Clinical trials

The Lux4UA project aims to support mental health treatment in Ukraine, especially for those who have experienced traumatic events due to the ongoing conflict and forced displacement. As rates of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) rise among civilians, military personnel, and refugees, the need for effective trauma care becomes urgent. PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing trauma, leading to flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, and other symptoms that significantly impact daily life. This project introduces an innovative method called the Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories (RTM) Protocol, which helps individuals reduce distressing memories and trauma-related symptoms. Unlike traditional therapies, the RTM Protocol aims to quickly alleviate PTSD symptoms without requiring patients to relive or discuss in detail their traumatic experiences, which can sometimes be overwhelming. Instead, it employs carefully guided imaginary exercises to help patients reprocess and feel less emotional distress when recalling traumatic memories. This structured approach can lead to significant improvements in just three to five sessions. The Lux4UA project brings together mental health professionals and researchers from Ukraine, Luxembourg, and the United States to test how well this treatment works in Ukraine and to understand if it can be easily integrated into the country's mental health system. By studying the RTM Protocol in three main settings-hospital care and outpatient (walk-in) clinics for veterans and therapy practices for civilians-the project will assess the treatment's effectiveness for people with different needs and backgrounds. It will also evaluate how comfortable and satisfied both mental health practitioners and patients are with the treatment. A key part of the project is training Ukrainian mental health professionals in the RTM Protocol. This training ensures that local mental health professionals are well-prepared to deliver the treatment and support trauma survivors long after the project ends, building a sustainable mental health system in Ukraine. The project will involve careful monitoring of how patients respond to the treatment, paying special attention to their well-being throughout each session. To evaluate the treatment's success, the project will measure changes in PTSD symptoms, as well as signs of anxiety and depression that often accompany trauma. The project will also assess the RTM Protocol's adaptability to Ukrainian needs, seeing if any modifications are necessary to better suit the local context.

Background: Long COVID, characterized by persistent symptoms following acute COVID-19 infection, has emerged as a significant public health concern. Symptoms range from fatigue, cognitive impairments, to respiratory difficulties, affecting patients\' quality of life. Dietary interventions, particularly fasting, have historically been used to modulate immune responses and improve health outcomes in various conditions. The Buchinger-Wilhelmi method represents a structured and medically supervised fasting approach. Given the inflammatory nature of long COVID, fasting may offer therapeutic benefits by modulating the immune response, enhancing cellular repair mechanisms, and resetting metabolic processes. Objectives: This clinical trial aims to assess the feasibility of a 7-day ambulatory fasting intervention using the Buchinger-Wilhelmi method on long COVID patients as primary objective. As secondary objectives, the study will investigate the potential beneficial impact of fasting on clinical, biological, and psychological parameters over a period of 4 weeks, offering insights into potential therapeutic avenues for long COVID management. Study timeline: The research will span a period of 4 weeks Study population: This study aims to recruit around 20 participants, who will all receive a fasting intervention using the Buchinger-Wilhelmi method. Biological sample and data collection: Participants will undergo various data and sample collection procedures, including blood draws of up to 90 42 ml per visit, collection of peripheral mononuclear cells, stool samples, and completion of questionnaires in a smartphone-based Application (MyCap). Sample analysis: The collected samples will be subjected to a range of analyses, including the assessment of serological markers for routine blood chemistry, evaluation of inflammation markers, and examination of stool samples.