View clinical trials related to Quality of Life.
Filter by:Only a few well-designed studies have investigated the effect of pharmaceutical care on asthma patients and to date there are no published studies investigating this effect specifically on severe and refractory asthma. The objective of this study is evaluate the effect of pharmaceutical care on asthma control and quality of life (QoL) of patients with severe or refractory asthma compared with pharmacist dispensation only.
This study aims to compare the effects of 8 months of diet modification, with or without exercise, on weight loss, sexual, urinary and endothelial function, systemic inflammation and quality of life in obese men.
Laparoscopic complete mesocolic excision is a concept that using laparoscopic surgery technique to perform a resection for colon cancer. Besides, the segment of the colon containing the tumor, the resection area should include an intact mesocolon as an envelope to encase the possible route for metastasis. The routes include blood vessels, lymphatic drain and etc. Such hypothesis predicts better histopathological and higher oncological results which turns into better survival rate and better quality of life.
Aims and Intervention: The long-term goal is to implement stroke caregiver programs that involve low-cost interventions that are sustainable in routine clinical practice. The immediate objective is to test, using a randomized controlled trial, a problem-solving intervention for stroke caregivers that can be delivered during the transitional care period (e.g., time which Veteran is discharged to home) followed by online, in-home sessions. The investigators will modify the traditional, problem-solving intervention by adding web-based training using interactive modules, factsheets, and tools on previously developed and nationally available RESCUE Caregiver website (www.cidrr8.research.va.gov/rescue). The investigators will also provide on-line, skills training and application of the problem-solving approach via the RESCUE messaging center. The immediate, primary aim (#1) is to test the effect of the intervention on stroke caregivers' depressive symptoms at 11 and 19 weeks after baseline data collection. Aim #2 is to test the effect of the intervention on stroke caregivers' burden, positive aspects of caregiving, self-efficacy, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and satisfaction with care at 11 and 19 weeks after baseline data collection. Aim #3 is to test the effect of the intervention on Veterans' outcomes: functional abilities and healthcare utilization (i.e., unintended hospital bed days of care, number of emergency room visits, number of unscheduled clinic visits) at 11 and 19 weeks after baseline data collection. Aim #4 is to determine the budgetary impact for implementing the intervention. Aim #5 is to determine the facilitators, barriers and best practices for implementing the intervention. Design and Methods: The investigators will conduct a two-group randomized controlled trial. The investigators will enroll 240 stroke caregivers at 8 study sites (North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Healthcare System, Miami VA Healthcare System, James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa, Michael E. Debakey VAMC in Houston, Hunter Holmes McGuire VAMC in Richmond, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, and the VA Boston Healthcare System). Eligible caregivers will be interviewed, complete baseline measures, and then be randomized to two groups: 1) intervention group, or 2) standard care. A team member will telephone caregivers at 11 weeks and 19 weeks after baseline data collection to answer questions on instruments with established reliability and validity. Qualitative interviews will be conducted with selected caregivers to obtain in-depth perceptions of the value, facilitators, and barriers of the intervention. Impact: This is the first known study to test a transition-to-home intervention combined with technology to improve the quality of caregiving and the recovery of Veterans.
The objectives of this clinical trial are to evaluate the effectiveness of an iridoid enriched beverage containing noni and cornelian juices and olive leaf extract on advanced glycation end product levels.
