Clinical trials

This study will examine the relationship between judo-specific physical fitness and cognitive performance in young male judo athletes and will evaluate the immediate effects of the Special Judo Fitness Test (SJFT) on attention and inhibitory control. Licensed male judo athletes who train regularly at least three days per week will be compared with male participants who do not actively participate in sports. Judo athletes will complete a standardized warm-up followed by the SJFT, a judo-specific high-intensity fitness test involving repeated throws performed over three short exercise periods separated by brief rest intervals. Heart rate will be measured immediately after the SJFT and again one minute later. Cognitive performance will be assessed using a computerized Flanker Task, which will measure reaction time and response accuracy while participants respond to relevant visual information and ignore distracting information. Judo athletes will complete the Flanker Task approximately one minute before and one minute after the SJFT. Participants in the control group will complete the same cognitive assessment twice over a similar time interval without performing the physical exercise. The study will aim to determine whether judo-specific physical fitness and judo experience are associated with attention and inhibitory control and whether a single high-intensity judo-specific exercise session will produce an immediate change in cognitive performance.

This study will compare the immediate effects of two common judo practice methods, randori and yakusoku geiko, on visual-motor performance and heart rate in young male judokas. Randori is a free-practice form of judo that involves active resistance and unpredictable interaction with an opponent, whereas yakusoku geiko is a more controlled practice method in which techniques are performed with less resistance. The study will use a randomized, counterbalanced crossover design. The same participants will complete three conditions on separate days: randori, yakusoku geiko, and a seated rest control condition. The order of these conditions will be randomized, and there will be at least 48 hours between sessions. Before and immediately after each condition, visual-motor performance will be assessed using the King-Devick Test, a rapid number-naming task that measures visual scanning, attention, and eye movement-related performance. Heart rate will also be measured before and immediately after each condition using a Polar H10 chest strap. Randori and yakusoku geiko will each be performed for 4 minutes after a standardized warm-up. During the control condition, participants will rest for 4 minutes without performing physical activity. The study will examine whether these different judo practice conditions produce different immediate changes in King-Devick Test completion time, error count, and heart rate.

University students' psychological well-being is a growing public health concern. The university period is a key time for psychological, social, and academic development, which can increase vulnerability to mental health difficulties. Research suggests that group-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an effective, cost-efficient option for promoting student well-being. However, tailored interventions that reflect the cultural and contextual needs of specific populations are more likely to be effective. Western-based models of therapy may not always align with the cultural norms and experiences of students in countries like Türkiye. In Türkiye, publicly accessible mental health services are limited, often reduced to short psychiatric consultations. Psychological therapies are primarily accessed privately, making free or low-cost university mental health services particularly valuable. Therefore, culturally adapted group CBT interventions may play a crucial role in supporting student mental health. This study, part of a larger project, aims to evaluate the effectiveness of CBT-based anxiety groups specifically tailored for Turkish university students. Eligible participants are Bogazici University students aged 18 and over. Exclusion criteria include severe mental illness, high risk of harm to self or others, or scoring below the threshold on the Beck Anxiety Inventory. These individuals may require more specialized, individual support. The study includes participation in an 8-session CBT-based group focused on anxiety management. Participants may benefit from free psychological support, peer connection, and professional guidance. The study also contributes to the scientific literature by assessing the effectiveness of culturally adapted group interventions. There are risks: participants may experience distress during sessions or while completing questionnaires. Support will be available from a master's student and/or the group therapist, under the supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist. If a participant's risk increases, they will be supported in accessing psychiatric care. An emergency contact will be required for safety. The study will run at Bogazici University in collaboration with BUREM and the Translational Clinical Psychology Lab, led by Dr. Ayse Akan ([email protected]). It is partially funded by Bogazici Scientific Research Projects (20022) and is expected to run for 1-3 years.

University students' psychological well-being is a growing public health concern. University life involves major psychological, social, and academic changes, increasing vulnerability to mental health issues. Group-based Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) has been shown to support student well-being effectively. However, interventions tailored to specific cultural and contextual needs are more likely to be helpful. Western-based therapy models may not fully align with non-Western populations, such as students in Türkiye. In Türkiye, public mental health services are often limited to short psychiatric consultations, while therapy is typically accessed privately. University counselling centres offering free or low-cost therapy are therefore essential. Cost-effective interventions like group DBT may be especially valuable in these settings. To address this gap, culturally adapted DBT groups should be developed and evaluated for Turkish university students. This study is part of the UniWELL Project (sister to UniWELL-C) and examines the effectiveness of DBT-informed emotion regulation groups for Turkish students. Any Bogazici University student aged 18+ is eligible. Exclusion criteria include severe mental illness, high risk of harm to self/others, or scoring below threshold on the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS-16), as these students may require more individual support. The study includes participation in an 8-session DBT-informed group. Participants are expected to benefit from free psychological support, guided reflection, and shared experiences with peers. The research will also contribute to the evidence base for culturally adapted interventions. There are some risks: participants may feel overwhelmed during the sessions or while completing questionnaires. If so, support will be provided by a clinical psychology master's student and/or the group facilitator, under supervision of an experienced clinical psychologist. If a participant's risk increases, they will be referred to psychiatric services. An emergency contact will be requested to ensure safety if needed. The study will take place at Bogazici University through the Translational Clinical Psychology Lab, in collaboration with BUREM. It is expected to run for at least one year, possibly extending up to three years. The study is partially funded by the Bogazici Scientific Research Projects Unit (20022). Dr Ayse Akan ([email protected]) is the study lead and main contact.