Clinical Research Directory

Noninvasive Spinal Cord Stimulation for Early SCI

The investigators are looking to determine the safety and efficacy of non-invasive transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (TSCS) in promoting recovery of lower urinary tract (LUT), bowel, sexual, and cardiovascular function, as well as spasticity in individuals with subacute and chronic SCI (time since injury 3-6 months) and the impact on quality of life. The study will be conducted at two sites; site 1 in Canada and site 2 in the Ukraine. Up to 60 subjects will be enrolled; 10 adults at the ICORD, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, Canada site and 50 adults at the Rivne Regional War Veterans Hospital, Rivne, Ukraine. Eligible participants will be randomized (1:1 ratio) either to Group 1 (G1) or Group 2 (G2). G1 will receive therapeutic TSCS for 8 weeks (3 times per week; 1 hour per session) in conjunction with conventional rehabilitation (3-4 hours per day; 5 days per week). G2 will receive 8 weeks of sham stimulation in conjunction with conventional rehabilitation. After 8 weeks, G2 will cross over and receive therapeutic TSCS for 8 weeks, whereas G1 will continue to receive TSCS therapy for another 8 weeks, for a total of 16 weeks. Eligible participants enrolled into the study will attend fifty eight (58) visits for assessments, therapy, and follow-up. The expected duration of study participation for each participant will be 33 weeks.

Telemedicine for Urologic Care in Rural Nigeria

Access to urologic care in rural Nigeria is not as robust as it needs to be given the size of the population. This study will employ two research groups in rural Northern Nigeria. One group will receive urologic care via standard, in-person consultation. The second group will receive urologic care via telemedicine consultation. The main aim of this study is to assess whether telemedicine improves access to urologic care in these populations. Secondly, the investigators will assess patient satisfaction with their intervention via survey data.

Holistic Integration for Healthy Longevity and Aging in Place

Background: Taiwan is experiencing rapid population aging, with a growing prevalence of chronic diseases and functional impairments among older adults. Existing Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) programs focus primarily on screening but lack sufficient follow-up and intervention. In response, the HI-HOPE Project was developed to establish a community-based, multidisciplinary intervention model to enhance intrinsic capacity and promote healthy aging in rural elderly populations. Survey and Screening: The study will be conducted in 30 community centers across Yunlin County, targeting older adults aged ≥55 years. Participants will undergo biannual screenings over two years, assessing cognitive function, depression, mobility, vitality (nutrition), hearing, vision, osteoporosis, polypharmacy, urological health, and social participation \& welfare. Intervention: Participants will be randomly assigned to either: HI-HOPE Integrated Care Group: On-Site Community Interventions: Exercise training, mindfulness, social activities, oral and swallowing rehabilitation, hearing and vision training. Telehealth \& Remote Education: Digital health monitoring, remote consultations, and health education. Referral Services: Access to specialized medical care, transportation assistance, and follow-up support. Control Group: Standard community care services without additional structured interventions. Outcome Measures: Primary outcomes include changes in intrinsic capacity of functional health metrics, including abnormalities of I-COPE components (mobility, cognitive status, depression, hearing, vision, vitality) . Secondary outcomes assess quality of life, activities of daily living, hospitalization, emergency visits, falls, and mortality rates over two years. Significance: This project integrates digital health technologies, interdisciplinary care, and community-based interventions to improve elderly health outcomes. The findings will guide the future scalability of integrated aging care models in Taiwan and beyond.

Validation of the Short Form of the "Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Treatment Constraints Assessment" Questionnaire

For many years, the evaluation of treatments has been a central issue in patient care. The various domains assessed have gradually evolved over time, ranging from satisfaction, improvement and quality of life, to the more recent introduction of the Patient Reported Outcome Measure (PROM). These questionnaires or measurement scales (PROMs) focus assessment on the patient and his or her direct experience. Statistical validation of numerous assessment tools has made it possible to quantify objectively many areas of assessment that were initially linked to the patient's feelings, and therefore to their subjectivity. Thus, improvement, quality of life, patient expectations and goal attainment have been the preferred areas for the development of these PROMs. However, certain areas have been sidelined in the creation of these tools. For example, the constraint of care or the side effects or negative effects of care have not been studied through specific means of evaluation. In response to this shortcoming, we have developed a questionnaire specifically designed for neuro-urological treatments in a neurological patient population. The LUTS-TCA (Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Treatment Constraints Assessment) was developed in French and statistically validated in 2019. The aim of the study is to create a short form of the LUTS TCA in French, in a population of neurological patients. This short form, which would be easier to use and interpret, would simplify its use in everyday practice. Indeed, a large majority of neuro-urology patients suffer from neurodegenerative or progressive pathologies, marked by significant and disabling physical and psychological fatigue symptoms. Long-form questionnaires, or the addition of multiple assessment questionnaires during a single visit to the department, make overall assessment more complex. In addition, this short-form questionnaire is presented in a slightly different form to the long-form version, showing several domains of constraint (physical, social, psychological and care system). This classification should simplify the interpretation and understanding of care constraint, by and for patients. For the patient, the validation study will take place in 2 phases: * A first phase at the time of the consultation (Day 0): response to the questionnaires making up the study, i.e. the short form of the LUTS TCA (appendix 2), then the validated form of the LUTS TCA (22 questions) and finally the PGI (two questions). * A second phase, at a distance from the consultation (Day 14 post-consultation): response to the short form of the LUTS TCA (questionnaire handed out at the consultation, accompanied by a stamped envelope for return).

Mesenchymal Stem Cells for the Treatment of Various Chronic and Acute Conditions

This multi-arm, multi-site study investigates the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of stem cell therapy for the treatment of various acute and chronic conditions. Clinically observed initial findings and an extensive body of research indicate regenerative treatments are both safe and effective for the treatment of multiple conditions.