Cerebral Palsy

This research aims to study the immediate effects of using Dynamic Ankle-Foot Orthoses DAFOs on balance and gross motor functions in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy aged 4 to 15 years who have mild to moderate motor impairment GMFCS levels 1 and 2. Diplegic cerebral palsy mainly affects the lower limbs, causing movement difficulties and abnormal gait patterns. The study plans to contribute valuable knowledge to cerebral palsy rehabilitation by evaluating motor skills and balance with and without DAFO use. Children participating in the study will be assessed using various classification systems for motor, communication, manual, and eating abilities. Their gross motor functions and balance will be measured using tests such as the Gross Motor Function Measure GMFM-88, Pediatric Berg Balance Scale, functional reach test, and Wii Balance Board. The evaluations will occur both while wearing custom-made DAFOs and barefoot, comparing the immediate impact of the orthoses. Participants will have their age, height, and weight recorded along with assessments like the GMFCS, MACS, CFCS, and EDACS. The study uses standardized balance and motor function tests on day 1 to measure outcomes. Data analysis will be performed by a blinded statistician using appropriate statistical methods. The study is observational and will include children and their families who agree to participate at a specialized rehabilitation center, with all assessments completed during the study period.

This observational study investigates how self-compassion and self-efficacy relate to symptom severity, functional ability, and quality of life in adults diagnosed with Parkinsons disease. The research aims to better understand these psychological factors in people living with Parkinsons disease stages 1 to 3, within an age range of 40 to 85 years. Participants will complete a set of self-report questionnaires during one session to assess their levels of self-compassion, self-efficacy, symptom severity, functional status, and quality of life. No therapeutic treatments or interventions are provided. The study collects data at a single time point to analyze associations among these outcomes. During the study visit, participants will be assessed with various scales and tests including the Self-Compassion Scale, Self-Efficacy for Managing Chronic Disease scale, Unified Parkinsons Disease Rating Scale, Timed Up and Go test, Six-Minute Walk test, Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test, and Parkinsons Disease Questionnaire-39. These assessments help evaluate physical function, symptoms, and quality of life. The study is led by Acibadem University and participation involves completing questionnaires and physical tests in one session.

The 100-Year Human Aging Study is a long-term observational research project enrolling adult participants to undergo detailed multi-system health screenings and follow them throughout their lives until death. The study aims to identify which health measurements taken at enrollment and repeatedly over time can predict overall mortality, cause-specific death, serious diseases, and functional disability. It addresses the current lack of validated longevity measures by generating data on how various physiological and cognitive functions relate to aging outcomes. Participants undergo a comprehensive clinical screening that includes tests of cardiorespiratory fitness, strength, mobility, neurocognitive performance, sensory functions, and metabolic health. Structural imaging assessments like DEXA scans, echocardiography, electrocardiography, spirometry, retinal photography, and vascular ultrasound are performed. Laboratory tests and detailed medical, social, and environmental histories are also collected. The study allows participation from single tests up to a full two-visit screening, with repeat testing encouraged to track health changes over time. Throughout the study, participants receive individualized reports with investigational estimates of biological age and predicted mortality risks, which are being evaluated against actual health outcomes. Researchers collect data continuously on mortality, disease occurrence, disability, and health behavior changes. The study involves ongoing follow-up with periodic assessments and aims to preserve all collected data for future analyses, with participant involvement potentially spanning their entire lifespan.

Preterm birth, defined as birth before 37 weeks of gestation, occurs in about 8 percent of pregnancies in Canada and is linked to many health challenges, especially when it happens before 29 weeks. At this early stage, infants often face breathing difficulties and may require resuscitation. This trial compares resuscitation using either low 30% or high 60% oxygen levels to determine which approach results in better survival and neurodevelopmental outcomes at around 24 months of age. The study uses a cluster randomized crossover design where hospitals alternate between starting resuscitation with 30% or 60% oxygen for groups of 30 infants. Resuscitation includes standard care steps like lung expansion and ventilation support as needed. Oxygen is initially given at the assigned concentration for the first 5 minutes, then adjusted based on the infants oxygen saturation levels and heart rate over the next 5 minutes to maintain target saturation ranges. This approach aims to balance risks of too much or too little oxygen. Participants are infants born between 23 and 28 weeks gestation who receive full resuscitation at participating centers. During the study, infants have oxygen saturation monitored continuously, and adjustments to oxygen concentration are made carefully. Researchers will evaluate survival and major neurodevelopmental outcomes at 24 months corrected age, along with several safety and health measures during the neonatal intensive care stay. The trial is expected to provide important evidence to guide oxygen use during resuscitation of extremely preterm infants.

Researchers are investigating how muscle development and growth are altered at the microscopic level over time in children with cerebral palsy CP. This study focuses on understanding the microscopic muscle properties in young children with CP and how these relate to larger muscle features, neuromuscular symptoms, and treatments like botulinum toxin BTX injections. The goal is to identify different CP muscle types and improve personalized treatment strategies. The study collects muscle biopsies using a minimally invasive needle technique, sometimes under general anesthesia during routine treatments like BTX injections or orthopedic procedures. Biopsies will be taken from children with CP at varying ages and treatment stages and from typically developing children during surgeries. The research includes analyzing muscle fiber size, satellite cells, collagen content, and genetic factors. One part of the study follows changes before and after BTX treatment over up to 1.2 years. Participants will undergo ultrasound muscle imaging, clinical assessments of spasticity and strength, and gait analysis. Muscle biopsies are collected at multiple time points for detailed microscopic examination. Researchers will measure changes in muscle fiber characteristics, muscle volume and length, and muscle activation patterns. Data will be used to define integrated muscle and symptom profiles and how they respond to treatments over the study period, which may last up to 1.2 years for some participants.

