Clinical trials

This study evaluates whether a single session of percussion therapy can reduce muscle tension and increase blood flow in the transverse cervical artery in individuals with neck pain. The investigators will evaluate muscle stiffness using ultrasound elastography, and assess blood flow in the transverse cervical artery via Doppler imaging before and after treatment. The primary objective is to determine how this therapy affects neck muscle relaxation and vascular responses, specifically within the upper trapezius region.

This observational study aims to evaluate multilevel physiological, molecular, metabolic, intestinal, immunological, and psychophysiological responses to rowing-specific exercise in elite rowers. The study is designed to investigate how maximal and prolonged rowing ergometer exercise influences integrated adaptive mechanisms related to mitochondrial function, metabolic regulation, intestinal permeability, immune activation, DNA damage response, and psychological status. Thirty members of the Polish Youth National Rowing Team, aged 19-24 years, will participate in the study during two different training periods. During the competitive phase, participants will perform a 2000-m maximal rowing ergometer test, whereas during the preparatory phase they will complete a 6000-m rowing ergometer test. Blood samples and physiological measurements will be collected before exercise, immediately after exercise, and after 1 hour of recovery. The study will assess gene expression, circulating biomarkers, flow cytometry parameters, blood morphology, lactate concentration, continuous glucose monitoring data, wearable metabolic sensor measurements, nutritional status, and psychological responses. The primary objective is to identify integrated biomarkers reflecting exercise load, recovery dynamics, and adaptive capacity in highly trained athletes. The study also aims to improve understanding of the interaction between metabolic, mitochondrial, intestinal, immunological, and psychophysiological responses to intensive exercise in rowing.

This study aims to explore how six short, 15-minute self-regulation techniques affect the body and brain in a female adult with ADHD and stabilized bipolar disorder. The techniques being tested include: * Aerobic exercise * Controlled breathing (cyclic sighing) * Aromatherapy with lavender essential oil * Listening to specific music (Solfeggio 528 Hz) * Virtual reality relaxation with forest imagery * Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) tapping One session of quiet sitting with eyes open serves as a comparison. The participant will attend one 15-minute session per week for each technique. Before and after each session, the researchers will measure: * Heart rate and heart rate variability * Stress levels using Subjective Units of Distress Scale * Mood using a questionnaire * Blood pressure * Brain activity using EEG * Memory performance with a simple test (N-back) * Pain sensitivity The goal is to understand how these short, non-invasive techniques influence both physiological and psychological responses. Sessions are safe, short, and designed to involve minimal risk. The findings may help guide future research on relaxation and exercise strategies for people with ADHD and bipolar disorder.

This study investigates the effects of moderate physical exercise and cyclic sighing (breathing training) on stress, cognition, and physiological markers in young adults. It is a randomized cross-over trial with two interventions. Each participant will take part in two intervention sessions: 1. Moderate-intensity physical activity (PA): 15 minutes of stationary cycling at 65-75% of maximum heart rate (HRmax). 2. Breathing training (CS): 15 minutes of cyclic sighing, a technique involving inhaling, pausing briefly, taking a deeper breath, and exhaling slowly. A one-week washout period between sessions is planned to minimise carry-over effects and to ensure participants' physiological state is similar before the next session. During this week, participants will wear Polar Ignite wrist-worn devices to monitor physical activity and sleep. A total of 30 participants (you adults) will be enrolled. Measurements performed before and after each intervention include: * EEG using Emotiv EPOC Flex Gel (32-channel device): 2 minutes with eyes open, 2 minutes with eyes closed, during the interventions, and while performing cognitive test (N-back). * Heart rate variability (HRV) using the Polar H10 sensor. * SUDS - Subjective Units of Disress Scale for perceived stress. * N-back test for cognitive performance using Emotiv App. * Blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) and heart rate. * Pain threshold measured with a dolorimeter. * PANAS-SF - Positive and Negative Affect Schedule. Baseline questionnaires completed by participants the day before the study: * PSS-10 - Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen, Kamarck, Mermelstein). * MAAS - Mindful Attention Awareness Scale * Psychological well-being - short version * Mini-COPE - Coping with Stress Inventory * Sleep quality and average sleep duration * Chronotype questionnaire (morningness-eveningness) * GPAQ - Global Physical Activity Questionnaire * Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index The study aims to understand how brief interventions like moderate exercise and breathing techniques affect stress, cognitive performance, and physiological responses in young adults.

