View clinical trials related to Muscle Weakness.
Filter by:Decline in muscle function may increase risk of hip fracture and decrease quality of life. Different tests are currently used to measure muscle function but they do not work for all individuals. A test called "jumping mechanography," which measures jumping power, may be useful in more people and obtain better information. This study will help us determine whether this test is able to detect differences between muscle function in younger and older adults, as well as whether it is a safe method to use in all ages.
The objective of this randomized controlled trial is to determine whether a standardized Pilates exercise program can effectively strengthen pelvic floor muscles when compared with conventional pelvic muscle rehabilitation. Urinary incontinence is a widespread problem that affects 10-40% of all ambulatory women and pelvic floor muscle training is an effective treatment for this problem. However, its efficacy is proportionate to the effort expended. Even among women who are diligent with pelvic muscle rehabilitation, long term follow-up reveals that benefits are lost in the absence of maintenance exercises. While this intervention is effective, recent studies demonstrate that long term adherence to treatment is low. As compliance appears to be a prerequisite to achieving sustained benefit, finding a method of pelvic muscle strengthening that better lends itself to long term commitment could prove beneficial. The currently popular exercise program, known as Pilates (named after founder, Joseph Pilates) consists of a series of low impact, flexibility and muscle toning exercises. The philosophy centers around developing core strength which includes strengthening the pelvic floor. Its use has been described in the US since the 1920s.4 Five million Americans currently participate, as opposed to five thousand ten years ago.5 Given its mainstream popularity, Pilates would be an appealing as a therapeutic modality for women experiencing pelvic muscle weakness. Currently, there are no studies that assess the efficacy of Pilates in increasing pelvic muscle strength.
Vitamin D is necessary for healthy bones. Vitamin D is made in our skin when we are exposed to sunlight, but it is also found in foods that we eat and in vitamin pills. Low levels of vitamin D are common in many groups of people, because we do not get enough sun during the winter and because we eat few foods that have vitamin D in them. Some foods with vitamin D are salmon, mackerel, tuna, and fortified milk, which has had vitamin D added to it. We know that nearly all kidney disease patients on dialysis do not have enough vitamin D in their bodies. We believe this condition can cause muscle weakness, leading to falls and broken bones. These are common problems for patients who are receiving dialysis. For example, dialysis patients have a much higher risk of hip fractures (broken hips). However, no formal research has been done on patients with low vitamin D levels receiving dialysis, to see if they actually have muscle weakness and related problems. There are two goals of this study. First, we want to see if patients on dialysis who have low vitamin D levels are actually at risk for muscle weakness, muscle pain, and broken bones. We also want to find out if giving vitamin D pills to these patients will result in better muscle strength, less muscle pain, and fewer falls. In this study, we will compare vitamin D to placebo. Placebo capsules look exactly like vitamin D capsules but contain no active ingredients. We use placebos in research studies to be sure that the study results are due to the study drug and not to other reasons.
The purpose of this study is to see if a combination of resistance exercises and amino acid capsules can reduce muscle loss and maintain muscle function during bedrest. This experiment will imitate many of the physical conditions experienced by astronauts during space flight by examining the effects of resistance exercise or nutrition on muscle during 2 days of bedrest. The diet of astronauts will also be imitated by providing diets in the General Clinic Research Center.
MG may be neonatal, congenital, or autoimmune. Neonatal MG arises from transplacental transfer of ACh receptor antibodies from a mother with autoimmune MG to the fetus. Neonatal MG resolves with post delivery clearance of maternal antibodies. Congenital MG results from a genetic defect in the ACh receptor. Patients with congenital MG do not have ACh receptor antibodies. Both neonatal and congenital MG are excluded from this study. Autoimmune MG, which is the most common form of MG, affects approximately 25,000 Americans. Like most autoimmune diseases, it is associated with particular HLA genotypes, has a female predominance, and environmental factors involved in breaking tolerance to the ACh receptor are unknown. Patients with refractory and severe autoimmune MG will be considered candidates for this study. The purpose of this study is to assess the toxicity/feasibility (phase I) of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for refractory myasthenia gravis.
The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility of testosterone replacement therapy in frail elderly female hip fracture patients who have testosterone deficiency, and to obtain preliminary information about the effects of testosterone therapy on muscle strength and size, bone density, mobility, daily functioning, and quality of life.
This is a study to find out whether an exercise program during dialysis or a drug called nandrolone decanoate can increase muscle size and strenght in patients on dialysis.
The purpose of the study is to establish the number and nature of complications that we, the researchers, have with the use of a tourniquet in orthopaedic surgery in Norway.
The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship of deficiencies in testosterone and growth hormone to loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia) and functional impairment during aging and whether there is an interaction of these two hormone systems in maintaining normal skeletal muscle mass and physical function.
This is a study designed to test the hypothesis that treatment with L-carnitine will improve the quality of life and some specific symptoms and signs in patients with renal failure submitted to hemodialysis.