Strassen

Researchers are investigating how different cushioning materials in running shoes affect musculoskeletal complaints and injury risk in leisure-time runners. The study aims to understand if using extra soft cushioning materials at the rear and forepart of running shoes can reduce injury risk, how cushioning position influences injury risk, the impact of a runners body mass on these effects, and how runners perceive cushioning. The study also explores whether other weight-bearing activities besides running contribute to injury risk. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three running shoe models that differ only in foam cushioning properties at the rear and forepart, varying by 33% and 37%, respectively. They will receive their assigned shoes and use them exclusively for running over a six-month intervention period while maintaining their usual training routines. The three shoe versions are tested for stiffness and cushioning, labeled as Hard, Mixed, and Soft models with specific cushioning levels. Randomization is stratified by sex to balance body mass differences. During the study, participants will complete a baseline questionnaire and weekly questionnaires on musculoskeletal complaints and shoe usage. Running data will be collected via sports watch apps or uploaded GPS files. The main outcome is the first running-related injury causing at least seven days of running restriction. Secondary outcomes include shorter time loss injuries and musculoskeletal complaints. Researchers will monitor adherence, send reminders for data entry, and follow up on missing reports. The total participation lasts six months from shoe receipt.

This research aims to promote physical activity in people with osteoarthritis and to test how acceptable and feasible using a mobile app is for this purpose. The study targets osteoarthritis patients living or working in Luxembourg, focusing on how knowledge about physical activity can encourage lifestyle changes. It is a feasibility pilot study involving 150 participants who will all receive the intervention and act as their own controls. The intervention uses a specially developed smartphone app called PIANISSIMO. Participants will receive daily notifications about physical activity and sedentary behavior, except on Sundays. Each week, they will set a daily step goal for the following week through the app. The app collects daily step counts continuously and prompts participants to complete a weekly pain questionnaire. The intervention lasts for 6 months, followed by a 6-month follow-up period during which step counts and pain questionnaires continue without active intervention. Participants will provide consent and enter personal and health information, including osteoarthritis pain details and physical activity history. They will respond to weekly pain questionnaires and monthly functional status assessments through the app. At the end of the 6-month intervention, a questionnaire will evaluate the apps acceptability. Researchers will track app usage, questionnaire response rates, physical activity levels, and the relationship between pain and activity throughout the study. The total study duration for each participant is 12 months.

This research aims to understand how the immune system reacts to tick bites, focusing on the development of alpha-Gal syndrome AGS, a delayed allergy to red meat caused by IgE antibodies against the alpha-Gal sugar transmitted by ticks. The study will compare immune responses between individuals who develop these antibodies and those who do not, investigating early immune markers that may predict allergic sensitization. It also seeks to gather important public health data by analyzing ticks for pathogens. Participants will enroll within 48 hours after a tick bite and provide blood samples and questionnaires. They will return for a follow-up visit 4 to 6 weeks later for additional blood collection and questionnaires. A third visit, including allergy tests, is planned 3 months after the tick bite for participants selected based on their antibody levels. The tick removed from the participant will be collected, identified, and tested for pathogens. During the study, participants will undergo immune analysis through blood samples collected at enrollment and follow-up visits, along with questionnaires about their health, tick bite history, and diet. The study will monitor immune signatures linked to allergic sensitization and track tick-borne diseases over time. The total follow-up spans several weeks, with researchers reviewing immune responses up to two years after the last participant enrolls to better understand the development of AGS.