Aim and Background: Although implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) save lives, many ICD-patients experience psychosocial complications such as anxiety disorders, depression and reduced quality of life after ICD-implantation. A recent review has indicated great potential for psychosocial interventions to reduce anxiety and to increase exercise capacity of ICD-patients. In a previous study, the investigators showed that mailed information about technical, medical and psychological effects of ICD plus phone counseling are effective interventions for reducing anxiety, psychological distress and increasing QoL in ICD-patients < 65 years. In a pilot study the investigators also documented promising effects of an internet based intervention with similar content. Method: In a prospective, multicenter, multidisciplinary, half-open, part-randomized, controlled clinical trial N = 200 patients with an ICD will either receive medical care as usual or additionally attend a psychosocial prevention program via remote care. Psychosocial support will be provided utilizing the advantages of the internet. Thus, patient-centered support will be offered independent from time and location. Outcome measures are psychometric data (questionnaires on cardiac fear, etc.), cardiac functioning, and clinical status which will be assessed up to 1 week before ICD-implantation (T0), in week 1 (T1) and within one week after (T2) the 6-weeks prevention program, and 12 months after T0 (T3). Furthermore, demographic data, personality characteristics, expectations, physiology, pro-inflammatory cytokines and cardiac status will be assessed as mediating or moderating variables. Hypotheses: A web-based psychosocial intervention in addition to medical care as usual leads to increased QoL and reduced anxiety and depression. Secondary goals are the identification of psychosocial and medical predictors, mediators, and moderators of treatment efficacy. Moreover, differences between patients with ICDs implanted for primary vs. secondary prevention will be explored. Conclusion: This project will evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of an internet based intervention for ICD-patients. Furthermore, the investigators aim at identifying predictors and mediators of treatment outcome. This will improve interdisciplinary care for ICD-patients; further applications for other cardiovascular disorders as well as preventive programs for heart failure seem possible.
Patients with schizophrenia are more likely to have metabolic syndrome compared to general population. The criterion for metabolic syndrome in Asian people including: elevated waist circumference (male ≥ 90cm, female ≥ 80cm), elevated triglycerides ≥ 150mg/dL, reduced HDL cholesterol: male < 40mg/dL, female < 50mg/dL, elevated blood pressure: ≥ 130/85 mmHg, elevated fasting glucose: ≥ 100mg/dL. Several factors have been found to be associated with metabolic syndrome in schizophrenia, e.g. age, antipsychotic drugs, smoking, family history of metabolic disorder, stress, and quality of life. However, little is known about the prevalence of and factors associated in Asian. This study aimed to: 1. Identify the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with schizophrenia. 2. Identify the factors associated with metabolic syndrome in patients with schizophrenia.
As individuals age, they undergo transitions in many aspects of their lives. These transitions include social, economic and health transitions. People review their lives, and reflect on past choices. Future time is limited by the increasing proximity to end of life. This may lead to regrets and, in people with the ability to use compensatory mechanisms, a redoubling of efforts to achieve valued goals or a reprioritization of valued goals. In the context of aging, individuals' past, present, and future-oriented subjective well-being (SWB) may change. There is an incomplete understanding of the relationship of SWB, intra- and inter-personal resources, and outcomes, (particularly health and healthcare-cost outcomes). These issues have complicated the use of SWB measures and the investigators are left with traditional metrics such as life expectancy, infant mortality, wealth, and poverty to assess healthy aging, resulting in an incomplete picture of healthy aging. This project will examine the relationships among SWB, intra- and inter-personal resources, and health and healthcare-cost outcomes. It will advance the understanding of SWB and its role in healthy aging in order to assist policy makers in valuing the potential benefits of improving SWB on health and healthcare costs. The investigators will accomplish this through the following specific aim: Aim 1: To determine how SWB (past, present, and future-oriented): (1) is affected by life transitions, and (2) affects outcomes after life transitions.
Background: Renal transplant recipients have a greater risk of morbidity and mortality primarily due to cardiovascular disease when compared to the general population. Cardiovascular disease is responsible for 50% to 60% percent of deaths amongst renal transplant population and death from cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of functioning graft loss. Physical activity is an effective form of secondary prevention in existing cardiovascular disease reducing all-cause mortality by 25%-30% and has demonstrated positive effects overall on quality of life and well-being. Transplant patients who participated in regular cardiovascular exercise have significant more positive scores on the SF-36 Health Status Questionnaire in comparison to inactive transplant recipients. Active video gaming is evolving as an innovative method to increase physical activity. Active video gaming has supported physical activity in children and youth. There is however a paucity of literature examining interactive games as a means to facilitate physical activity and its impact on CVD and quality of life in the adult population nor any literature examining AVG and its impact on an adult surgical population. This pilot study is designed to determine if Active Video Gaming is feasible and is able to lead to behavioral modifications and Quality of Life improvement. Subject Selection: This is a pilot study during which 10 patients who have undergone renal transplant will be selected to exercise with Active Video Gaming for a duration of 3 months. The program activity will begin 6 months post surgery.
The purpose of the study is to determine whether a combination of occupational therapy visits, nursing visits, and handyman repair are effective in helping low income older adults avoid costly health care services