Adolescent

Researchers are evaluating the "One All" curriculum, which uses the sport Ultimate Frisbee to improve mental health resilience among young tribal people in two communities in South India. The study aims to see if this intervention is feasible and acceptable while assessing its effectiveness in building resilience and mental well-being. The research involves young tribal adults aged 12 to 25 years from Gudalur in Tamil Nadu and BR Hills in Karnataka. The intervention includes a three-year curriculum delivered by trained community facilitators who adapt the program to fit local needs. Participants attend two or more sessions each week, each lasting about one and a half hours. Sessions involve warm-up activities, drills, ultimate frisbee games with modified rules, and group discussions called spirit circles. The program focuses on developing skills such as self-management, social awareness, empathy, identity building, and conflict resolution. Participants undergo assessments before the program starts, after 12 months, and after 18 months. These include questionnaires measuring resilience (Child Youth Resilience Measure and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale), mental health (GHQ12), and self-efficacy. Researchers will track attendance and reflections from sessions but will not access medical records. The study involves a baseline interview collecting socioeconomic data and assigns participants codes to protect privacy. Total participation lasts at least 18 months to evaluate outcomes.

Researchers are investigating a new method to assess Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS), a common spinal deformity in teenagers. They aim to improve early diagnosis and accurate evaluation of scoliosis progression by using a 3D depth camera, which offers a precise and radiation-free way to measure back surface shape. Traditional methods like trunk rotation angle (ATR) and Cobb angle rely on X-rays and clinical exams but have limitations such as radiation exposure and lower sensitivity. This study uses the Kinect v2 depth camera to capture detailed 3D images of the back, focusing on measuring the Back Height Difference (BHD) as a quantitative indicator of spinal deformity. Participants will also have their ATR measured with a Scoliometer and Cobb angle assessed by spinal specialists. Measurements are repeated by different assessors to ensure accuracy, with procedures spaced by five minutes and averages taken. If Cobb angle measurements vary significantly, a senior physician will review them. Participants aged 10 to 18 with diagnosed AIS will undergo these assessments during a short-term inpatient stay of five days. Researchers will collect data on back height difference and trunk rotation angle on the first day of admission. The study monitors participants' ability to complete standardized tests without any treatment intervention. This observational study provides a safer, radiation-free alternative to traditional scoliosis assessment methods.

Researchers are evaluating adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis using 3D imaging technology with depth cameras to measure back height difference (BHD) and angle of trunk rotation (ATR). The study aims to compare these measurements before and after conventional treatments such as massage, exercise therapy, and bracing. Statistical analysis will be used to explore the relationship between BHD and ATR and to assess how well BHD detects short-term treatment changes. The study involves a short-term inpatient period of 5 days during which participants receive tailored exercises guided by X-ray mapping, including 3D therapy, breathing techniques, and spinal manipulation known as Tuina. Measurements of BHD and ATR are taken on the first and fifth days of admission to evaluate changes with treatment. Participants will undergo assessments of back height difference and trunk rotation angle at admission and after 5 days of treatment. Researchers will monitor these physical changes to understand treatment effects. The trial is observational and involves adolescents aged 10 to 18 years diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis. The total participation lasts for the 5-day inpatient treatment period.

Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) is a spinal growth defect mostly affecting prepubertal children aged 10 to 14 years, causing lateral curves and rotations of the spine. AIS can lead to posture problems, back pain, and visible asymmetry, such as uneven shoulders. Early diagnosis and proper treatment are important to stop curve progression and reduce related health issues. Current surgical decisions rely on two-dimensional X-rays, which may not capture the full three-dimensional and dynamic nature of the spine's deformity, leading to suboptimal outcomes and revision surgeries. Treatment options include wearing a brace for immature patients with curves between 25 and 40 degrees. If the curve does not respond and growth potential remains, vertebral body tethering (VBT), a minimally invasive FDA-approved device that gradually corrects scoliosis by slowing growth on one side, may be considered. For curves of 50 degrees or more with little growth left, spinal fusion surgery is recommended to permanently correct the spine by attaching vertebrae with surgical hardware. The study aims to improve surgical planning by using 3D dynamic and mechanical information from musculoskeletal models, moving beyond current 2D static assessments. Participants will undergo questionnaires, radiological EOS scans, and 3D dynamic motion analyses to gather detailed data on spinal deformity and mechanics. Researchers will measure 3D dynamic parameters up to two years after surgery and develop biomechanically-informed 3D models specific to AIS. This approach hopes to help surgeons make evidence-based decisions, improve patient outcomes, reduce complications, and lower the costs associated with AIS treatment. The study is sponsored by Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven and involves patients aged 10 to 35 undergoing VBT or selective fusion surgery.

This clinical trial studies the use of a linear cognitive aid app designed to help emergency medical service (EMS) teams respond to pediatric emergencies. Researchers want to see if this new tool is practical and well accepted by EMS teams in both urban and rural settings. The study compares current standard cognitive aids with the new linear cognitive aid during simulated critical resuscitation scenarios for children. Participants will be randomized into two groups: one using their current standard cognitive aids, and the other using the linear cognitive aid app. Each team will perform two high-fidelity, in situ simulations of critical pediatric resuscitation emergencies. The linear cognitive aid app offers minimal input, linear step-by-step guidance, tailored recommendations based on the patient’s age and scenario, and audio prompts timed to the resuscitation process. During the study, researchers will assess the time it takes teams to reach American Heart Association (AHA) technical milestones, teamwork quality, and participants' perceived cognitive load during each 10-minute simulation. The study aims to evaluate how well teams perform and how the different cognitive aids affect their experience. The trial is led by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and includes adult EMS providers who speak English and are actively practicing.

