Clinical trials

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is the most common cause of childhood disability, with an estimated prevalence of 17 million individuals worldwide. Children and adolescents with CP present impaired postural control and balance, negatively affecting their mobility and functional performance. The use of dynamic orthotic garments may contribute to the improvement of postural control, balance, and functional mobility in children and adolescents with CP. The aim of the present study is to investigate the immediate effect of the dynamic orthotic garment TheraTogs on balance and functional mobility in children and adolescents with CP. In this cross-sectional pilot study, children and adolescents with CP classified as levels I and II according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), and with spasticity levels lower than +1 according to the Modified Ashworth Scale, will participate. Balance will be assessed using the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), while functional mobility will be evaluated with the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and the 10 Meter Walk Test (10MWT). Each assessment will be performed twice by each participant, with and without the TheraTogs dynamic orthotic garment, in random order. Statistical analysis will be conducted using SPSS Statistics V29 software, with the level of significance set at p \< 0.05.

Patients in critical condition, due to their prolonged stay in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), the severity of the underlying disease, and potential adverse effects of hospitalization, may develop serious complications, such as muscle atrophy and weakness, which also affect the respiratory muscles. It is characteristic that within the first 18-69 hours of mechanical ventilation (MV), proteolytic processes occur that lead to rapid atrophy of the diaphragm. Diaphragmatic dysfunction acquired during the ICU stay thus appears to have an adverse effect on weaning from mechanical ventilation, length of ICU stay, length of hospital stay, functional status, quality of life, and mortality within the ICU and the hospital. Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) has been identified as an intervention that could augment weaning, preventing the dedtrimental effects of MV. The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of an IMT protocol in weaning success of ICU patients. Specifically, an electronic device will be used that incorporates a tapered flow resistive technique.

Spasticity is a common symptom that affects more than 50% of patients with upper motor neuron lesions due to damage on pyramidal tract. Despite the current pharmacological and physical therapy rehabilitation methods, previous studies have highlighted the beneficial role of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) on managing upper limb spasticity. However, due to heterogeneity of application parameters there is a lack of a standardized protocol for spasticity management. The aim of the study will be to examine the effects of high versus low pulse duration neuromuscular electrical stimulation on upper limb spasticity on patients with pyramidal tract-related spasticity. A total of 45 patients will be randomized (1:1:1 ratio) to either high pulse duration NMES (HPD-NMES) or low pulse duration NMES (LPD-NMES) or Control group, receiving the standard of care. Randomization will be performed by an independent investigator, who will allocate participants to one of three groups, using a random number generator, prior to baseline assessment. Each group will receive a 15min-conventional-physiotherapeutic protocol. HPD-NMES and LPD-NMES will receive an additional 30min-NMES protocol of high and low pulse duration, respectively. Pre and post intervention spasticity will be evaluated using Range of Motion (ROM) of the elbow joint through electronic goniometer, Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and surface electromyography (EMG). Furthermore, Modified Barthel Index (MBI) and 12-version of World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAs) will be used for evaluating participants' quality of life. Statistical analysis will aim to highlight the effects of NMES both on the EMG-electrophysiological parameters and on clinical evaluation scales. Additionally, it will seek to determine which of the two NMES pulse durations produced more beneficial results in reducing spasticity levels.

This pilot randomized controlled trial will examine the effects of a four-week lumbar spine stabilization exercise program on motor control, dynamic balance, and quality of life in healthy sedentary adults. Prolonged sedentary behavior has been associated with impaired neuromuscular function and increased risk of musculoskeletal disorders, even in asymptomatic individuals. Forty sedentary adults will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group, which will follow a structured lumbar stabilization exercise program, or to a control group, which will receive ergonomic and stretching guidelines. Outcomes will be assessed before and after the intervention using the SF-12v2 quality of life questionnaire, the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and the Y-Balance Test. Physical activity levels will be monitored using the IPAQ-SF. The study aims to determine whether lumbar stabilization exercises improve health-related quality of life, motor control and dynamic balance in sedentary adults.

The purpose of the current study is to investigate the effectiveness of binaural beat stimulation on the autonomic nervous system (ANS), taking into account kinesiophobia related to reinjury and fitness levels in professional athletes with musculoskeletal injuries. The study hypothesis is that binaural beats will have beneficial effects by reducing ANS activity, primarily through modulation of parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) activity, as well as by reducing kinesiophobia related to reinjury and enhancing fitness levels in this population. Researchers will compare binaural beat stimulation to a placebo condition and to a condition without binaural beats in order to evaluate and compare the effects of those three conditions on psychological and physiological parameters in professional athletes with musculoskeletal injuries. Participants will: * Receive receive music intervention either with binaural beat stimulation or placebo or music without binaural beats before their training sessions and competitions for a period of four weeks. * Maintain a diary to document each session of the music-based intervention.

The goal of this clinical trial is to examine the effect of a respiratory muscle strengthening program on the cognitive and physical functioning of patients with neurocognitive disorders (Mild Cognitive Impairment) or those predisposed to them. The main questions that aims to answer are: 1. Is Inpsiratory Muscle Training (IMT) feasible in people with mild cognitive impairement? 2. Could Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) improve congitive function in people with mild cognitive impairement? 3. Could Inspiratory Musclre training improve physical function in this population? Participants will be: 1. \< 60 age or \> 90 age 2. MMSE (Mini Mental State Examination) score ≤ 28 and ≥ 18 and follow a high intensity IMT program along with a physical - cognitive program. or just the physical - cognitive program.

The present Randomized Control Trial will be a single centric, two arm parallel equivalence randomized controlled. Participants will be assigned to either the Inspiratory MuscleTraining (IMT) group (investigation) or to Sham IMT group (control). The assessment times were three (3) before the start of the program (baseline-T1), immediately after the 3 months of the main exercise program (end of the main program-T2) and 6 months after (end of follow up-T3). The measurements included: A. By measuring the Maximum Inspiratory Pressure (MIP) (Micro RPM) B. By measuring the Maximum Dynamic Inspiratory Pressure s-index (Powerbrethe K5) The following instruments were included in the secondary outcome measures: * Recurrent Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Questionnaire (measurement of symptom frequency-RDQ Questionaire). * Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire (Quality of Life Measure-Reflux Qual short form questionnaire).

The effect of inspiratory muscle training on breathing pattern and functionality in patients with chronic heart failure.

The goal of this prospective randomized clinical trial is to investigate the effect of music intervention on the stress of live born preterm neonates requiring admission to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, through the measurements of salivary biomarkers (hormones and proteins). The main question it aims to answer is: Can the daily music intervention reduce the stress levels created by the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit environment in preterm neonates? Researchers will compare preterm neonates who will not be exposed to music intervention to investigate potential discrepancies in salivary stress biomarkers. Participants will be exposed to recorded music for 5 consecutive days.