Clinical Research Directory

Elderly Care in Transition - Perspectives of the Elderly and the Staff

Elderly care in Sweden faces several significant challenges. The number of older people is increasing at the same time as there are fewer of working age. Elderly care staff, such as nurses, care assistants and nurses, have on average more sick days than many other professional groups and often experience high work-related stress. In some municipalities, there are also problems with high staff turnover and a lack of formal competence. At the same time, research shows that many employees experience work in elderly care as meaningful and valuable. Taking advantage of and strengthening these positive aspects is central to creating good conditions for the health and well-being of staff and for the quality of care and care for older people. An important area of development in elderly care is person-centred care, which means that care is based on the individual person's needs, wishes, life history and resources. Person-centred practice emphasises the relationship between the older person, the staff and, if the person so wishes, relatives. Although person-centered care is often seen as an obvious part of good care, research shows that it is not fully implemented in practice and that the introduction of person-centered working methods can be complex and demanding. This study is being carried out in collaboration between municipalities and the University of Gävle and is linked to the establishment of nursing homes for the elderly that will function as academic nursing homes. In these nursing homes, person-centered care will be a pronounced focus area. Through recurring measurements, the activities will be monitored and developed in close collaboration between practice and research. The overall aim of the study is to investigate older people's experience of academic nursing homes with a focus on person-centered care and nursing, outdoor environment, health and well-being, and to investigate the staff's experience of person-centered working methods, learning, structural conditions and work-related well-being. The study also aims to analyze the relationship between older people's experiences of person-centered care, outdoor environment, health and well-being, both among older people living in academic nursing homes and among older people living in their own homes. The study has a longitudinal design and data will be collected at several points in time using questionnaires and interviews, which enables both statistical analyses and an in-depth understanding of the participants' experiences over time. By highlighting the perspectives of both older people and staff, the study can contribute new knowledge about how person-centered care can be developed and maintained in practice. In the long term, the results can contribute to a more health-promoting, sustainable and attractive elderly care for both older people and staff.

Validation of the Shared Happiness Index in Multidisciplinary Primary Care Practices ( Be aPi )

Multi-professional primary care practices (Maisons de Santé Pluriprofessionnelles, MSP) have expanded widely in France over the last decade to respond to increasing healthcare needs, uneven distribution of physicians, and deteriorating working conditions, which were further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. MSPs are expected to offer more collaborative and coordinated care, and to provide a more attractive work environment, particularly for younger healthcare professionals seeking less isolation and better work-life balance. Well-being at work for healthcare professionals is now recognised as a key determinant of quality and safety of care. Studies have shown links between staff satisfaction, burnout, and patient outcomes, including communication quality, error rates and staff retention. However, research specifically focused on collective well-being or "shared happiness" within multi-professional primary care teams remains limited. Existing work in French MSPs (notably qualitative studies by F. Burté and O. Caillaud) has identified relevant dimensions of "shared happiness" and led to the preliminary construction of a questionnaire named the Shared Happiness Index (Indice de Bonheur Partagé, IBP). To date, no validated, standardised instrument exists to measure this collective well-being in MSPs. The Be\_aPi study aims to validate the IBP questionnaire among healthcare professionals working in MSPs. The study is observational, descriptive and cross-sectional, conducted in several French regions covered by the GIRCI (Groupement Interrégional de Recherche Clinique et Innovation) SOHO (Sud-Ouest Outre-Mer Hospitalier) network (Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Occitanie, Réunion and Mayotte). It comprises three main steps. First, a content validation phase will be carried out with two independent panels of experts. One panel, including psychometrics, methodology and linguistics experts and MSP representatives, will assess face validity by examining each item in relation to the concept of shared happiness in multi-professional primary care. A second panel will be involved in an e-Delphi process to establish consensus validity on the relevance and clarity of items, using Likert-type ratings and iterative feedback. Second, the psychometric validation phase will recruit approximately 350 professionals from over 100 MSPs. Eligible participants include medical and paramedical professionals, medical-social staff, medical assistants, coordinators, health mediators, adapted physical activity instructors and psychologists, working in MSPs that have been operating for at least one year, with at least one year of seniority in their current MSP. Participants will complete an online survey including the IBP questionnaire and three reference instruments: the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) and the Short Form-12 (SF-12). Internal consistency of the IBP will be assessed using Cronbach's alpha, and construct validity will be examined with exploratory factor analysis and correlation patterns with the reference scales, according to a multi-trait multi-method approach. Third, to evaluate test-retest reliability, participants who completed the initial IBP will be invited to fill in the same questionnaire again after a delay of approximately one month. The stability of scores over time will be assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients. Ceiling and floor effects, as well as the distribution of scores across professional categories and organisational characteristics of MSPs (e.g. single-site vs multi-site, role in the organisation, membership in interprofessional associations), will also be analysed. The expected outcome of Be\_aPi is a valid, reliable and transferable Shared Happiness Index specifically tailored to multi-professional primary care practices. This tool should enable regular monitoring of collective well-being, support targeted quality-of-work-life interventions, and ultimately contribute to improving quality and safety of care, staff retention and the long-term sustainability of MSPs. In the longer term, the IBP could inform policy instruments and financing schemes that aim to "take care of those who care," in line with national quality and safety strategies.

