Karesi

Researchers are investigating the impact of medications with anticholinergic effects on fracture risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis RA, a chronic inflammatory disease. This observational study aims to understand how anticholinergic drug use contributes to anticholinergic load and the risk of fractures using the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool FRAX. The study includes patients diagnosed with RA according to established criteria and considers the role of corticosteroids and other drugs affecting bone health. Participants will be grouped based on their anticholinergic burden, measured by tools including the Anticholinergic Drug Scale, Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden Scale, and Anticholinergic Risk Scale. Bone mineral density will be assessed using Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry DEXA, and fracture risk will be evaluated with the FRAX tool. Demographic data, systemic diseases, medications, laboratory tests, and bone density measurements will be recorded from patient files. During the study, researchers will collect and analyze data on anticholinergic load and fracture risk factors. Laboratory values such as calcium, phosphorus, thyroid hormones, vitamin D, and liver and kidney function tests will be reviewed. Primary outcomes include assessments of anticholinergic cognitive load and risk scales one week after study start, while fracture risk will be a key secondary outcome. The study is expected to run through 2025 and involves outpatient follow-up and data collection.

Researchers are investigating how cognitive load affects walking and balance in older adults with Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome MCRS. This observational study focuses on understanding how performing mental tasks while walking impacts movement and balance, which may help identify early signs of cognitive decline and fall risk in this population. Participants are community-dwelling adults aged 65 years and older diagnosed with MCRS. They will complete Timed Up and Go TUG and tandem walking tests under both single-task walking alone and dual-task walking while performing a mental task like serial subtraction conditions. No treatments or interventions will be given during the study. During the study, participants will be assessed on their walking speed, balance, and ability to manage walking combined with mental tasks. Researchers will measure performance using the Timed Up and Go test, tandem walking test, dual-task cost percentage, gait speed, and cognitive-motor interference at baseline in a single session. This evaluation aims to better understand the interaction between cognition and mobility in older adults with MCRS.

Researchers are evaluating the effects of two different exercise programs on walking and thinking abilities in elderly people with Motor Cognitive Risk MCR syndrome, a condition that represents a transition between normal aging and conditions like dementia and mild cognitive impairment. This study aims to provide the first direct comparison of neuromuscular exercise training and a structured exergaming program in this population. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups a Neuromuscular Exercise Training program, an Exergaming Exercise Training program using the Xbox One Kinect console, or a control group with no intervention. Both exercise programs last 8 weeks, with sessions twice a week for 45 minutes each. The neuromuscular training includes warm-up, cognitive-based neuromuscular exercises for balance and motor control, progressing in difficulty. The exergaming program also has warm-up, conditioning using selected Kinect games focused on locomotor and cognitive tasks, and a cool-down phase. During the study, participants will undergo various tests and assessments from enrollment through the 8-week treatment, including Timed Up and Go Test, Stair Climbing Test, and cognitive assessments related to these tasks. Additional measures include physical performance batteries, gait analysis, reaction speed, balance assessments, and exercise enjoyment. Researchers will also monitor adherence and participation rates. The total participation period is 8 weeks, with detailed evaluations of both locomotor and cognitive functions.

Researchers are evaluating the effects of a surgical technique called long head of the biceps tendon LHBT transposition without tenotomy as an additional method to support arthroscopic partial repair in adults with massive rotator cuff tears. This prospective, single-arm interventional study aims to provide standardized data on shoulder function, quality of life related to rotator cuff issues, and sleep disturbances. The study will include adult patients with specific tear patterns and persistent symptoms despite nonoperative treatment, followed for 12 months. Participants will undergo arthroscopic partial rotator cuff repair combined with tenotomy-sparing LHBT transposition augmentation. The surgical procedure involves releasing the transverse humeral ligament to mobilize the tendon, which is then repositioned and fixed to support the repair. Surgeries are performed under general anesthesia using a standardized protocol, followed by a rehabilitation plan that includes sling immobilization, passive and active motion, and gradual strengthening over several months. Throughout the study, patient outcomes will be assessed before surgery and at 3 and 12 months after surgery using measures such as the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons ASES score, a rotator cuff-specific quality of life index WORC, and the Insomnia Severity Index. Clinical evaluations include shoulder range of motion and biceps-related tests. Data on complications and adherence to rehabilitation will be collected, and imaging will be used only if clinically necessary. The total participation time per patient is about one year, with scheduled follow-up visits to monitor recovery and function.

Researchers are investigating how well the Figure-of-8 Walk Test 8FWT works for people aged 65 and older with Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome MCRS. The study focuses on checking the consistency and accuracy of this test in measuring dynamic balance, walking ability, and the interaction between thinking and movement in older adults. It aims to see if the 8FWT can be a useful clinical tool for assessing these abilities. Participants will be community-dwelling older adults diagnosed with MCRS who will take part in non-invasive assessments. They will perform the 8FWT and the Timed Up and Go TUG test to evaluate their gait and balance. No treatment or therapy will be given during the study, which is observational in nature. During the study, researchers will measure the time taken, number of steps, and walking speed during the 8FWT at the start. They will also assess the tests again after 7 days to evaluate reliability and measurement errors. Other tests like the TUG will be used to compare results. The total participation time varies, with assessments planned at baseline and one week later to monitor performance and consistency.

