Clinical Research Directory

Stroke Mobility and Caregiver Outcomes

This study was designed to determine the effect of functional mobility levels of stroke patients on caregiver burden, anxiety, and depression in their caregivers.

Effectiveness of Strength-based Intervention for Elderly With Dementia Living in the Community

In the realm of dementia care, the imperative to intervene at the earliest stages of cognitive decline is paramount. Recognizing this pivotal moment, the development of innovative and effective interventions becomes imperative in delaying dementia progression. Rooted in the Roy Adaptation Model and Zimmer's Theory of Psychological Empowerment, the investigator team has developed the empowerment-based dyadic strength-based intervention, which integrates strength-based and empowerment methodologies. Emphasizing a shift from deficits to capabilities, the strength-based approach fosters awareness of collective strengths within care dyads, facilitating coping mechanisms and resilience in the face of cognitive afflictions.

Cancer Experience Registry (CER) for Cancer Patients and Caregivers

The Cancer Experience Registry®: An Online Survey Research Study to Understand the Experiences of Those Impacted By a Cancer Diagnosis. The Registry is a web-based platform to distribute cross-sectional and longitudinal surveys. Study surveys are designed based on input from advisor experts, including patients and caregivers, and focus on the social, emotional, physical, financial and decision-making experiences of those who have been diagnosed with cancer and their caregivers. Findings contribute toward enhancing care for patients, survivors and caregivers via programming and policy initiatives.

The Effect of Dyadic Self-Care Education Provided to Breast Cancer Patient-Caregiver Dyads on Patient and Caregiver Outcomes

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effect of dyadic self-care education provided to breast cancer patient-caregiver dyads receiving outpatient chemotherapy on patient self-care behaviors, anxiety levels, and caregiver anxiety levels and caregiver burden. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a dyadic self-care education intervention or routine care. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and follow-up using validated instruments.

Friends/Family of Individuals at Risk of Suicide Training Program

The Friends/Family of Individuals at Risk of Suicide Training (FIRST) program is a six-week program designed to provide knowledge and practical skills to help caregivers care for their loved one while also supporting their own mental health and wellbeing during highly stressful situations. Throughout the program, participants will develop skills to better communicate with their loved one, manage emotions, navigate the health-care system, practice self-care in moments where it feels impossible, and set healthy personal boundaries. FIRST consists of six weekly 90-minute group sessions delivered either online via videoconference or in-person in Toronto, Ontario. Each session is facilitated by a clinician and a peer facilitator with lived experience.

Mindfulness-based Lifestyle Modification Programme for Caregivers of People With Neurological Disorders

Over 80% of caregivers for individuals with neurodegenerative diseases (ND) engage in significant risk behaviors, particularly physical inactivity, which increases the risk of cardiometabolic diseases (CMD) by 30% and reduces life expectancy by 4-8 years. Despite the health benefits of maintaining healthy behaviors, awareness of behavioral risk management among healthcare professionals and the public is low, and research on this topic for ND caregivers is limited. Given that physical activity (PA) is the most prevalent modifiable risk factor, timely intervention is essential. International guidelines prioritize PA as a key strategy for caregiver health. However, existing PA interventions often struggle with low compliance due to the physical and emotional challenges caregivers face. Mindfulness-based lifestyle modification might help caregivers better manage physical discomfort, stress, and self-limiting beliefs, thereby supporting sustained PA by improving attentional regulation and psychological flexibility. The World Health Organization advocates for non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention through brief lifestyle interventions, such as ecological momentary interventions (EMI), which use mobile messaging (e.g., WhatsApp) to deliver personalized health content. This method is particularly valuable for caregivers who find it difficult to access traditional services due to their responsibilities. A pilot RCT was conducted to compare B-Mindful-Life to brief lifestyle education program in Chinese neurodegenerative disease caregivers, demonstrating promising acceptability, engagement, and effect for increasing PA (NCT06583018). Therefore, this full-power randomized clinical trial aims to rigorously examine its effectiveness and broader impact on this underserved population with several advancement: (i) broaden the population into all neurological disorder caregivers to test for the generalizability of the B-Mindful-Life program; (ii) conduct a 12-month follow-up to assess long-term effects of B-Mindful-Life intervention in real-life settings; (iii) modify outcome measures for targeted assessment. The primary outcome will measure the change in accelerometer-determined, 10-minute bout moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) over a 7-day period from baseline to post-intervention.

Pilot Study of a Behavioral Program for Depression in Skilled Nursing Facility Residents and Care Partners

The goal of this clinical trial is to test a behavioral health program (Interventions for Stressful Transitions in Later Life, InSTILL) for skilled nursing facility residents and care partners. The main questions it aims to answer is whether the program is program is feasible, satisfactory, and helpful. Participants will join 8 bi-weekly sessions of the InSTILL program. Participants will complete assessments at three timepoints (all) and a brief-exit interview.

