Clinical trials

Isolated gastrocnemius tightness is associated with various foot pathologies, particularly metatarsalgia and hallux valgus, and is also commonly observed in the general population. Limited ankle dorsiflexion, typically resulting from tightness of the gastrocnemius-soleus complex, may alter normal gait mechanics and lead to compensatory movement patterns that increase mechanical stress on the lower extremity. It is planned to include a total of 40 participants in this study: 20 individuals with isolated gastrocnemius tightness and 20 without. The participants' plantar tactile sensitivity and postural control characteristics will be compared.

Due to the difficulties and risks of directly measuring prenatal hormone levels, biomarkers that indirectly reflect this exposure are used in research. In this context, the ratio of second to fourth finger length (2D:4D) is widely preferred because it is an easily applicable and non-invasive measurement. Evidence shows that 2D:4D stabilizes from the second trimester of pregnancy onward and exhibits strong sex differences across populations. The 2D:4D ratio is generally lower in men than in women. 2D is more strongly influenced by prenatal estrogen, while 4D is more strongly influenced by prenatal testosterone; this occurs during the first trimester of intrauterine fetal development. To our knowledge, studies examining the relationship between the 2D:4D ratio, an indirect indicator of prenatal androgen exposure, and dexterity and tactile discrimination are limited. Accordingly, the planned study aims to evaluate the relationship between the 2D:4D ratio and fine motor skills and tactile discrimination in healthy young adults.

This randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial will evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture at bilateral LI4 and SP6 as an adjunct to standard postoperative analgesia for acute pain after cesarean delivery. Women undergoing cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia will be randomly assigned to receive either real acupuncture at bilateral LI4 and SP6 or sham acupuncture using non-penetrating Park sham needles. The acupuncture or sham intervention will be administered at the third postoperative hour. All participants will receive a standardized postoperative analgesic regimen, with additional rescue analgesia available when clinically required. The primary outcome will be pain intensity during first postoperative ambulation at the sixth postoperative hour, measured using a 0-10 visual analog scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes will include pain at rest and during movement at predefined postoperative time points, functional performance during first mobilization, rescue analgesic requirements, and acupuncture-related adverse events. Participant blinding will also be assessed after completion of the 24-hour outcome assessments.

The goal of this observational study is to investigate whether menstrual cycle phases and menopausal status are associated with pain perception in patients undergoing endodontic treatment. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does pain experienced during endodontic treatment differ according to the phase of the menstrual cycle? Is pain perception during endodontic treatment different between premenopausal and postmenopausal women? Are menstrual cycle phases and menopausal status associated with pain experienced after endodontic treatment? Participants undergoing endodontic treatment as part of their routine dental care will provide information about their menstrual cycle or menopausal status. Pain will be assessed at different stages of treatment and during the follow-up period after treatment. No treatment will be assigned based on menstrual cycle phase or menopausal status.

This study will evaluate whether acupuncture can reduce pain during intrauterine device (IUD) insertion. Women undergoing IUD insertion will be randomly assigned to receive either real acupuncture at the LI4 point on both hands or a sham acupuncture procedure that does not penetrate the skin. Both interventions will be applied for 15 minutes before IUD insertion. Participants will not know which treatment they receive. The clinician performing the IUD insertion and the researcher assessing the outcomes will also be unaware of the treatment assignment. Pain will be measured at different stages of the IUD insertion procedure and shortly after the procedure. The main outcome will be the highest pain score reported during IUD insertion. The study will also assess procedure tolerance, patient satisfaction, need for additional pain medication, and adverse events.

This project aims to evaluate the effects of acupressure applied to elderly individuals with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) on neuropathic symptoms, balance confidence, fear of falling, and quality of life. This project will be conducted using a mixed methodology integrating quantitative and qualitative methods. Elderly individuals will be randomly assigned to an acupressure or placebo control group. The acupressure group will receive a total of 10 sessions of acupressure over one month. Outcome measures include assessments of neuropathic pain and symptoms, balance confidence, fear of falling, and quality of life. Appropriate statistical tests will be used to analyze the quantitative data obtained from the study, while content analysis will be used for the qualitative data.

