Clinical trials

Primary dysmenorrhea is one of the most common gynecological conditions during adolescence and is associated not only with recurrent menstrual pain, but also with emotional disturbances and difficulties in behavioral regulation. Various studies have indicated that hot executive functions-linked to emotional processing, decision-making in affective contexts, and impulse control-play a relevant role in the experience of and coping with pain. The present project aims to design and evaluate the effectiveness of a structured psychological intervention focused on strengthening hot executive functions and emotional self-regulation in adolescents with primary dysmenorrhea. A quasi-experimental design with pre- and post-intervention assessment is proposed, using validated instruments to measure pain intensity, coping strategies, and executive-emotional performance. The intervention is expected to contribute to a reduction in perceived pain and to improvements in emotional regulation strategies, promoting more adaptive coping. This study seeks to provide empirical evidence on brief psychological interventions aimed at the comprehensive management of menstrual pain in adolescent populations.

Adolescence is a stage characterized by intense emotional and social changes. Young people experience emotions more intensely, but they do not always have the necessary tools to recognize, understand, and regulate them properly. In recent decades, the mental and emotional health of adolescents has become a priority issue on the international agenda. Organizations such as the World Health Organization and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, have noted a worrying increase in emotional and psychological problems in this population, as well as a significant lack of skills to recognize and express their emotions appropriately. An important aspect of functionality highlighted by scholars in the field is that "a functional family is not defined by the absence of stress, conflict, or problems, but by how effectively it manages them so that they do not interfere with the well-being of its members. A dysfunctional family cannot fulfill this function" (Colapinto in Roizblatt, 2006). At times, parents may experience misunderstandings or problems within the home. Sharp (2022) notes that interpersonal problems were associated with higher levels of insecure attachment in adolescent offspring, such that adolescents either dismissed the need for attachment or displayed altered concern regarding the relationship; the latter focuses more on how adolescents feel regarding the relationship they have with their parents, and if they lack help or support in acknowledging everything they are going through and feeling, this can continue into adulthood and end up harming how they relate to society and their personal relationships. Considering the context of the Mexicali Valley, characterized by social, economic, and family vulnerability, it is essential to work together on the emotional development of adolescents and the strengthening of their emotional bond with their parents. In this environment, young people not only go through the changes typical of adolescence, but they may also face complex family dynamics, limited support networks, and few opportunities for emotional education.

This project will target university students during their exam periods, whether midterms, finals, regular exams, or make-up exams, as this is a time particularly sensitive to academic stress. Participation will be voluntary, with informed consent, and will take place in a space specially prepared to facilitate creative expression and gentle physical movement. The intervention aims to address this need through the use of brief expressive and somatic techniques, such as guided drawing, body movement, and symbolic reinterpretation. These practices activate the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting states of calm and security that improve cognitive performance. The intervention lasts 20 minutes in a single session, integrating spontaneous drawing, guided emotional self-reflection, and gentle body exercises. Incorporating the recording of brain activity using electroencephalography (EEG) during the intervention, in a subgroup of participants with the help of the Emotiv Epoc X device, allowing objective observation of the modulation of brain activity in response to the emotional stimulus of the exam and measuring possible changes in electrical patterns associated with states of anxiety, attention and working memory.

Sleep disturbances, particularly insomnia, are highly prevalent among university women and are associated with impairments in executive functioning and academic performance. Women present higher rates of insomnia due to biological and psychosocial factors. This study aims to design and evaluate a psychological intervention program to improve sleep quality and reduce insomnia symptoms in female university students aged 18-25, with the purpose of strengthening cold executive functions and analyzing its impact on academic performance.

Teenage pregnancy is a major global public health issue and is associated with a range of psychosocial, emotional, and developmental challenges. Adolescence is a critical stage of development characterized by the ongoing maturation of executive functions, including inhibitory control, emotional regulation, working memory, planning, and decision-making. These cognitive and emotional processes are essential for adaptive functioning and psychological well-being. However, when pregnancy occurs during adolescence, young women may face additional stressors, such as social stigma, limited social support, disruption of education, and economic vulnerability, which can negatively affect their mental health and coping abilities. Previous research has shown that pregnant adolescents may experience higher levels of emotional distress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms compared to pregnant adult women. Furthermore, difficulties in executive functions and emotional regulation may influence adolescents' ability to manage stress, regulate their emotions, and make adaptive decisions during pregnancy and the transition to motherhood. Therefore, interventions that strengthen emotional and cognitive self-regulation may play an important role in improving the psychological adjustment and well-being of pregnant adolescents. The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention designed to improve emotional intelligence and executive functions in pregnant adolescents. The program seeks to promote greater emotional understanding and self-regulation, as well as to support adolescents in coping with the psychological challenges associated with pregnancy. Participants will complete standardized psychological assessments before and after the intervention to evaluate potential changes in executive functioning and emotional well-being. By assessing the impact of an intervention on emotional intelligence and executive functions, this study seeks to contribute to the development of evidence-based strategies to improve the mental health and psychosocial outcomes of pregnant adolescents. The results may provide valuable information for healthcare professionals, psychologists, and public health programs seeking to support adolescent mothers and promote healthier developmental trajectories during pregnancy and early motherhood.

