There are about 25435 clinical studies being (or have been) conducted in United Kingdom. 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.
This study aimed to explore the feasibility and effectiveness of immersive Virtual Reality (VR) as an alternative to traditional High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) by comparing physiological and psychological outcomes in physically active university students. The pilot randomised controlled trial utilised a parallel design involving two groups: one group performed HIIT using the Facebook Oculus Quest 2 VR headset with the "FitXR" fitness game, while the other undertook traditional HIIT training that mirrored the movements and actions of the VR game. The study's findings suggest that fully immersive VR provides a unique and potentially more enjoyable alternative to traditional HIIT, particularly because it may enhance motivation while still achieving health benefits. This pilot research study highlights VR's potential to reach high-flow states in exercise, where individuals become deeply absorbed and derive satisfaction from the activity. It also lays the groundwork for future studies involving larger sample sizes and clinical populations to further investigate the psychological and physiological impacts of VR-based exercise. In summary, this pilot randomised controlled trial found that immersive VR could be a feasible and effective alternative to traditional HIIT training, offering similar physiological benefits while enhancing exercise motivation and enjoyment. Further research is necessary to validate these preliminary results and extend them to diverse populations.
During a patient's hospital stay the skin can be exposed to forces from sitting or lying and attachment to different medical devices. Skin health is maintained healthy through regular movements to remove pressure from the skin surface. However, sometimes if the skin is exposed to loads for prolonged periods, it can be compromised, and red marks can appear (stage one pressure ulcer). In most cases, these changes in the skin can be recovered, through regular movement and nursing care. However, in a small number of cases, the skin damage can progress further until a wound appears. It is important to find out why this may occur, so that preventive strategies can be implemented to protect skin health. Therefore, the project focuses on evaluating changes in skin health following the development of a minor pressure ulcer (stage one). This research proposal aims to better understand how the skin changes at the body sites compromised by stage 1 pressure ulcer, compared to healthy sites. This will be achieved via the use of measurements of skin health including physical sensors and sampling fluids and cells from the skin surface. The knowledge acquired from this study will help the understanding of how and why skin breaks down following early signs of damage. Some of the proposed sensing systems could then be used to support healthcare professionals to adopt the appropriate preventive strategies to avoid skin damage and subsequent wounds. A cohort of 50 patients will be recruited from a hospital setting, who present with a stage one pressure ulcer. Skin measurements will be taken three times to establish changes during their hospital stay. The investigators will establish if these measurements support the prediction of whether the stage one ulcer heals, remains the same, or progresses into a wound (stage two or higher pressure ulcer).
A 6-month randomised controlled trial to evaluate the impact of text message support on symptom control and inhaler adherence for patients with asthma and/or COPD
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of abnormal heart rhythm. This occurs as the chambers of the heart pump irregularly, often resulting in a fast heart rate and symptoms of irregular pounding and fluttering. There are many risk factors predisposing to AF, however, the cause cannot always be easily determined. Additionally, not all AF patients experience symptoms and consequently, this abnormal rhythm may go undetected and may be discovered accidentally. This is detrimental to patients, as untreated AF patients are at an increased risk of stroke. Patients that are suspected of having AF are referred for an ultrasound scan of the heart (echocardiogram). It is expected to see structural changes to the heart's chambers. However, structural and electrical changes of the heart may be the cause of AF but may also be a result of AF, resulting in a chicken and egg situation. It may be possible that a different type of measurement can be used during an echocardiogram to detect subtle changes in heart muscle patterns. This measurement may then serve to be an early predictor of AF. This would be determined by comparing the patterns in patients with a normal, regular rhythm to those with AF. Potential candidates are initially screened based on their echocardiogram referral. If deemed suitable for this study, the study process is explained to the patient and written informed consent is invited and received. The echocardiogram will be performed as normal with a focus on the area and volume measurements taken of one of the top chambers of the heart. An additional measurement will be taken to observe any subtle changes in the arrangement of heart cells within this same heart chamber. These measurements can be compared to each other to establish any relationship as well as compared to patients with and without AF.
