Chronic Disease Management

This study evaluates whether a mobile phone-based mHealth Behavioural Change Communication BCC educational intervention can improve the adoption and exclusive use of Liquid Petroleum Gas LPG for cooking among households in semi-rural Bangladesh. Household air pollutants HAP from biomass fuels such as wood, agricultural residue, and cow dung expose almost 3 billion people worldwide, including 89% of people in Bangladesh. In the earlier GEOHealth study, 24 months of LPG use reduced personal PM2.5 exposure by about 58.2% and produced changes in innate immune and inflammatory responses, while chronic cardio-pulmonary markers remained relatively stable. More than 70% of households continued using LPG after the earlier study, although not exclusively. The investigators will conduct a large household-level randomized controlled trial using an mHealth-based educational intervention and will continue following the cohort. The study will examine the long-term effects of HAP reduction on subclinical measures of cardiovascular and pulmonary dysfunction, innate and inflammatory immune function, and antibody response to vaccines. Personal 24-hour and area-wise 5-day exposure to PM2.5 and black carbon will be repeatedly assessed before and after the intervention. Lung function and lung pathology will be assessed using spirometry, Chest X-ray, and high-resolution computed tomography of the chest. Cardiovascular measures will include blood pressure and EKG, while metabolic dysfunction will be assessed using HbA1c and fasting lipid profile. Immune function will be evaluated through immune cell phenotyping, functional cytotoxic killer cells, and oxidative stress of lymphocytes.

This research aims to evaluate a 5-session cognitive behavioral program called 1MoreStep, designed for Black women living with HIV who have experienced intimate partner violence in the past two years. The study focuses on teaching skills to access personal and external strengths, safety strategies, knowledge about HIV care and stigma, communication skills to handle stigma, and addressing barriers to HIV care. It also examines the programs acceptability and feasibility among participants. Participants are randomly assigned to either the 1MoreStep intervention or an equal attention control group. The intervention includes seven group sessions and one individual session held weekly, led by experienced facilitators from the Black community. Sessions cover topics such as safety planning, HIV care engagement, stigma communication, and goal setting using cognitive behavioral skills. The control group attends weekly support group sessions that cover general health topics important to Black women living with HIV but not directly related to the interventions goals. Throughout the study, participants complete assessments at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months to measure changes in safety strategies and HIV care engagement. Measures include surveys, medical record reviews, and interviews to evaluate treatment acceptance, session attendance, and participant experiences. The study spans approximately 6 months post-baseline, with follow-up surveys and qualitative interviews to explore program fit and barriers to participation.

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness of a six-month virtually-delivered dietary education program called PEDALL to prevent overweight and obesity during maintenance chemotherapy in children and adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukemia ALL. The study focuses on English and Spanish speaking families and considers key genetic and sociodemographic risk factors that may affect weight gain during treatment. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups the PEDALL intervention group or the standard of care SOC group. The PEDALL group will receive 26 contact hours of specialized nutrition education through weekly one-hour virtual sessions over six months. The SOC group will receive printed educational materials and nutritional care according to their institutions usual practices. During the study, participants and their caregivers will engage in nutrition education and counseling sessions. Researchers will assess weight status, body mass index trajectories, lifestyle behaviors, and the influence of genetic and sociodemographic factors over time. The main goal is to prevent unhealthy weight gain during maintenance chemotherapy and improve long-term health outcomes for childhood ALL survivors. The study will last up to 3.5 years for primary outcomes, with additional follow-up extending to four years.

Researchers are investigating the relationship between obesity and type 2 diabetes, conditions influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. This study aims to better understand how different genetic variations affect gene expression in tissues involved in glucose and lipid metabolism, which may contribute to what is called diabesity, a combined condition of diabetes and obesity. The study uses advanced genomic techniques and bioinformatics to analyze these factors in both humans and animal models. Participants in this observational study are grouped based on their body mass index BMI and diabetes or glucose intolerance status. Groups include individuals with BMI 35 kgm2 with diabetes, glucose intolerance, or without diabetes, as well as those with BMI < 27 kgm2 and BMI between 27 and 35 kgm2 without diabetes. Samples are collected during abdominal surgeries such as bariatric surgery or cholecystectomy to study gene expression and metabolic pathways. During the study, researchers collect biological samples at baseline and follow participants over several years to assess changes in gene expression and insulin resistance. They also evaluate clinical and biological features before and after bariatric surgery at 1, 2, and 5 years. The primary measurement focuses on gene expression in tissues related to glucose metabolism. This long-term observation helps to understand the genetic and phenotypic factors influencing obesity and diabetes, with participation lasting up to 5 years.

Researchers are evaluating the safety, tolerability, and how the body processes Semaglutide Nasal Spray compared to a placebo and a known injection in adults who are overweight or obese. This Phase I clinical trial aims to better understand the effects of the nasal spray formulation of Semaglutide in this population. The study is sponsored by Shanghai World Leader Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and focuses on adults aged 18 to 65 years with specific body mass index ranges. Participants will receive either the Semaglutide Nasal Spray, placebo, or a Semaglutide injection Wegovy in different randomized groups. The study involves a single-dose administration and includes several cohorts receiving various combinations of the nasal spray and placebo or the injection. Treatments are given once, and the study monitors the participants for up to 36 days after administration to assess drug levels and effects. During the study, participants will undergo various evaluations including blood tests, vital signs monitoring, physical examinations, electrocardiograms ECGs, and urine analyses from Day 1 to Day 36. Researchers will measure how much of the drug reaches the blood, how long it stays, and any side effects that occur. Antibody levels against the drug will also be checked up to Day 29. Participants will be closely monitored for any safety concerns throughout the study period.