Rise & Renew: Supporting Well-Being in Black Women After the Loss of a Loved One

This study is testing a new grief support program called Rise \& Renew (Remembering, Expressing, Navigating, Embracing, Witnessing) designed for Black women ages 40 and older who have experienced the loss of a close loved one, such as a spouse or significant other, parent, or child (including pregnancies). The program includes a weekend wellness retreat followed by 10 weeks of online group support. Participants will be randomly assigned to start weekly virtual sessions right away or after a 10-week delay. The study will help the investigators learn whether the program is helpful, easy to take part in, and meaningful for those who attend. The investigators believe that a culturally tailored program that focuses on healing, wellness, and community will improve emotional health, spiritual well-being, and resilience during the grief process.

Adaptive Music Therapy for Psychosocial and Cognitive Functions of Older Adults

The proposed study is a pilot study that aims to understand if the Pi Electronics adaptive music intervention (AM) is effective to promote positive psychosocial and cognitive outcomes, over and above a traditional music intervention (TM) among healthy older adults. This study will contribute to the ongoing literature on the benefits of music interventions and provide insight on how emerging technology can enhance the therapeutic effects of music as a viable intervention for older adults. The study will adopt a three-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT). Eligible participants will be randomized into one of three groups: traditional music therapy group (TM), Pi Electronic's adaptive music program (AM), and a waitlist control group (CG). Informed consent will be collected from all participants. All three groups will complete outcome measures at three sessions: pretest, posttest, and at a three-month follow-up, but only the TM and AM group will receive music between the pretest and posttest sessions, spanning for 4 weeks, with 4 music therapy sessions per week, and each session lasting 30 minutes. Data will be analyzed for each outcome variables to understand the group differences in the performance on the psychosocial and cognitive outcome measures. The study will also validate the Pi Electronics EEG headset with the BioSemi, 64-channel EEG system.

Screen Culture's Impact on Generation Z Adolescents' Physical Activity, Posture and Well-being in Egypt

Ubiquitous adoption of screen-based technologies has transformed the behavioral and physiological environment of Generation Z youth. In Egypt, where digital adoption speeds up with apace urbanisation, teens (13-18) have greater exposure to computers, mobile phones, and other screen-based devices. Growing evidence points towards excessive viewing of screens in compromised well-being, including sleep issues, inactive lifestyles, weight loss/gain, and musculoskeletal disturbances. Contextual evidence for the Egyptian teenager is scarce. This study fills the gap by investigating the multi-dimensional influence of screen culture on physical well-being, focusing on sleep quality, body mass index (BMI), posture, physical activity, and disability outcomes.

Yoga Asana Chandra Harmoni on Psychological Well-being and Learning Readiness Among Medical Students

The goal of this trial is to learn if the Yoga Asana Chandra Harmoni intervention can improve psychological well-being and learning readiness in medical students. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does Yoga Asana Chandra Harmoni improve psychological well-being (specifically, reduce stress, anxiety, and depression) in medical students? Does Yoga Asana Chandra Harmoni enhance self-directed learning readiness in medical students? Researchers will compare a group receiving the Yoga Asana Chandra Harmoni intervention to a control group to see if the intervention leads to significant improvements in psychological well-being and self-directed learning readiness. Participants will: Complete baseline questionnaires assessing psychological well-being, sleep quality, self-directed learning readiness, and self-efficacy. Participate in 3 weekly Yoga Asana Chandra Harmoni sessions for 4 weeks (intervention group). Continue with their usual activities (control group). Complete follow-up questionnaires at post-test (end of week 4) and at a 2-week follow-up to assess changes in the outcome measures. Engage in additional online audio guided practices 5 times/week for 20-30 minutes, including breathing exercises (weeks 1-2) and body scans (weeks 3-4) (intervention group).