Researchers are comparing the effectiveness of two serotonin receptor blockers, palonosetron and granisetron, given with dexamethasone to prevent early and delayed postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in adolescents and adults with idiopathic scoliosis undergoing posterior spinal fusion surgery using total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA). The study aims to find out which drug better prevents nausea and vomiting, the need for rescue medications, side effects, and patient satisfaction. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one group receives palonosetron before anesthesia begins and saline placebo at wound closure, while the other group receives saline placebo before anesthesia and granisetron at wound closure. Both groups will also receive dexamethasone as part of their antiemetic treatment. Standard anesthesia with remifentanil and propofol will be used, and morphine will be given before surgery ends for pain. During the study, nausea, vomiting, and retching will be monitored at 1, 4, 12, 24, and 48 hours after surgery. Researchers will evaluate the need for additional antiemetic drugs, any side effects from the study drugs, and patient satisfaction at 48 hours. The trial is double-blinded and randomized, with a total planned enrollment of 92 participants aged 10 years and older with idiopathic scoliosis.

Researchers are evaluating a family-centred approach to prevent cardiovascular diseases (CVD) among adolescents and their families in Uganda. This 5-year study focuses on reducing risk factors like unhealthy diet and physical inactivity that contribute to CVD and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The study adapts a proven intervention from Asia to the Ugandan context, aiming to support healthier lifestyle behaviors during the critical adolescence period when habits form that affect adult health. The study includes two groups: one receiving the FaCe-D intervention, which involves home visits by Village Health Teams delivering diet, physical activity, and health messaging; and a control group receiving standard care with usual health promotion activities. The study is divided into three phases: adapting the intervention, implementing it, and evaluating its effectiveness and feasibility in 32 villages. Participants will be involved for at least 12 months, during which researchers will assess changes in cardiovascular health and sleep quality. Evaluations include monitoring behavior changes, health outcomes, and implementation costs. The study also considers adoption and feasibility to understand how well the intervention works in real community settings.

The trial investigates a new approach to PET/MR imaging for children suspected of malignant tumors. It focuses on making PET/MR scans faster, quieter, and more comfortable while using half the usual dose of radioactive tracer. The study explores the use of advanced technologies like flexible coils, silent scanning sequences, and deep learning-based image reconstruction to improve imaging for pediatric patients. Pediatric patients who show clinical symptoms and require 18F-FDG PET/MR scans to clarify their condition are included. The study tests this novel imaging solution in children aged 0 to 18 years. The goal is to demonstrate that this rapid, silent, and lower-dose PET/MR examination is feasible and effective for pediatric use. Participants will undergo PET/MR imaging, and researchers will assess several outcomes over one year, including lesion detection rates, completion rates of PET/MR exams, sedation requirements during scans, and the quality of the images obtained. The study involves cooperation throughout the entire research process to ensure reliable results and aims to improve the scanning experience and diagnostic accuracy in children.

Researchers are conducting a master protocol study to streamline several clinical trials testing different drugs in children and young adults with various cancers. This master protocol allows multiple cancer-specific studies to be added over time as new drugs become available. Participation depends on how long the treatment benefits last. The study is sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company and focuses on patients aged 1 to 39 years with measurable or evaluable cancer. The study evaluates multiple treatment combinations for specific cancer types. For desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT), participants may receive ramucirumab intravenously with oral cyclophosphamide and intravenous vinorelbine in 28-day cycles or cyclophosphamide and vinorelbine without ramucirumab. For synovial sarcoma (SS), treatment options include ramucirumab with gemcitabine intravenously or gemcitabine with docetaxel intravenously in 21-day cycles. For Ewing's sarcoma (ES), participants may receive abemaciclib orally with intravenous irinotecan and oral temozolomide or irinotecan with temozolomide alone, also in 21-day cycles. Treatments are given according to randomized assignment without masking. Participants are monitored from baseline through the first four weeks to track allocation to each treatment group. Eligibility requires certain performance scores and recovery from prior cancer treatments, along with adequate organ function. Female participants of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test and agree to use contraception. Throughout the study, medical history, disease assessments, and safety monitoring are conducted to evaluate treatment effects. The study is planned to continue until May 2027, allowing for long-term observation and data collection.

Researchers are developing a multicenter registry to collect and share data on pediatric patients who have undergone deep brain stimulation (DBS) for movement disorders such as dystonia, epilepsy, Tourette syndrome, and mood disorders. The study aims to improve understanding of DBS safety and effectiveness in children, as current data are limited and individual centers often have too few cases for strong research. This registry will support large-scale analyses and help refine DBS as a treatment option for hyperkinetic movement disorders in the pediatric population. The study involves gathering both retrospective and prospective clinical data from multiple pediatric centers. The registry will collect information on surgical techniques, patient outcomes, implant sites, and long-term effects of DBS. This collaborative data-sharing approach enables comprehensive evaluation of which patients benefit most from DBS and how it impacts their quality of life over time. Participants include children aged 0 to 18 years who have already received or are scheduled to receive DBS for neurological movement disorders. Data will be collected over five years to monitor safety, efficacy, and quality of life outcomes. The study does not involve treatment administration but focuses on gathering and analyzing clinical information. Parental or legal guardian consent is required for prospective participation.