Clinical Research Directory

Enteral Nutrition Education Provided Using the Pecha Kucha Method

Enteral nutrition therapy is essential to prevent or treat malnutrition, reduce infection complications, shorten recovery and hospital stay, and lower hospital costs and mortality rates. Intensive care nurses have responsibilities including diagnosing nutritional deficiencies, preventing complications, and implementing and maintaining enteral nutrition. In recent years, there has been increased interest in innovative teaching methods in the educational literature that enhance learners' attention, reduce cognitive load, and enable effective learning in a short time. The Pecha-Kucha method is a contemporary educational approach that aims to present information concisely and effectively thanks to its visually-oriented and time-limited structure. This study aims to fill this important gap in the literature and provide evidence-based contributions to applicable educational approaches in intensive care settings by revealing the short-term and long-term effects of enteral nutrition education given using the Pecha-Kucha method on the self-efficacy levels of intensive care nurses regarding enteral nutrition.

Evaluating the Effects of Reproductive Health Training on Provider Behavior

The goal of this randomized, controlled, single blinded trial is to evaluate the medium to long-term effects of an Afrocentric sexual health curriculum on health professional students' knowledge, attitudes, and clinical skills in providing sexual health in Tanzania.

Ultrasound-guided Non-invasive Simulation in Anesthesia Residency Training

Study Aim: This trial evaluates if a novel non-invasive, AI-assisted simulation training improves ultrasound-guided needle visualization skills in anesthesia residents. Design: Trainees were randomized into two groups: Intervention: AI-based, non-invasive simulated needle puncture training. Control: Conventional ultrasound teaching. Key Outcomes: The primary outcome is objective needle tip visibility. Secondary outcomes include anatomical identification, correct view acquisition, operator confidence, and overall scanning performance. Assessment: Outcomes are measured via blinded expert evaluation and theoretical tests. The goal of this randomized controlled clinical trial is to determine whether an ultrasound-guided non-invasive simulated needle puncture training technique can improve ultrasound-guided needle visualization skills in anesthesiology residents undergoing standardized residency training. The study is conducted in anesthesiology residents enrolled in a standardized residency training program. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Does non-invasive simulated needle puncture training improve objective needle tip visibility during ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve block procedures? 2. Does this training method improve anatomical structure identification, acquisition of correct block views, operator confidence, and overall scanning performance compared with conventional ultrasound teaching? Researchers will compare a non-invasive simulated needle puncture training group with a conventional ultrasound teaching group to see if the simulated training technique leads to superior needle visualization and procedural performance. Participants will: Receive standardized theoretical instruction on ultrasound- guided peripheral nerve blocks; Be randomly assigned to either non-invasive simulated needle puncture training using an artificial intelligence-assisted system or conventional ultrasound scanning training; Perform ultrasound scanning and simulated or conventional practice on healthy volunteers; Undergo theoretical examinations and blinded expert assessments of ultrasound scanning performance and needle visualization outcomes.

Endoscopy Immersion Study.

Endoscopy services are under significant pressure and endoscopy training academies and immersion training are under review at a national level. To date, there has been no comprehensive evaluation of the different approaches to immersion training or a large-scale study looking at its impact on trainees and/or endoscopy services. The purpose of this study is to perform a process, impact and economic evaluation of current immersion training practices to determine if they are impactful and value for money.

Training Program for PEG Caregivers: A Structured Intervention Study

This study aims to develop and evaluate a structured education program and a mobile application to support caregivers of patients receiving enteral nutrition via percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). The intervention focuses on improving caregivers' knowledge, care practices, and perceived burden. The study will be conducted in three phases: a needs assessment, development of the education and digital support modules, and implementation of the intervention. Quantitative and qualitative data will be collected to evaluate the impact of the intervention. The results are expected to contribute to the improvement of home PEG care quality and the empowerment of caregivers.

Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Gastroenterostomy Nationwide: Prospective Registry.

