Clinical trials

Muscle weakness acquired in the ICU (FAUTI) is related to the functional decline of patients admitted to an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). For better follow-up, scales such as (Chelsea Critical Care Physical Assessment) CPAx and (Medical Research Council) MRC help to identify early the muscle and functional impairment of these patients. Early mobilization aims to minimize these effects and therefore the search to reach the highest mobility milestone is constant bedside sitting (BSS) is an important milestone in recovery, associated with better functional results when there is good trunk control, as the coordinated activation of muscles in this region is essential for stabilization and reaching higher postures. The physiotherapeutic approach focused on the components of the activities and on the patient's participation is crucial, with the therapeutic option of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF). To evaluate the effect of exercises based on the PNF concept through the Test Control Trunk (TCT) on the trunk balance of patients admitted to the ICU. This is a randomized, crossover clinical trial, carried out at the Pedro Ernesto University Hospital from June 2026 to June 2027. Adults hospitalized for more than 48 hours who meet the inclusion criteria will be screened. and clinical evaluation. The study consists of two blocks of pre- and post-crossover evaluations, conducted by the same blind evaluator. Patients will undergo assessments on the first day of BSS, including assessment of the trunk with TCT and assessment of diaphragm mobility and thickness by ultrasound, before and after intervention (PNF or conventional exercises). Between assessments, there will be a 3-hour rest period.

The present study is a Clinical trial that compares clobetasol ointment versus Fractional CO2 laser for vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLE) treatment confirmed by histology, with no previous treatment. Lichen sclerosus is a chronic inflamatory disease that affects the vulvar skin in the majority of cases, generally in peri and post menopause. The main symptom is pruritus, along with dispareunia and vulvar pain. If not treated, it can leads to vulvar anatomy distortion and altough small, there is risk of neoplastic transformation towards pre cancer and invasive vulvar cancer. Clobetasol ointment is the standard treatment, but prolonged use can cause some adverse effects, such as thinning the skin, fungal infections, and exacerbation of symptoms. Forty participants are being randomized to clobetasol group, three months with reducing frequency and the other group of participants, to fractional dioxid carbon (CO2) laser for three sessions four weeks apart. At the beggining and three months after the completion of each treatment, a punch biopsy will be taken for every participant. The principal aim is to compare some inflamatory biomarkers before and after each treatment and compare them by imunohistoquemestry at Imunology and Imunogenetic Laboratory in Fiocruz, Rio de janeiro, Brazil. Secondary outcomes include clinical response and changes in vulvar anatomy, assessed using the Sheinis \& Selk questionnaire before and after each treatment, as well as the evaluation of some clinical aspects, such as improvement in itching, dyspareunia and appearance of the vulva, along with satisfaction with the treatment, using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) from 1 to 10. With this study, the investigators want to know if fractional CO2 laser can reduce the inflammatory process and symptoms in vulvar lichen sclerosus such as itching, and if this could be an alternative treatment for this condition.

This longitudinal, prospective observational study aims to evaluate functional status in critically ill adult patients in the Intensive Care Unit using the Chelsea Critical Care Physical Assessment Tool (CPAx). The primary objective is to analyze CPAx score variation as a potential predictor of clinical outcomes, including mortality and duration of mechanical ventilation. Functional assessments will be performed at intensive care unit (ICU) admission and discharge to monitor changes in physical function and to predict adverse clinical outcomes.

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an ultrasound-guided nerve block technique as the sole anesthetic method for patients undergoing outpatient umbilical hernia surgery. The procedure, called rectus sheath block (RSB), involves injecting local anesthetic near the abdominal muscles to reduce pain during and after surgery. The study will compare two groups of adult patients: one receiving the nerve block with a medication called clonidine added to the anesthetic solution, and the other receiving the same block without clonidine. Clonidine may help improve pain control and reduce the need for additional pain medications. By analyzing pain scores, recovery quality, and potential side effects, the study seeks to determine whether the use of clonidine in this context is safe, cost-effective, and beneficial for patient recovery. Participants will answer questionnaires about their pain and recovery during the first 48 hours after surgery.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of mouthguards (MG) on acceptability, incidence of soft tissue injuries, periodontal and salivary parameters, as well as on the perception of the body in sports practice (PeCoPes) and on the quality of life of athletes, and evaluate the consequences of use on the characteristics, state of conservation, and biological and physical properties of the MG itself. Methodology: This is a longitudinal study that will include children, adolescents, and adults aged 7 to 30 years who practice sports and require MGs. Sociodemographic data, medical history, dental history, dietary habits, and sports practice data will be collected. Participants will undergo a complete oral clinical examination. Data on knowledge of traumatic dental injuries (TDI) and MGs will also be collected. Before the MG is delivered, immediately after installation, and at 1, 3, and 6 months after use, the following parameters will be evaluated: presence of mucosal injuries, visible plaque index, gingival bleeding index, salivary flow, salivary pH, buffering capacity, and salivary microorganism count. Acceptability will be evaluated before the MG is delivered, immediately after delivery, and at 1, 3, and 6 months after use. PeCoPes and quality of life will be assessed before, 1, 3, and 6 months after MG use. The MG will be evaluated for bacterial contamination, delamination, roughness, dimensional changes related to shape and thickness, color change, and conservation status. The data will be tabulated and analyzed using SPSS 21.0, and appropriate statistical tests (p\<0.05) will be performed according to the study objectives.

BACKGROUND Cognitive decline in older adults, especially those who develop Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease, currently has limited options of pharmacological treatments, with modest efficacy. Digital Cognitive Training (DCT) and Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) are two promising tools for cognitive remediation in this population. In this exploratory study, we investigate feasibility, tolerability and preliminary effects of the association of both interventions in older adults with cognitive complaints. METHODS Older adults with cognitive complaints are being enrolled for this study, which comprises 5 daily sessions of 30 minutes of DCT using the BrainHQ platform while simultaneously receiving theta tACS (6Hz, 1.6mA) targeting the Left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex.

The presence of high levels of respiratory effort in patients under mechanical ventilation may worsen the adjacent lung injury even after adapting protective ventilation. Primary outcome: To evaluate the failure rate of weaning from IMV and its relationship with the lower and upper extremes of respiratory effort and the upper extreme of dynamic pulmonary stress during the first 7 days of spontaneous ventilation. Analyze the influence of these extremes based on the thresholds of Pocc, P0.1 and their derivatives Pmus, Ptp, din and MP: in relation to days off MV (in the 28-day interval); Total weaning time; Rate and time for tracheostomy; Length of stay in the ICU and hospital; In-hospital mortality rate. CAAE: 78185823.4.0000.5249. Prospective multicenter observational study, carried out in the ICUs of Glória D'or and Niteroi D'or hospitals, from January 2024 to July 2026, in patients over 18 years old, undergoing orotracheal intubation and IMV, in their first 7 days on spontaneous ventilation. Hypothesis: Extremes of respiratory effort and dynamic pulmonary stress would be associated with a higher rate of weaning from IMV, as well as longer time on IMV and subsequent longer hospital stay.