Articles tagged with Clinical Trials
A $21 million national study will test three evidence-based treatments for chronic low back pain in a 20-site trial. The Sequential and Comparative Evaluation of Pain Treatment Effectiveness Response (SCEPTER) trial aims to find the best approach to manage chronic low back pain, with implications for the general population.
A new wearable device has been shown to detect eye flicker with high accuracy, helping diagnose the most common causes of dizziness. Researchers collected 9,000 hours of data from 17 participants, proving the technology's reliability and safety.
A new Phase III clinical trial will assess the efficacy and safety of thrombectomy procedure in patients with larger ischemic strokes. The trial aims to determine if thrombectomy is safe and effective for this population, which has limited treatment options.
Researchers investigated acupuncture as an added treatment to reduce frequency of angina attacks in patients with chronic stable angina. The study, conducted in China, involved approximately 400 adults and showed promising results for acupuncture as a complementary therapy.
This systematic review and meta-analysis found parent-based interventions associated with improved condom use and parent-child sexual communication in adolescents. The findings were generally modest, but there was a significant association across studies.
A Phase 0 clinical trial shows ribociclib effectively targets glioblastoma cells and breaks the blood-brain barrier, offering a new treatment hope. The study identifies a potential mechanism of drug resistance, paving the way for a combined-drug regimen to overcome resistance.
A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of testosterone treatment for women found significant improvements in sexual desire, function, and pleasure. Non-oral formulations appear to have fewer side effects compared to oral testosterone, with benefits including reduced concerns and distress about sex.
A new imaging diagnosis device called a Compton camera enables simultaneous PET and SPECT scans, reducing time and radiation exposure. Researchers detected and imaged radioactive tracers with improved accuracy, paving the way for new forms of medical analysis.
Researchers are investigating how to make talk therapy treatment more accessible to all women, particularly those with mild to severe symptoms. The study aims to determine the effectiveness of non-specialist delivered interventions, such as nurses trained to deliver behavioral activation therapy, in improving mental health outcomes.
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center designed an AI-powered system to streamline clinical trial recruitment. The Automated Clinical Trial Eligibility Screener (ACTES) reduces patient screening time by 34 percent and improves enrollment by 11.1 percent compared to manual screening.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that a Mediterranean-style diet during pregnancy may reduce weight gain and the risk of gestational diabetes, but has no overall impact on adverse maternal and offspring outcomes. The diet's high intake of nuts, olive oil, fruits, and vegetables was associated with these benefits.
A recent Nordic collaboration study found no significant difference in functional outcomes between operative and non-operative treatment in patients over 60 with displaced proximal humerus fractures. Non-operative treatment using a collar and cuff sling and physiotherapy was as effective as surgery in improving patient recovery.
A new study suggests that partial knee replacements (PKR) are as effective as total knee replacements (TKR), with a lower cost. Over five years, PKR has similar or slightly better clinical outcomes than TKR, while offering substantial economic benefits.
A recent review explores how artificial intelligence can improve the success of clinical trials. AI-based models can help with trial design, patient recruitment, and monitoring adherence, potentially boosting success rates by up to 30%.
A secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial found no significant benefit of intensive lipid treatment with simvastatin and ezetimibe compared to simvastatin alone in older patients after acute coronary syndrome. The study suggests that age may be an important factor in determining the effectiveness of lipid-lowering therapies.
A clinical trial at Flinders University and Royal Adelaide Hospital included 27 adults with a history of allergic reactions to European honeybee stings. The vaccine used an adjuvant developed in Australia to neutralize bee venom, showing promising results and confirming safety.
The Keck School of Medicine of USC has received a $4.5 million NIH grant to recruit underrepresented patients in cardiac surgery clinical trials. The grant aims to translate clinical research findings into clinical practice, addressing the No. 1 cause of mortality in the US.
A randomized clinical trial involving 1,685 ICU patients in Brazil found no significant difference in delirium reduction between flexible and standard visitation policies. The study's limitations include its focus on a single country.
Researchers found that a 12% calorie reduction over two years improved cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar levels and reduced biomarkers of chronic inflammation. Participants who maintained a 25% calorie reduction showed significant weight loss, primarily fat, and reductions in metabolic risk markers.
A Yale-developed scorecard has been found to promote better clinical trial data sharing among pharmaceutical companies, with 33% of companies meeting standards after being given the opportunity to improve their practices. The scorecard assesses companies' data-sharing practices and provides a ranking system to encourage transparency.
