Clinical trials

Orthopedic surgical procedures, particularly total hip replacement, are of great importance in the older population in terms of regaining functional independence, reducing pain, and improving quality of life. In addition to surgical success, the postoperative recovery process, rehabilitation programs, patient education, and nursing care directly affect patients' clinical and functional outcomes. Failure to implement early mobilization may negatively affect patients' recovery and increase the risk of complications. Delayed mobilization may prolong hospital stays and increase healthcare costs. The most common complications include deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, respiratory complications, muscle weakness, and joint stiffness. Delayed mobilization may also increase postoperative pain and functional limitations, thereby restricting patients' ability to perform independent activities of daily living. Patient education during the postoperative period is one of the key factors supporting the success of early mobilization. Education provided to patients regarding postoperative positioning, breathing exercises, pain management, protection of the prosthetic area, and the importance of mobilization can help reduce complications and improve patient adherence. When education is planned individually under the guidance of nurses, it supports functional independence and facilitates the rehabilitation process.

The purpose of this study is to: * Determine the efficacy of nucresiran in patients with hATTR-PN by evaluating the effect on neurologic impairment, quality of life, nutritional status, disability, and gait speed * Demonstrate superiority of nucresiran compared to in-study vutrisiran with respect to serum transthyretin (TTR) levels

This is an international, multi-center, randomised, open label, superiority phase III trial of elacestrant vs standard endocrine therapy in patients with ER+/HER2- breast cancer and ctDNA relapse. During the ctDNA screening phase, patients will be tested at different timepoints to detect the presence of ctDNA in their blood. Patients who are found to be ctDNA-positive and have no evidence of distant metastasis, will be randomised 1:1 between standard endocrine treatment (the same they were receiving when tested ctDNA positive) versus elacestrant, provided they meet all eligibility criteria. After completion of the protocol treatment period, treatment will be left at the discretion of the treating physician.

This is a multicenter, randomized, open label phase lll trial to assess whether preoperative chemotherapy, as an adjunct to curative-intent surgery, improves the prognosis of high risk DDLPS (dedifferentiated Liposarcoma) and LMS (Leiomyosarcoma) patients as measured by disease free survival. After confirmation of eligibility criteria, patients will be randomized to either the standard arm or experimental arm.

The aim of this prospective, single-arm phase II study is the individualization of both radiotherapy (RT) and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) duration for patients with high-risk localized prostate cancer (PCa) according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) based on multimodal artificial intelligence (MMAI) classification. All patients will receive (i) a dose escalation to the prostate via HDR brachytherapy (boost), (ii) twelve months of ADT and (iii) extremely hypofractionated RT to the prostate (5 fractions). This way, patients in the HypoPro trial will receive a prostate-only dose escalation and benefit from shortening of the ADT compared with current guideline recommendations.

A prospective, single-arm phase II study is the individualization of RT for patients with high-risk localized PCa based on multimodal artificial intelligence (MMAI). All patients will receive the current standard of care: (i) a dose escalation to the prostate via HDR brachytherapy, (ii) two years of ADT and (iii) whole-pelvis UHF-RT (5 fractions).

This prospective randomized clinical trial aims to compare the effects of three different root canal sealers-AH Plus, ProRoot Bio Sealer, and BC Sealer ion+-on postoperative pain following root canal treatment in patients diagnosed with asymptomatic irreversible pulpitis. Postoperative pain is a common complication after endodontic treatment and may be influenced by microbial, chemical, and mechanical factors. The type and composition of root canal sealer may also affect tissue response, inflammation, and pain levels. AH Plus is an epoxy resin-based sealer known for its sealing ability and dimensional stability, whereas ProRoot Bio Sealer and BC Sealer ion+ are bioceramic sealers with enhanced bioactive properties. BC Sealer ion+ additionally releases both calcium and magnesium ions, which may improve tissue healing and biological performance. The study will include patients aged 18-60 years presenting with asymptomatic irreversible pulpitis in mandibular first or second molars. Following ethical approval from the European University of Lefke Ethics Committee, approximately 135 patients will be enrolled and randomly assigned into three equal groups according to the root canal sealer used. Sample size calculation was performed using G\*Power software with 80% statistical power and a significance level of 0.05. All treatments will be completed in a single visit by the same experienced clinician under standardized clinical conditions. Root canal preparation will be performed using the ProTaper Universal rotary system with standardized irrigation protocols including sodium hypochlorite, EDTA, chlorhexidine, and sonic activation. Obturation will be completed using a modified single-cone technique with the assigned root canal sealer. Patients and the outcome assessor will be blinded to group allocation. Postoperative pain will be assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) at 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours, as well as on day 7 after treatment. Secondary outcomes will include analgesic consumption and flare-up incidence. All patients will be prescribed ibuprofen to use only if necessary, and analgesic intake will be recorded. The primary objective of this study is to determine whether different root canal sealers significantly influence postoperative pain levels after root canal treatment. The null hypothesis states that there will be no statistically significant difference among AH Plus, ProRoot Bio Sealer, and BC Sealer ion+ regarding postoperative pain outcomes. Data will be analyzed using appropriate statistical methods, with a significance level set at P \< 0.05.

