Clinical Research Directory

Deep Optical Imaging of Tissue (DOIT)

In medical imaging, X-ray-based methods are widely used, which means that patients are exposed to ionizing radiation. In addition, invasive tissue samples often need to be taken with biopsy needles to, for example, safely determine or rule out a cancer diagnosis. With this project, the investigators evaluate a light-based (optical) method combined with ultrasound that is completely harmless to humans, ultrasound-optical-tomography (UOT). UOT is predicted to be able to penetrate deeper into the body to measure functions and image tissues than was previously possible with other optical imaging methods. The aim of this project is to explore the capabilities and safety of UOT regarding imaging depth and tissue property information in healthy participants, as a first step to understand the technology's capabilities and limitations. The long-term goal, in future steps, is to develop the technology for clinical assessment of cancer-suspected lesions with a particular focus on breast cancer and for assessment of circulatory disorders in tissue.

Effects of Whole Body Vibration in Different Devices on Bone and Muscle Mass in Postmenopausal Women

Postmenopausal women suffer from a series of negative health factors, such as decreased bone and muscle mass and physical performance, increasing the risk of falls and decreasing quality of life. Therefore, intervention strategies aimed at mitigating these factors are essential. A technique that has been studied and can reverse these factors is whole-body vibration (WBV), however studies present contradictory results and the main confounding factor appears to be related to the type of vibration (synchronous or side-alternating). Therefore, the primary objective of this project is to verify the effects of 12 months of whole-body vibration on different devices on bone mineral density measurements in postmenopausal women. As a secondary objective, the effects on muscle mass, physical performance, quality of life and falls will be verified. 127 postmenopausal women will participate in the study and will be randomized to: triplanar vibration (synchronous); side-alternating vibration; or false vibration. The interventions will last 12 months and will occur three times a week on non-consecutive days. The following assessments will be carried out at baseline, 6-months and 12-months: bone mineral density and muscle mass by DXA equipment, muscle thickness by ultrasound, peak torque of the knee extensor and flexor muscles by an isokinetic dynamometer, hand grip, balance static postural and vertical jump on a force platform, dynamic balance using the Timed Up and Go test, SPPB battery, fear (FES-I) and incidence of falls and quality of life (SF-36).

Application Shoulder Manipulation in Volleyball Players

Currently, it is difficult to find studies in the literature assessing the influence of manual therapy on kinetic and kinematic factors for the upper limbs of volleyball players, which in the long run may translate into a reduction in injuries by improving strength and balance in athletes, when planning training or therapy.

Shoulder Manipulation in Volleyball Players

Currently, it is difficult to find studies in the literature assessing the influence of manual therapy on kinetic and kinematic factors for the upper limbs of volleyball players, which in the long run may translate into a reduction in injuries by improving strength and balance in athletes, when planning training or therapy.

Hip Manipulation in Basketball Players

Currently, it is difficult to find studies in the literature assessing the impact of manual therapy on preventing lower limb injuries in basketball players, which may later translate into improved strength and balance in athletes, when planning training or therapy programming, e.g. in patients after ankle sprains.

Elastography in Patients With Hemiplegia

In our study, we aimed to examine the muscles and tendons of the shoulder region on the plegic side of patients with hemiplegia by elastography and to investigate whether there is a relationship between the course of the disease and the course of the lesions that will occur in the shoulder.