Spinal Cord Injury

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.

Researchers are evaluating an implantable brain-computer interface BCI system designed to restore upper-limb function in adults with tetraplegia caused by spinal cord injury. This prospective, multicenter, single-arm clinical trial aims to assess the safety and clinical effectiveness of this device as a functional replacement for hand motor control. Participants will receive implantation of the Triple-F BCI device, followed by standardized brain-computer training including the use of brain-controlled pneumatic gloves. After implantation, follow-up visits will be conducted at 1, 2, 3, and 6 months to monitor progress and device performance. During the study, participants will undergo assessments using various scales and tests to evaluate hand function and device reliability. These include the ARAT score with and without BCI assistance, task completion rates for brain-controlled hand movements, and measures of daily living activities and neurological status. Device operability and user experience will also be evaluated throughout the follow-up period, which lasts up to 6 months post-implantation.

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.

This research aims to evaluate interventions to support family members who act as surrogate decision makers for critically ill patients in Intensive Care Units ICUs. These surrogates often face intense grief and stress that can affect their mental health and the quality of decisions made for their loved ones near end-of-life. The study focuses on reducing symptoms of prolonged grief disorder PGD, post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD, and related emotional challenges through a psychological intervention called EMPOWER. The study compares two approaches the EMPOWER intervention, which is a brief, cognitive-behavioral and acceptance-based treatment delivered by trained mental health professionals, and a Supportive Conversation SC that provides empathetic support without specific skill-building. EMPOWER includes six 15-minute modules and two booster phone sessions, totaling about 90 minutes plus follow-ups, while the Supportive Conversation matches this time with supportive interaction and follow-up calls. Participants are assessed up to four times before and after the intervention within three months. Participants, who are surrogate decision makers of ICU patients near end-of-life, will complete assessments on grief, PTSD, depression, regret, anxiety, and distress before the intervention, immediately after, and at 3 and 12 months follow-up. The study also includes interviews with some participants to better understand the interventions effects and contextual factors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary outcomes focus on changes in grief and PTSD symptoms over twelve months, with safety and mental health monitored throughout the study period.

Spinal cord injury SCI occurs when trauma or other factors damage the spinal cord, disrupting communication between the body and brain. This can lead to changes in body awareness called disembodiment, where sensations feel different or limbs seem out of place. The study aims to explore how SCI affects embodiment, its impact on daily life, and the related brain activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging fMRI. Both individuals with SCI and healthy participants will take part in this research. Participants will be divided into groups some with SCI will undergo a detailed behavioral assessment of embodiment and sensory-motor symptoms, while others will also have brain activity measured through fMRI during a task involving a modified rubber hand illusion. Healthy controls will perform similar behavioral assessments, with some also undergoing fMRI. The fMRI task includes watching virtual legs being touched while their own legs are stroked to assess the feeling of embodiment. Each participant will attend one examination lasting about 2 to 2.5 hours, including approximately 55 minutes inside the MRI scanner. Researchers will evaluate responses to questionnaires measuring body feelings, pain, emotions, cognition, and daily functioning. Brain activity and embodiment strength will also be assessed. The study will monitor various physical, psychological, and quality of life aspects to understand how SCI changes body awareness.

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness of a smart upper limb rehabilitation system combined with exoskeleton robot devices and an Internet of Things IoT application for home-based training in patients recovering from stroke and those with spinal cord injuries. The study aims to improve motor function, daily living activities, and quality of life by remotely monitoring rehabilitation progress and assisting patient movements. Participants are adults aged 20 to 79 years with specific cognitive and physical criteria depending on their condition. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups the TIGER group, which uses a tenodesis-induced-grip exoskeleton robot system, or the TOT group, which receives task-oriented training. Each group follows a home-based training program for 4 weeks. For stroke patients, training is 30 minutes twice daily, 5 days a week for spinal cord injury patients, training is 40 minutes once daily, 5 days a week. The TIGER system offers passive range of motion warm-up and functional training, while the TOT group practices sensorimotor techniques and functional tasks. Participants will undergo assessments before and after the intervention, including motor function tests like the Fugl-Meyer Assessment and Box and Block Test, range of motion measurements, and quality of life evaluations. Researchers will monitor progress in motor activity, independence, and satisfaction with assistive technology. The total study duration spans from baseline through 4 weeks of training, with outcome measures collected at baseline and after the intervention period.

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.

Researchers are evaluating a low-cost augmented reality platform for balance training in patients with balance disorders caused by degenerative injuries or cerebrovascular diseases. The study aims to determine if the system is usable, acceptable, safe, and if it improves balance. The trial is a usability study conducted by the Hospital Universitari Vall dHebron Research Institute. The intervention has two phases the first phase lasts four weeks with supervised balance training sessions at the hospital, conducted for 60 minutes, three times a week. If patients meet inclusion criteria, the intervention continues for two additional weeks at home with a family member trained to assist as a training partner. The platform uses different exercise protocols accessed through RGSweb, including balance and sit-to-stand exercises with visual targets and movement tracking. Participants undergo three assessments before treatment Day 0, after the hospital phase Week 4, and after the home phase Week 6. Evaluations include usability scales, adherence measures, balance tests like the Berg Balance Scale, postural sway, sit-to-stand tests, balance confidence, and quality of life questionnaires. Safety is monitored throughout, and adherence is tracked during both hospital and home interventions.