational households, and violence can be perpetrated by the husband and/or mother-in-law (MIL). DV is a well-established social driver of mental illness and doubles the rate of depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD). Interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can improve depression among women after they exit abusive relationships with DV. However, despite ongoing violence, many young women in LMICs including Nepal are less likely to divorce or separate from their husband. But, ongoing DV severely limits mental health recovery and increases the risks of suicide. This created a need for intervention which improves mental health and reduce ongoing DV, while involving the woman along with her husband and MIL. The study team thus developed a multi-component family intervention and conducted a study to to assess the acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of the intervention to reduce domestic violence and consequent depression among married women in Nepal.

M3-JIA: Making Mindfulness Matter for Children With JIA

The investigator will evaluate the efficacy of M3©, an intervention for patients with JIA and their caregivers. Children with Juvenile arthritis and their parents will attend an 8 week online program called Making Mindfulness Matter (M3). This is a facilitator-led program that integrates knowledge and skills related to mindfulness, social-emotional learning, neuroscience, and positive psychology to promote coping and resiliency for children and families in context of the challenges of pediatric chronic disease. The child program is designed for children 4-12 years of age, with each lesson including a variety of concrete ways to teach children skills based on their age/developmental level.

SOS for Caregiver Wellbeing

Parents and caregivers of children who have a chronic condition carry a large care burden and are at higher risk of having mental health symptoms. This study aims to see if completion of a mental health questionnaire by parents / caregivers at or before the child's paediatric appointment can help identify any symptoms of stress, anxiety or depression. Following the questionnaire, parents / caregivers will be provided with the results of the questionnaire along with an information resource sheet. This will include information on anxiety, stress and depression, as well as different agencies they can contact to get support. Parents / caregivers will be followed up at 3 and 6 months to see if they have any changes to mental health and quality of life, and whether they accessed any support services. Participants who did not complete the 3-month survey will be asked at the 6-month clinic visit to provide responses on an iPad to up to 5 questions selected from the 3-month survey. A text message will be sent prior to the visit to inform them. The primary aim for this trial is to see whether parents / caregivers find this process acceptable, and whether it can work in a busy hospital clinic.

Effectiveness of the Self-Control Module of a Positive Mental Health Promotion Programme for Adult Informal Caregivers of People With Dementia: Protocol for a Randomised Controlled Trial

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the self-control module of the Mentis Plus+ Positive Mental Health Promotion Programme for Caregivers (Mentis Plus+ Caregivers), compared with usual care, in improving positive mental health among adult informal caregivers of people with dementia. The secondary objectives are to assess the programme's effectiveness in reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress, as well caregiver burden, compared with usual care.

Assessing the Effects of a Multisectoral Agricultural Intervention on the Reproductive and Sexual Health of Adolescent Girls and Young Women

In Kenya, HIV incidence among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) ages 15-24 years is 1-2 per 100 person-years and approximately 30% of AGYW have had at least one sexually transmitted infection (STI). Kisumu and Migori counties in Western Kenya have some of the highest HIV/STI incidence in the country. Food insecurity (FI) and poverty are also highly prevalent in Western Kenya. FI and poverty are important drivers of vulnerability to HIV and STIs among AGYW. Poverty alleviation interventions have the potential to reduce STIs and HIV risk among AGYW but, to date, these interventions have reported mixed findings on HIV/STI outcomes, have been primarily targeted at the individual level, and none have focused on agriculture or FI. Therefore, there remains a critical need to develop sustainable, multi-level, economic and FI interventions that improve AGYW STI/HIV prevention outcomes. Our team has successfully developed a household-level agricultural intervention in Western Kenya called Shamba Maisha ("farm life" in Kiswahili; SM) to reduce household FI. In our prior pilot study with AGYW, the investigators found that SM was feasible, acceptable, and associated with less FI and improved mental health. In this proposal, the investigators will build upon our promising SM work by examining the effectiveness and implementation of our SM intervention, including provision of a water pump and agricultural implements for use at home, training in agriculture delivered at school-based demonstration farms, and adolescent-caregiver relationship strengthening training. The investigators plan to conduct this school- and home-based cluster randomized trial with 800 AGYW and their primary caregivers recruited from schools in Kisumu and Migori counties. The investigators will randomize 20 schools in Kisumu and Migori in a 1:1 ratio to intervention or control conditions and follow AGYW-caregiver dyads for 18 months with surveys and STI/pregnancy testing to assess intervention impacts. The study has the following aims: Aim 1. Determine the impact of SM on adolescent HIV prevention and sexual and reproductive health outcomes (primary outcome is gonorrhea and/or chlamydia incidence). Aim 2. Assess the effect of SM on intermediate outcomes theorized from our published conceptual framework to be on the causal pathway, including household food security and wealth, and adolescent and caregiver factors including mental health and aspects of the caregiver-AGYW relationship dyad (e.g., communication). Aim 3. Identify critical implementation facilitators and barriers influencing SM effectiveness and delivery and conduct a programmatic cost assessment. The investigators will also evaluate the extent to which SM can have "spillover" nutritional benefits for a larger population of adolescents who had access to demonstration farms at intervention schools but did not receive other aspects of the intervention. The ultimate goal is to provide an innovative household-level intervention to halt the cycle of FI, and poor HIV-related outcomes among vulnerable populations including AGYW, consistent with the "Ending the HIV Epidemic".

