Clinical Research Directory

Effect of Thoracic Mobilization in People With Central Obesity

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether Mulligan thoracic mobilization in extension improves ventilatory functions and chest wall expansion in adults with central obesity. It will also evaluate whether adding Mulligan thoracic mobilization to a low-carbohydrate diet and aerobic exercise provides greater benefits than diet and exercise alone. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does Mulligan thoracic mobilization improve ventilatory functions (FVC, FEV₁, FEV₁/FVC ratio, and MVV) in adults with central obesity? Does Mulligan thoracic mobilization improve chest wall expansion, functional capacity, and health-related quality of life? Researchers will compare Mulligan thoracic mobilization combined with a low-carbohydrate diet and aerobic exercise to a low-carbohydrate diet and aerobic exercise alone to determine whether the addition of thoracic mobilization improves respiratory outcomes. Participants will: Be randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group. Receive an individualized low-carbohydrate diet and supervised aerobic exercise for 8 weeks. Receive Mulligan thoracic mobilization in extension three times per week for 8 weeks if assigned to the intervention group. Undergo assessments of ventilatory functions, chest wall expansion, functional capacity, and quality of life before and after the intervention.

12-Month Once-a-week HIIT Improves Body Adiposity and Liver Fat

Obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are two related growing epidemics that are becoming pressing public health concerns. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a promising cost-effective and time-efficient exercise modality for managing obesity and NAFLD. However, patients with obesity and NAFLD are generally inactive and unfit, and might feel intimidated by the frequency of the prescribed HIIT (conventionally three times weekly). Previous HIIT studies, mostly over 2-4 month periods, showed that the participants could accomplish this exercise frequency under a controlled laboratory environment, but the long-term adherence and sustainability, especially in a field setting, remains uncertain. The situation is more unclear if we also consider those individuals who refused to participate possibly because of their overwhelming perceptions or low self-efficacy toward HIIT. Thus, logically, HIIT at a lower frequency would be practical and more suitable for patients with obesity and NAFLD, but the minimum exercise frequency required to improve health, especially in the long-term, is unknown. This proposed study aims to examine the effectiveness of long-term low-frequency HIIT for improving body adiposity and liver fat in centrally obese adults. The premise of this proposal is supported by recent findings that HIIT performed once a week could improve cardiorespiratory fitness, blood pressure, cardiac morphology, metabolic capacity, muscle power, and lean mass. This study will provide evidence for the benefits of long-term low-frequency HIIT with a follow-up period to assess its effectiveness, safety, adherence, and sustainability. We expect this intervention will enhance the practical suitability of HIIT in inactive obese adults and will provide evidence for low-frequency HIIT as a new exercise option in the management of obesity and NAFLD.

Impact of Chronotype-Based Time-Restricted Eating on Visceral Fat and Metabolic Health in Physically Inactive Adults With Central Obesity

Time-restricted eating (TRE) has gained attention as a promising dietary strategy for enhancing body composition and metabolic health. This innovative eating pattern involves confining daily food intake to a specific window, typically spanning 6-10 hours. Given the lack of consensus on the optimal TRE strategy, this research explores whether tailoring eating windows to individual chronotypes enhances TRE outcomes. This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of chronotype-matched versus chronotype-unmatched TRE protocols, compared to a control group, over a 12-week period on visceral fat mass and other metabolic health outcomes in physically inactive adults with central obesity. Additionally, the study seeks to determine whether chronotype-matched TRE offers greater benefits in terms of visceral fat reduction and metabolic improvements compared to chronotype-unmatched TRE. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, and after the 12-week intervention.

Cavitaion vs W-BEMS on Central Obesity

The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of ultrasound cavitation and whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) on inflammatory markers in individuals with central obesity.

Signos DM2 Empowerment Study (SIGNOS-CGM-EMPOWER-201-2022)

The use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in earlier data has inspired behavioral changes leading to improved adherence to an exercise plan in individuals and eating habits in people with diabetes. Mobile health (mHealth) platforms provide satisfactory, easy-to-use tools to help participants in the pursuit of weight change goals. We hypothesize that the use of CGM data and the Signos mHealth platform will assist with weight control in a population of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus who are not using insulin.

Use of Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Non-Diabetic Population to Compliment Signos Mobile Health Platform

Metabolic syndrome and resulting downstream health effects remains a growing health concern. In published trials, the use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) assists behavioral changes efforts, leading to improved adherence and results from diet and exercise changes in individuals with obesity, pre-diabetes and diabetes. Mobile health (mHealth) platforms provide satisfactory, easy-to-use tools that help participants in the pursuit of weight change goals. We hypothesize that the use of CGM data and targeted coaching and nutrition education will assist with weight optimization goals in the general (non-diabetic) population using the Signos mHealth platform, with associated health benefits.

Effect of Ultrasound Cavitation on Insulin Resistance in Patients with Central Obesity in Female

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of ultrasound cavitation on insulin resistance, HbA1c and skin fold in patients with abdominal central obesity.

Osaka Cardiometabolic Epidemiological Study: Ohtori Study Part 2

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between body fat distribution measured by CT scan and related risk factors with the risk of incident metabolic and cardiovascular disease in a prospective cohort study of Japanese men and women. The investigators will also investigate novel risk factors for metabolic and cardiovascular disease using molecular weight-based metallomics analysis.

Ultrasound Lipolysis Versus Cryolipolysis On Lipid Profile Levels In Centrally Obese Middle Aged Men

The study compares the effects of ultrasound lipolysis and cryo lipolysis on cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, body mass index, skin thickness, waist circumference, and waist hip ratio in centrally obese middle aged men. It also investigates the impact of ultrasound lipolysis on skin thickness, waist circumference, and waist hip ratio.