Clinical trials

Periodontitis is characterized by a chronic, multifactorial inflammatory process driven by dysbiotic plaque biofilms. It is recognized as the most common chronic inflammatory non-communicable disease in humans. The advanced and severe forms of periodontitis have an estimated prevalence of 7.4%, while milder forms can affect up to 50% of the population. If left untreated, periodontitis can lead to tooth loss. However, it is largely preventable and treatable with mechanical non-surgical periodontal therapy. To improve periodontal healing and thus clinical attachment gain after non-surgical therapy, adjunctive bioactive formulations such as enamel matrix derivatives, sodium hypochlorite, locally delivered antimicrobials, or hyaluronic acid have recently been proposed. However, these agents are non-autologous formulations and expensive. Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) acts as a scaffold that inhibits the early migration of epithelial cells into the periodontal tissues. Its regenerative properties are primarily due to its ability to promote angiogenesis. This ability is attributed to the 3D fibrin matrix, which can simultaneously transport several cytokines and growth factors. These include vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), insulin growth factor (IGF), transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). PRF further shows antibacterial properties and accelerates soft tissue healing. So far PRF is not routinely used in periodontal non-surgical therapy. The aim of this 6-month, split-mouth randomized clinical trial including 20 patients is to test whether PRF can improve the results after non-surgical therapy.

The study is investigating the early feasibility of a novel algorithm for a hybrid closed-loop (HCL) insulin delivery system in adult patients with Type 1 diabetes. Participants will attend a study visit where the UBLoop system on a smartphone will manage insulin delivery via an insulin pump, using blood glucose values from a continuous glucose meter. Specialized staff and a remote monitoring system, which is integrated into the UBLoop system, will oversee the participants.

In this study, participants with one lower first molar that require removal and replacement using dental implants will be enrolled. The implant will be inserted 12-16 weeks after tooth extraction and restored either immediately with an artificial tooth (fixed implant crown) in 50% of the cases or 4 weeks later in the remainder 50%. Immediate and early loading will be compared and the investigators expect no difference in terms of implant success and health of the tissue around the implant.

The SCCSS is designed to investigate which long-term effects childhood cancer and its treatment have on survivors, and includes those who were under 20 years when they were diagnosed. The SCCSS explores childhood cancer survivors' quality of life, the health care received by childhood cancer survivors during follow-up care, the effects of medication, somatic and psychosocial health issues, how childhood cancer survivors take care of their own health including health behaviors, and also collects demographic details like family background, education and profession. To learn more about these topics, the investigators send questionnaires to childhood or adolescent cancer survivors. The investigators use the results to inform physicians and patients, and to improve treatment of childhood cancer and follow-up.

This study aims to establish international consensus-based quality criteria for contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) examinations of the liver and to develop a standardized tool for assessing CEUS image quality. CEUS is an established imaging technique used in clinical practice for the characterization and assessment of focal liver lesions and other liver abnormalities. Despite its increasing use, there are currently no universally accepted or validated standards for evaluating the quality and reproducibility of CEUS examinations. The primary objective of this project is therefore to identify robust and clinically relevant quality indicators for liver CEUS examinations through an international Delphi consensus process. The study focuses specifically on CEUS examinations performed in adult patients using the ultrasound contrast agent SonoVue®. The project is divided into two work packages (WP). In Work Package 1 (WP1), the study team will first conduct a structured review of the available literature and discuss potential CEUS quality criteria within the research group. Based on this process, an initial catalogue of quality indicators relating to technical, procedural, and imaging characteristics relevant to liver CEUS examinations will be developed. These proposed criteria will subsequently be evaluated through a multi-round Delphi process involving an international and interdisciplinary panel of experienced CEUS users and experts. A minimum of 20 panellists will participate across all Delphi rounds. Participants will rate their level of agreement with each proposed quality criterion using a 7-point Likert scale and may suggest additional criteria where appropriate. Newly proposed criteria supported by more than 10% of participants will be included in subsequent Delphi rounds. During each round, panellists will receive anonymised feedback summarising the responses of the group and will be invited to re-evaluate the relevance of the proposed criteria. This iterative process will continue for at least three rounds or until predefined consensus criteria are achieved. Consensus will be defined as at least 70% agreement with a rating of 6 or higher on the Likert scale. In Work Package 2 (WP2), the consensus-based quality criteria identified in WP1 will be operationalised into a comprehensive and standardized rating scale for CEUS image quality assessment. Individual criteria will be grouped into broader domains and transformed into practical assessment items and prompts. The resulting rating tool will then be circulated among all Delphi panel members for final review and feedback to ensure clarity, applicability, and international usability. The overall goal of this study is to improve standardization, quality assurance, and reproducibility in liver CEUS examinations. The developed consensus criteria and rating scale may support clinical practice, future research studies, multicentre collaborations, and educational initiatives by enabling more consistent evaluation of CEUS image quality across institutions and countries.