The PACEVALUE study is a large, international observational study aiming to improve the treatment of patients receiving cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) such as pacemakers, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices. While these devices are vital for managing heart rhythm disorders and heart failure, chronic right ventricular pacing can sometimes cause a condition called pacing-induced cardiomyopathy (PICM), where the left side of the heart weakens over time, leading to increased hospitalizations and higher mortality. The main goal of the study is to develop and validate a risk prediction model using routine clinical and device data to identify patients at highest risk of PICM before device implantation. By stratifying patients according to this risk score, the study aims to guide personalized pacing strategies, including conduction system pacing (CSP) and CRT options, to improve outcomes and reduce complications. The study will include approximately 4,500 patients across centers in Switzerland, Germany, Poland, Croatia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Australia, with planned inclusion of sites in the UK. Patients are included in two arms. In the prospective arm, consecutive patients are enrolled at the time of their device procedure. In the retrospective arm, centers include patients they have already treated, using data already recorded during clinical care. Both arms use the same case report form and the same endpoint definitions. Participants are followed annually for up to ten years, with data collection including heart function imaging, device data, clinical outcomes, patient-reported outcomes (PROMs/PREMs), and healthcare costs. This observational study will also compare clinical practices and cost-effectiveness of different pacing strategies across diverse healthcare systems, aiming to inform evidence-based, patient-centered, and economically efficient device therapy decisions. The findings will lay the groundwork for future registry-based randomized controlled trials to further optimize pacing treatments.

This study will compare the effects of an 8-week balance-focused exercise program and traditional physical education on static and dynamic balance performance in high school students.

Ankle fractures are common injuries that can affect a patient's mobility, mood, sleep, and everyday life for months. The Ankle Fracture Outcome of Rehabilitation Measure (A-FORM) is an English-language patient-reported outcome measure developed in Australia to capture this broader rehabilitation experience. No validated Turkish version of A-FORM currently exists. This prospective multi-centre observational study aims to translate the A-FORM into Turkish (A-FORM-TR), culturally adapt it for use in Turkish-speaking patients, and evaluate its psychometric properties. The investigators will recruit 150 adults with a unilateral ankle fracture, treated either surgically or conservatively, from three orthopedic centres in Turkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Participants complete the A-FORM-TR together with two established comparator questionnaires (AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Score and the Turkish Olerud-Molander Ankle Score). A subset of approximately 50 participants is re-administered the A-FORM-TR after 7 to 14 days to assess test-retest reliability, with a Global Rating of Change item identifying clinically stable patients. Analyses include classical test theory, confirmatory factor analysis, and Rasch measurement analysis.