This randomized, sham-controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of self-administered acupressure on social jet lag, sleep patterns, and sleep quality in female health sciences students. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a self-acupressure intervention group or a sham self-acupressure control group. The intervention will be performed daily for 12 weeks. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and at the end of the intervention period, with the primary outcome being the change in social jet lag. Secondary outcomes include changes in sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and participant blinding assessment.

This randomized, sham-controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of self-administered acupressure on menstrual pain severity and premenstrual symptoms in women aged 18-30 years with primary dysmenorrhea. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a self-acupressure intervention group or a sham self-acupressure control group. The intervention will be applied during the premenstrual and menstrual periods over approximately six months. The primary outcome is the change in menstrual pain severity, and secondary outcomes include changes in premenstrual symptom severity, analgesic use, and menstruation-related activity limitation.

Lactation is the period when new mothers breastfeed their babies and milk production is at its highest level. During this period, breast milk, as a natural source of nutrition, provides the baby with the necessary nutrients for the first six months following birth. Globally, 44% of newborns are breastfed within the first hour, and 40% are exclusively breastfed for the first six months. The goal is to increase these rates to 70% for breastfeeding within the first hour and to over 50% for exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months. According to the 2018 Turkish Population and Health Survey (TNSA), the rate of breastfeeding within the first hour of newborns was determined to be 71%, and the rate of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months was 41%. Although breastfeeding is common in our country, breastfeeding rates are not at the level recommended by the World Health Organization. One of the factors that may cause a decrease in breastfeeding initiation and maintenance rates is inadequate support and management of breastfeeding . The older generation often plays an important role in supporting breastfeeding behavior. In traditional Turkish families, an experienced older generation is willing to have a say in breastfeeding behaviors such as initiating and maintaining breastfeeding. In the international literature, it is also reported that grandmothers guide mothers in matters such as taking care of the mother and baby, initiating and maintaining breastfeeding, giving the first milk to the baby, the mother's nutrition during the breastfeeding period, and the timing of the transition to complementary foods. Among the positive effects of grandmother support are; The benefits of grandmother support include strengthening mothers' decisions to start and continue breastfeeding by sharing information and experience about breastfeeding and increasing mothers' ability to continue breastfeeding. reported that grandmother support significantly affected mothers in the postpartum period. However, negative effects of grandmother support have also been reported. Some studies show that grandmothers may negatively affect breastfeeding duration because they recommend giving extra fluids to infants in the first months of life or encourage the early introduction of complementary foods. Studies show that grandmother support can affect mothers' breastfeeding behaviors in both positive and negative ways. However, there are no randomized controlled trials in the literature that examine the effect of guiding grandmother support with a scientifically structured educational program on the breastfeeding process, maternal motivation, and breastfeeding self-efficacy. In this context, the aim of this research is to determine how breastfeeding education given to grandmothers during the prenatal period affects mothers' motivation regarding the breastfeeding process, breastfeeding self-efficacy, and breastfeeding continuation.

This study investigates whether there is an association between periodontal disease (gum disease) and chronic neck pain and related functional disability. Participants aged 30-55 years will be grouped based on their periodontal health status (healthy, gingivitis, or periodontitis). Neck pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and functional disability will be measured using the Neck Disability Index (NDI). The study aims to determine whether periodontal disease severity is linked to the severity of neck pain and disability, which may help clarify a potential connection between oral health and musculoskeletal health.

This prospective observational case-control study aims to compare gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) biomarker profiles between children and young adults diagnosed with gingivitis. A total of approximately 80 systemically healthy participants will be recruited and divided into two groups: children aged 8-12 years and young adults aged 15-24 years. Individuals aged 13-14 years will be excluded as they represent a transitional pubertal period characterized by significant hormonal fluctuations that may influence inflammatory responses and confound biomarker levels. Clinical periodontal parameters including gingival index, plaque index, bleeding on probing, and probing depth will be recorded. In addition, GCF samples will be collected from a standardized tooth and analyzed for levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-10, and MMP-8 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The primary objective of the study is to evaluate and compare inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine profiles between the two age groups. The findings may contribute to understanding age-related differences in gingival inflammatory responses and the potential role of hormonal transition in periodontal disease expression during childhood and early adulthood.