This multicenter, prospective cohort study evaluates early cardiac dysfunction in adult survivors of childhood cancer. The hypothesis of this study is that cardiac dysfunction can be detected earlier when using speckle tracking echocardiography as novel echocardiographic technique compared to conventional echocardiography.

The aim of this research project is to compare two surgical procedures to improve soft tissue volume. Both procedures have already been validated, but despite their great clinical relevance, little data exists in the literature. With this study, the investigators aim to evaluate volumetric changes of connective tissue graft versus biomaterial (membrane). In addition, further clinical measurements will be taken and patient satisfaction will be assessed.

The DROPIT Trial is an interventional, open-labelled, cluster-randomized controlled trial conducted in the Swiss primary care setting. It aims to evaluate an intervention to guide the deprescribing of inappropriate proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs). Therefore, the trial investigates whether the study intervention leads to the deprescribing of inappropriate PPI prescription while ensuring noninferiority safety, in comparison to usual care. Additionally, the trail aims to investigate the intervention's impact on other clinical aspects, as well as addressing features of the implementation of the intervention and its cost-effectiveness.

Some people report persistent health problems after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. These symptoms persist well beyond typical short-term vaccine side effects and are not attributable to any other known medical conditions. This condition is known as Post-Acute COVID-19 Vaccination Syndrome (PACVS). Symptoms can persist for months and affect several organ systems, causing issues such as fatigue, heart-related problems, neurological difficulties, and decreases in both physical ability and mental performance. PACVS shows similarities to Post-Acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS) and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The biological processes that cause PACVS are still not fully understood. Recent research indicates that endothelial dysfunction, abnormalities in blood coagulation, and persistent inflammatory responses may contribute significantly to this process. However, it remains unclear how symptoms develop over time, which biological markers are associated with disease severity, and how these findings could support diagnosis and future treatment strategies. The CLEAR study is an observational research project designed to address these knowledge gaps by systematically documenting symptoms over time and investigating potential biological correlates in individuals affected by PACVS. The study consists of three complementary subprojects. The PROGRESS subproject aims to assess symptom burden, disease course, and patient-reported treatment experiences over an eight-month period using standardized questionnaires completed by participants. The ENDOCLOT subproject investigates whether individuals with PACVS show objective signs of endothelial dysfunction, abnormalities in blood clotting, and markers of systemic inflammation. Endothelial function will be evaluated through non-invasive vascular reactivity tests (EndoPAT), microscopic examination of blood cells, standardized platelet function assessments, and standard laboratory diagnostics. It further explores the correlation between these biological parameters and clinical symptom trajectories identified in PROGRESS. The REAL subproject examines the role of endothelial activation and the release of inflammatory signaling molecules (cytokines) in the development and persistence of PACVS. The main hypothesis of the CLEAR study is that PACVS is associated with measurable endothelial dysfunction, inflammatory activation, and coagulation abnormalities, and that these biological changes are related to symptom severity and persistence over time. By combining longitudinal symptom assessment with biological measurements, this study aims to improve understanding of PACVS and support the development of better diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in the future.

The Swiss Paediatric Airway Cohort (SPAC) is a national, prospective clinical cohort of children and adolescents who visit physicians in Switzerland for recurrent wheeze, cough, and exercise- or sleep-related respiratory problems. SPAC aims to answer important questions on clinical phenotypes, prognosis, diagnosis and treatment. SPAC is part of routine care, and only clinically indicated investigations are done. The comprehensive baseline assessment includes a detailed questionnaire to families, plus test results, diagnoses and treatments from hospital records. Follow-up is via monthly questionnaires the first 12 months and thereafter annual questionnaires to families, and data from follow-up visits. Currently, 4344 patients from 10 clinics and hospitals in Switzerland (Aarau, Basel, Bern, Chur, Horgen, Lausanne, Luzern, St. Gallen, Worb, Zurich) have been enrolled. SPAC provides real-life data on children visiting the Swiss health care system for common respiratory problems. It will provide a research platform for health services research, and for nested clinical and transitional studies. Publications and plain language summaries are listed on the study website: https://www.spac-study.ch/publikationen/