Gastroscopy, performed as an invasive procedure for the diagnosis and treatment of upper gastrointestinal tract diseases, is often perceived by patients as an unpleasant and frightening experience, leading to anxiety (Hua et al., 2025). The onset of anxiety reduces procedure tolerance and negatively affects patient compliance (Yang et al., 2024). Factors such as pain, fear of complications, loss of control, and inadequate information are frequently cited as contributors to pre-gastroscopy anxiety (Helba, 2024). Anxiety triggers general stress responses-such as tachycardia, hypertension, and respiratory changes-associated with autonomic nervous system activation, and it impacts sedation requirements and cardiopulmonary risks (Liu, 2025). Breathing exercises, a non-pharmacological intervention, are widely recognized in the literature as effective in alleviating anxiety and fostering positive outcomes in patients (Aktaş, 2022; Bulut \& Karabulut, 2023). Breathing exercises stand out as a safe, low-cost method that modulates autonomic nervous system activity (Herawati et al., 2023). This study examines the effects of diaphragmatic breathing exercises performed prior to gastroscopy on anxiety, fear, and vital signs. The results of this study will establish a scientific foundation for healthcare professionals regarding the clinical application of breathing exercises and contribute to evidence-based practices aimed at reducing pre-gastroscopy anxiety and fear while enhancing personal coping.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common performed surgical procedures in urology. Over the past few decades there have been an increasing development of newer surgical treatment options. Additionally, the outcome parameters for BPH treatments have been standardized. While data are available for the initial pivotal studies, post-market release data are lacking. Under the umbrella of uCARE, we have started a prospective, ongoing international registry for recording demographics and outcomes for patients undergoing surgical treatments for BPH.

ORFAN is a prospective, multi-centre, multi-ethnic cohort observational study collecting CT scans, biological material and outcomes data, to develop and validate novel biomarkers of cardiometabolic and other disease risk.

This prospective, randomized interventional study aims to compare the postoperative effects of standard treatment (control), platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), and PRF combined with corticosteroid treatment in patients undergoing impacted mandibular third molar surgery. A total of 60 participants will be randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups according to the study protocol. Postoperative pain, facial swelling, and trismus will be evaluated on postoperative days 1, 2, 3, and 7. The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of PRF alone and PRF combined with corticosteroid treatment in reducing postoperative complications following impacted mandibular third molar surgery.

After a severe brain injury some patients survive but cannot communicate, and deciding early which of them are likely to recover consciousness remains one of the hardest problems in neurocritical care. Bedside examination alone misclassifies a substantial proportion of these patients. CyDoC-MAP is a single-centre, prospective, observational cohort study conducted at Nicosia General Hospital, the sole trauma referral centre for Cyprus. It enrols patients aged 16 years or older who are intubated within 24 hours of a moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury or a haemorrhagic stroke (intracerebral or subarachnoid haemorrhage), and who are subsequently classified as being in a vegetative state / unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (VS/UWS) or a minimally conscious state (MCS) on the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R). Four assessment modalities are recorded: (1) the CRS-R, performed at least twice with an interval of at least 48 hours; (2) serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) sampled within 24 hours of intubation; (3) the bispectral index (BIS), recorded at least twice with an interval of at least 48 hours, after five minutes of standardised noxious and auditory stimulation; and (4) in the traumatic subgroup only, 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging performed 7-28 days after injury and graded 1-4 by lesion depth by two independent raters. Level of consciousness is reassessed with the CRS-R 6 to 12 months after the index event, and the total CRS-R score (0-23) at that reassessment is the primary outcome. The primary aim is to estimate the strength of the association between the bispectral index recorded on the ward and that later CRS-R score, and to quantify what the bispectral index adds beyond the baseline clinical assessment. The number of eligible patients at a single national centre does not support the development of a prognostic model; the study is designed to produce effect-size estimates with confidence intervals that will inform a subsequent multicentre study. The study is purely observational. No intervention is administered, no study procedure alters clinical management, and transfer to rehabilitation is never delayed for research purposes.

This single-center, three-arm randomized controlled trial compares the effects of different myofascial release techniques, combined with a structured exercise program, on functional outcomes in individuals with chronic non-specific neck pain (CNNP). Eligible participants (aged 18 to 45 years, neck pain for at least 3 months, pain intensity VAS at least 3, and myofascial trigger points in the upper-quarter muscles) are allocated by simple randomization into three groups: * Conventional Therapy Group: hot pack, conventional TENS, and a structured exercise program. * Manual Myofascial Release Group: conventional therapy plus therapist-applied manual myofascial release. * Self-Myofascial Release Group: conventional therapy plus supervised self-applied myofascial release using a duo-ball, balls, and a massage stick/cane. All interventions are delivered 3 days per week for 6 weeks. The primary outcome is pain intensity. Secondary outcomes include pressure pain threshold and tolerance, cervical range of motion, muscle stiffness, craniovertebral angle, cervical proprioception, muscle strength and endurance, disability, neck awareness, multidimensional biopsychosocial status, sleep quality, quality of life, and kinesiophobia. The aim is to determine whether manual or self-applied myofascial release, added to exercise, produces greater functional improvement in people with chronic non-specific neck pain.

