Angelholm

Researchers are examining the feasibility of implementing digitally supported physical rehabilitation for cancer patients during and after systemic treatment. This multinational study involves five countries in the South Baltic region and aims to improve accessibility to rehabilitation services, which are important for maintaining physical function and quality of life in cancer survivors. The study addresses barriers such as distance to facilities, busy treatment schedules, and limited internet access, with the goal of enhancing rehabilitation reach and sustainability across different healthcare settings. The intervention consists of needs-based digital rehabilitation programs lasting from 8 to 16 weeks, delivered by trained healthcare professionals. Each participating site selects a digital solution tailored to local needs, offering either fully or partially digital rehabilitation during systemic cancer treatment and after treatment completion. The study includes two separate feasibility trials one for patients currently receiving systemic therapy and another for those who have recently completed treatment or are on maintenance therapy. Participants will engage in individualized goal setting and rehabilitation guided by healthcare professionals, with assessments conducted throughout the intervention period. Data collection includes patient-reported outcomes, therapist perspectives, and resource use, all stored securely in a database. The study will measure factors such as reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance of digital rehabilitation using the RE-AIM framework. Safety, drop-outs, and economic aspects will also be monitored over approximately 4 to 12 weeks for patients and up to about one year for therapists.

Researchers are evaluating the effect of spironolactone combined with standard care compared to standard care alone in patients with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction HFPEF. This condition is common and serious, but currently lacks effective treatment. The trial is a phase 3 Registry-Randomized Clinical Trial RRCT involving patients from the Swedish Heart Failure Registry and the US. HFPEF is defined by heart failure symptoms, elevated NT-proBNP levels, and an ejection fraction of 40% or higher. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either spironolactone added to their usual care or usual care alone. Spironolactone will be given as 25 mg tablets, starting at 25 mg per day with a possible increase to 50 mg daily if tolerated. If spironolactone is not tolerated, eplerenone may be prescribed instead. The control group will continue with their standard care without spironolactone. The study duration is planned for 9 years, with enrollment lasting 7 years. During the study, researchers will collect data on cardiovascular death and hospitalizations due to heart failure as the primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes include hospitalizations for various causes, adverse events, and treatment adherence. In Sweden, outcomes will be obtained by linking national registries, while in the US, sites and call centers will report outcomes. The trial aims to enroll approximately 2000 patients, with follow-up continuing for at least 5 years after study start to monitor these outcomes.

Researchers are evaluating whether using a digital tool called the Dialogue Support tool can change patient-reported outcomes and satisfaction after surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis or cervical radiculopathy. The study aims to see if this tool affects patients reports of leg pain and satisfaction in lumbar spinal stenosis, arm pain and satisfaction in cervical radiculopathy, and quality of life in patients who do not have surgery after assessment compared to those who do. Participants will be assessed using the Dialogue Support tool alongside the usual surgeon evaluation to help decide the best treatment approach. Study groups include those who proceed with surgery after the tools use and those who do not. The tool provides predicted postoperative outcomes to help guide treatment decisions. During the study, researchers will follow participants and compare their outcomes to matched controls from the Swedish Spine Register. Assessments include general patient-reported outcomes one year after surgery, such as pain levels, disability indexes, quality of life questionnaires, and mortality. The study will last long enough to collect one-year postoperative data for these outcomes.

Researchers are investigating dementia and related neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons disease, and other dementias, through the Swedish BioFINDER 2 Study. Building on the earlier BioFINDER 1 study, this research aims to improve early and accurate diagnosis using advanced imaging and biomarker techniques. The study also seeks to understand disease mechanisms, develop pathology-based classifications, and monitor the effects of new therapies in people with different stages of cognitive impairment and dementia. The study involves multiple participant groups ranging from cognitively healthy younger adults to patients with mild cognitive impairment or dementia due to Alzheimers and other neurodegenerative diseases. Participants undergo brain imaging including PET scans for amyloid and tau proteins, MRI, and DaTSCAN for certain parkinsonian disorders. Biomarker analyses are conducted from cerebrospinal fluid and blood samples. Follow-up assessments occur regularly over periods from 2 to 8 years depending on the cohort, with repeated cognitive, neurological, psychiatric, motor function tests, and imaging at defined intervals. During the study, participants complete detailed cognitive testing, motor assessments, and questionnaires addressing memory, attention, behavioral symptoms, mood, quality of life, and sleep. Clinical diagnoses and cognitive decline are monitored annually or biennially. Safety and adherence are ensured by standardized sampling protocols and imaging procedures. The main outcomes include clinical diagnosis, dementia rating scales, and biomarker changes, supporting improved diagnosis and understanding of dementia progression in diverse populations.