Articles tagged with Clinical Trials
The BrainGate2 pilot clinical trial is taking place at Massachusetts General Hospital, extending prior safety and feasibility research of the BrainGate Neural Interface System. The trial aims to help patients with spinal cord injury, stroke, muscular dystrophy, ALS, or limb loss turn their thoughts into actions.
A new clinical trial has begun at Massachusetts General Hospital to expand restorative neurotechnology research for patients with paralysis. The trial aims to harness brain signals to control assistive devices, such as computers and prosthetic limbs, for people with spinal cord injuries, ALS, or limb loss.
Researchers at UNSW found that internet-based therapy programs are as effective as face-to-face treatments for depression. The Sadness program required minimal clinician contact, making it convenient for patients to access treatment without stigma or location barriers.
Allogeneic stem cell transplantation provides significant overall and relapse-free survival benefits for adult patients with intermediate- and poor-risk acute myeloid leukemia in first complete remission. However, its benefit varies by cytogenetic risk, with no significant advantage for good-risk AML.
The DuraHeart system is designed for severe left-ventricular heart failure, helping patients sustain life while awaiting a heart transplant. The device, developed by Terumo Heart Inc., has been successfully implanted in three US patients.
A large-scale trial found that surgical treatment for degenerative spondylolisthesis provides significantly greater relief from pain compared to non-operative approaches. Patients who underwent surgery reported better function, less pain, and higher satisfaction than those who chose not to have surgery.
New telemonitoring systems provide a more interactive experience for patients with heart failure, offering education, feedback, and advice on adjusting therapy. These systems have shown promise in reducing mortality and hospitalization rates, but service integration is crucial to fully realizing their benefits.
The AGA Institute will present exciting data on treatments for Clostridium difficile infection, hepatitis C, and Crohn's disease. The late-breaking session includes studies on optimized therapies and new technologies, which may become the standard of care in the near future.
Research suggests music can reduce pain and encourage better oral feeding in premature babies, leading to calmer infants and parents. The studies found preliminary evidence of therapeutic benefits, including improved physiological measures and behavioral states.
A randomised controlled trial of 2518 patients found no significant reduction in deep vein thrombosis with compression stockings. In fact, skin complications were more common in those who received the stockings. The study's findings challenge national stroke guidelines and recommend revising treatment protocols.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have found that patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) can tolerate high doses of green tea extract EGCG, leading to a significant reduction in lymphocyte count. The study also showed that many participants experienced regression of CLL symptoms, particularly those with enlarged lymph nodes.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet are making rapid progress in stem cell therapy, with a first-in-human study initiated for Parkinson's disease. The study uses the drug product sNN0031, which has shown long-lasting recovery and new cell formation in animal models. Additionally, a treatment for ALS entered clinical trials last year.
The FIELD study found that fenofibrate significantly reduced the risk of first diabetes-related amputations in patients with type 2 diabetes. The treatment also showed a significant reduction in minor amputations without large-vessel disease, while major amputation risks did not differ between groups.
The NIH has launched a new program to develop therapeutics for rare and neglected diseases, providing funding for preclinical research and product development. The program aims to stimulate research collaborations with academic scientists and improve the drug development process.
A large, multi-national clinical trial program has demonstrated the effectiveness and safety of pirfenidone in slowing the deterioration of lung capacity in IPF patients. The treatment resulted in a clinically meaningful reduction in the percentage of patients with an absolute decline in lung function.
A two-week course of eszopiclone increases CPAP usage among OSA patients, with sustained benefits at six months. The study suggests that this intervention could represent a significant clinical benefit for these patients.
Two recent studies by the University of Cincinnati team found that LAM patients are more likely to participate in clinical trials due to a shared cause and altruism. The research also shows that CT scans given to young women with a collapsed lung can be cost-effective and beneficial in diagnosing the disease.
The American Pain Society has issued a new clinical practice guideline for low back pain, recommending noninvasive treatments over interventional procedures and shared decision making. The guideline provides eight recommendations to help determine the best way to treat patients with persistent back pain.
Research found that lower levels of alpha-beta peptide 1-42, tau, and phosphorylated tau 181 in cerebrospinal fluid are associated with a faster rate of cognitive decline among individuals with mild dementia. The study suggests that these biomarkers may be useful as entry criteria for clinical trials of disease-modifying therapies.
A randomized trial found acupuncture to be as effective in treating chronic low back pain as usual care, with simulated and standard acupuncture showing similar benefits. The study suggests that the mind-body connection and physiological effects may play a role in the therapeutic effect of acupuncture.