Childbirth is a significant life event with important physical and psychological effects on pregnant women. Due to uncertainty during pregnancy, many women experience fear of childbirth. Fear of childbirth is a common condition that may negatively affect maternal well-being. Therefore, various psychosocial interventions have been developed to reduce this condition. Mindfulness-based approaches and psychoeducation programs are considered effective methods for reducing stress, anxiety, and fear by promoting non-judgmental awareness of the present moment. This study is designed as a randomized controlled experimental trial. The study population will consist of pregnant women attending the Obstetrics and Gynecology Outpatient Clinic of Niğde Ömer Halisdemir Training and Research Hospital who meet the inclusion criteria. The sample size was calculated using G\*Power 3.1.9.7 software. Based on an effect size of f = 0.38, 80% statistical power, and a 5% significance level, a minimum of 30 participants was required. Considering a 20% potential dropout rate, a total of 72 pregnant women (36 intervention and 36 control) will be included in the study. The inclusion criteria are being between 18 and 40 years of age, having a first pregnancy, being between 20 and 34 weeks of gestation, having a singleton and healthy pregnancy, being able to communicate in Turkish, and scoring 38 or higher on the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (Version A). Women with high-risk pregnancies, a history of psychiatric disorders, illiteracy, communication problems, or unwillingness to participate will be excluded. Withdrawal during the study, development of pregnancy complications, or inability to continue the intervention will be considered exclusion criteria. Data will be collected using a Sociodemographic Information Form, the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (W-DEQ A), the Self-Perception Scale for Pregnant Women, and the Spiritual Well-Being Scale. The W-DEQ A measures fear of childbirth, the Self-Perception Scale assesses maternal and body perception during pregnancy, and the Spiritual Well-Being Scale evaluates the level of spiritual well-being. At the beginning of the study, eligible participants will be informed about the research and written informed consent will be obtained. Data collection forms will first be administered face-to-face. Pregnant women scoring 38 or above on the W-DEQ A will then be randomly assigned to intervention and control groups using a computer-based randomization method (randomizer.org). The intervention group will receive a mindfulness-based psychoeducation program adapted according to the Transtheoretical Model. The intervention will be delivered in group sessions of 6-10 participants, twice a week for 4 weeks, with each session lasting approximately 45-60 minutes. The program includes psychoeducation about pregnancy and childbirth, mindfulness exercises, emotional awareness activities, and coping strategies for fear of childbirth. The control group will receive routine obstetric care only. Post-intervention assessments will be conducted in both groups using the same measurement tools. Data analysis will be performed using SPSS version 25.0. Descriptive statistics will be calculated, and depending on data distribution, independent samples t-test, paired samples t-test, ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and chi-square test will be used. The level of statistical significance will be set at p \< 0.05. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of a mindfulness-based psychoeducation intervention based on the Transtheoretical Model on fear of childbirth, self-perception, and spiritual well-being in pregnant women experiencing fear of childbirth.

In the early stages of life, newborns are dependent on caregivers to meet their basic needs for survival, feeding, and care. Generally, mothers assume primary responsibility for meeting their infants' basic needs and providing care, while fathers take on a supporting role. Both mothers and fathers actively contribute to the baby's healthy emotional development. This study, planned with fathers of 4-6 month old infants, addresses the lack of quantitative evidence regarding the relationship between fathers' involvement in infant care and infants' sensory processing.

This randomized controlled trial evaluates whether acupressure education provided to mothers within the first 48 hours postpartum improves exclusive breastfeeding rates at 6 months compared with standard postpartum care alone. Mothers in the intervention group will receive structured education on self-administered acupressure at selected points and will be encouraged to continue home-based practice, while the control group will receive standard breastfeeding support. Participants will be followed for 12 months to assess breastfeeding continuation, breastfeeding self-efficacy, breastfeeding quality, and breastfeeding-related outcomes.