Researchers are conducting a 12-week single-group clinical trial to study the effects of an omega-3-containing supplement called Omega Active on blood levels of DHA and EPA. The study includes adults aged 18 to 65 who are generally healthy and aims to assess how the supplement influences cardiovascular and cognitive health by measuring changes in these important blood fatty acids. Participants will take two capsules of the Omega Active supplement daily for the entire 12-week period. They will complete questionnaires about their cognitive performance, gastrointestinal symptoms, and overall health at the start of the study and at Weeks 4, 8, and 12. Blood samples will be collected at the beginning and end of the trial at local Quest Diagnostics Centers to measure DHA and EPA levels. All participants receive the active supplement with no placebo or randomization involved. During the study, participants will attend scheduled visits for blood testing and complete self-reported questionnaires to track their health changes and experience with the supplement. Researchers will monitor changes in blood DHA and EPA from baseline to Week 12 as the main outcomes. Secondary measures include changes in self-reported cognition, digestive symptoms, and general well-being. The total participation time is 12 weeks, with ongoing monitoring through questionnaires and blood tests.

This research aims to evaluate a culturally relevant micronutrient-dense plant-rich mNDPR dietary intervention designed to reduce obesity and related disease risks among Native American employees of Twin Arrows Casino. Native Americans face higher rates of obesity and Type II diabetes compared to non-Hispanic Whites. The study involves a randomized controlled trial to assess improvements in physical health measures, wellness, and healthcare costs over one year. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving a 12-week mNDPR nutrition program or a wait-list control group. The intervention includes a 2-hour initial group session followed by weekly 1-hour coaching sessions led by trained Native American Masters of Public Health students using Motivational Interviewing. Sessions provide nutrition education, cooking demonstrations, workplace dining tours, and social support. The wait-list control group will maintain usual eating habits during the first 12 weeks before receiving the same intervention. Participants will undergo health and wellness assessments at baseline and after 13 weeks, with additional diet recall at week 26 for the experimental group and follow-up measures for the control group. Healthcare utilization will be reviewed at 52 weeks. Researchers will measure changes in Hemoglobin A1c, fasting glucose, insulin, blood lipids, inflammatory markers, blood pressure, and wellness indicators like anxiety and sleep quality. Adherence to the diet will be monitored weekly, alongside attendance and self-monitoring of diet compliance.

Researchers are evaluating a digital health intervention using a mobile application called Pust Deg Bedre PDB to support self-management in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD. COPD patients often experience symptoms like dyspnea, cough, and chronic mucus hypersecretion, which increase infection risks and exacerbate the disease. This study aims to explore the feasibility, patient and physiotherapist experiences, and implementation of the PDB app in managing these symptoms. The intervention involves physiotherapists providing patients with training on how to use the PDB app, which offers tailored breathing and airway clearance techniques based on clinical assessment. Patients will engage with the apps treatment plan over an 8-week period, with follow-up at 6 months. Adjustments to the treatment plan may be made during the intervention. The study includes qualitative interviews and video-recorded physiotherapy sessions to gain deeper insights into the interactions and experiences of patients and physiotherapists. Participants will be assessed through questionnaires and interviews at the end of the 8-week treatment and at the 6-month follow-up. Researchers will collect both quantitative and qualitative data, including health-related outcomes, adherence, adverse events, and patient satisfaction. Physiotherapists will also be followed up to explore the impact of participation on their clinical practice. The total study duration includes the initial intervention and a long-term follow-up, aiming to gather comprehensive information on the apps usefulness and acceptability.

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.

Researchers are evaluating ARO-ALK7, a drug given by injection, in adult participants with obesity, both with and without Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus T2DM. This Phase 12a study aims to understand the safety, tolerability, how the body processes the drug, and how the drug affects the body. The study is divided into two parts Part 1 focuses on adults with obesity without T2DM, and Part 2 includes adults with obesity both with and without T2DM, testing ARO-ALK7 alone or combined with tirzepatide. Participants receive either single or multiple doses of ARO-ALK7 or matching placebo injections. In Part 2, some participants also receive weekly tirzepatide starting from Day 15 through Day 253. The doses of ARO-ALK7 are escalated to explore different levels of the drug. The study compares ARO-ALK7 alone, placebo, ARO-ALK7 combined with tirzepatide, and placebo combined with tirzepatide to assess their effects. During the study, participants are monitored for treatment-emergent adverse events until Day 253. Researchers collect detailed information on how the drug moves and acts in the body, especially during Part 1. Participants will have scheduled visits to receive treatments and undergo safety and effectiveness assessments. The total study duration covers up to about 8 and a half months, including dosing and follow-up, to fully evaluate the drugs impact and safety profile.