Clinical Research Directory

Characterisation of a Population of Adults Suffering From Cystic Fibrosis in a Belgian Reference Center

This research project aims to better understand the consequences of diabetes on the quality of life, respiratory function, and nutritional status of patients with cystic fibrosis followed at a Belgian reference center and to compare the quality of life of patients with cystic fibrosis depending on whether or not they have diabetes.

Undiluted and Diluted Nutrition

Adult patients after elective major abdominal surgeries who are planned to be admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) can be included in the trial. Each patient will be fed via the gastrointestinal tract. Half of the patients will receive enteral nutrition (EN) with additional fluids, and the rest will receive undiluted EN. The primary aim of this study is to assess feeding intolerance in both patient groups.

Electrical Vestibular Nerve Stimulation (VeNS) as a Treatment for Improving Sleep in Visually Impaired Patients

Trial title: Effectiveness of Electrical Vestibular Nerve Stimulation in the Improvement of Sleep in Patients with Visual Impairment. This pilot clinical trial is testing whether a device called VeNS (vestibular nerve stimulation) can safely and effectively improve sleep in adults who are visually impaired. The study will compare the active VeNS device to a sham (inactive) device. Participants will use the device under supervision for 30 minutes a day over 4 weeks, followed by a 4-week observation period. Researchers will assess sleep improvements, safety, and how acceptable and easy the treatment is for participants. Allocation: Randomized to either active device or control device usage. Endpoint classification: Efficacy Study Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment in 1:1 active to control allocation Sample size: The aim is to recruit a total of up to 60 participants. The study will last 8 weeks in total for each subject.

Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors Who Were Pregnant During Their Cancer Treatment

To assess the quality of life for women who were pregnant during their breast cancer treatment.

Effects of a Pulmonary and Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Program

Non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) affect approximately 30% of the adult global population, significantly impacting respiratory function and quality of life. Pulmonary and cardiovascular rehabilitation has proven to be an effective therapeutic intervention for managing respiratory symptoms and cardiovascular and improving functional capacity in patients with chronic respiratory conditions. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of the pulmonary and cardiovascular rehabilitation program on users of the physical therapy service of CECOM of UNICAMP related to functional capacity, quality of life and respiratory variables after 3 months of the program. Candidates for the pulmonary rehabilitation program are users diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis, asthma or other lung disease. Candidates for the cardiovascular rehabilitation program are users diagnosed with: infarction (AMI), myocardial revascularization surgery, coronary angioplasty, stable angina, valve replacement, chronic heart failure and who meet the criteria for phase III of cardiovascular rehabilitation. They should be referred to physical therapy by the cardiologist with complementary exams and exercise test. The program's assessment will consist of: anamnesis, analysis and recording of complementary exams, physical assessment (weight, height, BMI, cardiac and pulmonary auscultation, blood pressure, heart rate, peripheral oxygen saturation, respiratory muscle strength), functional capacity (six-minute walk test) and quality of life (questionnaire). The program will include aerobic exercises on a treadmill or stationary bike with an intensity between 50-70% of the reserve HR, below the ischemic thresholds. It will also include peripheral muscle strength exercises for the upper and lower limbs, in addition to respiratory muscle training for lung disease patients.

Impact of Equine-Assisted Therapy on the Quality of Life of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

