Clinical Research Directory

Mapping Antenatal Maternal Stress

This study recruits women from early-mid pregnancy and later follows their children after birth, tracking both the mother and child until the child reaches at least 4 years of age. The study aims to examine the determinants of maternal mental health during pregnancy and how genetic factors could influence maternal mental health and child outcomes.

Mapping Antenatal Maternal Stress - Child Outcomes

This study is a sub-study of Mapping Antenatal Maternal Stress (MAMS). Women previously enrolled in MAMS, their children and their partners/spouses were recruited for a set of more comprehensive assessments to characterise early neurodevelopmental outcomes in children, their associations with antenatal and postnatal maternal emotional health, and how paternal genetics, mental health and parenting styles and perceptions may influence this relationship.

Growing Up in Singapore Towards Healthy Outcomes

This study aims to examine the role of genetic and epigenetic factors, maternal nutrition, lifestyle, emotional health, and other environmental factors in pregnancy or postpartum period that can influence future maternal risk of metabolic and mental wellness, including body weight changes. The study will recruit women in early pregnancy and later follow their children after birth, tracking both the mother and child until the child reaches at least 20 years of age.

Study Protocol: Cognitive, Emotional and Social Stimulation Programme for Low-SES Children.

Latin America and the Caribbean exhibit high rates of poverty and social exclusion, where a significant portion of the population faces challenges in meeting basic needs. This socioeconomic vulnerability exacerbates environmental violence and its associated consequences. Recognizing that contexts of poverty and social exclusion can adversely impact children's cognitive and emotional development, this research protocol aims to address these challenges. It proposes a cognitive and emotional stimulation program, complemented by an intervention targeting teachers and caregivers, grounded in neuroeducational principles. The overarching goal is to enhance children's cognitive and academic performance, thereby improving their long-term quality of life. Methods: A randomised controlled trial will be conducted to evaluate the efficacy of the intervention in an experimental group compared to a control group. A sample of more than 500 children from primary schools in disadvantaged contexts in Colombia A digital stimulation programme, designed and supervised by neuropsychologists, will be implemented within the classrooms and will be complemented with educational sessions in neuroeducation for teachers and caregivers, with weekly activities for 3 months. Three evaluations will be carried out: 1) pre-intervention, 2) post-intervention and 3) follow-up. During follow-up, the control group will receive the stimulation programme. Conclusions: The researchers anticipate a positive impact on the cognitive, emotional and academic performance of these children, providing evidence and support for the long-term creation of a tested and validated cognitive and emotional stimulation programme that could be integrated into the academic curriculum of educational centres in disadvantaged contexts.

Trial of Social Work Services in Fracture Clinic Setting

Every year, many Canadians sustain a fracture that requires surgical treatment and results in a long recovery period. During this recovery period, patients may experience new or worsening mental health issues including depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Additionally, patients may experience new or worsening social and financial problems, such as food and housing insecurity, due to being unable to work or take care of other daily responsibilities. Current care for fracture patients is focused on treating their physical injuries and overlooks these other challenges. To address this gap in care, the investigators propose having a social worker available in the fracture clinic to provide patients with support beyond the care of their physical injury. The investigators propose a trial of 2,000 patients to determine if social worker support improves recovery for patients after a serious fracture by reducing the number of times they return to the emergency room or urgent care centre. This trial will also determine if social work support improves patients' mental health, financial security, ability to work, and level of satisfaction with the care they receive, and whether it reduces the amount of opioid medication they use and number of missed visits during their recovery. Patients will be randomly assigned to receive either support from a social worker or usual care. For patients assigned to receive social worker support, the social worker will assess their individual needs and provide support, information, and referrals to social support services. The social worker will continue to support patients for up to one year after they join the trial. Patients will complete questionnaires at enrollment and at 6 weeks and 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after enrollment. If this trial shows that support from a social worker in the fracture clinic during their recovery period is beneficial to patients who have experienced a serious fracture requiring surgery, it has the potential to change care for patients who experience these potentially life-changing injuries.

Understanding Cycles to Improve Women's Health

Introduction: The C-HEALTH study investigates how environmental and socio-economic conditions affect women's menstrual cycles and reproductive health. Aim: To compare progesterone levels during the luteal phase among women from different socio-economic backgrounds living in rural and urban areas in southern France. Methods: This is a prospective observational study involving 320 healthy women of reproductive age. * Hormones (progesterone, estradiol) will be measured daily in saliva. * Inflammation (Protéine C Réactive: CRP) will be measured five times per cycle via blood drops. * Participants will wear a smart ring to monitor body temperature and activity. * Daily symptoms and lifestyle data will be collected. * Environmental exposures (pollution, stress, living conditions) will be assessed and linked to menstrual health outcomes.

Singapore PREconception Study of Long-Term Maternal and Child Outcomes

We aim to test the following primary hypothesis that nutrition, lifestyle, and maternal emotional health prior to pregnancy and/or during the first trimester alter the expression of metabolic or neurodevelopmental endophenotypes with accompanying effects on the epigenome/transcriptome of the offspring.

Healthy Kids Beyond the Bell: Investigating the Impact of After-School and Summer Programs

Nearly one in five children are obese, and disparities in overweight and obesity between children from low- and middle-to-high-income households persist despite a multitude of school-based interventions. The structured days hypothesis posits that structure within a school day plays a protective role for children against obesogenic behaviors, and, ultimately, prevents the occurrence of excessive weight gain, thus, past school-based efforts are misplaced. This study will provide access to healthy structured programming via vouchers to afterschool programs and summer day camps during two "windows of vulnerability" (ie afterschool and summer) for low-income children.

Determining the Optimal Amount of Structured Environments for Healthy Kids

Studies show that virtually all increases in children's (5-12yrs) BMI occur during the summer, no matter children's' weight status (i.e., normal weight, overweight, or obese) at summer entry. Recent preliminary studies show that children engage in healthier behaviors on days that they attend summer day camps, and that BMI gain does not accelerate for these children. The proposed randomized dose-response study will identify the dose-response relationship between amount of summer programming and summer BMI gain.

The Effect of Malocclusions on Oral Health Related Quality of Life

Malocclusions in adolescents may affect oral health related quality of life. The study aims at; 1. Evaluating two instruments measuring oral health related quality of life; "Child Perceptions Questionnaire 11-14" (CPQ 11-14) short form and "Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire" (PIDAQ). 2. Comparing differences in oral health related quality of life in; 1. adolescents with different types of malocclusion and without malocclusions 2. individuals of different genders and socioeconomic status 3. Longitudinally evaluating differences in oral health related quality of life; 1. before, during and after orthodontic treatment 2. in untreated individuals (without malocclusion) over time