DanceOn50+: Effects of a Dance Program on Physical and Psycho-emotional Health

Aging is associated with a decline in physical and cognitive function affecting autonomy and the ability to perform daily living activities. Interventions aiming the promotion of healthy aging and life-long learning are required to improve physical and cognitive health in a social context. Dance is a cultural and physical activity that can be well adapted for older adults. Dance might counteract physical and cognitive functional decline and promotes social and emotional interactions. Importantly, dance can be individually adjusted in terms of physical fitness and cultural background. However, to date, there is a lack of research on the effects of a dance intervention with older adults setting to promote healthy aging and lifelong learning. Thus, this research project aims to explore the impact of a dance-based intervention with older adults from the community on physical, cognitive and psycho-emotional health while simultaneously generating inclusive artistic experiences and lifelong learning opportunities. The study includes a quantitative quasi-experimental design. The study sample consists of healthy individuals from the community aged ≥ 50 years recruited through community programs and social media platforms. Those who agree to participate will be informed of the project objectives and procedures. Participation in the study is voluntary, and all participants will be required to sign a voluntary informed consent form. Participants will be assigned to a dance training group, Multicomponent Exercise Group or the control group (no intervention). Outcomes will be measured using the Astrand Cycle Ergometer Submaximal Test, Open Circuit Pirometer Technique, Battery Senior Fitness Test, Isokinetic Dynamometer and Handgrip Dynamometer to assess physical fitness, Accelerometer, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index to assess physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep; psychoemotional questionnaires validated on Portuguese subjects to assess psychoemotional variables; tape measure and bioeletric impedance balance to assess body composition; digital sphygmomanometer and spirometry to assess cardiovascular and respiratory function; neurocognitive and psychological tests to assess cognitive function; and electroencephalography to assess electrophysiology.

The Impact of Game Activities on Life Satisfaction and Psychological Well-Being in Older Adults

The rapid global increase in the elderly population has made supportive interventions for enhancing quality of life and psychological well-being in older adults increasingly important. Physical activity not only improves physiological functioning but also positively impacts mental health in the elderly. Exercise and even light physical activity contribute to reduced depressive symptoms, improved quality of life, and increased social engagement. Game-based activities such as bocce and Jenga encourage physical movement while also supporting cognitive functioning, thereby enhancing psychological well-being. Although relatively new in Türkiye, bocce has been utilized in nursing homes to promote active aging, while Jenga is a mentally stimulating activity known to improve cognitive performance. In this context, the impact of game-based interventions on life satisfaction and psychological well-being has gained significance. Nurses play a crucial role in facilitating older adults' participation in such activities, supporting their holistic care, and enhancing their well-being. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of game-based activities-specifically bocce and Jenga-on life satisfaction, quality of life, and psychological well-being among older adults.

Troubled-Desire & Therapeutic Chat for Reduction of CSAM Use (TD-CHAT)

The goal of this prospective multicentred, stratified, parallel-group superiority study is to prevent and reduce the usage of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) by a Therapist Chat Service (TCS) and Selfhelp Platform for Self-Referred Patients, mostly men with a sexual interest in children. The interventions are based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) principles and designed to treat the sexual behavioral disorder related with CSAM consumption. 1. Participants in the Selfhelp modules group will show a statistically significantly higher proportion of reduction in CSAM behaviours four weeks after baseline, as compared to participants in the waitlist control group. 2. Participants in the Selfhelp modules followed by TCS group will show a statistically significantly higher reduction of CSAM behaviours compared to participants in the Selfhelp-only and TCS-only groups, post-intervention. Researchers will compare TCS-only-, Selfhelp-only-, Selfhelp + TCS- and Waiting group to see if if the interventions decrease CSAM use and improve mental well-being. Participants will get web based selfhelp-modules and/or text-based chat intervention operated by trained therapists.

Comparison of Nutritional Information With Iron-succinate Supplementation in Healthy Women

The primary aim of the current study is to evaluate the effects of dietary nutritional advice with regards to iron rich food sources or a daily oral supplement of 100 mg ferrous iron succinate in 80 menstruating, healthy women aged 20-40 years for 8 weeks. The study will use a randomized controlled non-blinded design, and 80 healthy women aged 20-40 years whom regularly exercise will be included. Data collection will be made through online, standardized forms using the digital platform REDCap 13.1.28 (Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA). Study personnel will register laboratory and body weight results through the same system. Participants will be randomized 1:1 to either follow written dietary recommendations to increase their dietary iron intake, or to use a daily oral supplement of 100 mg of iron succinate. Study parameters are blood tests (fasting blood samples will be collected by a licensed laboratory: serum iron, serum transferrin, serum transferrin saturation, serum ferritin, and serum soluble transferrin receptor, blood status (hemoglobin, MCV, MCH, MCHC, thrombocytes, leukocytes), and plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and Body height and weight as well as questionnaires.