Neurophysiological Benefits of Live Music for Early Alzheimer's Patients and Their Caregivers

This study aims to investigate the neurophysiological effects of live music on individuals with early Alzheimer's Disease (AD), dementia, and/or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and their caregivers. Heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), and brain activity will be measured as participant-caregiver dyads listen to preferred and improvised music performed by professional musicians. Investigators will leverage various measurement techniques including, but not limited to, electroencephalography (EEG), behavioral, surveys, and physiological monitoring to study the impact of live music on anxiety in AD and inter-dyad synchrony.

Patient and Caregiver Attitudes and Beliefs Regarding Prescription of Intranasal Naloxone Spray for Opioid Overdose

This trial studies the attitudes and beliefs of high risk patients and caregivers regarding the prescription of intranasal naloxone spray for opioid overdose. Knowledge regarding high risk patients' and caregivers' beliefs and attitudes regarding co-prescription of naloxone spray with opioids may help to identify barriers to prescribing and helping tailor the education to better meet the needs of patients and caregivers.

CommunityRx-Dementia + Peer Navigation (CRxDpeer)

The CRxDpeer intervention, delivered by a trained peer navigator, in practice called a "peer mentor", includes three evidence-based components: (a) focused education about common social (e.g., food and housing insecurity) and caregiving (e.g., respite and end of life care) needs, (b) activation of personalized community resource information for social and caregiving needs through delivery of a resource list (HealtheRx) at the baseline encounter and coaching on how to communicate with service providers, coordinate services and manage social support (e.g., connect with their peer navigator, reach out to friends or relatives for support, identify support groups, etc.) and (c) ongoing navigation-focused support meant to boost the baseline intervention, including a series of proactive text messages over 12 months. During this time, the subject can respond to and communicate with the peer navigator for ongoing support.

Mobile Health Application for Family Caregivers in Home Palliative Care

Family caregivers play a central role in providing daily care for patients receiving home palliative care. However, caregiving responsibilities may lead to increased burden, stress, and difficulties in symptom management and care coordination. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions may provide accessible education, symptom monitoring, and decision-support resources to improve caregiver outcomes and patient care. The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of a mobile health application developed for family caregivers of patients receiving home palliative care. The primary outcome is caregiver competence. Secondary outcomes include caregiver burden, self-efficacy, patient symptom burden, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations. A total of 120 family caregivers will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group, which will use the mobile health application for 6 weeks in addition to usual care, or the control group, which will receive usual care alone. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, post-intervention (Week 6), and follow-up (Week 18).

Couples-Based Yoga Program in Improving Quality of Life in Patients With High-Grade Glioma Undergoing Radiation Therapy and Their Partners

This randomized clinical trial studies couples-based yoga program in improving quality of life in patients with high-grade glioma undergoing radiation therapy and their partners. A couple-based Hatha yoga program may improve fatigue, distress, sleep quality, and overall quality of life in patients with glioma and their partners.

Embedded Palliative Care in Managing Symptoms in Participants With Recurrent Stage III-IV Thoracic Malignancies and Their Caregivers

This trial studies how well embedded palliative care works in managing symptoms in participants with stage III-IV thoracic malignancies that has come back and their caregivers. Embedded palliative care may improve distress and anxiety in participants and caregivers.

The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program

This randomized controlled study evaluate the effect of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program on the state-trait anxiety, hopelessness, self-compassion and care burden of the families of psychotic patients. The hypothesis of this study is that the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program improves the state-trait anxiety, hopelessness, self-compassion and care burden of the families of psychotic patients.

Preference of Room Setting and Waiting Time in Patients With Advanced, Locally Advanced, or Metastatic Cancer and Their Caregivers Who Are Seen in the Outpatient Supportive/Palliative Care Center

This trial studies the preference of room setting and waiting time in patients with cancer that has spread to nearby tissue or lymph nodes or other places in the body and their caregivers who are seen in the outpatient supportive/palliative care center. Room setting preferences of patients and caregivers may help to understand their opinion regarding direct rooming system in the outpatient supportive/palliative care center.

Palliative Care Intervention in Improving Symptom Control and Quality of Life in Patients With Stage II-IV Non-small Cell Lung Cancer and Their Family Caregivers

This clinical trial studies a palliative care intervention in improving symptom control and quality of life in patients with stage II-IV non-small cell lung cancer and their family caregivers. Palliative care programs can provide patients and their caregivers with information on how to manage their symptoms, maintain health and well-being, and access supportive care services. An interdisciplinary palliative care model may effectively link lung cancer patients to the appropriate supportive care services in a timely fashion.

MIND-WELL Intervention

Lung cancer patients often go through more than one type of treatment, such as chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy. These treatments can lead to several transition periods, which may increase stress and leave some needs unmet for patients and their family caregivers. The purpose of this study is to find out whether a program that includes mindfulness (stress reduction) and education is helpful, acceptable, and practical for lung cancer patients and their family caregivers. We also want to learn if this program helps them feel better prepared during these transitions.