The main objective of this research is to measure the influence of equine-assisted therapy sessions on the quality of life of children with ASD, using the PedsQL™ 4.0 questionnaire as an evaluation tool. The secondary objectives of this study are to measure the influence of these equine therapy sessions on the quality of life of parents of children with ASD, using the PAR-DD-QOL questionnaire, and to qualitatively analyze the progress of children in terms of communication, motor skills, social connections, etc., during equine therapy sessions, through tracking sheets. This interventional, prospective, and monocentric study aims to evaluate the effect of equine therapy on the quality of life of children with ASD and their families. As a pilot study, it aims to assess the feasibility of a larger-scale study with a rigorous methodology, with the aim of including a control group and conducting a randomized, multicentric, single-blind trial in future studies. It will take place at the La Musse Hospital - La Renaissance Sanitaire, specifically within the equine therapy center of the La Musse facilities. Recruiting 20 children (8-12 years old) with ASD is required for this study. To do this, the inclusion criteria are as follows: participants must be children aged 8 to 12, diagnosed with ASD by a doctor. They must be able to participate in equine-assisted therapy sessions and understand instructions during these sessions. In addition, they must be affiliated with the social security system. The primary and secondary assessment criteria respectively include the average of the two scores obtained from the PedsQL™ 4.0 child and parent report questionnaires; the overall score of the PAR-DD-QOL questionnaire, as well as the qualitative analysis of the equine therapists' tracking sheets. Measures are taken to minimize selection, recruitment, and confusion biases, and specific eligibility criteria are defined. Each participant will benefit from 15 equine therapy sessions, twice a week, over 7 to 8 weeks. Each session will last 60 minutes. The intervention of this study begins with the participant selection process, including an initial contact by phone or during a medical consultation, followed by an oral explanation and the provision of written information to parents and the child. After a reflection period, and if they agree, the parents and the child sign a consent form. The children then undergo 15 equine therapy sessions, including various activities such as emotional expression, contact with the horse, grooming, activities on foot or on horseback, and a debriefing time. Quality-of-life evaluations will be conducted five times during the study using the PedsQL™ 4.0 child, PedsQL™ 4.0 parent report, and PAR-DD-QOL questionnaires (before the first session, after the first session, at the 5th session, at the 10th session, and at the 15th session). Additionally, a tracking sheet will be completed by equine therapists during the sessions. The criteria for interrupting or modifying interventions are established, allowing participants to withdraw at any time for various reasons. Strategies are implemented to improve adherence to rehabilitation protocols, such as regular reminders and the distribution of a schedule of appointments. The individuals concerned are fully informed of the study and their rights. The expected outcomes include an improvement in the average quality-of-life scores of children with ASD, an improvement in the quality-of-life score of their parents, and behavioral progress in the children. The sample size is set at 20 children with ASD, with a detailed statistical analysis plan using Excel and SPSS.

Incidence and Complications of Post-extubation and Post-tracheostomy Dysphagia in Adult Patients in the Critical Care Unit

Acquired Swallowing Disorder in ICU (ICU-ASD), also known as postextubation dysphagia, is a multicausal problem experienced by survivors in intensive care units (ICUs) when the efficiency, safety of swallowing, or both are compromised. These alterations can lead to an increased risk of aspiration, respiratory complications, and malnutrition, potentially resulting in prolonged hospitalization, reduced quality of life, poorer clinical outcomes, and even death. Despite the clinical and social significance of this disorder, there is limited research addressing it. Existing studies primarily focus on incidence and associated factors, with scant attention to the occurrence of complications, and there is a lack of assessment of the quality of life of these patients. In our context, healthcare professionals are increasingly recognizing the importance of this issue, although the real incidence of ICU-ASD, as well as the frequency of respiratory and nutritional complications, remains unknown. Furthermore, the quality of life of patients with this disorder has not been evaluated thus far. Objectives:Primary: To analyze the occurrence of respiratory and nutritional complications associated with ICU-ASD in patients intubated for ≥48 hours or tracheotomized in the Intensive Care Unit of the University Hospital Complex of Albacete (ICU CHUA) and identify potential factors related to their occurrence. Specific: To determine the incidence of ICU-ASD in the polyvalent ICU CHUA, assess the frequency of respiratory complications, evaluate nutritional status, assess quality of life, and determine the mortality of study participants. Material and Method: Prospective observational cohort study. Setting: Polyvalent ICU CHUA. Participants: Intubated patients for ≥48 hours or tracheotomized, with signed consent. Sampling: Consecutive. Sample size: 414 participants. Demographic/clinical variables. Outcome variables: Occurrence of respiratory complications, nutritional status, quality of life. Instruments: Modified Volume-Viscosity Swallowing Test (mV-VST), Swallowing Quality of Life Questionnaire (SWAL-QoL). Dysphagia detection will occur 24 hours post-extubation and/or 4 days after tracheotomy. Follow-up during hospitalization and post-ICU discharge until the outpatient consultation. Statistical analysis: Absolute and relative frequencies, measures of central tendency and dispersion, significance level of p \< 0.05, 95% CI; Bivariate analysis: Checking group homogeneity and hypothesis testing: Chi-square, Student\'s t-test, U-Mann-Whitney, ANOVA, or Kruskal-Wallis.