A proteomic analysis of 50 participants from the Women's Health Initiative hormone replacement therapy trial reveals estrogen upregulates proteins involved in major body processes. The study found changes in serum levels of proteins affecting coagulation, metabolism, osteogenesis, and blood vessel morphogenesis.
A large clinical trial found that long-term treatment with Gamunex improves and maintains physical and mental component scores in patients with CIDP. Improvements were observed in all domains, including physical functioning, role-physical, social functioning, and mental health.
A head-to-head clinical trial will enroll approximately 400 patients at three world-class sites to compare Telesso's novel guide-wire assisted peripheral IV catheter with the industry standard. The trial aims to reduce safety risks, lessen patient pain and discomfort, and provide cost savings.
A survey of 2,400 practicing clinicians found that only 65% were aware of at least one major clinical trial on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies. Clinicians who were aware of CAM trials reported greater ability to interpret evidence and acceptance of its value.
Research found that children with sickle cell disease are less likely to receive transcranial Doppler ultrasound screenings due to limited lab access, despite increased overall screening rates.
A clinical trial found that regular exercise significantly improved the quality of life for patients with chronic heart failure, reducing the risk of death and hospitalization. The study also revealed that exercise was well-tolerated and safe, with participants reporting fewer physical and social limitations.
New head-to-head clinical studies reveal that Reach Ultraclean Toothbrush and Floss outperform leading products in plaque removal. The studies found that Reach Ultraclean Floss removes up to two times more plaque than Glide floss products, while the toothbrush provides improved gum health and removes 90% of hard-to-reach plaque.
Researchers at UW-Madison have found a safe and acceptable protein option for people with phenylketonuria (PKU), allowing them to liberalize their diet. The GMP protein derived from whey has been shown to improve protein metabolism and lower blood phenylalanine levels.
The Ocean State Clinical Coordinating Center at Rhode Island Hospital will oversee a Phase II study of CytoFab to treat severe sepsis. The center, led by Dr. Steven LaRosa, has been awarded $800,000 to coordinate the trial's international sites.
A large international clinical trial found that surgical ventricular reconstruction did not reduce deaths and hospitalizations in heart failure patients, nor improve quality of life compared to bypass alone. The study, STICH, included 1,000 patients from 96 medical centers in 23 countries.
Researchers found that surgical ventricular reconstruction did not improve patients' survival or quality of life, but increased hospitalization costs. The study compared outcomes between patients who received bypass surgery alone and those with added SVR, revealing no significant difference in quality of life measures.
The newly formed National Bioethics Committee for research of Gabon will review clinical trial protocols, ensuring the safety and well-being of African study participants. The committee's establishment marks a significant step towards strengthening ethics review capacity in Africa.
Researchers found that 50% of hippocampal cells differentiate between correct and incorrect responses, influencing new learning by changing cell sensitivity. The study establishes a physiological link between associative learning and processing trial outcomes.
A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that intensive insulin therapy significantly increases the risk of hypoglycemia in critically ill patients. The study included data from 26 trials and analyzed the effect of intensive insulin therapy on vital status and hypoglycemia in the ICU setting.
Oral vitamin D supplements significantly reduce non-vertebral fractures by 14% and hip fractures by 9% in adults 65 or older. Higher doses of vitamin D (above 400 IU/day) show greater fracture reduction, especially among individuals with higher blood vitamin D levels.
The SPCG-4 trial found that radical prostatectomy significantly reduces prostate cancer mortality and risk of metastases, with little to no increase in benefits over a 12-year follow-up. The study suggests that well-structured pre-treatment information, patient understanding, and support are crucial for managing prostate cancer.
Researchers at McMaster University are launching Canada's first tuberculosis (TB) vaccine clinical trial with a vaccine designed, manufactured and tested within the university. The phase 1 clinical trial will evaluate the safety of the new vaccine and assess immune responses in healthy volunteers.
A new study published in The Lancet found that coronary artery bypass graft may be a better treatment choice than percutaneous coronary intervention (angioplasty) for patients with multi-vessel coronary artery disease who have diabetes and are older than 65. In contrast, PCI may be the best option for patients 55 years and younger.
A recent study comparing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) with catheter/balloon/stent percutaneous intervention (PCI) found that CABG may be a better option for patients with diabetes and those aged 65-75 years. The research, involving 7812 patients, revealed lower mortality rates in these subgroups.