Cold Water Exposure and Immune Function Study

The purpose of this clinical trial is to explore the effects of a 4 week cold-water immersion (CWI) intervention on measures of immune function, sleep quality, mental health and well-being, and muscular strength. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does a 4 week CWI intervention improve measures of immune function, sleep quality, mental health and well-being, and muscular strength? * Are there any differences in these measures when comparing cold tubs versus cold showers? Researchers will compare chronic use of cold tubs to cold showers to see if cold water immersion may improve overall immune health and well-being. Participants will: * Undergo 4 weeks of Cold Tub or Cold Shower interventions at a frequency of 3 times a week for 4 minutes, if placed in the CWI intervention groups * Undergo testing measures at the two pre- and post- intervention time points, if placed in the healthy control group or the CWI intervention groups

High-Intensity Interval Training and Mental Health in Psychiatric Inpatients: A Pilot Study

The goal of this pilot clinical trial is to investigate the feasibility of conducting a high-intensity interval training intervention among adult inpatients in a psychiatric care setting and to explore changes in mental health symptoms. Participants are randomized to either high-intensity interval training or treatment as usual. Participants in the intervention group complete a 1 × 4-minute high-intensity interval training program on a treadmill three times per week for two weeks. Participants in the control group receive treatment as usual. Anxiety and depression symptoms and general mental health are assessed before and after the intervention period. Feasibility is assessed by recruitment rate and participant dropout.

Neurocomputational Dynamics of Cooperation

The purpose of this study is to understand brain function, how people make decisions when they interact with others, and how brain function and behavior relate to personality traits.

An ACT-Based Family Psychosocial Intervention for Women With Perinatal Loss and Their Spouses: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial

This pilot randomised controlled trial evaluates the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-based family psychosocial intervention for women requiring medically indicated induction of labour because of fetal or maternal health problems, together with their spouses as primary caregivers. The study is conducted at three tertiary hospitals in Changsha, Hunan, China. The target sample is 44 woman-spouse dyads, allocated 1:1 to usual care plus the intervention or usual care alone. The approximately 3-month intervention comprises eight sessions: four face-to-face hospital sessions lasting 30-60 minutes and four online dyadic sessions via Tencent Meeting lasting 20-45 minutes. The post-discharge online sessions (Sessions 5 to 8) are conducted within 3 days, in the second week, in the first month, and in the third month (booster session) following the patient's discharge. Outcomes are assessed at baseline before randomisation (T0) and within 1 week after intervention completion (T1), with corresponding assessment timing in the control group. Perinatal grief is the primary effectiveness outcome. Secondary outcomes include depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress symptoms, psychological flexibility, health information literacy, mindful self-care, and perceived social support. Feasibility is assessed through recruitment, adherence, implementation, attrition, and reasons for withdrawal. Intervention-group dyads jointly complete an 17-item satisfaction questionnaire at T1 and are invited to qualitative interviews within 1 week after intervention completion.

