Clinical Research Directory

Safety and Efficacy of Very Short DAPT in Older Patients Undergoing PCI

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if reducing the duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after percutaneous coronary intervention (short treatment regimen, stopping aspirin at day 7) is as safe and efficient as the standard DAPT duration (standard treatment regimen) in elderly patients ≥ 65 years. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does the reduction of the duration of DAPT reduces rates of bleeding without increasing the risk of cardiovascular events? Researchers will compare a short treatment by DAPT (7 days, followed by single antiplatelet therapy) to a standard treatment duration by DAPT (3 to 12 months) after successful percutaneous coronary intervention with ≥ 1 drug-eluting stent. Participants will: * Take aspirin for 7 days in one group or 3 to 12 months in another group * Be contacted by phone at 7 days, 14 days, 21 days, 30 days, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after hospital discharge * Keep a diary of any bleeding or cardiovascular events occurring during the study period

A Clinician-Patient Dual Behavior Change Framework to Leverage Informed Digital Nudges to Reduce Hospital Readmissions and Improve Patient Outcomes: A Trial for Scalable Strategy to Reduce Readmissions (PREVENT-R)

The PREVENT-R trial will evaluate an intervention targeting both clinician and patient behavior. The clinician-focused piece consists of an electronic medical record-based digital nudge presented to emergency department clinicians caring for eligible older adults at high risk of readmission. The nudge is intended to prompt clinicians to consider referral to the Service Navigator Program from the Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut for patients with needs that may be addressed through community-based services and supports. The study will evaluate whether these mechanisms (clinician referral and patient program acceptance behavior) are associated with subsequent Emergency Department (ED) revisits and 30-day hospital re-admissions.

The Effects of Virtual Tours on Elderly People Living Alone

This experimental study aimed to determine the effect of virtual museum tours on the psychological well-being and loneliness levels of individuals aged 65 years and older living alone. Individuals aged 65 years and older who were living alone at home were included in the study. The required sample size was calculated using G\*Power software and determined to be 42 participants, with 21 participants in the intervention group and 21 in the control group. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Psychological Well-Being Scale for Older Adults (YPİOÖ), and the UCLA Loneliness Scale (UCLA-LS). Following the pre-test assessment, participants in the intervention group participated in virtual museum tours through the "Virtual Tour" website provided by the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Culture and Tourism (https://sanalmuze.gov.tr/?\_Dil=1). The virtual museum tours were conducted once a week for six weeks. After completion of the intervention, the questionnaires were administered again as a post-test. No intervention was applied to the control group until the completion of the study; participants in the control group were subsequently offered the opportunity to experience the virtual museum tour. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, median, frequency, and percentage), Student's t-test, and paired-samples t-test. A p-value of \<0.05 was considered statistically significant. All necessary permissions were obtained prior to conducting the study.

Functional Decline and Quality of Life After Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgery in Older Adults

This prospective cohort study will evaluate functional decline, health-related quality of life, and long-term oncological outcomes in adults aged 65 years and older undergoing curative-intent resective surgery for gastrointestinal cancer at Hospital Universitario Mayor-Méderi in Bogotá, Colombia. The primary objectives are to identify prognostic factors associated with functional decline and clinically meaningful deterioration in health-related quality of life at 12 months after surgery. Functional decline will be assessed using the Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living, and quality of life will be assessed using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30. Long-term oncological outcomes will include overall survival, time to recurrence, and disease-free survival, with estimates reported at 1, 3, and 5 years after surgery. Participants will undergo standardized preoperative assessment of demographic, oncological, functional, frailty, nutritional, cognitive, psychological, and sarcopenia-related factors. Multivariable prognostic models will be developed to evaluate their association with the primary outcomes.

Effect of Exergaming Program Versus Neuromuscular Exercise in Elderly People With Motor Cognitive Risk Syndrome

The primary aim of our study is to compare the effects of neuromuscular exercise training versus structured exergaming program on locomotor and cognitive functions in elderly individuals with Motor Cognitive Risk (MCR), which defines the transition state between typical aging and dementia and mild cognitive impairment. This study aims to present for the first time the effects of neuromuscular exercise training and exergaming program on locomotor and cognitive functions in elderly individuals with MCR with comparative results.

Low Load With Blood Flow Restriction for Improving Strength, Balance, and Cognition in Older Adults

This study aims to examine the effects of low load resistance exercise with a blood flow restriction cuff on muscle strength, balance, physical performance, depression, and cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults.

