Clinical Research Directory

Examining Relationships Between Musculoskeletal Function Measurements of Movement Efficiency and Nervous System Function After Chronic Stroke

Stroke remains the leading cause of severe disability, and survivors frequently have incomplete recovery. More than half of older survivors have impaired mobility which contributes to poorer quality-of-life (QoL) and suffering. The annual rate of disability compared to myocardial infarction triples, and stroke accelerates natural age-related functional decline. Somatic dysfunction (SD) is impaired function of the body framework identified by physical examination. Few studies have rigorously studied SD among stroke survivors. We recently demonstrated the reliability of a novel, more construct valid osteopathic examination methodology \[called the Functional Pathology of the Musculoskeletal System (FPMSS) model\] to quantify SD among asymptomatic participants and patients with acute cerebral ischemia. The preliminary findings suggest that dysfunction may develop within the first week after acute ischemic stroke (IS) and be more severe among those with paralysis compared to healthy volunteers. The precise pathophysiologic mechanism underlying SD remains unknown. The objective of this proposal is to establish the relationship between SD severity during chronic stroke recovery and physiologic biomarkers. The central hypothesis is that SD is quantifiable, correlates with biomarkers that reflect functional status, and is associated with QoL among chronic stroke survivors. There are currently no biomarkers that correlate with SD severity after IS. Establishing valid biomarkers associated with physiologic processes that are otherwise inferred by physical examination would allow for quantification of changes in response to treatment (e.g., osteopathic manipulative treatment; OMT) aimed at restoring economical biomechanical function. Testing this hypothesis will address several fundamental gaps in knowledge about osteopathic palpatory diagnosis, physiologic processes associated with SD, and its association with survivor outcomes. Until these knowledge gaps are filled, optimal strategies to complement stroke recovery in patients with neurological disability cannot fully be determined. The project specific aims are to quantify the association between SD among chronic (\>3 months) IS survivors and measured (1) energy expenditure, (2) heart rate variability (HRV), and (3) patient-reported outcome (PRO) health domains. The proposed research is significant because it will establish a novel osteopathic approach that determines the impact of whole musculoskeletal system (MSS) health on QoL among stroke survivors living with chronic disability and correlate physiologic properties related to SD. This approach will allow us to quantify SD and show meaningful associations with autonomic function, biomechanical economy, and QoL after chronic stroke. These new metrics would then be derived in stroke patients to determine SD and physiologic thresholds for those that would benefit most from OMT in a future trial. This proposal is innovative in that it seeks to shift current research and practice paradigms by re-appraising the impact of whole musculoskeletal functional economy on patient-centered outcomes among stroke survivors. Methodologically, use of the FPMSS model represents a novel, more construct valid, diagnostic paradigm to reliably identify SD and establish an osteopathic, cross-disciplinary approach to the field of stroke research. The model examines the MSS as integrated, highlighting proportionate, not merely symmetrical, posture and motion among survivors with chronic disability. Similarly, PROs have been used to quantify health status after stroke, but have not been used to study the relationship between chronic neurologic impairment and SD. Integrating contemporary patient-centered stroke outcomes, rigorous osteopathic assessment, and analysis of physiologic processes will advance our understanding of how musculoskeletal dysfunction impacts QoL after stroke.

Comparison of Clinical Joint Localization and Ultrasound-Confirmed Joint Positioning

This prospective, cross-sectional observational study aims to evaluate the differences between joint localizations determined by physicians based on physical examination and joint positions confirmed by musculoskeletal ultrasound. Knee, elbow, ankle, and wrist joints will be assessed in volunteer physicians working in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Orthopedics and Traumatology. For each joint, participants will identify the joint space based on physical examination and the marked locations will be compared with ultrasound-confirmed joint positions. The distance between clinically determined and ultrasound-confirmed locations will be measured in millimeters. The study seeks to provide objective data on the accuracy of clinical joint localization and to support educational approaches in clinical anatomy and musculoskeletal examination training.

Assessment of Overall Functioning in Patients With Complex Health Issues

The overall aim of the study is to assess whether each outcome measures the same aspect of overall functioning or contributes with different aspects. More specifically, the aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between each single instrument. During study period all patients presenting at our clinic will be offered to participate in the study. Patients will be included in the study when referred to the department of Social Medicine and providing written informed consent to participate in the study. Inclusion will continue until 100 patients have completed an AMPS test. All participants will, apart from standard procedure, be asked to complete: * An AMPS-test * ADL-Q (Questionnaire concerning Activities of Daily Living) * ADL-I (Interview based questionnaire concerning Activites of Daily Living) As standard procedure all participants will also perform/complete: * 30 seconds chair stand test (30sCST) * Hand grip strength (HGS) * Evaluation of ambulation (Cumulated Ambulation Score /CAS) * WORQ (Work Rehabilitation Questionnaire) To obtain the aim of the study correlation-analysis will be performed to investigate the relationship between each included instruments.

Study on the Safety and Efficacy of Sodium Phosphate Powder for Intestinal Preparation in People Aged 50 to 70 Years Old

Project Name: Safety and Efficacy of Sodium Phosphate Powder for Intestinal Preparation in People Aged 50 to 70: A Prospective, Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial The main purpose of the study is to investigate the effectiveness and safety of sodium phosphate powder for intestinal preparation in people aged 50 to 70. Secondary objective: To study the tolerance of sodium phosphate powder for intestinal preparation in the population aged 50 to 70 years and its impact on The impact of lesion detection. A prospective multicenter intervention randomized controlled clinical study of research design The total number of cases is 362 in the group leader center, with a total of 8 participating centers each having 44 cases. Treatment plan: Sodium phosphate powder group or Fujingqing group Main efficacy evaluation indicators: The effective rate of intestinal preparation, that is, the endoscopist determines that the patient's Boston intestinal preparation score is ≥ 6 points and The ratio of patients with a bowel preparation score of ≥ 2 points per segment to the total number of patients. Safety evaluation indicators Adverse reaction incidence rate Statistical methods: Numerical variables are described using mean ± standard deviation (Mean ± SD) and estimated using normal distribution method Analysis of main efficacy indicators: Based on the intention to treat set, including all qualified patients undergoing colonoscopy, efficacy evaluation will be conducted, Use chi square test or Fisher's exact probability method for inter group comparison. The inspection level is 0.05. Research period from April 2023 to August 2024