Research Rationale and Study Design Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a common degenerative musculoskeletal disorder characterized by narrowing of the spinal canal, often leading to pain and disability. One of the primary contributors to this condition is hypertrophy (thickening) of the ligamentum flavum (LF), along with facet joint degeneration, intervertebral disc herniation, and ligament ossification. However, the pathophysiological mechanisms behind these changes remain incompletely understood. Histological changes in hypertrophied LF include fibrocartilaginous metaplasia, type II collagen proliferation, ossification, calcium crystal deposition, and degeneration of elastic and collagen fibers. Both mechanical stress and inflammatory processes, particularly macrophage infiltration, are considered key contributors to degeneration, especially in the aging population. Yet, inflammation linked to systemic metabolic disorders-such as obesity and sarcopenia-may also significantly influence the degeneration of spinal structures. Metabolic Inflammation and the Role of Adipokines Recent research has highlighted the role of adipokines in the pathogenesis of degenerative spinal and joint diseases. Disrupted lipid metabolism and chronic low-grade inflammation contribute to tissue remodeling, extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, and ectopic fat deposition in spinal structures. Epidural fat, normally present in the spinal canal, can become inflamed and secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines, potentially affecting adjacent tissues such as muscles and ligaments. Conditions like spinal epidural lipomatosis, which is associated with obesity, exemplify this pathological mechanism. While adipokines like leptin and visfatin have been previously associated with LF ossification and degeneration, the presence and role of others-such as adipsin, vaspin, resistin, lipocalin-2, progranulin, chemerin, omentin-1, and GDF-15-have not yet been studied in LF or epidural fat. Given their known effects on inflammation and ECM remodeling, these molecules are strong candidates for involvement in spinal canal narrowing. Research Hypotheses and Objectives This study hypothesizes that adipose tissue-derived cytokines, particularly from epidural fat, contribute to LF degeneration and LSS through inflammatory and metabolic signaling. The main research objectives are to: 1. Identify differences in biomarker concentrations in LF, paraspinal muscle, and epidural fat from patients with and without LSS. 2. Determine correlations between tissue and blood biomarker levels and clinical parameters such as pain, disability, and body mass. 3. Select potential biomarkers for monitoring surgical outcomes of spinal decompression. 4. Identify cytokines that modulate LF inflammation and metabolism. 5. Evaluate the direct effects of adipokines on LF cell behavior in vitro. Study Design and Methods Study population: • 100 patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery at the Orthopaedic-Rehabilitation Clinical Hospital in Poznań: o 50 with LSS (ages 40-90) * 50 with disc herniation only (ages 18-40; control group) Tissue collection (intraoperative): • Ligamentum flavum • Paraspinal muscles • Epidural adipose tissue Blood samples: • Collected from all participants: o Within 48 hours before surgery o Two months post-surgery Clinical assessments: • Disability and pain scales * Preoperative MRI scans Laboratory analysis: • Molecular testing: * mRNA expression of selected cytokines and adipokines using PCR * Protein levels determined via ELISA in both serum and tissue homogenates • Cell culture studies: * One-third of collected tissue is used to establish primary cell cultures from LF, paraspinal muscles, and epidural fat * Cells will be stimulated with conditioned media from epidural fat and with selected recombinant cytokines (e.g., vaspin, lipocalin-2, GDF-15) * Experiments will assess the gene and protein expression of key molecules involved in inflammation, ECM remodeling, bone metabolism, fibrosis, and matrix degradation. The goal is to clarify the local and systemic roles of adipokines and inflammation in the pathogenesis of LF hypertrophy and LSS. This knowledge may aid in identifying biomarkers for disease progression and therapeutic targets for non-surgical interventions in the future.

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study aims to evaluate the potential synergistic effect of beta-alanine (BA) and sodium bicarbonate (SB) supplementation, compared to their separate administration or placebo (PL), on physical performance and selected blood biochemical markers in highly trained female basketball players.

This study investigates the effects of virtual reality (VR)-based respiratory training on various physiological and cognitive functions in shift-working healthcare professionals, including paramedics and nurses. The research will evaluate how VR-guided breathing exercises influence: stress levels, motor reaction time and accuracy, attention and cognitive performance, motor skills and postural stability, sleep quality Participants will be divided into three groups: VR-based respiratory training group - performing guided breathing exercises in a VR environment. Music-based relaxation group - listening to relaxing music without structured breathing instructions. Control group - no intervention. The findings will help determine whether VR-based respiratory training is an effective method for improving stress resilience, cognitive function, and physical performance in shift-working healthcare professionals.

The aim of the study is to test the effect of tDCS stimulation on upper and lower limb function in neurological patients and to reduce pain in gynaecological patients. And the impact of tDCS stimulation on patients' quality of life. Standardised questionnaires will be used for pre- and post-stimulation evaluation.

1 Recruitment. 2. Collection of written consents for the study. 3. Random assignment to groups with and without intervention. 4. Completion of questionnaires by study participants, postural pattern assessment, temporomandibular joint assessment, and platform assessment. 5\. Performance of visceral therapy in the group with intervention, in the group without intervention placebo. Duration 5 weeks, treatment 1x per week at the same time of day and given day e.g. Mondays only. 6\. Reassessment as in step 4. 7. Data collection, statistical analyses. 8. Interpretation of results for female participants. 9. Preparation of results for scientific publications.

Main objective: The primary aim of the study is to assess whether the author's exercise programme has an effect on reducing urinary incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction after childbirth, considering vacuum extractor, forceps and caesarean section deliveries. Secondary objective: The secondary objective is to determine whether the duration of the author's exercise programme is sufficient to achieve positive changes in women.

Bone tissue is crucial for overall health and quality of life, but it undergoes constant internal remodeling, leading to osteoporosis, a widespread bone disease. Regular physical activity can improve bone mineral density (BMD) and prevent osteoporosis. Studies have shown that premenopausal women with regular physical activity have greater BMD. Diagnosing bone resorption is essential, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry tests (DXA) and circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) may offer more prognostic potential than conventional markers. The gut microbiome may also regulate bone metabolism, with metabolites like trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) playing a role. A project aims to promote systematic physical activity to improve BMD and well-being, support societal mobilization, and conduct preventive examinations for osteoporosis risk. Implementing systematic prevention is important not only for health but also for reducing social and financial costs associated with osteoporosis and associated fractures.

This study aims to learn about relative energy deficiency in male and female rowers at the end of the direct sport preparation phase of the annual training cycle. The main questions: \- How will energy intake influence leptin, cortisol levels, mood, gut discomfort, and permeability? The observational study involves male and female rowers from the Polish rowing team. Participants will perform 2000 meter ergometer test and 6000 ergometer test in annual training cycle. Researchers will compare outcomes from both tests.