This is project of help and support for the introduction of the GASTROENTEROANASTOMOSIS technique guided by ENDOSCOPIC -ULTRASOUND (EUS-GE) in centers in Catalonia, facilitating a teacher training. The main objective is facilitate a safe introduction of the technique, limiting technical failures, and if necessary, support in rescue techniques. The goal of this interventional study is to assess the impact of a teaching and on live-support model in the introduction of the gastroenteroanastomosis technique, evaluating its effects in safety and the learning curve. regarding the results in safety and learning curve of for the introduction \[type of study: observational study or clinical trial\] is to \[learn about, test, compare etc.\] in \[describe participant population/health conditions\]. The main question\[s\] it aims to answer are: * \[question 1\] * \[question 2\] Participants will \[describe the main tasks participants will be asked to do, treatments they'll be given and use bullets if it is more than 2 items\]. If there is a comparison group: Researchers will compare \[insert groups\] to see if \[insert effects\].

Training and Support Programme on Data-driven Quality Development for Swiss Long-Term Care Facilities (NIP-Q-UPGRADE Subaim 2.6)

Since 2019, long-term care facilities (LTCFs) in Switzerland have been required by the Federal Insurance Law (KVG, Art. 59a) to report data for the calculation and public reporting of medical quality indicators (MQIs) in four clinical domains: polypharmacy, pain, malnutrition, and physical restraints. This data serves both for monitoring care quality at the national level through public reporting and for internal quality development. Contextual analysis showed that various quality development methods are already known and used in Swiss LTCFs. However, significant challenges remain: limited resources, time constraints, and restricted access to MQI data hinder effective use. Facilities reported a greater need for support in using MQI data. They also expressed interest in peer networking, structured support for applying quality methods (such as Plan Do Check Act cycles (PDCA)), and practical tools such as training, best-practice examples, and additional resources. Residents and relatives also expressed a strong interest in being more involved in decision-making and care quality discussions. The overall aim of the current study is to test a quality development training programme that supports LTCFs in using MQI data for continuous data-driven care quality development. The study is structured into three thematic areas: 1. MQI Results Literacy - Supporting LTCFs in interpreting MQI reports and benchmarks. 2. Impactful Actions - Supporting LTCFs to translate MQI results into concrete quality development actions using PDCA cycles. 3. Sparking Culture - Integrating data-driven quality development into everyday practice and fostering a culture of continuous development, with a strong emphasis on strengthening the involvement of residents, relatives, and leadership. The study follows a train-the-trainer strategy. Trainers instructed by the NIP-Q-UPGRADE research team provide structured training and coaching to Quality Leaders and management representatives of LTCFs. Quality Leaders then support their co-workers in quality development. The training programme consists of online and in-person trainings, training materials, practical tools, a website, guided tasks for facilities, and an email helpdesk for ongoing support. Study outcomes: This sub-study of the NIP-Q-UPGRADE programme aims to assess the acceptability, feasibility, fidelity, and costs related to the training programme, both at the facility level and at the trainer level.

Khanya Ekhaya: A Home-Based Intervention

Mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and harmful alcohol use are prevalent among people with chronic diseases, including HIV, and contribute to poor engagement in care. There is a need to address untreated mental health problems. Community health workers (CHWs) are frontline workers who play a central role in supporting vulnerable individuals to stay in care, including seeking people living with HIV who are newly initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) or re-initiating after a period of care disengagement. CHW-delivered interventions are promising for improving engagement and retention in care. Yet, these programs rarely address mental health -a significant barrier to chronic disease care engagement and treatment. An approach that moves beyond providing care in the clinic setting is needed. Community-delivered home-based mental health care has been shown to be feasible and acceptable and shows promise for integration into broader community health care services for people with chronic conditions, such as HIV.

Evaluating Decision-making Using ChatGPT-4 Among Trainees in Surgery

This study aims to assess whether ChatGPT-4 can support surgical trainees in clinical decision-making. By comparing the performance of ChatGPT-4 with junior residents, senior residents, and attending surgeons on standardized clinical scenarios, the study seeks to understand the potential role of large language models in surgical education. The ultimate goal is to evaluate whether ChatGPT-4 can be safely integrated as a supplementary educational tool to aid junior residents in developing critical thinking and surgical judgment.

