Clinical research

Clinical Trial on Focused Extracorporeal Shock-Wave Therapy for Cervical Spondylosis Study Overview Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) is a modern physiotherapy treatment that helps with muscle and bone issues. This study specifically looked at how effective focused ESWT (fESWT) is for relieving pain and improving function in patients with cervical spondylosis, a neck condition. Study Details This clinical trial included data from 5 centers, running from June 2021 to March 2024. Patients aged 20 to 70 with cervical spondylosis were included. Key points include: Inclusion Criteria: Patients with cervical spondylosis, aged 20-70, without serious health issues. Exclusion Criteria: Pregnant or… ➡️➡️➡️

Understanding the Impact of AI Explanations on Radiology Study Overview This study explores how different types of AI explanations affect the ability of doctors to diagnose chest X-rays and their trust in AI. It aimed to find out if AI explanations help or hinder doctors in making decisions. Research Details The study was conducted from April 2022 to September 2022 and involved 220 physicians. They were given chest X-rays to analyze, followed by AI-generated advice. Two types of AI explanations were tested: local (feature-based) and global (prototype-based). Key Findings Better Accuracy with Local Explanations: Doctors performed better with local AI… ➡️➡️➡️

Survival Outcomes of Colonoscopy Screening: Key Findings Background Colonoscopy is a common method used to screen for colorectal cancer, but strong evidence supporting its effectiveness is lacking. The NordICC trial, the first randomized study on colonoscopy screening, showed no clear benefits for the general population. However, some benefits were suggested for specific groups. This study aimed to determine if colonoscopy screening leads to better survival outcomes compared to standard care. Methods We analyzed patient data from the NordICC trial to compare survival outcomes. We used robust statistical methods to assess the impact of colonoscopy on colorectal cancer incidence and mortality.… ➡️➡️➡️

Study Overview This study examined how effective low-load resistance training with blood flow restriction (LRT-BFR) is compared to conventional high-intensity resistance training (CRT) for older adults with sarcopenia. Key Findings Participants: 21 older adults (65 years and older) diagnosed with sarcopenia. Training Groups: LRT-BFR: 20%-30% of one-repetition maximum (1RM) CRT: 60%-70% of 1RM Duration: 12 weeks, with sessions three times a week. Outcomes Measured Knee extensor strength (KES) Body composition (mass, BMI, body fat percentage) Muscle mass (appendicular skeletal muscle mass index) Handgrip strength Physical performance (short physical performance battery and 6-meter walk) Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors (blood pressure,… ➡️➡️➡️

Study Overview This study compares the effectiveness of standard-dose and low-dose cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in diagnosing and treating impacted mandibular third molars (M3Ms). Objective The goal was to see how well low-dose CBCT shows the mandibular canal (MC) and its closeness to M3Ms, and how this affects decisions made by dental professionals. Methods A total of 154 impacted M3Ms from 90 patients were randomly divided into three groups. Each group underwent two CBCT scans: one standard-dose (333 mGy×cm2) and one of three low-dose protocols (78-131 mGy×cm2). Dental practitioners assessed the visibility of the MC, proximity to M3Ms, and made… ➡️➡️➡️

A Synbiotic Mixture for Managing Infantile Colic Study Overview This study investigates the effectiveness of a synbiotic (Bactecal D Liquid) for infants experiencing colic, which is characterized by excessive crying and irritability. A total of 68 infants were involved in a randomized trial, where they received either one or two doses of the synbiotic daily for 28 days. Key Findings Improved Quality of Life: Caregiver quality of life scores significantly increased after just 7 days of treatment. Significant Reductions: The number of crying episodes, total crying time, gassiness, and ‘balling of fists’ were all significantly lower after 28 days. Quick… ➡️➡️➡️

Clinical Study on Moxibustion and Cisplatin for Malignant Pleural Effusion Objective The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of combining heat-sensitive moxibustion with intrapleural cisplatin infusion compared to cisplatin infusion alone in treating malignant pleural effusion (MPE). Methods Forty patients with MPE were randomly divided into two groups: an observation group (20 patients) and a control group (20 patients). The control group received a weekly cisplatin injection for four weeks. The observation group received the same cisplatin treatment but also underwent heat-sensitive moxibustion for 30 to 90 minutes daily, excluding weekends. Results Both groups showed reduced pleural effusion volume after… ➡️➡️➡️

