Hyeres

This research focuses on elderly patients hospitalized in Continuing and Rehabilitation Care Units who suffer from neurodegenerative diseases and require personalized rehabilitation care. The study evaluates the use of ergonomic cutlery handles, designed with 3D printing technology, to help improve patients' autonomy during meals. These custom-sized handles aim to address difficulties patients face when gripping standard cutlery, which often does not improve their independence or nutritional status adequately. Participants will receive cutlery handles with diameters tailored to their hand flexion capacity, determined by a functional and joint assessment by an occupational therapist. The cutlery handles are lightweight, inexpensive, and designed using Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing software in partnership with local fabrication labs. The study includes assessments before using the adapted cutlery, on the first day of use, and after a three-day learning period to evaluate their impact. During the study, patients' autonomy in eating will be measured using the Katz scale, and the amount of food consumed will be tracked by a dietician at three lunches. The occupational therapist will also perform ecological assessments of patients' upper limb movements during meals without and with the adapted cutlery. The study participation concludes after the Day 3 assessments, aiming to understand how these customized aids affect meal independence and upper limb compensation.

This research aims to explore the life experiences, needs, and expectations of family caregivers, specifically parents and siblings, of aging persons with polyhandicap aged 35 years and older. Polyhandicap is a complex chronic condition involving profound intellectual disability and serious motor impairments, leading to extreme limitations in autonomy and communication. With improved care increasing life expectancy, this study seeks to better understand the challenges faced by families as their relatives with polyhandicap age. The study uses a combined quantitative and qualitative approach involving questionnaires and interviews with parents and siblings. Data from previous evaluations of parents are already available, while sibling data will be collected through phone and mail. The research includes analysis of experiences, social views, needs, expectations, and family decision-making processes regarding support for aging individuals with polyhandicap. Participants will provide information through questionnaires and interviews lasting about 30 minutes for booklet completion and 60 minutes for interviews. The study relies on an interdisciplinary approach and a strong network of specialized centers, associations, and university teams. The main measure is the experiences of parents of aging persons with polyhandicap, and the findings aim to improve support for families during the aging transition.

Researchers are evaluating the effects of intensive psychomotor rehabilitation compared to standard care on children aged 4 to 13 years with polyhandicap, a condition involving severe brain injury and disability. The main goal is to see how these treatments influence adaptive behavior 12 months after starting the study. Secondary goals include assessing development, pain levels, long-term cognitive-motor improvements, family quality of life, caregiver impressions, and treatment tolerance over various time points. The study compares two groups: one receiving intensive rehabilitation consisting of psychomotor therapy for 5 hours per week plus kinesitherapy for 1.5 hours per week, and the other receiving routine care with kinesitherapy for 0.5 hours per week and psychomotor therapy for 30 minutes per week. Both treatments last for 12 months. This design aims to explore differences in therapy intensity and its impact on outcomes. Participants will be closely monitored throughout the 12 months with evaluations including adaptive behavior scales, developmental assessments, pain measurement, and quality of life surveys for families and caregivers. The study also tracks the safety and tolerance of the intensive rehabilitation. Long-term follow-up will assess the durability of cognitive-motor gains 18 months after starting the treatments, providing a comprehensive view of effectiveness and impact.

Bronchiectasis is a chronic lung condition where parts of the bronchial tubes become permanently widened, leading to mucus buildup, infections, and ongoing inflammation. Managing this disease often includes respiratory physiotherapy to help clear mucus. However, accessing this therapy regularly can be difficult due to time, location, and availability of trained professionals. Researchers are evaluating the long-term use of the SIMEOX device, which uses brief air pressure pulses to help loosen and move mucus, combined with remote physiotherapy, to improve the quality of life and reduce lung flare-ups in adults with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. The study compares two groups: one using the SIMEOX device daily at home along with remote physiotherapy sessions, and a control group receiving enhanced standard care plus remote physiotherapy. The remote physiotherapy is delivered monthly for the first three months and then every three months afterward. The study lasts on average 24 months, allowing assessment of the device's effects over the mid and long term. Participants will be monitored through quality of life questionnaires and tracking of pulmonary exacerbations during the study. Evaluations include respiratory assessments and ensuring participants can use the device and follow procedures. The main outcomes measured are changes in respiratory quality of life after six months and the annual rate of lung exacerbations over the full study period. Safety and treatment adherence will also be continuously reviewed throughout participation.

This research aims to understand how three important groups involved in stroke recovery—post-stroke patients, physicians specialized in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, and allied health professionals—view advanced rehabilitation technologies. The study takes place at HCL - Renée Sabran Hospital in the Kermes 2 department and uses a non-probability sampling method to select participants based on specific criteria. The focus is on technologies like exoskeletons, social robots, wearable interactive devices, and biofeedback systems, and the study explores attitudes, perceived usefulness, ease of use, and willingness to adopt these tools in clinical practice. Participants will complete a structured questionnaire developed by the researchers at a single time point after giving informed consent. This questionnaire gathers detailed information about their perceptions and acceptance of various advanced rehabilitation technologies. The study compares responses across the three groups to identify differences that may be influenced by their roles, experience, and exposure to these technologies in stroke rehabilitation. During the study, all participants will provide their views through the questionnaire, which is the primary method of data collection. Researchers will analyze these responses to assess the perceptions of post-stroke patients, rehabilitation physicians, and allied health professionals regarding advanced rehabilitation technologies. The study focuses on identifying potential barriers or facilitators to adopting these technologies to improve future clinical use.

Researchers are evaluating two methods used during Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery to improve patient outcomes. The ACL is crucial for knee stability, and its rupture often requires surgical repair. This study compares the traditional use of a thigh tourniquet with a newer technique using a dual-flow arthroscopy sheath to see which method leads to better recovery and fewer complications after surgery. The study involves two groups of patients undergoing ACL reconstruction: one group will have surgery using a thigh tourniquet, which helps reduce bleeding and improve visibility during the operation, while the other group will have surgery performed without a tourniquet but with a dual-flow arthroscopy sheath. Both methods are being assessed to determine their effects on postoperative recovery. Initial assessments occur before surgery, followed by monitoring during the first 7 days after surgery, with additional follow-up visits at 21 days, 45 days, and 5 months postoperatively. Participants will be closely monitored through various postoperative visits where pain intensity will be measured using a Numeric Rating Scale four days after surgery. Researchers will also evaluate recovery progress and potential complications at each follow-up visit. The study aims to understand which technique may offer better pain control and fewer risks, ultimately improving care for patients undergoing ACL reconstruction.