Telephone-Based Care Coordination for Services Addressing Childhood Adversity

The goal of this study is to learn how telephone-based screening and care coordination impacts children experiencing adverse childhood events (ACEs). The main questions are: 1. Does telephone-based screening and care coordination for children experiencing ACEs increase child receipt of ACEs-related services? 2. Does telephone-based screening and care coordination for children experiencing ACEs improve parent health and wellbeing? 3. Does telephone-based screening and care coordination for children experiencing ACEs improve child social and emotional health? Researchers will compare families who have been randomly selected to receive telephone-based screening and care coordination with those who will receive usual care at their clinic. Participants will: * Be randomly assigned to receive usual care or usual care plus telephone-based screening and care coordination (the intervention) * If selected for the intervention, be connected to 211 Los Angeles to receive screening and care coordination for up to 6 months * Complete four surveys via interview; surveys will be done at enrollment and 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months following enrollment * Agree to allow researchers to review their child's medical records to collect information about their child's health, screenings, diagnoses, and referrals.

Social Contact-Based Brief Video Interventions To Reduce Stigma and ImproVe Engagement in HIV Prevention and Care and Mental Health Care for Youth Living With and Vulnerable to HIV

HIV stigma, poverty, and racism contribute to high rates of mental health problems and impede treatment for young sexually minoritized men living with and vulnerable to HIV. Intersectional interventions can reduce barriers and promote access to health services, thus preventing poor health outcomes including HIV transmission related behaviors. The STRIVE intervention will address public and internalized HIV stigma and thus reduce the duration of untreated HIV and mental health problems among young men living with or vulnerable to HIV.

BasketballRx: Game Changing Health

The goal of this study is to learn if BasketballRx, a basketball and health program, works well for children and teens who are overweight or have obesity. The study will also look at whether the program helps children build healthy habits, improve their health, and feel better. The main questions the BasketballRx clinical trial aims to answer are: 1. Is the BasketballRx program easy for children and families to take part in and complete? 2. Do children show changes in their healthy habits, physical health, or emotional well-being after completing the program? Participants will: * Attend 6 BasketballRx sessions over 2 months * Take part in health lessons and basketball activities * Learn about healthy eating, exercise, sleep, and ways to manage stress * Have their height, weight, waist size, blood pressure, and heart rate checked * Answer questions about how they feel and their healthy habits

SBIR/ STTR Family Check-up Online

The Family Check-Up Online, a digital health intervention, was designed to improve child mental health through family-centered intervention. The Family Check-Up is grounded in over 25 years of evidence-based research and has been shown to improve child mental health and behavior including depression and conduct problems. The investigators were supported by an SBIR Phase I award (R43MH132191) to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the digital health product in schools and to adapt the product based on findings of that work. Findings from that project suggested the model is a good fit for schools, with school providers stating a need for family-centered interventions that target child behavior and mental health, but with few resources or evidence-based programs available. The research team received feedback that suggests the model should be evaluated as both an uncoached version and coached version, delivered with provider support. In the current project, the investigators plan to continue work in schools to develop the model for commercialization, including understanding the process for embedding the FCU Online into current student support systems and implementation factors that lead to maintenance of the model in schools. The investigators plan to conduct a hybrid type 2 effectiveness-implementation trial to evaluate the effectiveness of the FCU Online when delivered by real world providers. Thirty providers (N=600 students/families) will be randomly assigned to receive training in the FCU Online coached vs. uncoached models. The research team will then evaluate outcomes including family relationships, parenting skills, and child mental health and behavior. The investigators predict that the FCU Online will improve child mental health and behavior, and will test for moderators such as provider training and child baseline risk. Findings will have implications for commercialization of the product in schools and implementation of the model in a range of different school settings.

