Yoga

Researchers are studying the immediate and long-term effects of structured breathing exercises on mental health symptoms such as anxiety, depression, stress, and sleep quality. The study focuses on healthcare professionals experiencing burnout and aims to assess how these breathing practices might support their mental well-being. This behavioral intervention is sponsored by Mayo Clinic and targets adults aged 18 to 85 years. Participants will engage in self-guided structured breathing sessions lasting 15, 30, or 36 minutes, tailored to their personal skill level. The study monitors the feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of these breathing exercises over a four-month period. The intervention is delivered via a mobile app, allowing participants to practice breathing exercises on their own schedule. During the study, participants will be assessed on recruitment ease, retention, mobile app engagement, satisfaction with the breathing intervention, and adherence to the program. Researchers will collect data through mobile app usage metrics and self-reported measures to evaluate how well the intervention fits into the participants' routines. The total participation time for each individual is four months, during which their progress and experience with the breathing practice will be closely monitored.

Researchers are evaluating the effects of traditional Chinese medicine combined with intradermal acupuncture on girls with idiopathic precocious puberty, a condition characterized by early onset of puberty without an identifiable cause. This phase 3 randomized controlled trial aims to determine if combining acupuncture point stimulation with herbal treatment can improve symptoms and prevent the condition from worsening. The study focuses on girls with mild to moderate precocious puberty and explores whether this combined approach offers benefits beyond traditional herbal medicine alone. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive Ziyin-Xiehuo traditional Chinese medicine granules twice daily along with intradermal acupuncture point stimulation targeting specific points, applied three times daily with needles changed every two days, for a duration of six months. The other group will receive only the traditional Chinese medicine granules twice daily for the same six-month period. This design allows comparison between combined therapy and herbal medicine alone. During the study, researchers will monitor participants' breast development changes, particularly the reduction or disappearance of mammary nucleus size at three months. They will also assess bone age changes compared to chronological age over six months. Various evaluations such as ultrasound measurements of uterus and ovary size, Tanner staging, and hormone treatment history will be collected. Safety and efficacy will be carefully observed throughout the six-month treatment period.

This research aims to evaluate whether aromatherapy can improve mental health and quality of life for women experiencing infertility and awaiting In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatment. Infertility often causes emotional distress such as anxiety, stress, and depression. This randomized clinical trial will compare the effects of true lavender essential oil inhalation, synthetic lavender aroma inhalation, and routine care on mental well-being in women on the IVF waiting list. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: the intervention group will inhale five drops of true lavender essential oil twice daily using a personal nasal inhaler for 15 minutes each time over four weeks; the placebo group will inhale synthetic lavender aroma in the same manner; and the control group will receive routine care without inhalation. The intervention is designed to be accessible and easy to follow with adherence monitored through aromatherapy diaries and weekly schedules. Women in the study will be assessed at the start, at four weeks (end of intervention), and at eight weeks (four weeks after intervention) using validated scales measuring anxiety, depression, stress, quality of life, insomnia, flourishing, religiosity, pain, and general health. Participants will also complete qualitative questionnaires to capture their experiences. The study includes close monitoring to track adherence and evaluate changes in mental health and quality of life over time.

Researchers are investigating how low-frequency fatigue, jump height, and feelings of muscle soreness, fatigue, and recovery relate in elite youth soccer players. The study focuses on the recovery process after competition and aims to understand the connection between objective muscle fatigue measurements and subjective perceptions. This observational study is sponsored by the University of Maia and targets young athletes competing at the highest Portuguese division level. The study uses a device called Myocene® to apply controlled electrical stimulation to the muscles, measuring low-frequency fatigue before and after matches at specific intervals: 2 hours before, 30 minutes after, 24 hours after, and 48 hours after the game. The device uses electrodes placed on muscles in the leg to deliver sets of electrical pulses, calculating the ratio of low- to high-frequency muscle force as an indicator of fatigue. Participants will be assessed multiple times around their match schedule to monitor muscle fatigue and jump height, along with their personal reports of soreness and recovery. The main outcome measured is the difference in low-frequency fatigue at these time points. The study lasts through the competitive season, with careful monitoring through muscle testing and self-reported questionnaires to examine recovery patterns in this athletic group.

This research aims to evaluate the benefits of a pulmonary rehabilitation program using breathing exercises for people with chronic airway diseases, including COPD and asthma. The study focuses on improving functional capacity measured by the six-minute walking distance test, reducing breathlessness using the Medical Research Council dyspnea scale, and enhancing lung function and arterial blood gases. It highlights the importance of breathing techniques to improve respiratory muscle efficiency and ventilation, which can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups: one group receives usual medication treatment for chronic airway diseases without breathing exercises, while the other group receives medication combined with breathing exercises such as diaphragmatic breathing, pursed lip breathing, and use of an incentive spirometer. The study measures lung function outcomes like forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) over a 6-month period. During the study, participants undergo regular assessments including lung function tests and walking distance evaluations to track improvements. Researchers monitor symptoms and breathing capacity to understand the impact of the breathing exercises. The study includes adults aged 18 and older who have clinically stable COPD or asthma and have not previously participated in exercise training. The total study duration and follow-up details correspond to the 6-month outcome measurement period.