SPECTA is a quality assured platform for collecting clinicopathologically annotated biological material, imaging data, operative images, environmental assessment, questionnaires as well as patient-reported outcomes from cancer patients to support biospecimen-based translational research and clinical cancer research, including biomarker discovery to improve the understanding of tumor biology and cancer patients care.

Intra-articular platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection is a widely used treatment for knee osteoarthritis, but patients respond to it very differently and there is currently no simple, inexpensive way to predict who will benefit. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and related indices derived from a routine complete blood count reflect a person's baseline inflammatory state. This prospective single-arm observational cohort study investigates whether the baseline NLR, together with the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), and the monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), predicts the clinical response to intra-articular PRP in patients with Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2 to 3 knee osteoarthritis. The investigators will enroll 120 patients aged 40 to 60 years, each of whom receives a standardized course of three leukocyte-poor PRP injections one week apart. Patients are followed for 6 months, and the primary clinical outcome is the change in the WOMAC osteoarthritis index at 6 months. Outcome assessors are blinded to patients' blood-count values. If a baseline blood ratio predicts response, it could become a low-cost tool to guide patient selection for PRP.

Brief Summary Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a common musculoskeletal condition characterized by active trigger points (TrPs), which are hypersensitive, painful nodules within taut bands of skeletal muscle. The upper trapezius muscle is one of the most frequently affected sites. Trigger point injection (TPI) is a widely used minimally invasive treatment for patients who are refractory to conservative management. Corticosteroids provide rapid anti-inflammatory effects, whereas platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has regenerative properties through growth factors that may support tissue healing. Despite their widespread use, the optimal injectate for TPI remains unclear. Additionally, the potential benefit of combining PRP with corticosteroids has not been adequately studied in upper trapezius MPS. This study is a single-center, prospective, randomized, assessor-blinded controlled trial designed to compare the clinical effectiveness of three injection protocols: (1) PRP plus bupivacaine, (2) PRP plus betamethasone plus bupivacaine, and (3) betamethasone plus bupivacaine with saline (volume-matched control). A total of 150 patients with a single active trigger point in the upper trapezius will be included. The primary outcome is pain intensity measured by the visual analog scale (VAS) at 3 months. Secondary outcomes include pressure pain threshold (PPT), cervical range of motion (ROM), rescue analgesic use, recurrence rate, and adverse events at 1 week, 4 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. All injections are performed by the same investigator using a palpation-guided technique, and outcome assessments are conducted by a blinded evaluator.

This study investigates how different types of fasting affect cell health, specifically focusing on how mitochondria (the energy-producing parts of cells) are cleared and renewed. While standard intermittent fasting allows water intake, Ramadan dry fasting involves total restriction of both food and fluids from dawn to sunset. Researchers want to see if the combined effects of fluid restriction and natural daily body rhythms during Ramadan trigger a stronger cellular cleanup process (called mitophagy) compared to standard 16:8 water-permitted fasting. The study will look at how these fasting habits change blood markers related to mitochondrial DNA and metabolic health across a 30-day period. This research will help determine if dry fasting offers distinct biological benefits for cellular renewal.

Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm (BPDCN) is a very rare hematologic malignancy. Despite recent advances, at present there is no consensus on the optimal treatment of BPDCN. The optimal therapy of disease remains to be determined, and due to the rarity of cases, there is a need for international collaboration to collect data on BPDCN clinical presentations, diagnostics, treatment regimens and outcomes. Therefore, the objectives of this study are: (1) to build a large database of patients with BPDCN, (2) to investigate the characteristics and outcome of the disease with different treatment regimens, (3) to evaluate prognostic factors, and (4) to generate data-based prospective treatment recommendations.