Optimizing HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Among Women Who Use Drugs in Tanzania

This study is testing two different approaches to help women who use drugs in Tanzania take and continue using HIV prevention medication called pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Women who use drugs face a higher risk of HIV infection, but many do not start or continue PrEP due to barriers like stigma, mental health challenges, and lack of support. The study will enroll 200 women who use drugs in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. These women will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: Motivational Interviewing for PrEP (MI-PrEP) Only - Women in this group will receive two one-hour counseling sessions focused on HIV prevention, PrEP education, and problem-solving to help the women start and continue using PrEP. Common Elements Treatment Approach (CETA) + MI-PrEP - Women in this group will receive the same MI-PrEP counseling sessions plus additional mental health counseling (up to 14 sessions) tailored to the women's individual needs, addressing issues like depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance use. Treatment as Usual (TAU) - Women in this group will receive basic information on PrEP, mental health, and harm reduction, along with optional referrals to PrEP or drug treatment clinics. The study will evaluate feasibility of administering MI-PrEP and CETA+MI-PrEP and how well these interventions help women start and stay on PrEP, as well as the intervention's impact on mental health and drug use. Researchers will also interview participants and counselors to understand the participants and counselors experiences with the program. The goal is to find effective ways to support PrEP use among women who use drugs and to develop a model that could be used in similar settings to reduce HIV risk. This pilot study is approved by ethics committees in the United States and Tanzania, and results will be shared with communities, policymakers, and researchers.

Strengthening Relationships and Mental Health Through a Couples-Based Economic Empowerment Intervention

This psychosocial sub-study is embedded within a larger cluster-randomised controlled trial titled Disentangling and Preventing Economic Violence against Women (ECOVI), conducted in rural and urban communities across Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Rajasthan, India. The sub-study evaluates the effects of a couples-based financial-literacy and gender-transformative intervention on psychological distress and relationship quality among married couples. A total of 150 clusters were randomised in a 1:1 ratio to the intervention or control condition by an external trial statistician. Approximately 15 husband-wife pairs were enrolled per cluster, resulting in 2,276 couples at baseline. Participants in intervention clusters attend six structured, community-based sessions that combine financial literacy content with gender equity, communication, empathy, and shared decision-making activities. Participants in control clusters receive no structured study intervention. Assessments are conducted at baseline, before the first intervention session, and at endline, approximately 6 months after intervention delivery. The primary outcome is psychological distress at endline, measured using a response-adapted 6-item General Health Questionnaire. The secondary outcome is relationship quality at endline, measured using a composite of relationship satisfaction and relationship empathy. Treatment effects will be estimated using models that adjust for the corresponding baseline outcome and state. Exploratory mediation analyses will assess whether the intervention's effect on psychological distress is statistically consistent with indirect pathways operating through relationship quality and economic stress.

Relationship Checkups to Reduce Veteran Suicide Risk

This study compares two approaches to working with Veterans that have a mix of mental health and relationship concerns in primary care. One approach is a 3-session couple-based program called the Brief Relationship Checkup (BRC). BRC has shown promise improving relationship health in Air Force primary care (including some mental health symptoms related to relationship functioning) but has never been tested for individuals with significant mental health concerns. The other approach is a high-quality delivery of three sessions of Co-Located Collaborative Care (CCC) with the Screened Veteran only. This program is the current standard of care for Veterans reporting mental health concerns in primary care (including mental health concerns related to their relationship) but has never been tested for individuals struggling with relationship concerns. The goal is to compare the benefits of the couples-based program vs. the individual-based program when it comes to reducing suicide risk factors at the relationship level and the individual level.

SAFEGUARD Level Up Study

This project will evaluate the effectiveness of Level Up: Boost Your Life Skills ("Level Up"), a strengths based, military-specific life skills training program. The goal is to determine whether Level Up can decrease suicidal-related behaviors (SRBs) and other harmful behaviors, improve mental health, enhance job performance, and reduce early military separation. The Level Up program components will be made available to participants through an online platform or mobile app that can be downloaded onto their personal mobile devices. These training materials will help Soldiers learn and practice skills. The Level Up program will also involve personalized messages from a Level Up trainer and virtual booster sessions. Active duty Soldiers who are currently stationed at Fort Hood, Texas and are members of a participating platoon will be randomized to receive either Level Up or Training as Usual (TAU). Participants will complete baseline and follow up surveys 1, 3, and 6 months post-baseline.