There are about 28871 clinical studies being (or have been) conducted in Canada. The country of the clinical trial is determined by the location of where the clinical research is being studied. Most studies are often held in multiple locations & countries.
The purpose of this study is to increase clinical knowledge of the relationship between increased plantar sensory information and orthotics in a Parkinsonian gait. The objectives of this study are to determine if orthotics, with and without a textured top cover, can alter muscle activation, gait parameters, balance, functional mobility, and decrease fall risks in Parkinson's participants.
Small bowel capsule endoscopy is a test used to investigate for any abnormalities in the small bowel. The small bowel is about 4 meters long. The battery time of the capsule is about 8 hours. During this time the capsule takes pictures as it passes through the small bowel. In about 15-20% of capsule tests the battery expires before the capsule passes through the entire small bowel into the colon. Incomplete tests indicate that a variable portion of small bowel was not visualized. Incomplete tests are associated with potential missing of abnormalities in the portion of small bowel that was not reached. The capsule test may often required to be repeated but the problem of incomplete examination may persist. At present no medication has been approved to increase the rate of complete capsule tests. Prucalopride is a medication that has been approved in Canada and Europe for the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation. Animal and human studies suggested that prucalopride may enhance the movement of the stomach and the small bowel. A recent presentation at a medical meeting suggested that prucalopride may accelerate the passage of the capsule camera through the small bowel without increasing the chance to miss a lesion in the small bowel. The purpose of this study is to asses if the administration of a single dose of prucalopride is going to decrease the time required by the capsule to move through the small bowel.
Belly breathing is a popular relaxation technique used to reduce anxiety and pain in children during medical procedures. The investigators have developed a biofeedback game that will help teach children how to belly breathe in an interactive way. Existing studies have shown that biofeedback tools are effective ways to teach relaxation techniques to children. The purpose of this study is to evaluate 1) whether this new biofeedback tool is a more a effective and engaging way to teach belly breathing to children and 2) whether the application is more effective in reducing procedural pain and anxiety compared to standard of care, self-directed belly breathing alone or self-directed belly-breathing combined with visual distraction. The investigators hypothesize that: 1. The smartphone-based biofeedback game for belly breathing will reduce self-reported procedural anxiety and pain in children during a blood collection procedure compared to: 1. standard of care 2. belly breathing + standard care procedures 3. belly breathing with visual components of the application with no coaching or biofeedback distraction. 2. The smartphone-based biofeedback game will increase compliance with belly breathing compared to self-directed breathing. 3. Belly breathing with smartphone-based biofeedback game will be more engaging compared to self-directed belly breathing.
The purpose of this study is to determine whether minimally invasive treatments like ultrasound guided needle fragmentation with and without lavage is associated with better clinical outcomes compared to the subacromial bursal corticosteroid injection treatment only.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of post-injury hospitalization, disability, and death worldwide. In Nova Scotia, approximately 50% of major trauma reported is head trauma. TBI is predicted to be the most common and expensive neurological condition in Canada through the year 2031. Families and medical teams must often decide on the appropriate level of care for patients with severe TBI and frequently need to consider withdrawal of life support measures. These decisions have implications for patients with severe TBI, costs to the health care system, and rates of organ donation. A reliable method for neurological evaluation at the time of the patient's arrival to the hospital is important, because it is possible that many patients with severe TBI already have permanent brain damage. Assessing this brain damage with clinical tests is difficult because of the nature of patients' injuries and the sedative medication they receive at the time of their hospital admission. Current standard imaging technique for these patients is severely limited in the assessment of the extent and severity of the brain damage. Advanced diagnostic imaging, called Computed Tomography Perfusion (CTP), can help detect permanent brain damage. However, CTP of the head is not currently done for patients with severe TBI when they arrive at the hospital. The investigators want to test whether CTP of the head can detect permanent brain damage among patients with severe TBI.
Respiratory dysfunction following cardiac surgery is well documented and due in part to the location of the incision and nature of the surgery. Post-operative pulmonary complications (PPCs) remain a significant problem following cardiac surgery, sometimes causing prolonged length of stay in hospital as well as increased morbidity and mortality; with the greater risk to older adults and individuals with obstructive lung disease. Positive expiratory pressure (PEP) therapy is thought to increase lung volumes and facilitate secretion clearance. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the addition of oscillating PEP therapy to standard postoperative treatment is more effective in decreasing the incidence of PPCs and increasing functional capacity at time of discharge in 'high risk' patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery.
Background: Summary of Findings (SoF) tables have been developed to present results of systematic reviews in a concise and explicit format. Adopted by many review groups including the Cochrane Collaboration, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), and the GRADE Working Group; SoF tables provide succinct, transparent, and easily interpretable judgments about the certainty of evidence and magnitude of effects. Currently, there are three different SoF formats in use. This study aims to compare SoF table formats in terms of understanding, accessibility, satisfaction, and preference with systematic review users. Methods: The primary objective of this three-arm randomized control non-inferiority trial is to investigate the understanding of information presented in three different SoF tables: a new current GRADE-SoF table, a new alternative GRADE-SoF table, and EPC-SoF table with systematic review users. Researchers, clinical practice guideline developers, policy-makers, end-users, or knowledge transfer will be recruited. Data will be collected electronically at baseline and after randomization. Discussion: This study aims to assess the understanding, accessibility, satisfaction, and preference between three SoF tables for displaying summary evidence from health-related outcomes. The results of this study will provide important knowledge to understand what information should be included in SoF tables in systematic reviews.
This research project focuses on the evaluation of an engaging exercise and cognitive computer game-based platform and embedded assessment tools for use in clinical practice and its transition to use in the home, and elementary classrooms. The goal of our research program is to produce innovative therapeutic point-of-care and cost-effective delivery system leading to better long-term health outcomes for toddlers and children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. The program is grounded on our technological developments and on current research documenting the benefits of computer-aided learning tools, exercise gaming applications in rehabilitation and principles of adaptive learning and neuroplasticity. We will conduct a randomized controlled trial to study the feasibility and effectiveness of a computer-aided, game-based repetitive task practice (RTP) program designed for training of fine and gross motor skills of the hand-arms and psychomotor skills (which) in young children with CP.
Many studies in the past three decades have examined the beneficial effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in diet and supplementation. The effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids, specifically omega-3 and omega-6, on health have been well-studied but most of the study to date has been on animal not plant sources and much less is know about their effects on exercise performance. Additionally, while positive effects have been detected for sedentary populations or those that are at risk, well-trained athletes generally have not had established advantages in taking supplements for omega-3 and omega-6 oils. There is evidence that a specific ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 is most beneficial for the human body with regards to cardiovascular and mental health. In this study, participants randomized to either a plant supplement group (pureform omega; containing Flax, Evening Primrose, Sunflower, Coconut & Pumpkin oils; Natural Product Number = 80050660) or placebo (isoenergetic sugar pills) will be subjected to both a time trial and a high intensity interval bout, where their performance and power output will be analyzed. Blood lactate and glucose concentration, as well as oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production will also be examined to determine if there is a change in on fat oxidation after supplementation.
The sinus surgical wait list in British Columbia continues to grow. The current wait list is beyond what is acceptable by the province's standard; however, this is not likely to improve given the budget constraints of the health care system. The outcome of having patients to wait longer than medically reasonable for surgery, not only affects the patients' quality of life but presents financial difficulties, both directly to the patient, the healthcare system and the economy as a whole. Therefore, the investigators need to determine which patients need to be prioritized for surgery. The investigators will follow two groups of patients - one group from Stanford University who get surgery always before 8 weeks and compare them to patients on the VGH wait list which is often more than one year.