Clinical Research Directory

Foot Reflexology in Neonates With Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effect of foot reflexology on comfort levels and physiological parameters in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy undergoing therapeutic hypothermia. Neonates in the intervention group will receive standardized foot reflexology sessions in addition to routine care, while the control group will receive routine care alone. Comfort will be assessed using the COMFORTneo scale, and physiological parameters will be monitored throughout the intervention period.

Continuous Monitoring of Body Temperature in Neonates During Therapeutic Hypothermia

This prospective observational pilot study aims to evaluate the feasibility, accuracy, and safety of the SteadyTemp® wireless adhesive thermometer for continuous, non-invasive body temperature monitoring in neonates undergoing therapeutic hypothermia following hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Currently, body temperature during therapeutic hypothermia is monitored using an invasive rectal temperature probe, which carries risks such as tissue injury, perforation, infection, and patient discomfort. The study will enroll ten neonates born at ≥36 weeks of gestation who require therapeutic hypothermia. During the rewarming phase of treatment, the SteadyTemp® adhesive thermometer will be applied to the right axillary area for approximately 10 hours while routine rectal temperature monitoring continues. Temperature measurements obtained with the adhesive thermometer will be compared with simultaneous rectal core temperature measurements. In addition, skin condition after removal of the adhesive patch will be assessed using the Neonatal Skin Condition Scale (NSCS) to evaluate local tolerability. The study seeks to answer the following research questions: Can the SteadyTemp® adhesive thermometer continuously and reliably monitor body temperature in neonates during therapeutic hypothermia? Do temperature measurements obtained with the non-invasive adhesive thermometer show sufficient agreement with standard invasive rectal temperature measurements, including temperatures below 36°C? Is prolonged application of the adhesive thermometer safe and well tolerated, without causing clinically relevant skin irritation? The findings from this pilot study will provide preliminary evidence on the feasibility and agreement of this non-invasive monitoring method and will inform the design of larger validation studies investigating whether the SteadyTemp® adhesive thermometer could serve as a safe alternative to invasive rectal temperature monitoring during therapeutic hypothermia in neonates.

PRE-hospital Cooling to improvE carDiac arrEst Neurological outComEs (PRECEDENCE)

The PRE-hospital Cooling to improvE carDiac arrEst Neurological outComEs (PRECEDENCE) study is a pilot feasibility trial evaluating the implementation of pre-hospital targeted temperature management (TTM) using a wearable surface cooling device (CarbonCool® vest) in adult out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). The study aims to assess feasibility, fidelity, acceptability, and safety of initiating cooling in the field by emergency medical services (EMS) prior to hospital arrival. Results will inform the design of a larger definitive trial to determine the clinical effectiveness of early pre-hospital TTM in improving neurological outcomes.

The Long-term Consequences of Neonatal Encephalopathy in the Hypothermia Era

The goal of this study is to characterize the ability and related brain profiles of children with Neonatal encephalopathy (NE) - Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) at 9 years old. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Compare executive function, attention, social cognition, behaviour, anxiety, self-esteem, and peer problems between children with NE-TH and matched peers without NE. 2. Compare brain volumes, cortical and subcortical morphology, white matter microstructure, and myelination between children with NE-TH and matched peers without NE. 3. Evaluate the associations of perinatal risk factors and structural brain integrity with neuropsychological deficits to inform about the potential aggravating and protective factors for neuropsychological functioning. Participants will complete one study visit to perform standardized evaluations and a brain MRI. Parents of participants will be invited to complete a series of questionnaires during this study visit or at a moment of their choice virtually.