Clinical Research Directory

Chinese Overweight/Obesity Cohort: Metabolic & Comorbidity Risks

This is a nationwide, multi-center, long-term follow-up study of overweight and obese adults in China. The study aims to recruit approximately 26,000 participants across 39 hospitals to better understand how body weight affects the development of obesity-related diseases over a 3-year period. Eligible participants are adults aged 18 to 79 years with a body mass index (BMI) of 23 kg/m² or higher. Participants will be grouped into four categories based on their BMI: overweight, mild obesity, moderate obesity, and severe obesity. At the beginning of the study, all participants will undergo a comprehensive health assessment, including physical measurements, body composition analysis, blood tests, and lifestyle questionnaires. Participants will then be followed for 3 years with annual check-ins to track any new health conditions. The main goal is to identify the 3-year risk of developing conditions such as type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, high blood pressure, and heart disease in different weight groups. This information will help doctors better predict and prevent obesity-related health problems in the future. Participation is voluntary, and all personal information will be kept confidential.

Development of a Torso Patch Sensor (C-TraQ) as a Companion Device to a Fingertip Sensor (TipTraQ) for Direct Monitoring of Respiratory Effort

The existing PranaQ system utilizes a fingertip sensor that captures PPG(Photoplethysmography) and accelerometer data, and its clinical validation is well-established. While PPG alone has shown effectiveness in diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea, its limited data channels restrict comprehensive evaluation. For instance, it struggles to link apnea events with body position or differentiate between central and obstructive sleep apnea. To address these limitations, the PranaQ system incorporates new sensors, specifically the chest patch sensor, to monitor respiratory movements via accelerometer signals. The additional respiration signal has the potential to improve diagnostic accuracy for apnea through additional information from respiratory effort.

Randomized Clinical Trial for Tonsil Surgery in Adults With Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Enlarged Tonsils

The aim is to investigate whether the tissue-preserving tonsil surgery technique is as effective as complete tonsil removal in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. The primary outcome measure is the change in the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) before surgery and at 4-6, 24, and 60 months after surgery.