Researchers are investigating how static stretching compares with full range of motion strength training in improving posterior band flexibility. The study focuses on healthy adults aged 18 to 30 without recent injuries or surgeries affecting the lower limbs, spine, or brain. The research aims to understand the effects of these two exercise methods on flexibility over a six-week period. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups: a control group with no intervention, a stretching group performing two sets of 60-second static stretches once a week, or a strength training group performing three series of 10 Romanian Deadlift repetitions once a week. The Romanian Deadlift is performed on an elevated platform with specific timing for eccentric and concentric contractions to maximize range of motion. The intervention lasts six weeks. Before and after the six-week period, participants complete a toe-to-floor test to measure posterior band flexibility. The study tracks changes in flexibility as the primary outcome over up to eight weeks. The process involves weekly exercise sessions or no intervention for the control group and assessments to monitor progress. This research will help evaluate which method better improves flexibility in the targeted area.

Sarcoidosis is a complex disease that can affect many organs and systems, most commonly the lungs, leading to reduced lung capacity, muscle weakness, and symptoms like shortness of breath and fatigue. It mostly occurs in young and middle-aged adults and impacts quality of life through physical and emotional challenges, including anxiety and depression. This research aims to compare the effects of yogic techniques and conventional physiotherapy on lung function, exercise capacity, fatigue, mental health, sleep, and overall quality of life in patients with sarcoidosis at various stages. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a conventional physiotherapy program or a yoga program, both supervised by a physiotherapist. Each program involves two days per week of group-based tele-rehabilitation and three days of home exercises tracked with a diary over 8 weeks. The physiotherapy group will perform strengthening and breathing exercises, including resistance training and thoracic expansion, while the yoga group will practice pranayama breathing techniques and yoga postures. Both groups will also engage in aerobic walking exercises three days per week. During the study, participants will undergo assessments at the start and after 8 weeks, including lung function tests, exercise capacity tests, fatigue and dyspnea evaluations, mental health scales, sleep quality, and quality of life questionnaires. The research team will monitor these measures to understand the effects of each program. The total participation time is 8 weeks, with close supervision and standardized rehabilitation exercises to support patient well-being and gather comprehensive data.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common irregular and often fast heart rhythm affecting adults worldwide, with increasing incidence and prevalence. It is linked to higher health risks and other conditions like hypertension and diabetes, impacting patients and healthcare systems. The European Society of Cardiology recommends an integrated care model that includes catheter ablation to manage symptoms and physical activity to improve health, but the effects of exercise after ablation are not well established. This randomized controlled trial aims to study how a 12-week physical exercise program influences patients who underwent catheter ablation for AF at least one year ago. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an exercise group, which will do concurrent strength and aerobic training three times a week with progressively increasing duration and intensity, or a control group receiving usual care without intervention. The exercise sessions include warm-up, resistance training with free weights, aerobic training on a cycle ergometer, and cool-down stretches. Participants will be evaluated three times: before the intervention, after three months of training, and six months after recruitment to assess lasting effects. Assessments include body composition, ECG, echocardiogram, physical activity monitoring, sleep analysis, muscle strength, cardiorespiratory capacity, quality of life, and AF burden. Attendance at exercise sessions will be recorded to monitor adherence, and safety insurance covers potential risks during training and evaluations.

Researchers are evaluating the effect of the 4-7-8 breathing technique on shoulder pain and lung function after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a common surgery for gallbladder removal. This technique is being studied because many patients experience shoulder pain and reduced lung function after surgery, which can affect breathing and recovery. The study will randomly assign 96 patients to either the breathing exercise group or a control group receiving routine care, to compare outcomes. The study group will learn the 4-7-8 breathing technique, which involves controlled breathing cycles, starting about four hours after surgery. They will practice one set of four breaths every two hours, with initial training lasting about 15 minutes. The control group will receive usual care without specific breathing exercise training, though use of a breathing aid is recommended but not monitored. Participants will be monitored for shoulder pain and lung function through tests conducted within the first 24 hours and again at discharge. The study will assess lung volumes and airflow measures to understand breathing recovery. Data will be analyzed statistically. The total duration of participation varies with hospital stay but includes monitoring through the early postoperative period for safety and effectiveness.

This research aims to evaluate how two non-drug methods, facilitated tucking and gentle human touch, affect procedural pain in newborn babies up to 28 days old. The trial is a randomized control study designed to understand pain relief during medical procedures for neonates. Pain levels will be measured using the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale to assess the effectiveness of these interventions. The study includes three groups: one receiving facilitated tucking, where the baby is gently positioned for comfort; another receiving gentle human touch, which involves caressing the baby's head; and a usual care group without these additional interventions. These methods will be applied during an arterial prick procedure, a common but painful medical test for newborns. Participants will be monitored before, during, and three minutes after the arterial prick using video recordings to score pain levels. Researchers will collect demographic information and use an independent assistant to evaluate pain scores. The study runs from May to November 2024 and involves careful observation to understand how these non-pharmacological approaches may help manage pain in the neonatal intensive care setting.