This study aims to explore a non-invasive way to improve memory and slow cognitive decline in older adults by enhancing sleep quality. Dementia, a leading cause of death worldwide, is often associated with disturbed sleep, particularly the loss of deep, slow-wave sleep (SWS). SWS is important for memory and clearing waste from the brain. Poor SWS can worsen memory loss and allow harmful waste to build up, which may increase the risk of dementia. The investigators are testing whether phase-locked auditory stimulation (PLAS) can improve SWS in people at a mild stage of cognitive impairment. PLAS uses short sounds played at specific moments to strengthen slow-wave brain activity during sleep. The investigators previous laboratory based research has shown that this can improve memory and help with clearing waste from the brain. Now, the investigators want to test this in a real-world setting, over a longer period, which is unfeasible in a laboratory setting. In this study, 60 older adults will use home-use devices that deliver either real or sham (soundless) PLAS across two different 4-week periods. Memory will be tested using engaging "serious games." Before and after each experimental period, blood samples will be taken to measure dementia-related markers, and cognitive batteries will be performed. The investigators expect that PLAS will improve sleep, and that this will have a downstream effect on memory and brain clearance, potentially slowing the process of cognitive decline. If successful, this could lead to the development of an affordable treatment that helps people maintain brain health and prevent dementia.

This randomized clinical trial (RCT) will evaluate the effectiveness of cross-linked hyaluronic acid as an adjunct to endodontic microsurgery in adult patients with apical periodontitis affecting maxillary or mandibular first molars. Participants previously treated with non-surgical endodontic therapy will be allocated to either endodontic microsurgery with cross-linked hyaluronic acid application (test group) or the same surgical procedure without adjunctive material (control group), with 12 months of follow-up. The study hypothesis is that cross-linked hyaluronic acid improves soft- and hard-tissue healing, reduces postoperative inflammation and pain, and supports more stable surgical outcomes. Primary outcomes include early soft tissue healing (Early Wound Healing Score, day 4) and postoperative pain (visual analogue scale). Secondary outcomes include periapical healing assessed by blinded evaluators on periapical radiographs (Molven criteria) at 3, 6, and 12 months, and on CBCT scans (PENN 3D criteria) at 6 and 12 months, as well as cortical plate healing (RAC/B index). This study aims to provide clinical evidence on the potential regenerative and anti-inflammatory benefits of cross-linked hyaluronic acid in endodontic microsurgery.

Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is a second-generation platelet concentrate used for tissue and bone regeneration. PRF releases growth factors such as TGF-β, PDGF, VEGF, IGF, and FGF, which are known to promote wound healing and bone regeneration. Thus, PRF may offer a promising therapeutic approach for peri-implantitis treatment. Numerous studies have reported beneficial effects of PRF on bone regeneration, bone augmentation, soft tissue healing, and ridge preservation. In infrabony periodontal defects, PRF has shown significant improvements in pocket depth reduction, clinical attachment level (CAL) gain, and bone fill. However, a recent systematic review highlighted that evidence supporting PRF use in peri-implantitis remains limited, primarily due to a lack of adequately designed studies. Therefore, the aim of this project is to investigate whether PRF enhances regeneration in peri-implantitis defects. Specifically, it will assess whether surgical debridement of peri-implantitis defects-including electrochemical detoxification of implant surfaces using GalvoSurge-combined with PRF clot and membrane placement, improves treatment outcomes compared to surgical debridement and detoxification using GalvoSurge alone. For this purpose, implants with peri-implantitis defects of comparable size will be randomly assigned to either the test or control group. After 12 months, implants will be clinically evaluated for radiographic defect fill, reduction in probing pocket depth (PPD), and bleeding on probing (BOP). The objective of this project is to verify, both radiographically and clinically, whether adjunctive PRF application enhances tissue regeneration and healing of peri-implantitis defects compared to open flap debridement (OFD) alone.