Eteplirsen shows supportive results in delaying respiratory decline in DMD patients, with slower rates of decline observed in both ambulatory and non-ambulatory patients. This may have notable positive implications on quality of life and potentially delayed mortality.
A new clinical trial will test the effects of the anti-obesity drug setmelanotide on participants with Bardet-Biedl syndrome or Alström syndrome, two rare genetic disorders that include obesity as a symptom. The trial aims to assess the drug's ability to lead to significant weight loss in these individuals.
A new international consensus document provides guidelines for the conduct of magnetic resonance imaging studies after a myocardial infarction. The main outcome measure recommended is absolute infarct size, with scanning timing between 3 and 7 days post-infarction.
A new study published in Contemporary Clinical Trials found that treadmill exercise reduced period pain by 6% after four weeks and 22% after seven months. Women who participated in the supervised aerobic training regime also reported improved quality of life and daily functioning, but not increased sleep quality.
A significant decrease in depression cases was observed after CPAP treatment for sleep apnea in patients with cardiovascular disease. The study found that CPAP treatment had a broader benefit of preventing depression, independent of improved sleepiness.
A new study published in Brain suggests that neurotechnology-based therapies, such as brain-machine interfaces and robotics, can lead to largest treatment effects when tailored to individual patient needs. Personalized combination of these therapies may allow patients to continue their recovery beyond what is possible today.
A QUT study found that sharing medical 'selfies' improves confidence and satisfaction among patients, while also enhancing the relationship between doctors and patients. Parents who took photos of their children's surgical wounds after laparoscopic appendectomy reported feeling reassured and valued by the service.
A study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology found that high sodium intake increases bloating among individuals, particularly those on high-fiber diets. Reducing sodium intake may be an effective way to reduce bloating and maintain a healthy, high-fiber diet.
A new study found that walking interventions can lead to sustained increases in physical activity and a reduced risk of cardiovascular events and fractures. The research followed participants with pedometer-based walking interventions for up to four years, demonstrating the long-term health benefits of increased walking activity.
A restrictive approach to blood cell transfusions in heart surgery patients resulted in fewer transfusions without increasing the risk of acute kidney injury. The study found that reducing transfusions could prevent adverse effects and conserve the blood supply, while minimizing negative impacts on kidney health.
A clinical trial for a new sickle cell disease treatment, IMR-687, has shown early promise with an increase in F-cells and a reduction in pain, improving biomarkers of the disease.
A nationwide clinical trial found that topical application of ruxolitinib was effective in repigmenting the skin of over 50% of participants with facial vitiligo. The treatment has an excellent safety profile and may lead to better results when combined with phototherapy and sunlight exposure.
Researchers identify barriers to trial accrual, including complexity in staying aware of available trials, identifying eligible patients, and enrolling them. The study suggests addressing these challenges through changes in trial-specific reimbursement and incentives for administrative costs.
The NRG-GOG 0258 trial showed that carboplatin and paclitaxel chemotherapy alone resulted in comparable recurrence-free survival rates compared to combined modality treatment. The study found a reduced incidence of vaginal, pelvic, and para-aortic lymph node recurrences but increased distant recurrences with combined modality treatment.
Common conditions like cartilage defects over 55 or under 18 are often excluded from clinical trials due to concerns about optimal results and complications. Researchers highlight promising therapies for these populations, including scaffolding for cartilage growth and 3D-printed tissues for larger defects.
A new approach is needed for clinical trials in dialysis patients to address high morbidity and mortality. Innovative RCT designs, such as pragmatic clinical trials and adaptive platform designs, can improve the success of testing interventions in ESRD.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk due to high LDL-C levels. PCSK9 inhibitors like evolocumab and alirocumab have shown promise in reducing cardiovascular events, but more research is needed to prove their efficacy and safety in CKD patients.
The topline Phase 3 results of ULTOMIRIS (ravulizumab) show efficacy and safety in treating aHUS. The therapy has shown promise in reducing inflammation and blood clotting, with the potential to treat patients with progressive organ damage.
Researchers at Marshall University found that tart cherry consumption reduced mean pain levels by 34.7% compared to a placebo group, with no impact on the effectiveness of aromatase inhibitor treatments for non-metastatic breast cancer patients.
A new study found that saline fluids commonly used to treat critically ill children with sepsis may trigger acid blood and lead to organ failure. The research team recommends using alternative buffered solutions that contain less chloride to prevent these adverse effects.