Music for Pain and Dementia

This study aims to provide mechanistic insights into how group drumming as a music-based intervention (MBI) affects pain responses and nociceptive function in individuals with Alzheimer's Disease (AD), mild dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), and brain activity will be measured during communal drumming with their dyadic partners and others. Brain activity, blood pressure, cognitive abilities, blood hormone levels, and static and dynamic pain will also be measured during sessions pre and post the 8-week community drum circle. Investigators will leverage various measurement techniques including, but not limited to, electroencephalography (EEG), quantitative sensory testing (QST), behavioral, surveys, and physiological monitoring to study the impact of group drumming on pain and brain activity in AD and inter-dyad synchrony.

Support for Bereaved Cancer Caregivers

Friend and family caregivers of recently deceased cancer patients experience acute bereavement following the death. Post death bereavement is an intense period of mourning that includes an unfolding of the grief process and is characterized by strong emotions and demands on cognitive resources to those who have put aside their own needs to support the dying patient with cancer. This research will test the feasibility and acceptability of a nature-based healing meditation (NBHM) intervention to support cancer caregivers' during the bereavement process.

Dyadic Management Intervention in Older People With Co-occurring Cognitive Impairment and Diabetes as a Supplementary Approach to Chronic Diseases Self-Management Program

The goal of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of a dyadic management of the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) for older adults with co-occurring cognitive impairment and diabetes with the involvement of caregivers. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does the intervention improve diabetes self-management and cognitive function in older adults? * How is the implementation of the intervention in real-world settings? Participants will: * Attend weekly CDSMP session over a 6-week period (2.5-hour per session). * Provide feedback on their experience with the intervention through interviews and surveys.

Mindfulness-based Lifestyle Modification Programme for Caregivers of People With Neurodegenerative Disorders: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial

Over 80% of caregivers for individuals with neurodegenerative diseases (ND) engage in significant risk behaviors, particularly physical inactivity, which increases the risk of cardiometabolic diseases (CMD) by 30% and reduces life expectancy by 4-8 years. Despite the health benefits of maintaining healthy behaviors, awareness of behavioral risk management among healthcare professionals and the public is low, and research on this topic for ND caregivers is limited. Given that physical activity (PA) is the most prevalent modifiable risk factor, timely intervention is essential. International guidelines prioritize PA as a key strategy for caregiver health. However, existing PA interventions often struggle with low compliance due to the physical and emotional challenges caregivers face. Our research group actively explores the health-regulating and enhancing effects of integrative mind-body modalities, particularly mindfulness, which may promote and sustain healthy behaviors by improving attentional regulation and psychological flexibility. Mindfulness-based lifestyle modification might help caregivers better manage physical discomfort, stress, and self-limiting beliefs, thereby supporting sustained PA. The World Health Organization advocates for non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention through brief lifestyle interventions, such as ecological momentary interventions (EMI), which use mobile messaging (e.g., WhatsApp) to deliver personalized health content. This method is particularly valuable for caregivers who find it difficult to access traditional services due to their responsibilities. This pilot randomized clinical trial aims to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of an EMI-enhanced "Brief and Blended Mindfulness-based Lifestyle Counselling Programme" (B-Mindful-Life) compared to brief lifestyle education for increasing PA among Chinese ND caregivers. The primary outcome will be the feasibility (rates of recruitment, eligibility, refusal, and retention at 2 and 5 months), and acceptability measures (adherence, incidence of adverse events, and satisfaction with intervention).

PRACOH Prevention Breakdown Support Advice Guidance Disability

The main objective of this prospective interventional study is to evaluate the impact of the stay in the dedicated transitional care unit, through the achievement of the patient's primary objective set at admission, directly related to their specific needs. It is expected to improve knowledge regarding the prevention of situations of breakdown and exhaustion in the living environment of people with disabilities. * This would improve the life and care pathways as well as the support provided to these individuals and their families and friends. * It would limit the use of unscheduled care services in crisis situations, thereby improving the quality of care and life.

CaknaStrok Education Package for Stroke Caregivers

This study evaluated the feasibility and potential effectiveness of the CaknaStrok Education Package (CEP), a culturally tailored education package developed to support informal caregivers of stroke survivors. The package consists of a mobile health application and a Malay-language caregiving guidebook covering stroke knowledge, caregiving strategies, rehabilitation, nutrition, secondary prevention and caregiver self-care. The study compared caregivers receiving the CaknaStrok Education Package in addition to usual care with those receiving usual care alone. The study assessed outcomes related to caregiving burden, quality of life and psychological well-being, as well as the feasibility of implementing the intervention within routine stroke care.

FearLess in NeuroOncology

The overarching goal of this project is to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of recruitment methods, target population, and a waitlist design to finalize the protocol of FearLess in primary malignant brain tumor patients and caregivers