Clinical Research Directory

Sleep Hygiene During Ramadan

Ramadan fasting often disrupts sleep patterns, which can affect alertness and physical performance in student-athletes. This study tested whether a brief sleep education program designed for Ramadan could help improve sleep quality and maintain performance. Sixty-four male sport-science students who planned to fast during Ramadan were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The first group received a 45-minute educational session about sleep hygiene specifically adapted to Ramadan practices (timing of sleep around evening and pre-dawn meals, managing light exposure, limiting caffeine and screen time before bed). They also received weekly text message reminders and completed short weekly checklists about their sleep habits. The second group continued their usual routines without any intervention. Participants wore activity monitors on their wrist to track sleep throughout the study. They also completed computerized tests of attention and reaction time, as well as physical performance tests (jumping, handgrip strength, agility) before Ramadan and during the final week of fasting. The researchers found that students who received the sleep education maintained better sleep duration and quality during Ramadan compared to those who did not receive the program. They also showed better attention, faster reaction times, and better preservation of physical performance. This suggests that simple, culturally-adapted sleep education can help student-athletes maintain their health and performance during Ramadan.

Effects of Ramadan Fasting With Exercise on Cardiometabolic Health

The goal of this interventional study is to examine the effects of Ramadan diurnal fasting alone and in combination with moderate-intensity aerobic exercise on cardiometabolic health in adults with overweight and obesity. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Does Ramadan diurnal fasting lead to changes in body composition and cardiometabolic health outcomes? 2. Does adding moderate-intensity aerobic exercise during Ramadan fasting result in greater improvements in cardiometabolic health compared with fasting alone? Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: Ramadan diurnal fasting only or Ramadan diurnal fasting combined with a supervised moderate-intensity aerobic exercise program. Cardiometabolic, metabolic, and behavioral outcomes will be assessed before Ramadan and during the last week of Ramadan.

Impact of Dietary Nitrate Supplementation on VO2max During Ramadan Fasting in Healthy Adults

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine if beetroot juice supplementation changes exercise performance following one week of Ramadan fasting in young, healthy adults. The main question it aims to answer is: Does daily beetroot juice supplementation change VO2 max in fasting individuals during the first week of Ramadan? Participants will: Visit the lab before the start of Ramadan and after one week of fasting If assigned to intervention group, consume daily shots of beetroot juice (70ml) during the first week of Ramadan fasting Perform maximal exercise testing on a cycle ergometer

Optimization of Basal Insulin During Ramadan Fasting in Type 2 Diabetic Patients: Comparison Between DAR Recommendations and the Carbohydrate Fasting Test & Metabolic and Inflammatory Consequences

Ramadan, a fasting period observed by many Muslim patients, poses a significant challenge for glycemic management in diabetics. During this month, abstinence from food, water, and medication from dawn to dusk leads to significant glycemic fluctuations. Inadequate insulin dose management can cause acute complications such as hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, ketosis, or hyperosmolar states. In 2021, the Diabetes and Ramadan (DAR) guidelines provided recommendations for adjusting insulin doses, taking into account changes in circadian rhythms and patients' dietary habits. However, these standardized recommendations may not be suitable for everyone. A personalized alternative, the Carbohydrate Fasting Test (CFT), allows for the assessment of individual basal insulin needs through a controlled fast excluding carbohydrates for 24 hours. Comparing these two approaches could provide valuable insights into their relative effectiveness, particularly in terms of safety and quality of life for patients. Moreover, diabetes can be influenced by fasting, with potentially beneficial effects on inflammation and metabolism. This study aims to determine which of these two methods optimizes glycemic control and to assess the variations of inflammation markers before and after Ramadan fasting. The results could be integrated into future clinical practices to improve diabetes management during Ramadan. We aim to compare the effectiveness and safety of basal insulin dose adjustments according to DAR 2021 guidelines versus the Carbohydrate Fasting Test (CFT) and to analyze the impact on the quality of life of diabetic patients. This is a prospective, longitudinal, randomized, interventional study including 60 Type 2 diabetic patients, aged 18 to 70 years old, on insulin therapy for at least 6 months. All participants intend to fast during Ramadan and are at low to moderate risk according to the IDF-DAR score (≤6). Eligible patients will be randomly assigned into two groups: DAR Group: Insulin dose adjustments according to DAR 2021 recommendations. CFT Group: Personalized insulin adjustments based on a Carbohydrate Fasting Test conducted before Ramadan. Protocol: Initial assessment will be Clinical ( Weight, BMI, blood pressure) and biological (Fasting glucose, HbA1c, fructosamine and inflammatory markers ( Interleukin 6 and TNF alfa)). During Ramadan, weekly glycemic monitoring will be conducted to track blood sugar levels. Any complications will be recorded, and insulin dose adjustments will be made remotely if necessary to ensure optimal glycemic control. In the last week of Ramadan, a final clinical assessment will be performed, including measurements of weight, BMI, and blood pressure. A biological assessment will also be conducted to measure fructosamine levels and inflammatory markers ( Interleukin 6 and TNF alfa). Two months after Ramadan, fasting glucose and HbA1c levels will be re-evaluated to assess long-term glycemic control. The study will also analyze the impact on glycemic regulation, anthropometric parameters, and overall quality of life using the SF-12 questionnaire. In conclusion, this project aims to identify the most effective method for adjusting basal insulin doses during Ramadan, contributing to optimal Type 2 diabetes management and to assess the variations of inflammation markers before and after Ramadan fasting.

Risks of Ramadan Fasting in Patients With Primary Adrenal Insufficiency Treated With Prednisolone.

In primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI), there is a risk of hypoglycemia and dehydration. These risks seem to be increased during intermittent fasting. A previous study in patients with PAI treated with hydrocortisone at a dose of 20 mg/day showed that the prevalence of hypoglycemia was as high outside (63%) as during Ramadan fasting (71%), and that there was no risk of dehydration. We propose to evaluate the risk of complications during and outside of Ramadan fasting through a prospective study with subjects taken as their own controls, in 35 patients with PAI treated with prednisolone at a dose of 5 mg/day. Patients will undergo an interview, physical examination, blood sampling, and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) during two weeks of fasting and two weeks of non-fasting.