Hand-Arm Bimanual Intensive Therapy for Infants with Unilateral Cerebral Palsy Study Overview This clinical trial aimed to find out if the Hand-Arm Bimanual Intensive Therapy Including Lower Extremities (HABIT-ILE) can help improve motor skills in infants with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP). Why It Matters Identifying cerebral palsy early and using effective therapies can significantly enhance a child’s motor development during their crucial early years. Trial Details Participants: 48 infants aged 6 to 18 months with UCP. Setting: Conducted in Brussels, Belgium from 2021 to 2022. Groups: Infants were randomly assigned to either the treatment group (50 hours of HABIT-ILE) or… ➡️➡️➡️

Correlation of CTCAE and Patient-Reported Breast Radiation Dermatitis Symptoms Study Overview This study looks at how the CTCAE scale, used by doctors to grade radiation dermatitis (RD), relates to symptoms reported by patients. It examines the connection between CTCAE scores and patient experiences using two assessment tools: the Skin Symptom Assessment (SSA) and the Radiation-Induced Skin Reaction Assessment Scale (RISRAS). Research Method This analysis involved 376 patients from a randomized controlled trial who received either Mepitel Film or standard care for RD prevention. The study focused on the most severe symptom reports from patients and calculated correlations between CTCAE grades… ➡️➡️➡️

Embodied Cognition Driven Qigong: Managing Depression and Preventing Relapse in Substance Use Disorders Objective Substance use disorders (SUDs) are a major public health issue, with high relapse rates. This study aimed to explore factors that influence relapse and to test a Health Qigong intervention to help manage these issues. Methods We surveyed 398 male substance users to assess their depression, self-esteem, resilience, and likelihood of relapse. From this group, 60 participants with depression were selected for a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT). They were split into two groups: one group participated in a 12-week Health Qigong program, while the other… ➡️➡️➡️

Immunogenicity of Adalimumab Reference Product vs. Adalimumab-adbm Study Overview This analysis looked at the immunogenicity of a biosimilar drug, adalimumab-adbm (Cyltezo), compared to the original adalimumab (Humira) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and chronic plaque psoriasis. Study Details In the VOLTAIRE trials, researchers measured the presence of antidrug antibodies (ADAs) and neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) at various times. They used a sensitive testing method to ensure accurate results. Key Findings There were minor differences in immunogenicity between adalimumab-adbm and the reference product. The number of patients with ADAs and nAbs increased over time across all trials. The psoriasis trial… ➡️➡️➡️

Accuracy of Healthcare Data in Identifying Cardiovascular Outcomes After Stroke Background Healthcare systems data (HCSD) can make clinical trials more efficient, but their accuracy is not always clear. This study aimed to evaluate how accurate HCSD is for detecting outcomes in the RESTART trial, comparing it to follow-up questionnaires. Methods RESTART was a clinical trial in the UK that looked at antiplatelet therapy after a type of stroke called intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH). Out of 537 participants, 496 were included in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to either start or avoid antiplatelet therapy. The trial used annual questionnaires to track… ➡️➡️➡️

Effectiveness of Flaxseed and Fasting Mimicking Diet in Managing MASLD Study Overview This study explored how combining flaxseed and a fasting mimicking diet (FMD) affects patients with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD). While both treatments have shown benefits individually, their combined effect was unclear. Study Design Conducted over 12 weeks, this randomized trial involved 100 MASLD patients divided into four groups: Control Group: Received lifestyle modification advice. Flaxseed Group: Consumed 30 g of flaxseed powder daily. FMD Group: Fasted for 16 hours each day. Combination Group: Received both flaxseed and FMD. Key Findings All intervention groups showed: Decreased levels… ➡️➡️➡️

The Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training on Quality of Life and Chemotherapy Side Effects in Women With Breast Cancer Study Overview This study focuses on how high-intensity interval training (HIIT) affects the quality of life and side effects of chemotherapy in women with breast cancer (BC). Women undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) often face various symptoms that can lower their quality of life (QoL). Methods A total of 56 women with locally advanced breast cancer participated in this study. They were divided into two groups: one group performed HIIT for 6 months, while the other followed standard care. The HIIT group… ➡️➡️➡️

Selective Nociceptive Modulation with Transcutaneous KHFAC Stimulation Background Kilohertz high-frequency alternating current (KHFAC) stimulation is a method that can block nerves quickly without causing harm. Previous studies have tested frequencies from 5 to 20 kHz in humans, but few devices are approved for higher frequencies. This study aims to evaluate a new device that can stimulate at 30, 40, and 50 kHz, comparing its effects on pain and other outcomes to a sham (inactive) stimulation. Methods We conducted a randomized, double-blind trial with 34 healthy participants. Each participant received four types of stimulation—30, 40, 50 kHz, and sham—applied for 20… ➡️➡️➡️

Effects of Exercise and Diet on Abdominal Obesity Study Overview This study focused on how exercise and diet impact health markers in men with abdominal obesity. It involved 44 males, average age 34.7 years, who were divided into three groups: Exercise Group (EG): 16 participants did aerobic-resistance exercise for 6 weeks. Exercise + Diet Group (EDG): 16 participants did the same exercise plus a high-protein, low-glycemic diet for 6 weeks. Control Group (CG): 12 participants received no interventions. Key Findings After 6 weeks, several important changes were observed: Asprosin (ASP) Levels: Decreased in both exercise groups (EG: p = 0.04;… ➡️➡️➡️

Effectiveness of Treatment for Concussion-Related Convergence Insufficiency: The CONCUSS Study Study Overview The CONCUSS study is a clinical trial that aims to compare two treatment approaches for concussion-related convergence insufficiency (CONC-CI). It will evaluate: Immediate Office-Based Vergence/Accommodative Therapy with Movement (OBVAM) Delayed OBVAM (starting six weeks later) The study will also explore how the timing of treatment and the number of therapy sessions (12 vs. 16) affect recovery. Who is Involved? The trial will enroll 100 participants aged 11-25 who have: A medically diagnosed concussion Persistent symptoms 4-24 weeks after injury Symptomatic convergence insufficiency What Will Happen? Participants will receive… ➡️➡️➡️

Effectiveness of the Smoke Free Smartphone App for Smoking Cessation Study Overview This study examined how effective the Smoke Free app is in helping people quit smoking compared to not receiving any support. Background Digital tools, like apps, can provide affordable ways to help people stop smoking. Study Objective We wanted to see if offering the Smoke Free app would help smokers quit more effectively than just following up with them. Methods In this trial, 3,143 motivated adult smokers were recruited online. They were divided into two groups: Intervention Group: Received the Smoke Free app and follow-up. Comparator Group: Received… ➡️➡️➡️

Utilization of Psychiatric Hospital Services Following Intensive Home Treatment A Nonrandomized Clinical Trial Importance: Home treatment (HT) has been linked to fewer days in the hospital but lacks proof of reducing overall psychiatric hospital service use (including inpatient treatment, home treatment, and day clinics). Objective: This study aimed to compare intensive home treatment (IHT) with inpatient treatment (IT) regarding readmission rates, social outcomes, and clinical outcomes. Design and Participants: Conducted from 2020 to 2022 in 10 psychiatric hospitals in Germany, this nonrandomized trial involved patients who met specific criteria. Propensity score matching was used for comparison at the 12-month follow-up… ➡️➡️➡️

Effects of Long-Term Almond Consumption on Health Study Overview This study looked at how eating almonds over a long time affects blood vessel health and heart-related risks in people with prediabetes. The research involved 34 participants who took part in a controlled trial with two phases: one where they ate almonds daily and another without almonds. Key Findings No Significant Change in Arterial Stiffness: Almond consumption did not significantly change the stiffness of arteries. Minimal Increase in Retinal Health: A slight increase in retinal blood vessel size was observed. Blood Pressure Improvements: Eating almonds led to lower systolic blood pressure… ➡️➡️➡️