Ragama

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness of traditional Buddhist mindfulness training compared to secular mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) in adults with residual depressive symptoms. This pilot randomized controlled trial aims to see if Buddhist mindfulness training is not worse than MBCT in reducing depression and improving psychological wellbeing. The study also explores factors like self-compassion, mindfulness, and spirituality that may affect how well these interventions work and tracks depression relapse over time. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups, each receiving an 8-week intervention consisting of weekly 2-hour sessions. One group will practice traditional Buddhist mindfulness training, while the other will receive secular MBCT. Interventions take place over 4 months, with follow-up monitoring continuing for 12 months to assess long-term effects. During the study, patients will be assessed for depression severity using the Beck Depression Inventory-II and psychological wellbeing with the WHO-5 Wellbeing Index at the start and after 8 weeks. Researchers will also measure mindfulness, self-compassion, and spirituality levels, and track depression relapses at 6 months and 1 year after treatment. The study includes questionnaires and scales to evaluate outcomes and ensure participant safety throughout the year-long follow-up period.

Researchers are evaluating the safety and effectiveness of finerenone compared to a placebo in patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure who have mildly reduced or preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. This international, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial aims to understand how finerenone affects morbidity and mortality in this patient group. Participants will receive either oral finerenone or a matching oral placebo. The study focuses on patients currently hospitalized or recently discharged with heart failure symptoms and specific heart function measures. The trial is event-driven and will continue for up to approximately 30 months to collect sufficient data on outcomes. During the study, researchers will monitor the total number of heart failure events and cardiovascular deaths, as well as track serious adverse events and any adverse events that lead participants to stop the study drug. These ongoing assessments will help evaluate the overall safety and impact of the treatment over the duration of the trial.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects over 800 million people worldwide and is expected to become the 5th leading cause of death by 2040. CKD progresses to kidney failure, increases risks of early death and heart disease, and reduces quality of life. Current treatments do not fully prevent kidney failure, so this trial aims to find the best treatment or combination of treatments to slow CKD progression. CAPTIVATE is a Phase III, international, multi-center, adaptive platform trial designed to answer multiple treatment questions efficiently within a single research framework. Participants receive study treatments, such as Finerenone or placebo tablets taken orally once daily, for two years. They may be involved in more than one treatment at the same time or at different times. Follow-up visits occur around 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, and 2 years after starting treatment, with a final visit one month after treatment ends. The trial is ongoing and flexible, allowing new treatments to be added or removed based on results. During the study, participants have blood and urine tests, safety assessments, and treatment adherence monitoring. Health information is collected at study visits and every five years to evaluate long-term outcomes. The main measurement is the change in kidney function (eGFR slope) from the start of treatment to week 108. The study continues recruiting participants for many years to improve CKD treatment options.