Periodontal health and preservation of the dentition without tooth loss are important quality of life components and should be safeguarded in order to provide optimal function and esthetics. Optimal treatment of gingiva recessions is likely to allow for more efficient use of healthcare resources and reduced costs long-term. It is evident that the prevalence in gingival recession is high and its consequences on the aging population constitute an important healthcare issue that requires further attention. The standard therapy of gingival recession encompasses a coronally advanced flap or coronally advanced tunnel flap and a connective tissue graft from the palate. Harvesting of the palatal graft involves a second surgical site and increased morbidity for the patients.This project aims to compare the connective tissue graft against a novel volume stable collagen matrix. Patients will be treated according to standard protocols of the Department of Periodontology. In the test group patient will undergo tissue thickening with a collagen matrix and the modified coronally advanced tunnel technique. The control group will undergo the standard protocol using a connective tissue graft from the palate along with the modified coronally advanced tunnel technique. No study specific risks do exist.

Substance misuse is one of the most common risk factors for health problems and premature death among adolescents and young adults worldwide. Although there are effective treatments for substance use disorder (SUD), there is still a need to further improve their effectiveness and make them easier to access. Early research suggests that substance-specific inhibition training, when used in addition to specialized treatment, can improve treatment outcomes. This training aims to strengthen inhibition specifically in situations with substance-related cues. The goal of this project is to offer this training for the first time in the form of a smartphone app, which is expected to increase the availability of the training. The main aim of the study is to evaluate whether this new app-based cognitive training is feasible as an add-on to the treatment of SUD in adolescents and young adults. In addition, the study will gather preliminary insights into whether the training affects drinking behavior and related brain processes. The project will be conducted as a double-blind, clinical pilot study. A total of 210 adolescents and young adults between 14 and 35 years old will be recruited from five specialized treatment centers. After the first study visit, participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: (1) an intervention group receiving the alcohol-specific inhibition training or (2) a control group receiving a similar alcohol-nonspecific inhibition training. During their participation, all participants will complete six short training sessions with the app. About one month later, they will complete six additional booster training sessions. This research may help develop effective, easily accessible tools to support young people with substance use disorder.

The study aims to evaluate the clinical performance (implant and prosthetic survival/ success rates) of a novel implant-supported fixed dental prosthesis design: the dual-cantilevered single implant bridge (T-Bridge) made out of monolithic zirconia bonded to a titanium base abutment (Variobase abutments)

The goal of this clinical trial, nested within an observational cohort study, is to evaluate whether two positive psychology web-based interventions can reduce emotional exhaustion and improve overall well-being in practicing physicians in Switzerland. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does participation in positive psychology interventions reduce emotional exhaustion at three months post-intervention? How do these interventions impact physician wellness, job satisfaction, comfort with end-of-life communication and other aspects of physicians' emotional well-being? Researchers will compare the effects of two intervention arms (general reflection vs. work-specific reflection) to a control group to determine whether focusing on work-specific aspects leads to greater improvements in emotional exhaustion and job-related outcomes. Participants will: * Complete an 8-day intervention consisting of positive psychology activities delivered online. * Complete baseline and follow-up assessments over the study period

The Swiss-CP-Reg is a national patient registry that collects information on diagnosis, symptoms, treatment and follow-up of patients with cerebral palsy (CP) in Switzerland. It was first implemented in 2017 in the paediatric clinics in Basel, Bellinzona, Bern, Geneva, Lausanne, St. Gallen and Zurich. It is currently extended to all Swiss clinics and medical practices and adults will be invited to join the register in the coming years. The registry provides data for national and international monitoring and research. It supports research on CP in Switzerland and the exchange of knowledge between clinicians, researchers and therapists, with the goal to improve the treatment of children and adults with CP and optimizing their health and quality of life.

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether in-vehicle sensor data can be used to detect cannabis-impaired driving in healthy adult recreational cannabis users. The study aims to assess whether changes in vehicle, driver, and physiological sensor data can distinguish sober driving from cannabis-impaired driving, and how driving performance changes from baseline to approximately 1 to 6 hours after controlled cannabis consumption. Researchers will compare driving behavior and in-vehicle sensor data from participants who receive controlled cannabis administration with data from a randomized reference group without cannabis exposure, to determine whether cannabis-related impairment driving can be identified on the basis of machine learning. Participants will complete screening and baseline assessments and drive an instrumented vehicle on a closed test track under sober conditions. Participants assigned to the experimental arm will receive controlled cannabis administration, while participants in the reference arm will receive no intervention. All participants will perform repeated standardized driving sessions over several hours and complete traffic-medical, traffic-psychological, and in-vehicle pre-driving tests. Biological samples and in-vehicle sensor data will be collected throughout the study.