Dignity Therapy for Older Adults in Long-term Care Institutions

Due to the aging global population, an increasing number of elderly people are spending their remaining years in long-term care facilities. Common physical and psychological challenges in older adults increase with aging, significantly increasing their vulnerability and dependency and diminishing their sense of self and dignity. Loss of dignity is one of the most common challenges faced by older adults and can lead to various psychological issues, such as shame, depression, increased physical and mental stress, and even suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Therefore, care services for the elderly should strive to maintain and enhance their dignity and mitigate the negative impacts of this loss of dignity. Dignity therapy can help elderly people understand themselves by clarifying the value and meaning of life, fostering a sense of dignity and meaning. By creating a permanent, written record of their thoughts and words, which can be shared with important family members and friends, it can improve communication and interaction with family and friends, enhance their sense of dignity, and foster a sense of being functional, contributing, and valuable. The overall purpose of this three-year study was to investigate the effectiveness, applicability, and feasibility of dignity therapy for elderly people in long-term care facilities. The effectiveness of dignity therapy was assessed using indicators related to dignity and depression. Regarding the applicability and feasibility of dignity therapy, the perspectives of residents in long-term care facilities (experimental group), family members who received written documentation, and healthcare professionals were surveyed. The costs associated with the dignity therapy process, including labor, time, and financial costs, were assessed. This study employed a randomized controlled experimental design and recruited residents aged 65 and older from long-term care facilities in southern Taiwan. The experimental group received dignity therapy, while the control group received institutional care. The effective sample size was calculated to be 54 participants, with a minimum of 27 participants in each group. The Patient Dignity Inventory (Mandarin Version, PDI-MV) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) were used to assess the effectiveness of dignity therapy in residents of long-term care facilities before intervention (T0), immediately after intervention (T1), at one month (T2), two months (T3), three months (T4), and six months (T5). An 18-item semi-structured interview questionnaire was used to survey residents of long-term care facilities (experimental group), 100 family members who received written documentation, and 50 healthcare professionals regarding their opinions on the applicability and feasibility of dignity therapy. The study also calculated the associated human, time, and financial costs. This study anticipates that dignity therapy can enhance the dignity of residents in long-term care facilities and is applicable and feasible for these individuals. The study aims to provide academic and practical communities with a better understanding of the psychological, social, and spiritual needs of residents in long-term care facilities, as well as a reference for developing evidence-based care policies related to dignity therapy.

Prehabilitation Prior to Surgery for Kidney Tumors

The goal of this clinical trial is to examine if one month of general health optimization before surgery for kidney tumors can help participants recover more quickly from surgery. The optimization process is called prehabiliation, and will last one month. It consists of 1. A comprehensive health assessment 2. Assisted smoking cessation 3. A home exercise program. The investigators will compare an intervention group receiving one month of prehabilitation with a control group receiving the standard of care. Some of the main questions the investigators want to answer are * Are participants in the intervention group more satisfied with their quality of recovery after surgery? * Do participants in the intervention group maintain more of their physical abilites compared to the control group?

Sandplay-Act. Older: Structured Sandplay Activity for Older Individuals

This research was planned to determine the effect of structured sandplay activities on positive and negative affect and levels of meaning in life in elderly individuals. The research will be conducted as a single-blind, randomized controlled trial with a pre-test, post-test design at the Gül Kokulu Çınarlar Vefa Konağı of the Isparta Municipality Health Affairs Directorate between July 2026 and July 2027. Prior to the research, ethical committee approval and institutional permission for implementation will be obtained. The research population consists of 400 individuals registered with the institution. The sample will consist of 60 individuals (30 in the intervention group and 30 in the control group) who meet the inclusion criteria, are selected using block randomization, and provide informed consent. The control group will receive no intervention; a pre-test will be administered on the first day, and a post-test will be administered on the day the intervention for the experimental group ends. The intervention group will participate in sandplay activities twice a week for a total of four sessions; a pre-test will be administered on the first day, and a post-test will be administered in the last session. Data collection is planned for the period between July 2026 and July 2027 using the Personal Information Form (PIF), the Positive-Negative Affect Scale (PANAS), and the Meaning in Life Scale (MLS). Data will be analyzed using the SPSS (Statistical Program for Social Sciences) statistical analysis package, and statistical significance will be accepted at p \< 0.05.

Frailty and Muscle Strength Tests in Older Adults Undergoing Major Surgery

The goal of this observational study is to learn if simple tests for frailty and muscle strength can help predict which older adults (age 65 and older) are at higher risk for problems after major abdominal surgery. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Do measures of frailty and muscle strength, taken before surgery, predict complications after surgery? * Can these tests be easily done during a routine pre-surgical visit? Participants will: * Complete brief tests measuring muscle strength, breathing strength, physical function, nutrition status, body composition, and memory during a regular pre-surgical clinic appointment. * Allow researchers to review their medical records 30 and 90 days after surgery to identify any complications or health problems.

Efficacy of an Animated Video-Guided Exercise Intervention in Older Adults

Impaired mobility in older adults significantly exacerbates the risk of falls and subsequent injuries. Beyond physical sequelae, fall precipitate psychological burdens, notably the fear of falling and kinesiophobia. This study investigated the efficacy of animation-guided video exercise training on falls, fear of falling, kinesiophobia, and exercise sensitivity in geriatric individuals.