Background: Sensory stimulation is a treatment that uses auditory, visual, tactile, gustatory, and olfactory stimuli, as well as balance and position modes, with intensity and frequency adjusted to the patient's individual thresholds to increase the frequency of arousal, awareness, and pronounced behavioral responses. Studies have shown that sensory stimulation, especially when applied from the beginning of the patient's hospitalization, can shorten the average length of stay and reduce patient anxiety. Among the TIT methods applied by nurses, touch, music therapy, and aromatherapy are included as applications that can be applied to the sensory input problems of intensive care patients and can positively affect their sensory perceptions.Objective: This study is planned to be conducted as a randomized controlled single-blind study to determine the effect of a sensory stimulation program performed with aromatherapy massage applied twice daily for 7 days with a mixture of orange, patchouli, and rosemary oil (7 drops of sweet orange oil, 5 drops of patchouli oil, and 3 drops of rosemary oil in 50 ml of jojoba oil) on the cognitive sensory perception level of patients monitored on mechanical ventilation or oxygen in the ICU.Method: In the study, all patients hospitalized in the tertiary care ICU of the University's Training and Research Hospital will constitute the population. Randomized sampling method will be used in the study. Sample size; G\*power 3.5.1. In the power analysis performed with the software package, it is planned that each group will consist of at least 20 people to determine an effect size of 1% with an alpha risk of 0.05 and a power of 0.80 in line with the literature. The data collection tools to be used are: Patient Identification Form, Patient Monitoring Form, Medication Monitoring Form, Glasgow Coma Scale, Rancho Los Amigos Cognitive Function Scale. In Intervention Group 1, massage will be performed by the lead researcher ICU nurse, and the sensory stimulation program will be performed by a trained family member. In Intervention Group 2, massage will be performed by the lead researcher ICU nurse, and the sensory stimulation program will be performed by a nurse. Routine care will be provided to the control group. Since the groups are compared, the independent samples t-test and the Shapiro-Wilk test, which are parametric tests, will be used for evaluation.

One of the most prominent indicators of prenatal androgen exposure is considered to be the ratio of second and fourth finger lengths (2D:4D). The 2D:4D finger ratio refers to the ratio of the length of the second finger (2D; index finger) and the fourth finger (4D; ring finger). Evidence suggests that 2D:4D is developmentally stable and stabilizes from the second trimester of pregnancy. It has been reported that the 2D:4D ratio correlates positively with estrogen and negatively with testosterone. In both sexes, prenatal testosterone levels are inversely related by a 2D:4D ratio, which does not change with age. Androgens can have direct trophic effects on target cells or indirectly affect neuronal growth through neurotrophic mediators released locally by steroid-sensitive neuronal or glial cells. Prenatal testosterone can have long-term organizational effects on the structure and function of various body systems (e.g., cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems) that are important for physical activity and exercise.

This prospective study aims to evaluate the clinical findings of bruxism and masseter muscle thickness in children aged 10-12 years using ultrasonography, and to assess the effects of night guard use on these parameters over time.

Spinal anesthesia for elective cesarean section is frequently associated with hemodynamic instability and postoperative complications such as postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and delayed gastrointestinal recovery. Although intraoperative fluid administration is routinely used to prevent spinal-induced hypotension, the optimal fluid strategy remains unclear. Both restrictive and liberal fluid approaches may influence maternal hemodynamics and postoperative outcomes through different physiological mechanisms. This prospective, single-center, randomized controlled trial aims to compare restrictive (≤3 mL/kg/h) and liberal (\>3 mL/kg/h) intraoperative crystalloid fluid strategies in patients undergoing elective cesarean section under spinal anesthesia. The primary outcome is the incidence of PONV within the first 24 hours postoperatively. Secondary outcomes include postdural puncture headache (PDPH), time to first flatus, hypotension frequency, and vasopressor requirements.

A review of the literature has focused primarily on the cognitive and motor development of children with congenital hypothyroidism, but no studies on sensory processing skills have been found. Considering the age range of the groups studied, studies conducted in the early stages of life are rare. This planned study aims to examine the neurological status, motor development, and sensory processing skills of infants aged 6-18 months, considering early synaptogenesis.

This study looks at whether a special wound dressing containing ozonated oil can reduce early wound inflammation after open inguinal hernia surgery. Open inguinal hernia repair is a common operation, and although infection rates are low, many patients experience redness, swelling, tenderness, or discomfort at the surgical site during the first days after surgery. Participants undergoing elective open inguinal hernia repair will be randomly assigned to receive either an ozonated oil-impregnated dressing or a standard sterile dressing after the operation. The main outcome is the level of wound inflammation measured on the third day after surgery. Other outcomes include wound temperature, pain levels, cosmetic healing, and wound-related problems during the first 30 days. The ozonated oil used in this study is a CE-certified medical product that is already used in routine wound care. This pilot study aims to provide preliminary data to help determine whether ozonated oil dressing may improve early wound healing compared with standard care.