To study the impact of cladribine on peripheral and intrathecal B-cell, plasma cells, T cells and Tregs
This study is a prospective clinical study, which evaluates pain following the completion of non-surgical root canal treatment and re-treatment cases. The study is planned to take place from October 2021 until April 2022. Patient cohort would be patients referred to the Edinburgh Dental Institute for root canal treatment. Root canal treatment and re-treatment cases will be performed by Postgraduate Trainees (Years 1,2 and 3) in Endodontology and Prosthodontics, core trainees, specialist registrars in the Restorative Departments and staff members of the Restorative Department, Edinburgh Dental Institute. (Please refer to Appendix 1) Patients who are deemed suitable for this study, screened by clinicians on duty during Restorative New Patient Clinics, will be invited to participate in this study. They will be given the Patient Information Sheet (PIS) at the beginning of the session and will be given time to decide on whether to participate in the study or not. If a suitable patient happens to not have the PIS and consent form during the 1st treatment visit, the patient will be provided with the PIS and consent form during the 1st treatment visit and will be given up to 24H to decide on participating in the study or not. The pre-operative assessment, which will include pain assessment will be conducted as per normal routine prior to the commencement of RCT. At 24H (+/- 2H) the Principal Investigator will call the patient to follow-up. If the patient has agreed to participate in the study, the 24H post-operative pain and quality of life assessment will be conducted at the same time. Once patients have agreed to participate, they will be required to provide written consent which will be attached together with the PIS. On the first treatment day, patients will be required to answer a pre-operative Pain Assessment Questionnaire, which will be answered in the presence of the clinician treating the patient, before the commencement of RCT. The Pain Questionnaire is the combination of Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and Modified Verbal Rating Scale (MVRS) adapted from previous published studies, with the addition of question on the presence of pre-operative pain duration. The pre-operative questionnaire will incorporate questions on pain intensity, the need, name and dosage of painkillers used by the patient on that day, and the last dose taken (in hours) as well as the duration of pain felt, as the longer the duration of pre-operative pain felt has been associated with higher incidence of post-operative pain (Polycarpou et al., 2005). Also, pre-operative pain felt within the last 24 hours prior to root canal treatment has been associated with higher probability of post-operative pain (Arias et al., 2013). Following the completion of treatment, patients will be provided with post-operative Pain Assessment Questionnaire, for the evaluation of post-operative pain. A copy of the pain questionnaire will be given to the patients which will be used as a guide when the pain history is obtained. This will be carried out verbally via phone by the main investigator of the study (NAF). Patients will not be required to return the forms to the institute. In addition to pain evaluation, this Pain Questionnaire also incorporates the intake of painkillers taken. In the event that painkillers are taken by patients for pain control, patients are required to record the pain intensity before the consumption of painkillers, apart from recording the dosage and frequency of painkillers taken. Patients will be advised on the standard painkiller regimen as a post-operative instruction after the completion of RCT. Painkiller consumption is also an indirect measure of post-operative pain intensity, hence, that is why this has been added to the Pain Assessment Questionnaire. Apart from the pain assessment, post-operative quality of life post-treatment will also be assessed, based on the questionnaire adapted from Pasqualini et al., 2016 and Mijiritsky et al., 2020. Patients will be given the liberty to pull out from the study at any time, throughout the duration of the study. Similarly, the investigator will also be able to remove patients from the study, throughout the duration of the study, in the event that the teeth being root-treated were faced with complications that may alter the accuracy of the study. Withdrawal or removal will be recorded in the 'Withdrawal/ Removal Form'.
This pilot cohort study aimed to investigate the immediate impact of Virtual Reality (VR) exergaming on heart rate (HR), rate of perceived exertion (RPE), and technology acceptance using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) in healthy adults. Participants engaged in a 20-minute session of VR exergaming using the Meta Oculus Quest 2™ headset. HR and RPE were measured at baseline, during, and after the intervention, while technology acceptance was assessed pre- and post-intervention using the UTAUT questionnaire. The results showed that VR exergaming increased HR while maintaining perceived exertion at low to moderate levels. Technology acceptance also improved significantly across all domains measured by UTAUT, with particularly notable increases in Performance Expectancy and Effort Expectancy. The findings suggest that VR exergaming is an effective method to enhance physical activity, motivation, and engagement, providing promising support for its use as a rehabilitation tool for individuals struggling with adherence and motivation.