Researchers are studying the brains action observation network AON, which is involved in understanding and imitating movements, especially focusing on subcortical areas and the cerebellum. The study aims to explore how this network functions in healthy individuals and in people with Cerebral Palsy CP who have early brain injuries. This research seeks to understand differences in brain activation patterns and their relation to clinical features in CP patients using advanced imaging techniques. Participants will undergo a 7 Tesla MRI scan using a high-resolution functional and anatomical protocol. The MRI will capture detailed images of brain structures including the cerebral cortex, subcortical nuclei, and cerebellum. Visual tasks involving observation of hand movements and tool use will be presented during the scan. CP patients will also receive a full clinical assessment before the MRI. The study includes both healthy volunteers and CP patients, with careful monitoring of participant compliance to avoid motion artifacts. During the study, researchers will evaluate brain activation and connectivity maps of the AON from the 7T MRI data. Participants motor functions and clinical characteristics will be assessed for correlation with imaging results. The study involves observation during MRI scanning, clinical assessments, and monitoring of participants responses to visual stimuli. This trial is expected to provide detailed insights into brain network organization and its changes in CP. The total participation includes MRI scanning and clinical evaluations around a single visit.

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness and safety of Recombinant Botulinum Toxin Type A YY001 injections for treating upper limb spasticity in adults who have had a stroke. This randomized, double-blind, multi-center phase IIIII study compares YY001 with BOTOX4 and a placebo to better understand treatment options for this condition. Participants will receive a single intramuscular injection of either Recombinant Botulinum Toxin Type A YY001 with a dose of 200-400 units, BOTOX4 with a dose of 200 units, or a placebo prepared with saline. The study includes three groups the experimental group receiving YY001, an active-controlled group receiving BOTOX4, and a placebo-controlled group. Each participant receives only one injection during the treatment period. During the study, participants will be monitored at 1, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after treatment through assessments such as the Modified Ashworth Scale MAS for spasticity, Physicians Global Assessment, and Disability Assessment Scale DAS. Researchers will also track any adverse events and the presence of antibodies to the treatment. The primary outcome is the change in MAS score at week 4. The study lasts at least 12 weeks with ongoing safety and efficacy follow-up.

The GENESIS clinical study aims to map HLA genetic variation in the Greek population and evaluate possible correlations with selected underlying diseases. It is a multicenter, prospective, non-interventional clinical study targeting 12,000 subjects over an anticipated duration of 36 months, with the goal of creating a pilot HLA map for medical research and possible clinical applications. Each subject will complete one visit at a participating site and provide demographic information, including date of birth, gender, race, ancestry, height, and weight, as well as information about smoking or vaping, alcohol consumption, arterial blood pressure, diagnosed diseases, and current treatments. Recent clinical laboratory results from up to 12 months before sample collection may also be collected when available, including blood count, metabolic, liver enzyme, and biochemical parameters. Two buccal swabs will be collected from each subject for DNA extraction and HLA genotyping analysis. Selected DNA samples will also undergo low-pass whole genome sequencing to further investigate associations between the HLA region and autoimmune diseases. After the analysis is completed, an individualized ancestry report will be securely available to study subjects if they elect to access it.

Researchers are studying brain activation patterns in stroke patients during mirror movement to understand upper limb function. This observational study focuses on patients who have had their first stroke, either cerebral infarction or cerebral hemorrhage, with specific muscle strength and muscle tone conditions. The study takes place in a hospital rehabilitation ward where patients receive detailed information and provide informed consent before participation. The study involves two types of hand movements mirror image and healthy hand movement. In the mirror image intervention, patients place their affected hand in a mirror box and observe the reflection of the healthy hand moving, imagining the affected hand performing the same actions. In the healthy hand movement intervention, patients quickly open and grasp their healthy hand while focusing on the affected hand. The primary outcome is brain activation measured by functional near-infrared spectroscopy fNIRS after one week of hand function rehabilitation training. Participants will be closely monitored throughout the trial with full communication and support from the research team. The study involves observing brain activation and hand movement activity with attention to patients questions and responses. The total participation period includes the initial week of rehabilitation training followed by assessments to measure the brains response to the interventions.

Researchers are evaluating a group intervention called Lev-g, designed to promote healthy habits in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders or those closely related to children with disabilities. This brief, transdiagnostic, interprofessional program addresses health-related habits that influence mental and physical health, aiming to provide a usable model across various healthcare settings in Sweden. The study focuses on understanding the feasibility, acceptability, and potential effects of this intervention in improving health behaviors. Lev-g consists of three group sessions plus a booster session, employing psychoeducation, motivational interviewing, and applied behavioral analyses. The group format aims to provide peer support and sharing of tips among participants. There is no control group, as this trial tests the feasibility of the intervention. The program is delivered in healthcare settings and is intended for adults aged 15 to 80. Participants will be assessed for completion rates, satisfaction, treatment credibility, adverse events, and goal achievement throughout and after the intervention. Evaluations include questionnaires for both participants and healthcare workers at multiple time points up to 3 to 4 months. Researchers will measure well-being, self-efficacy, and changes in health-related habits, tracking progress from baseline through the booster session. The study is expected to conclude by early 2027.