NEUROmuscular Training for Enhanced AGE Longevity

In recent years the research group on Prevention and Health in Exercise and Sport (PHES) has carried out numerous studies that have provided current and convincing evidence of the benefits of physical activity and exercise for chronic health, but unfortunately it has also shown that if physical exercise is not properly prescribed it can impair health, as well as accelerating the ageing process. The research proposal presented here aims to reveal some of the forms of physical exercise and resources for its application that may be most beneficial for people's health, thus trying to find reliable evidence that will increase healthy longevity and quality of life in society. Based on the above, and taking into account that the possible beneficial adaptations for health are specific to the applied form of physical exercise and the equipment used during its development, the PHES research group wishes to investigate the most appropriate strategies to ensure an active and positive ageing process. With these relevant findings the researchers can create specific action plans for prevention and promotion through physical exercise in order to improve both health and quality of life expectancy. The general objective of the project is to identify the most advanced methods and material resources with which to guarantee a beneficial process of active and healthy ageing with chronic training, so that with these relevant findings, concrete action plans can be created for prevention and promotion through physical exercise in order to improve both health and quality of life expectancy. The specific objectives are the following: * To validate new, specific, safe, and efficient tools to monitor the intensity of neuromuscular strength training activities in older adults. * To analyze and compare the chronic effects of different cardiovascular and neuromuscular strength training modalities applied with different materials on cellular ageing, body composition, metabolic, and immune profiles, cognitive function, motor function, quality of life and well-being in older adults. * To evaluate the efficacy of the use of dietary supplements to reduce or even stop the chronic adverse effects that different physical activity levels and/or physical exercise programs can have on the oxidative and inflammatory profile, body composition and metabolic profile, muscle and DNA damage, and physical performance in older adults.

Effects of Combined Training Protocol in Volleyball Players

The 12-week training will take place during the preparation period. At the beginning and end of the 12-week period, vertical jump test, 60 seconds countermovement jump (CMJ) test, change of direction (T-Agility) test, sprint test, YO-YO (level-1) test will be applied in terms of performance test. In terms of skill testing, service test and spiking test protocols will be applied. Players will perform plyometric (PL) or jump rope (JR) training with the same amount of total training time in each training session. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) will be obtained using (CR6-20). All players will also complete the short form of the physical activity enjoyment scale (PACES).

Self-Practicing Upper Body Exercises with a Robotic Trainer System

Studies suggest that older adults undergoing inpatient rehabilitation have relatively low levels of physical activity. Moreover, people with lower limb orthopedic conditions undergoing inpatient rehabilitation may be particularly vulnerable to the consequences of low physical activity because of the mobility limitations. The study focuses on examining the feasibility of incorporating robotic system for upper body physical training of people with lower limb orthopedic condition undergoing inpatient rehabilitation. Using robotic coaches can be a complementary method to promote the participation and motivation of people with lower limb orthopedic conditions undergoing inpatient rehabilitation. Aims: The overall aim of the study is to assess the user experience and feasibility of incorporating robotic system for upper body physical training of people with lower limb orthopedic injury/condition undergoing inpatient rehabilitation. Our specific aims are: 1. To assess the acceptability and suitability of the training (i.e., training attendance and engagement; adherence to training protocol; time on task; satisfaction and enjoyment of the training) 2. To document unexpected adverse events during training. 3. To assess the resources and ability to manage and implement the training (i.e., administrative capacity, technology and equipment needs and training).

Standardizing Right Hemicolectomy for Colon Cancer

A surgical intervention might be highly variable amongst surgeons and centers. This variability has a potential relevance concerning clinical outcomes. For right-sided colon cancer, the laparoscopic right hemicolectomy (LRHC) knows substantial variation. Especially since the surgical technique has been evolving during the latest decade with the introduction of intracorporeal anastomosis, a dissection technique within the correct embryological planes (complete mesocolic excision) and central vascular ligation of the segmental branches at its origin, resulting in an optimal lymph node dissection. Given the insights from recent studies showing the association between quality of surgery and relevant clinical outcomes, there is a great need for a formative quality assessment of LRHC. Detailed objective assessment of the LRHC is currently not performed in clinical practice nor in surgical training. Quality assessment of LRHC has great potential to improve surgical training and furthermore, implementation of a standardized technique will ultimately lead to better quality of care for patients suffering from right-sided colon cancer. The main objective of this study is to improve surgical outcomes for patient with right-sided colon cancer by a prospective sequential interventional cohort study that aims to standardize the surgical technique with subsequent controlled implementation after standardized review of the current practice in a nationwide multicenter setting. The primary endpoint is the 30-day morbidity according to the Clavien-Dindo classification system.