The goal of this clinical trial is to assess the effectiveness of an intervention (combination of behavioural recommendations and technical measures) in reducing personal exposure to heat and air pollution and related health effects in older adults with hypertension. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does the intervention (combination of behavioral recommendations for heat mitigation) reduce personal ambient temperature exposure, measured using a wearable device (iButton)? * Does the intervention (combination of behavioral recommendations for air pollution mitigation and use of indoor air cleaners) reduce indoor exposure to air pollution, measured using indoor air quality sensors (Purple Air)? * Does the intervention (combination of behavioral recommendations for heat mitigation) improve the abnormalities in circadian blood pressure variation experienced by older adults with hypertension, assessed using advanced actigraphy? Researchers will compare measurements between older adults with hypertension carrying out their daily activities in the absence of intervention (control group), those carrying out their daily activities with behavioural recommendations (recommendation intervention group) and those carrying out their daily activities with both behavioural recommendations for heat mitigation and continuous use of indoor air cleaners in their house (heat and air pollution mitigation intervention group) to see if changes in temperature exposure and sleep are different between intervention groups. Participants will: * Wear the wearable devise for continuous personal ambient temperature monitoring (ibutton) daily for a period of three months * Have their core temperature measured using an eCelsius medical capsule in three repeated assessments * Have their blood pressure, oxygen saturation, ECG and heart rate variability measured using 24-hour advanced actigraphy in three repeated assessments * Provide samples of urine and blood biomarkers in three repeated assessments.

The goal of this clinical trial is to assess the effectiveness of an intervention (combination of behavioural recommendations and technical measures) in reducing personal exposure to heat and air pollution and related health effects in pregnant women. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does the intervention (combination of behavioral recommendations for heat mitigation) reduce personal ambient temperature exposure, measured using a wearable device (iButton)? * Does the intervention (combination of behavioral recommendations for air pollution mitigation and use of indoor air cleaners) reduce indoor exposure to air pollution, measured using indoor air quality sensors (Purple Air)? * Does the intervention (combination of behavioral recommendations for heat mitigation) reduce sleep difficulties experienced by pregnant women, measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index? Researchers will compare measurements between pregnant women carrying out their daily activities in the absence of intervention (control group), those carrying out their daily activities with behavioural recommendations (recommendation intervention group) and those carrying out their daily activities with both behavioural recommendations for heat mitigation and continuous use of indoor air cleaners in their house (heat and air pollution mitigation intervention group) to see if changes in temperature exposure and sleep are different between intervention groups. Participants will: * Wear the wearable devise for continuous personal ambient temperature monitoring (ibutton) daily for a period of three months * Have their core temperature measured using an eCelsius medical capsule in three repeated assessments * Complete the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire in three repeated assessments * Provide samples of urine and blood biomarkers in three repeated assessments.

This randomised controlled study aims to evaluate the effects of mindfulness meditation on sleep quality, perceived stress and symptoms levels ion hemodialysis patients. Participants in the intervention group will receive a 4 week mindfulness meditation program in addition to routine care. Outcomes will be assessed before and after the intervention using validated measurement tools.

This is a prospective, single-center, randomized controlled educational trial comparing the effectiveness of PlayStation VR2-based immersive virtual reality (VR) anatomy teaching versus classical (lecture/atlas/3D-model) teaching for wrist anatomy among first-year medical students at Kyrenia University Dr. Suat Gunsel Hospital. Eighty healthy adult students will be randomized 1:1 into a VR Group (30-35-minute PSVR2 wrist anatomy module delivered on PlayStation 5) or a Classical Group (30-35-minute faculty-led standard anatomy education using lecture, atlas, and 3D anatomical models). The primary outcome is immediate post-test knowledge score (multiple-choice questions plus visual labeling; 0-30 scale). Secondary outcomes include a 2-4-week retention test, Likert-type learning satisfaction (15-75), cognitive load (0-10), and incidence and severity of VR-related side effects (dizziness, nausea, eye strain; 0-3 ordinal). Outcome assessors are blinded to allocation. The study aims to evaluate whether immersive VR is non-inferior or superior to classical teaching for initial acquisition and short-term retention of wrist anatomy knowledge, while characterizing tolerability of consumer-grade VR in an educational setting.