Blood glucose management in type 1 diabetes (T1D) remains a challenge, with only \~30% of adults within the recommended consensus guidelines. Novel drugs like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)/GLP-1RAs have emerged as promising add-ons to insulin in T1D. This application has been designed to test in a prospective study whether adding a new medicine called tirzepatide (GIP/GLP-1RA) to the usual insulin therapy would make a difference for people with T1D in terms of better glucose control.

The present study consists of 3 projects in total and aims to investigate the (neuro-) psychological patterns from suicidal ideation to suicidal behavior as well as the effects and feasibility of ASSIP Home Treatment. The overall aim of project 2 is to investigate how the (neuro-) psychological patterns are modulated by the Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program (ASSIP). Therefore, suicide attempters participating in this project 2 will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group ASSIP or a standard care plus resource interview (STAR) group. The ASSIP and STAR interventions take place at the University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Bern (Switzerland). At the end of the assessment in project 1 participants who reported a history of past suicide attempt (SUAT) will be informed about project 2. Only if participants agreed to take part in project 2 and have signed the informed consent, they are randomized into two conditions: The ASSIP intervention (ASSIP) versus standard of care plus resource interview (STAR). Participants of both groups will be assessed again 4 weeks and 12 months after their first baseline assessment of project 1.

The present study consists of 3 projects in total and aims to investigate the (neuro-) psychological patterns from suicidal ideation to suicidal behavior as well as the effects and feasibility of ASSIP Home Treatment. The overall aim of project 1 is to determine (neuro-) psychological differences between suicide attempters, suicide ideators, a clinical control group, and healthy controls. Study participants in project 1 will participate in a one-time (neuro-) psychological assessment. Project 1 of this study is an observational cross-sectional study with four groups that will be conducted at the University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Bern (Switzerland): Patients with at least one suicide attempt in their past (SUAT), patients with suicidal ideation (SUID), patients from the same clinical cohort, without neither suicidal behavior or ideation (CLIN) and the healthy group (HLTH). The cohorts to be examined (SUAT \& SUID) will be compared to the two control groups (CLIN \& HLTH). Only people who have signed the informed consent and meet the eligibility criteria can participate in this study.

The Swiss Patient Registry for DMD/BMD and SMA was launched in 2008 in order to give Swiss patients access to new therapies. It was founded with the financial support of several patient organizations and research foundations. Since 2008, children, adolescents and adults with DMD, BMD and SMA are registered with the help of all major muscle centers in Switzerland. After nearly ten years of activity, the Swiss Patient Registry for DMD/BMD and SMA implemented several adaptations in 2018 to meet current and future expectations of patient's organizations, health authorities and research organizations.

NOTE: This is the fifth of in total 7 sub-studies related to the Ethics Committee of the Canton of Bern Ref. No. KEK-BE 2016-00674. This sub-study includes 50 participants and 8 arms, in total 350 participants will be assessed in all 7 sub-studies. General study information: This is a randomized, cross-over, quantitative study, which investigates physiological variables, mood, and affect of healthy participants in response to colored light exposure. The Participants take part in 5-8 arms and are exposed to colored light only, or are additionally asked to solve cognitive tasks during the colored light exposure. Primary aim is to measure the change in several physiological variables, mood, and affect during colored light exposure of 15 or 45 minutes. The risk for the participants is negligible and comparable to the risk during daily life.

NOTE: This is the sixth of in total 7 sub-studies related to the Ethics Committee of the Canton of Bern Ref. No. KEK-BE 2016-00674. This sub-study includes 50 participants and 8 arms, in total 350 participants will be assessed in all 7 sub-studies. General study information: This is a randomized, cross-over, quantitative study, which investigates physiological variables, mood, and affect of healthy participants in response to colored light exposure. The Participants take part in 5-8 arms and are exposed to colored light only, or are additionally asked to solve cognitive tasks during the colored light exposure. Primary aim is to measure the change in several physiological variables, mood, and affect during colored light exposure of 15 or 45 minutes. The risk for the participants is negligible and comparable to the risk during daily life.