Overweight and obesity are an increasing tendencies worldwide. Disordered Eating Behaviors (DEBs) are feeding dynamics commonly present on them, as in Feeding Disorders (FD). These eating and body conditions are highly correlated with specific psychopathological symtoms, such as anxiety and depression, weight-related shame and stigma, and academic stress. Additionally, electroencephalographic findings suggest that weight- and eating-related conditions may be mediated by neural pathways specific to executive functions, such as selective attention and inhibitory control. Therefore, this cuasi-experimental design, pre- and post- measurement, longitudinal cross-sectional study aims to evaluate the effect of a training on psychological flexibility skills, based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) processes, on psychological, electroencephalographic and body composition measures.

Objective: evaluate the impact of a Life Skills Training (LST) intervention on substance use intention by analyzing changes in neuropsychological organization and psychological regulation processes in adolescents living in social assistance institutions.Methodology Design: Parallel-group randomized controlled trial with a 1:1 allocation ratio. Participants: 20 adolescents aged 12 to 17 with a minimum of 3 months of residence in foster care homes in Mexicali, Baja California.Intervention: The experimental group will undergo 8 sessions (60 minutes each) of LST, while the control group will receive a traditional psychoeducational intervention of the same duration.Key Measures: Electroencephalography (EEG) will be used to monitor cortical maturation (Alpha/Theta power) and frontal asymmetry. Clinical scales including DERS, DUSI, BANFE-2, and substance use intention questionnaires will also be administered.RationaleIn Mexico, the average age of onset for substance use has dropped to 12-13 years. Institutionalized adolescents face heightened vulnerability due to histories of trauma, neglect, and environmental exposure to high-lethality substances such as fentanyl and methamphetamines in the border region

Overweight and obesity are defined as an excessive accumulation of body fat that affects health. According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2022, there were 2.5 billion adults aged 18 years and older who were overweight, of whom 890 million were obese. In other words, 43% of adults aged 18 years and older were overweight, and 16% of them were obese. Overweight and obesity are key risk factors for various chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and even some types of cancer. There is evidence that mortality from cardiovascular disease, and the incidence of cancer and diabetes, varies according to the amount of physical activity. In the context of high levels of sedentary time, higher levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity are recommended. There are various ways to treat overweight and obesity, the main ones usually being lifestyle changes, such as following a healthy diet and regular physical activity, as well as following pharmacological treatments. In this project, the focus will be on the fat metabolism generated during moderate physical activity. There are physical activity interventions aimed at increasing fat metabolism that may potentially reduce the symptoms of metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. For this purpose, it is important to understand the factors that increase or decrease fat oxidation. Factors such as exercise intensity and duration are important to understand when determining maximum fat oxidation (FatMax). The aim is to develop comprehensive research that will generate knowledge and evidence on health issues with social impact through the evaluation of commercial technologies and innovative actions that promote the prevention, treatment, and resolution of national health problems such as obesity.

The aim of the study is to compare preformed metal crowns and 3D-printed ceromer crowns in primary molars of 4-9 years old children. The main questions it aims to answer are: * How does 3D-printed ceromer crowns compare clincally to stainless steel crowns when restoring posterior molars? * What is the level of satisfaction of the patient with both materials? * What is the level of parental satisfaction with both materials? Study methodology: This study is a split-mouth clinical trial where participants will receive at least one of each materials in different quadrants of the mouth.

Insomnia is a highly prevalent sleep disorder worldwide, with an increasing incidence in athletes, older adults, university students, and individuals with metabolic syndrome. This disorder has been associated with metabolic dysfunction, cardiovascular diseases, and genetic instability. Recent evidence suggests that insomnia negatively impacts cardiorespiratory fitness, insulin sensitivity, and overall health through mechanisms involving neuroendocrine dysregulation, oxidative stress, and alterations in energy metabolism. However, the specific biological and environmental factors that contribute to its prevalence and health consequences remain poorly understood, particularly across different populations. Understanding these associations is crucial for developing effective prevention and intervention strategies to mitigate the long-term impact of insomnia. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the impact of insomnia on body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, metabolic flexibility, and DNA integrity, across populations with high prevalence of insomnia, including athletes, older adults, university students, and individuals with metabolic syndrome. This study will also investigate which biological and lifestyle behaviors contribute to insomnia and its health consequences. By doing so, this work will provide critical insights into the physiological and molecular mechanisms that link insomnia with metabolic and cardiovascular dysfunction, contributing to the development of targeted interventions for at-risk populations

Exercise is an essential pillar for the health of all individuals, as it contributes to physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Various international organizations, such as the World Health Organization, advocate for the integration of exercise into healthy lifestyles, recognizing its im-portance in disease prevention and improving quality of life. However, despite the general consensus on its value, there is no universal agreement on specific prescriptions for vulnerable groups, highlighting the need for personalized approaches that consider the unique characteristics and needs of each individual. It has been proposed that a moderate aerobic exercise training program could promote positive outcomes in individuals living with overweight and obesity, particularly with an emphasis on reducing injury risk, ensuring high adherence, and achieving favorable health changes. In this regard, the present protocol establishes the basis for a randomized clinical trial based on exercise prescription at the maximal fat oxidation rate in young individuals with overweight and obesity, with a duration of 16 weeks. Throughout the study, biochemical changes (cholesterol, glucose, triglycerides, and inflammatory markers), metabolic changes (de-termination of fat and carbohydrate utilization rates during rest and exercise), and epigenetic changes (focusing on microRNAs associated with adipogenesis, inflammation, and fat metabolism) will be monitored.