Alfara Del Patriarca

Black stains on teeth, often caused by bacteria producing iron compounds, are common in children and negatively affect dental appearance and self-esteem. The cause of these stains is still unclear and not linked to oral hygiene. This research aims to compare a new treatment using erythritol powder air polishers, which have antimicrobial effects, against standard dental cleaning methods to prevent these stains from coming back. The study involves a randomized clinical trial lasting 12 months with two treatment groups. One group will receive dental cleaning using an erythritol air polisher device, while the other will receive dental cleaning using ultrasonic treatment. Both methods are used to remove black stains on the teeth, and the study will assess how well each prevents recurrence. Participants will be monitored for the return of dental black stains at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after treatment. Researchers will also evaluate how satisfied patients are with their treatment and how long the procedures take. The trial seeks to improve care strategies for dental black stains, aiming to support patients' emotional well-being and protect tooth enamel.

Researchers are investigating chronic pain in patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) undergoing hemodialysis, focusing on its presence and characteristics. Chronic kidney disease affects many people worldwide, especially those over 65, and is linked to other health problems like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Pain is common in this group but is often overlooked or poorly managed by healthcare providers, with musculoskeletal disorders and metabolic neuropathies being frequent causes. The study aims to determine if managing chronic pain should be part of the overall treatment plan, which includes physical activity, nutrition, and psychological support. This is a cross-sectional observational study involving around 20 patients with ESRD on hemodialysis for at least three months. No treatments or interventions are given as part of the study. Researchers will assess stress levels using salivary cortisol tests and perceived stress scales. They will also use questionnaires on sleep quality, disease self-management, chronic pain severity, headache impact, catastrophizing, anxiety, and depression. Physical tests include measuring pressure pain thresholds with an algometer to detect pain sensitivity. Participants will undergo saliva sampling for cortisol measurement and complete various validated questionnaires to evaluate their health and pain. Pressure will be applied at specific body points to assess pain thresholds. Data collected will help understand the stress and pain experience in these patients. The study excludes individuals with recent heart attacks, unstable angina, major amputations without prosthetics, recent strokes or severe mobility issues, and those unable to perform the necessary tests. The findings aim to improve pain management strategies in hemodialysis patients.

Fear of childbirth ranges from mild worry to severe anxiety, affecting women of varying ages and often linked to the perception of childbirth as painful and unpredictable. Women manage this fear by seeking support, practicing relaxation, or attending prenatal education. Access to accurate information plays a crucial role in reducing anxiety and building confidence for childbirth. This research evaluates the effects of an online pain neuroscience education program designed to reduce fear of childbirth. Participants receive 12 audiovisual lessons focused on the neurobiology of pain, adapted for pregnant women, alongside standard prenatal education. The education aims to reshape beliefs about pain, explain its protective nature, and offer techniques to reduce fear and encourage physical activity. Women in the study will attend 12 prenatal education sessions, each lasting about 10 minutes, including the pain neuroscience lessons for the intervention group. Researchers will assess fear of childbirth four weeks after the intervention. The study includes pregnant women at the start of their third trimester and monitors psychological responses related to childbirth anxiety over time.