Clinical trials

Background: Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) is the gold standard for diagnosing high blood pressure (hypertension) because it tracks blood pressure continuously across day and night. However, standard ABPM requires a cuff that inflates every 15 to 30 minutes during the day and every 30 to 60 minutes at night. These frequent inflations often cause discomfort, interrupt sleep, and cause patients to abandon testing. Purpose: This study aims to evaluate whether a new cuff-based Huawei smartwatch can provide a less-disturbing ABPM experience. Researchers will test whether a reduced-frequency measurement schedule (e.g., 7 readings: 4 awake, 3 asleep) can provide the same diagnostic accuracy as a conventional, full 24-hour ABPM protocol (typically 48 readings) while improving patient comfort. Study Design \& Procedures: Study Population: Approximately 500 adult participants will be recruited over a 24-month study period, with a targeted subgroup of 50 participants selected for clinical validation. The subgroup will represent normotensive, pre-hypertensive, and hypertensive individuals across diverse age groups and ethnicities. Monitoring \& Comparison: Participants in the validation group will undergo standard 24-hour ABPM at an accredited clinical facility alongside monitoring with the Huawei smartwatch. Data from the smartwatch will be used to compare a reduced-frequency reading schedule against full 24-hour ABPM recordings. User Feedback: Participants will complete questionnaires assessing comfort, sleep quality, ease of use, and overall preference between the smartwatch and standard ABPM cuffs. Goal: The main goal is to determine if a reduced-frequency wearable monitoring protocol can maintain clinical diagnostic accuracy for blood pressure and sleep-dipping patterns while significantly reducing patient burden and sleep disruption.

Background: Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, yet many people do not know they have it. In Malaysia, nearly half of all adults with elevated blood pressure are unaware of their condition. Standard clinic blood pressure checks can miss cases of high blood pressure or falsely flag temporary stress-related spikes. While 24-hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) is the standard method for an accurate diagnosis, it is not practical for large-scale screening. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether a novel Huawei smartwatch, which uses photoplethysmography (PPG) technology to estimate blood pressure, can accurately identify individuals at high risk for hypertension in a real-world setting. Study Design \& Procedures: Participants: Approximately 500 adults will be enrolled over a 24-month study period. Screening: All participants will use the Huawei smartwatch screening tool to monitor their blood pressure estimates. Validation: A subgroup of approximately 50 participants identified as high-risk by the smartwatch will undergo 24-hour ABPM (the clinical gold standard) to confirm whether they have high blood pressure. Goal: Researchers aim to validate the accuracy of the smartwatch screening tool against 24-hour ABPM to determine if wearable technology can support early detection and timely treatment of undiagnosed hypertension in the community.

The general objective of this pilot feasibility study is to implement the pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) and evaluate the feasibility of its methods and procedures for iSupport-Malaysia intervention. Another objective is to assess the acceptability and preliminary impacts of the iSupport-Malaysia web-based intervention on the psychological well-being of informal caregivers (ICs) of persons living with dementia (PLWDs) in Malaysia, compared to iSupport-Malaysia eBook. The main questions this pilot study aims to answer are: 1. How feasible is it to implement iSupport-Malaysia as an accessible resource for ICs of PLWD in Malaysia? 2. Does the use of iSupport-Malaysia lead to a reduction in caregiver burden among the ICs of PLWD in both web and eBook conditions? 3. Does the use of iSupport-Malaysia lead to improvements in psychological well-being (e.g. reduced depression, anxiety, stress; and increased quality of life) among the ICs of PLWD in both web and eBook conditions? 4. What are the perceptions of ICs of PLWD on the usability, satisfaction and perceived usefulness of the modules in iSupport-Malaysia? To answer these research questions: Seventy ICs of PLWD who met the study criteria will be recruited from the geriatric facilities of three hospitals, as well as via social media and referrals from elderly care centres. Eligible participants will sign an informed consent form, and be randomly assigned to the intervention (iSupport-Malaysia web program) or active comparison group (iSupport-Malaysia eBook) using stratified block randomisation. In both arms, participants are required to complete at least 10 out of 23 lessons within 3 months. Outcome measures will be administered online at baseline, 1-month and 3-month follow-up. Feasibility outcomes will also be measured. Upon completion of the program, ICs in the experimental group will be invited for in-depth interviews via an online teleconferencing platform. Expected outputs: A free, adaptive web-based iSupport-Malaysia in the local Malay language. iSupport-Malaysia can facilitate self-directed training in public and private dementia services, integrate into caregiver training programs, and promote self-directed public education on dementia care.

This project aims to address the significant burden of cardiovascular disease in Malaysia, especially the high prevalence of hypertension with excessive salt and sugar intake. The study targets the university campus community, recognizing reliance on out-of-home food options and the potential impact of reducing salt and sugar in campus foods on overall health. The project aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to salt and sugar intake among students, staff, and campus canteen staff. Through a combination of surveys, dietary assessments, urine analysis, and body composition measurements, the study aims to generate valuable insights into effective strategies for reducing salt and sugar intake and improving cardiovascular health among the campus population.