Figure-of-eight Backward Walk Test in Elderly

Mobility is a fundamental element of healthy aging. Balance is a necessary function during mobility for all movements throughout life in elderly individuals. Falls due to balance disorders in elderly individuals cause a decrease in the quality of life. Studies in the literature indicate that 13% of individuals aged 65-69 experience falls, and this rate rises to 46% in individuals over 85. Lower extremity muscle volume and strength gradually decrease with aging. This decreased muscle strength directly impacts individuals' activities of daily living.Normal walking speed for elderly individuals is related to balance and overall health performance. However, walking assessments generally focus on walking activities in a forward direction and in a straight line. However, in daily life, we may need to sit on a chair, walk backward to navigate a narrow space, or change direction suddenly due to obstacles or environmental cues. Walking backward requires more complex motor control, and these gait training programs are known to be effective in improving balance and walking skills.Clinically, balance assessments in the elderly persons are commonly measured by using the TUG, 10-meter walk test, functional reach test, 4-square step test, and Berg balance scale. The methods used to assess balance are still not fully standardized. The best test for assessing dynamic balance and fall risk is still up for debate, especially when it comes to elderly individuals who live freely in the community. Further research is needed to determine whether lateral walking tests can identify those at high risk of falling in elderly adults. The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability, validity, and minimal detectable change (MDC) of the Figure-of-8 backward walking test in healthy elderly adults.

Evaluation of Oxygen Reserve Index (ORi) in Obese and Non-Obese Patients Over 65 Years Old

After obtaining ethical committee approval, this single-center, prospective, observational study included volunteer patients of both sexes, aged 65 years and older, with ASA II-III risk scores, who were scheduled for elective surgery with endotracheal intubation under general anesthesia (GAA). 90 patients were divided into two groups: those with normal BMI (19 \< BMI \< 25 kg/m² (GROUP 1)) and those who were obese (30 \< BMI \< 40 kg/m² (GROUP 2)). In addition to standard ASA monitoring, a finger sensor (Rainbow® SET, Masimo Inc., Irvine, Ca., USA) was implanted for ORi measurement, and baseline values were recorded. Patients were preoxygenated until EtO2 (endtidal oxygen) concentration reached at least 85%. After ORi reached a plateau level, general anesthesia was induced and endotracheal intubation was performed. After confirming the tube's position, the breathing circuit was disconnected from the endotracheal tube, and patients were allowed to be apneic until SpO2 reached 94%. Throughout this process, patients' other vital signs, SpO₂, and ORi were continuously monitored. The time elapsed when ORi triggered an alarm, when SpO2 reached 97%, and when SpO2 reached 94% was recorded. The 'ORi warning time', 'SpO2 warning time', and the 'additional warning time provided by ORi' (the difference between 'ORi warning time' and 'SpO2 warning time') were recorded.

Health Literacy-Based Multifactorial Program for Adults With Sarcopenia

Sarcopenia is a common age-related condition characterized by the progressive loss of muscle mass and function, which may lead to reduced physical performance, disability, and poorer quality of life. Exercise and nutritional management are considered the primary interventions for preventing and managing sarcopenia; however, successful implementation requires long-term lifestyle modifications. Previous studies have indicated that health literacy among the general population in Taiwan remains insufficient, potentially limiting individuals' ability to adopt and maintain healthy behaviors. Therefore, interventions that improve health literacy may help promote healthy aging and sarcopenia prevention. The purpose of this study is to develop a sarcopenia-specific health literacy questionnaire and to evaluate the effectiveness of a health literacy-based multifactorial intervention among community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults. A total of 100 participants will be enrolled and assigned to either an intervention group (n=50) or a control group (n=50). The intervention group will participate in six 60-minute sessions consisting of health education and exercise training. Health literacy and other self-reported outcomes will be assessed before and after the intervention, with follow-up assessments conducted three months later. The study aims to determine whether the intervention can improve participants' health literacy and support the adoption of healthy lifestyle behaviors related to sarcopenia prevention and management.

Turkish Validation of the ALOC Screening Scale in Older Adults

As the elderly population increases, health problems related to aging are also increasing. Loss of appetite negatively affects public health by causing malnutrition and related health problems in elderly individuals. Loss of appetite is a common problem in older adults, both in individuals with and without cognitive impairment. This can lead to serious health problems such as malnutrition, weight loss, muscle loss, weakening of the immune system and decreased quality of life. Cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's and dementia can trigger loss of appetite, or loss of appetite can be a symptom of these disorders. Factors such as metabolic changes during the aging process, decreased sense of taste and smell, loneliness and depression contribute to loss of appetite. However, there is no valid and reliable scale in Turkey for the early diagnosis and assessment of loss of appetite. A scale being valid and reliable means that it can measure the concept it is intended to measure accurately and consistently. The aim of this study was to determine the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Loss of Appetite Scale in older adults with and without cognitive impairment .