A Phase II clinical trial found that the vaccine showed efficacy in mothers, with a significantly lower rate of CMV infection. The study used an experimental vaccine made from glycoprotein B and included an adjuvant to improve immune response.
A major US study of 75,000 men found that annual prostate cancer screening led to more diagnoses but not fewer deaths. The study suggests that men with a short life expectancy may not need screening, and further research is needed to determine its benefits and harms.
A new experimental vaccine has shown promising results in preventing cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in infants, reducing the risk by 50% compared to a saline injection. The vaccine was given to 441 CMV-negative women and found to be safe with minimal side effects.
Research from Tel Aviv University found that people with type 2 diabetes are 1.5 times more likely to experience cognitive decline and 1.6 times more likely to suffer from dementia than those without the condition. Higher blood glucose levels may contribute to this relationship.
A short course of radiation therapy followed by high-quality surgery is the most effective treatment for patients with operable rectal cancer. Recent trials have shown a reduction in local recurrence with radiotherapy and chemotherapy before or after surgery.
Researchers used a six-gene model to stratify patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer, predicting survival and accuracy rates. The study found the model accurate in predicting low-risk patients' survival and high-risk patients' mortality.
A two-year study found that reducing calories leads to weight loss regardless of carbohydrate, protein, or fat content. Participants who attended counseling sessions lost more weight than those without, supporting the importance of continued support in achieving weight loss goals.
The CANTAM network, the first EDCTP-funded regional Network of Excellence, aims to build research capacity in Central Africa. Partner institutions from Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Tanzania, and Germany will collaborate to conduct clinical trials under best practices.
A systematic review of high-quality trials found exercise to be significantly effective in preventing new episodes of low-back problems. Meanwhile, popular prevention methods such as reduced lifting programs and ergonomic interventions were ineffective.
A clinical trial is underway to test if genetics can improve warfarin prescription by optimizing each patient's dose. Using genetic information, doctors may be able to better determine optimal warfarin doses, minimizing the risk of excessive bleeding or clotting in patients at the extremes of the dosing range.
A large-scale study and clinical trial suggest that incorporating genetic data into warfarin prescribing can lead to more accurate ideal dosages, particularly for patients at the extremes of the dosage range. This could help minimize dangerous complications and improve treatment effectiveness and safety.
The shift of clinical trials to developing countries raises questions about the scientific value and ethical implications for patients in the US. Researchers found that over half of study sites were outside the US borders, and companies were testing drugs in emerging markets without aligning with local health needs.
A study found that a longer maintenance of wakefulness test protocol is more effective in detecting excessive daytime sleepiness, but motivation can override the test's accuracy. The findings highlight the need for further research to develop more reliable methods for assessing an individual's ability to remain vigilant while driving.
A randomised trial of 1590 cancer patients found no benefit of warfarin in reducing catheter-related thrombosis. However, dose-adjusted warfarin showed a reduced risk of thromboses compared to fixed-dose warfarin. The study concludes that warfarin is not a viable option for thromboprophylaxis in cancer patients.
Two large clinical trials found that IL-2 immunotherapy increases CD4+ T cell counts in HIV-infected individuals on antiretroviral therapy, but fails to reduce the risk of opportunistic diseases or death. The treatment's efficacy was not linked to better health outcomes.
Patients with relapsed follicular lymphoma who continue on maintenance rituximab therapy after chemotherapy have better overall survival than those without treatment. Rituximab maintenance therapy was associated with a 40% improvement in overall survival relative to observation or retreatment.
Researchers used electronic medical records to evaluate drug therapies, finding results comparable to randomized clinical trials in nine out of 17 outcomes. The study suggests enormous amounts of information within EMR databases can expand healthcare knowledge.
A study found that measuring lower uterine segment (LUS) thickness can predict uterine scar defects and anticipate high-risk patients for subsequent uterine rupture. Women with full LUS thickness under 2.3mm and single-layer muscular closure are at increased risk.
A clinical trial at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine found that patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis experienced significant improvements after receiving an autologous non-myeloablative haematopoietic stem-cell transplant. The disease stabilized in all patients, with 81% showing improvement.
A study published in JAMA found that intensive treatment guided by N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels significantly improved hospital-free survival in heart failure patients under 75 years old. However, this benefit was not observed in patients over 75 years old.
A randomized controlled trial found that alternating cycles of chemotherapy and radiation have similar outcomes to sequential chemotherapy followed by radiation in treating larynx cancer. The study showed no significant difference in clinical outcomes between the two treatment groups.