This study was planned to evaluate the effect of haptonomy practice for primiparous pregnant women and their partners on prenatal attachment and fear of childbirth.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a spinal condition that develops during adolescence and often requires long-term conservative treatment, including scoliosis-specific therapeutic exercises. The success of exercise-based treatment largely depends on adolescents' motivation to start and continue exercising. However, exercise motivation has not been adequately evaluated in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis using validated tools specific to this population. The Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire-2 (BREQ-2) is a widely used questionnaire based on Self-Determination Theory that assesses different types of motivation toward exercise. Although the Turkish version of the BREQ-2 exists, its validity and reliability have not yet been examined in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the BREQ-2 in adolescents diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis. Adolescents aged 10-19 years who have been participating in scoliosis-specific therapeutic exercise programs for at least two months will be invited to complete online questionnaires. The results of this study will help determine whether the BREQ-2 is an appropriate tool for assessing exercise motivation in this population and may support the development of individualized motivational strategies in scoliosis rehabilitation.

This study evaluates whether Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) improves postoperative pain and sleep quality in adults undergoing inguinal hernia surgery. After surgery, participants will receive physician-supervised TENS or usual care. Pain intensity and sleep quality will be measured and compared between groups to assess the effectiveness and safety of TENS as a supportive recovery method.

Introduction: Body mass index (BMI) is a key parameter used for obesity classification and the evaluation and monitoring of individuals' health status. Obesity, described by the World Health Organization as a major global epidemic, remains one of the most significant preventable and manageable conditions contributing to increased risks of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. In addition to BMI, anthropometric measurements such as the waist-to-hip ratio are crucial indicators for risk assessment. While numerous studies in the literature have addressed the detrimental effects of obesity on respiratory functions, no study has specifically examined the relationship between cough strength-a vital respiratory parameter that reflects expiratory muscle strength- and body composition, waist-to-hip ratio, and peripheral muscle strength. Furthermore, although several studies have investigated the association between grip strength-a recognized indicator of peripheral muscle function in healthy individuals-and cough strength, no research to date has explored the relationship between pinch grip strength and cough strength. Objective: This study aims to investigate the relationships among body composition, waist-to-hip ratio, peripheral muscle strength, and cough strength in healthy young adults. Methods: This study was designed as a cross-sectional analysis. After providing detailed information about the study to potential participants, written informed consent will be obtained in duplicate from those who agree to participate. Following the completion of a general assessment form that captures demographic characteristics, each participant's height will be measured using a measuring tape. Body composition parameters-including body weight, BMI, body fat percentage, total body water percentage, muscle mass, basal metabolic rate, and metabolic age-will be assessed using a bioelectrical impedance analysis device (Tanita) available at our faculty. Waist and hip circumferences will be measured and used to calculate the waist-to-hip ratio for each participant. Peripheral muscle strength will be assessed using a hydraulic hand dynamometer and a pinch meter, while cough strength will be evaluated using a peak cough expiratory flow meter (PEF meter). All measurements will be repeated three times, with the best result recorded for analysis. Results: Statistical analysis will be performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 30 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Normality of continuous variables will be assessed through normality tests, coefficient of variation, and graphical representations (e.g., histograms, detrended plots). Descriptive statistics will be presented as mean ± standard deviation for normally distributed variables, and as median and interquartile range for non-normally distributed variables. Categorical variables will be expressed as percentages (%). Pearson correlation analysis will be used for normally distributed variables, and Spearman correlation analysis for non-normally distributed ones. The appropriate correlation coefficients and p-values will be reported. A p-value of \<0.05 will be considered statistically significant. Discussion: Interpretation will be based on the results of the statistical analyses.

This study is designed to evaluate whether Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) can improve recovery for patients undergoing laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery (laparoscopic cholecystectomy). TENS is a non-invasive method that uses mild electrical currents applied through the skin to stimulate nerves. The main goals of the study are to determine if TENS can: Reduce surgical anxiety before and during the procedure Decrease postoperative pain after surgery Improve overall patient satisfaction with their surgical experience Patients who participate will receive standard surgical care, and some will also receive TENS therapy. Outcomes will be measured using patient questionnaires and clinical assessments during the hospital stay and follow-up period. By comparing patients who receive TENS with those who do not, the study aims to provide evidence on whether this simple technique can enhance comfort and recovery after gallbladder surgery.