The Effects of Somatic-Based Chair Exercises in the Elderly

The primary aim of this study is to investigate the effects of easily applicable somatic-based chair exercises on balance and pain in the elderly. Additionally, the study aims to reveal the impact of exercise on functionality and cognitive level, and the resulting changes in quality of life. The main research questions addressed in this study are: * What are the most suitable exercise models that can be applied to improve pain control and balance in the elderly? * How do the results of different approaches aimed at improving the quality of life in the elderly differ?

Action Observation and Exercise for Balance in Older Adults: A Randomized Trial.

The primary objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of combining action observation with a therapeutic exercise program to improve balance and prevent falls in adults aged ≥65 with low to moderate fall risk.

Comparison of Physical Performance, Balance, and Functional Mobility Parameters According to Walking Speed in Geriatric Individuals

The aim of this study is to examine the determining role of walking speed on physical performance parameters in individuals aged 65 and over. The study aims to compare flexibility, lower extremity muscle strength (5-count sit-stand test), static balance (single-leg balance), upper extremity muscle strength (hand grip), dynamic balance (FUT), functional mobility (TUG), and stair climbing/climbing skills in individuals with walking speeds of 0.4-0.8 m/s (limited community mobility) and above 0.8 m/s (independent community mobility).

Evaluating the Clinical Suitability of Microsoft Xbox One Games in Geriatric Rehabilitation

This study aims to determine the potential for 'safe' and 'effective' use of Microsoft Xbox One-based motion games for the geriatric population through expert consensus using a unique set of assessments, and to provide clinicians with an evidence-based guide to game selection.

Dynamic and Isometric Strength Training in Older Adults With Hypertension

This feasibility study aims to evaluate the effects of dynamic strength training and isometric strength training on cardiovascular health indicators, mental health, and neuromuscular fitness in older adults with hypertension. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two training modalities and will complete supervised exercise sessions throughout the intervention period. The study will provide preliminary evidence regarding the safety, acceptability, and potential impact of each training modality on health outcomes in this population.

Effect of Intravenous Iron on Quality of Life in Older Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome

The goal of this phase IV, open-label, randomized clinical trial is to evaluate whether intravenous iron improves quality of life in adults aged 65 years and older with iron deficiency after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does intravenous iron improve quality of life at 6 and 12 months? * Does it reduce frailty and adverse clinical outcomes? Researchers will compare intravenous ferric carboxymaltose with standard of care. Participants will: * Be randomly assigned to receive intravenous iron or standard care * Attend three study visits over 12 months * Complete questionnaires and undergo blood tests

Effect of Biofeedback Activation on Balance in Osteoporotic Elderly

This study aimed to investigate the effect of gluteus medius activation using electromyography (EMG) biofeedback combined with balance training on balance, physical performance, gluteus medius muscle activity, and quality of life in osteoporotic elderly patients.

Effects of Continuous Monitoring and Progressive Regulation of Inflatable Laryngeal Mask Airway Cuff Pressure on Postoperative Pharyngolaryngeal Complications in Elderly Patients

Currently, research on laryngeal mask airway (LMA) has been continuously deepened both domestically and internationally, which has greatly promoted the optimization process of clinical application and related management strategies. Numerous domestic and foreign research findings have consistently emphasized the key role of LMA cuff pressure monitoring in reducing postoperative complications, especially in alleviating sore throat and dysphagia. Foreign studies have extensively covered the research and development innovation of LMA devices, as well as comprehensive comparative analyses with other airway management methods such as endotracheal intubation, providing rich perspectives for expanding the application of LMA and improving its application effects. In contrast, domestic studies have distinct pertinence, focusing on application exploration in specific populations and clinical practice scenarios, and have provided important evidence for the safe and effective use of LMA in specific groups through in-depth research. However, it is undeniable that there are obvious deficiencies in both domestic and foreign research regarding the application of continuous monitoring and progressive regulation of LMA cuff pressure in elderly patients-a crucial field. Due to the natural decline of physiological functions, elderly patients face an increased risk of complications such as pulmonary and extrapulmonary complications, as well as pharyngolaryngeal complications, when using LMA during the perioperative period. Therefore, it is particularly urgent to carry out continuous pressure monitoring and progressive regulation of LMA cuff pressure, and to further explore the optimal range of LMA cuff pressure. This study will not only fill the current research gap but also provide solid support for the safe and efficient airway management of elderly patients during the perioperative period.

The Effect of İnhaler Training and Reminders on Medication on Adherence in Elderly Individuals

This study will evaluate the effect of metered-dose inhaler training and reminders on treatment adherence in elderly individuals.