Researchers are exploring how the structure of the foot arch relates to walking patterns and thinking abilities in adults aged 65 and older. The study focuses on understanding connections between foot arch integrity, gait speed, step length, and cognitive-motor interactions. This observational study aims to provide insight into how these factors interrelate in older adults living in the community. Participants will undergo assessments including the Navicular Drop Test to measure foot arch structure, the 10-Meter Walk Test to evaluate gait performance, and a light-based system to record lower extremity reaction time. These evaluations are conducted during a single session without any treatment or intervention. During the study visit, researchers will measure walking speed, cadence, step length, and double support time. They will also assess reaction times and foot arch drop measurements. The study collects data from a one-time assessment, focusing on physical and cognitive motor performance to better understand gait and foot biomechanics in older adults.

Osteoporosis is a progressive bone disease marked by low bone mass and weakening of bone structure, leading to fragile bones and a higher chance of fractures. This study focuses on health literacy and osteoporosis awareness among older adults who are at risk for osteoporosis. It aims to assess how well individuals understand their bone health and what factors influence their knowledge, including both men and women in the target age group. Participants include female patients aged 65 and older and male patients aged 70 and older who visit an outpatient clinic. The study is cross-sectional and involves completing two questionnaires the Turkish Health Literacy Scale-32 THLS-32, which measures health literacy across several domains, and the Osteoporosis Awareness Scale, which evaluates knowledge about bone physiology, preventive behaviors, risk factors, exercise, and osteoporosis characteristics. No medical tests or treatments are performed. During the study, participants provide demographic information such as age, sex, and education level. Researchers analyze the questionnaire results using statistical methods to explore relationships between health literacy, osteoporosis awareness, age, gender, and education. The main outcomes measured over six months are the scores from the THLS-32 and the Osteoporosis Awareness Scale. This observational study requires no special safety precautions and aims to enhance understanding of osteoporosis education needs in older adults.

Researchers are evaluating the effects of kinesiotaping on pain and function in people with isolated meniscus injuries. This randomized controlled study includes patients with knee pain and confirmed meniscus degeneration, aiming to compare standard exercise treatment alone, standard treatment plus kinesiotaping, and standard treatment plus sham taping. The study seeks to understand how kinesiotaping might influence recovery when added to typical knee rehabilitation exercises. The study divides participants into three groups. One group follows strengthening, stretching, proprioceptive exercises, and activity modifications performed at home five days a week for three weeks. Another group receives kinesiotaping applied three times every five days using a specific technique and tension, while the third group receives sham taping applied similarly but without tension. Kinesiotapes contain no medication, and their effects depend on the application technique and tape tension. Participants will have their pain and function assessed using the Visual Analog Scale VAS and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index WOMAC before treatment, on day 20, and three months after treatment. Researchers will record age, gender, and body mass index and monitor treatment adherence. The studys total duration extends to three months from treatment initiation to final outcome measurement.

Researchers are evaluating the validity and reliability of neuroscience-based visual laser feedback map tests in older adults diagnosed with Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome MCRS. This study focuses on integrating visuospatial processing, reaction time, and upper body motor control in a single task to better understand cognitive and motor interactions in this population. Construct validity will be examined by comparing test results with reaction time and proprioception measurements, while test-retest reliability will assess measurement consistency over time. Participants aged 65 years and older with MCRS will undergo these visual laser feedback map tests along with reaction time and shoulder proprioception assessments under standardized conditions. There is no therapeutic intervention involved the study purely observes and measures performance using the neuroscience-based tests. Follow-up assessments will be done after 7 days to evaluate test reliability and measurement error. During the study, participants will complete the visual-laser feedback map tests and related assessments at baseline and again after 7 days to measure consistency. Researchers will track reaction time, proprioception, and test performance to evaluate the tests accuracy and reliability. The main outcome measured is performance on the visual-laser feedback map test, with additional monitoring of reaction time, proprioception, and measurement error. The total participation involves an initial assessment and a follow-up within one week.

Researchers are conducting an observational study to screen adults aged 18 and over who visit hospital outpatient clinics in Turkey for malnutrition and sarcopenia risks. The study focuses on patients attending oncology, neurology, and geriatric clinics to better understand these conditions across diverse patient groups. This non-interventional, cross-sectional design means participants are observed without receiving experimental treatments. Participants are screened once during their outpatient visit without any study treatments or interventions. The study collects information on malnutrition risk, sarcopenia risk, body mass index, calf circumference, hand grip strength, biochemical parameters, healthcare use, and nutrition treatments. Data is gathered on the screening day only. During the study visit, researchers will assess physical and biochemical measures to evaluate nutrition and muscle health. Participants provide informed consent before any assessments. The study measures malnutrition and sarcopenia risks as primary outcomes on the first day and includes several secondary measures related to body composition and healthcare use. The study will continue enrolling participants until April 2027.