Clinical trials

The aim of the study is to evaluate the changes induced by a course of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) treatment on the perception of phantom limb pain. In particular, we want to evaluate the changes induced by a course of TENS treatment on posture, balance, and gait. For each patient, the study will consist of a total of 20 sessions (4 mapping sessions, 3 Stimulus Intensity Discrimination sessions, 10 rehabilitation treatments, and 3 evaluation sessions). One session will be carried out each day. Each session will last 60 minutes, except for the evaluation sessions, which are expected to last approximately 90 minutes. For the patient, the study ends with the last evaluation, voluntary withdrawal from the study, or the patient's death.

This study uses MRI imaging to evaluate the spread of local anesthetic following the administration of a pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block. The goal is to determine whether a distinct fascial plane exists between neurovascular structures, potentially explaining the block's observed clinical effectiveness.

People living in NH are at higher risk of respiratory infections compared to their counterpart living in the community. Products obtained from dead bacteria ("bacterial lysate") can be used to boost immune system and may reduce the risk of respiratory infections. Very little information is available on the effect of these substances in older people. This study will evaluate the efficacy of a bacterial lysate in reducing the incidence of lower respiratory tract infections in older people living in nursing homes. The study will include a treatment arm, in which participants will received the lysate, and a control arm in which participants will received a matching placebo (i.e., a pill that has the same appearance of the lysate but does not contain the lysate itself).

The objective of the present study is to assess the efficacy of tSMS in ALS patients. This will be achieved by monitoring: * levels of NF-L and other potential innovative biomarkers, * clinical progression, trough ALSFRS-R. After at least three-month follow-up, participants will be recruited to undergo biemispheric tSMS for two daily sessions of 120 minutes each, at home, for 12 months. Together with clinical status, which will be evalueted each three months, blood and urine samples will be collected before the start of the tSMS administration (M0) and during the treatment (M3, M6, M9, M12), to detect potential theranostic biomarkers. In a subgroup of patients, ad additional blood and urine sample will be collected 3 months before M0 (M-3). Moreover, cortical excitability will be tested through transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) before and after the tSMS stimulation period.

The aim of the present project is to use transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (t-VNS) for the treatment of dysphagia in acute stroke patients to improve swallowing function and reduce mortality and disability related to this condition. 30 patients will be randomized into one of the two arms of the study: * REAL: real t-VNS + speech therapy * SHAM: t-VNS placebo + speech therapy. The experimental treatment consists in the association between t-VNS (real or placebo) and speech therapy exercises to improve swallowing functionality. Each patient will undergo a speech therapy rehabilitation session lasting approximately 40 minutes a day for 3 consecutive days, simultaneously with t-VNS on left ear. Swallowing function and clinical conditions will be evaluated before the intervention (baseline, T0), immediately after the intervention (T1) and 3 months after the intervention (T2).

The study aims to compare the efficacy of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) over single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) in patients with incomplete revascularization after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Before hospital discharge, patients will be 1:1 randomized to SAPT (acetylsalicylic acid 100 mg/die) or DAPT (acetylsalicylic acid 100 mg/die + ticagrelor 90 mg bis in die). DAPT will be continued for 12 months, and ticagrelor will be withdrawn thereafter. Primary endpoint is the evaluation of cardiac-related mortality at 5 years from hospital discharge.