The goal of this multicenter, observational, retrospective is to evaluate the standards of use of thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RA) in adult patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), with a particular interest on phase of ITP (defined according to time when diagnosis of ITP is established in the medical records: newly diagnosed, 0-3 months; persistent, 3-12 months, and chronic, > 12 months), tolerability, safety, posology and remissions, outside controlled clinical trials. Secondary Objectives: To analyze the patient characteristics that could affect the choice of thrombopoietin receptor agonist for the treatment of ITP, considering specific clinical aspects (such as previous thromboembolic disease, bleeding, platelet count, surgical procedures, etc.). To evaluate the degree of adherence to international guidelines related to the use of thrombopoietin receptor agonists in regular clinical practice. Data will be collected through a retrospective chart review of patients with ITP who started TPO-RA treatment between January 2014 and December 2018.
There will be a multi-channel approach to recruitment. Currently, ongoing projects within diverse communities lead in Swansea, Bridgend, and Neath Port Talbot will be approached, and this research will recruit alongside these projects. Regional coordinators and sub-coordinators will be contacted for recruitment, to best ensure participating older adults reflect the typical socio-demographics of Wales. This network will help the researchers to reach older adults who previously took part in different projects. Recruitment letter posters/leaflets will be used as an enrolment technique. Furthermore, the researchers will place advertisements across the University using the intranet and work alongside the City and County of Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, and Bridgend Borough Council to recruit using their sport, play, and community networks. The first stage of recruitment involves approaching diverse community organizations to formally request approval to recruit via their contacts. In-stage gatekeepers will be approached by the researcher to seek permission to contact potential participants via their organization. All interested participants will be asked to contact the researcher directly to further discuss the study and indicate their interest. All participants will provide written informed consent to participate in the study before the baseline assessment is conducted. Moreover, each older adult will receive a sleeping log (to record not wearing time), an accelerometer device, and instructions on how to attach and wear the device for 7 consecutive days. The primary researcher will be contacted if older adults have any queries or issues with the device. The participants will be subsequently randomized to an intervention group or comparison group on the basis of 1:1 allocation. All assessments including questionnaires and a 7-day accelerometer assessment will be repeated post-intervention. An Independent t-test will be run to assess the pre-post difference in the effectiveness of the trial in the intervention and comparison groups. The regression model will be applied to assess the impact of covariates with the dependent variables (MVPA, daily step count, self-efficacy, well-being, and sedentary behaviour). Qualitative data analysis of interview data will use reflexive thematic analysis to illustrate common themes regarding the acceptability of the feasibility trial.
The aim of this clinical trial is to investigate the longitudinal effects of hydrolyzed collagen ingestion combined with resistance training on muscle-tendon unit structure and function in middle-aged males and females. The main research questions this clinical trial aims to answer are: 1. Does resistance training with hydrolyzed collagen ingestion lead to greater changes in tendon properties than resistance training alone in middle-aged health men and women? 2. Does resistance training with hydrolyzed collagen ingestion lead to greater changes in muscle size than resistance training alone? 3. Does resistance training with hydrolyzed collagen lead to greater increases in strength and power compared to resistance training alone in middle-aged, healthy men and women? Participants will be randomly assigned to collagen or placebo groups. Participants will perform 24 sessions of high intensity resistance training across 12-weeks. Alongside each training session, participants will consume a beverage containing hydrolyzed collagen or maltodextrin, with both beverages containing vitamin C. Researchers will compare the collagen and placebo groups to see if there would be beneficial effects on changes in muscle and tendon that are greater than resistance training alone. To achieve this, an dynamometry will be used to assess lower limb strength and ultrasound will be used to measure the morphological, mechanical, and material properties of the patellar tendon, as well the size and architecture of the vastus lateralis muscle.