The National Institutes of Health will fund clinical trials to assess genomic medicine interventions for managing diseases such as high blood pressure, depression, and chronic pain. The trials aim to improve treatment outcomes by tailoring drug prescriptions based on patients' genetic makeup.
A 12-month home exercise program reduced fall rates by 36% in high-risk seniors with a history of falls and mobility impairments. The study found improved cognitive function as a secondary benefit, reducing risk of injury and loss of independence for older adults.
A Phase II clinical trial conducted at MD Anderson Cancer Center revealed an 84.6% overall response rate and 38.5% complete response rate when combination targeted therapy was given prior to chemotherapy for newly diagnosed patients with a specific type of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The findings suggest that patients who respond to...
A pilot study found that video consultations can help patients with long-term health problems and working individuals, saving time and travel. However, doctors emphasize the importance of in-person visits for delivering bad news or discussing serious issues.
The Phase 1 clinical trial shows median survival of GBM patients was 3.5-fold the expected survival based on published modeling studies, with very few side effects among patients. The gene therapy uses O-benzylguanine and temozolomide with repair enzyme MGMT.
The NRG GOG 0261 clinical trial shows that paclitaxel plus carboplatin is not inferior to paclitaxel plus ifosfamide in treating women with stage I-IV, recurrent carcinosarcoma of the uterus or ovary. The treatment improved overall survival and progression-free survival outcomes.
The combination immunotherapy of nivolumab and ipilimumab met the primary endpoint of the NEOSTAR trial with a 33% overall major pathologic response rate in early-stage lung cancer patients. The treatment was also shown to be effective in reducing tumor viability, with six out of 21 patients achieving a complete pathological response.
The NRG-LU001 trial showed that metformin was well-tolerated by patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer, but did not improve progression-free survival or overall survival rates. The study found better-than-expected PFS and OS rates in both treatment arms.
Cancer patients with HIV and viral hepatitis can also reap benefits of immunotherapy, study suggests. These patients respond as well to immune checkpoint inhibitors as those tested in clinical trials.
A virtual clinical trial using real-world data found entrectinib to be more effective than crizotinib in treating ROS1+ lung cancer. Patients on entrectinib stayed on treatment longer and had a 44% increased chance of cancer recurrence compared to those on crizotinib.
A new study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that older women who took 4,400 steps per day had significantly lower mortality rates compared to those taking 2,700 steps per day. Risk of death continued to decrease with more steps taken, leveling off at around 7,500 steps per day.
A large-scale analysis of over 3,000 patients with early oesophagus and stomach cancer found that female patients are more likely to survive longer than male patients, but experience more severe gastrointestinal side effects during chemotherapy. Researchers hope the findings can help tailor treatment approaches for individual patients.
A new study conducted by Vanderbilt University found that bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) is more effective than traditional tape measures in assessing the risk of developing lymphedema after breast cancer surgery. The technology reduces rates of progression by approximately 10%, a clinically meaningful improvement.
A new study found that a mobile phone app designed for physically inactive women increased their daily physical activity and helped them sustain it over nine months. The app, combined with an activity tracker and personal counseling, provided motivational messages and interactive feedback, leading to short- and long-term fitness benefits.
A new minimally invasive treatment option has been shown to dramatically lower rates of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in patients following a heart attack. The procedure, called LDL-apheresis, decreases LDL levels by 50-80 percent in two to three hours.
The BRAVO-3 clinical trial found ProGlide VCD to be associated with lower rates of vascular complications and shorter hospitalizations after TAVR. The study showed ProGlide offered fewer complications compared to ProStar XL, with lower rates of acute kidney injury.
A pilot study led by Dr. Stephanie McGrath found that 89% of dogs who received CBD had a reduction in seizure frequency. The research suggests a correlation between CBD concentration and seizure reduction, leading to potential alternative treatments for canine epilepsy.
A multi-center clinical trial found that performing an additional surgical procedure called lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) can improve patient outcomes in young athletes. The study showed a 65% relative risk reduction for graft failure, suggesting patients under 25 may benefit from considering the LET procedure
A new study found that limiting extended-duration shifts improved sleep duration among pediatric resident physicians, with weekly sleep duration increasing nearly four hours overall. The study enrolled 302 resident physicians and used a clustered-randomized crossover clinical trial to compare two work schedules.
Researchers used big data to identify four distinct subtypes of sepsis, each with unique clinical characteristics and treatment needs. These findings could lead to the development of precision medicine approaches for sepsis treatment, potentially improving patient outcomes.