Clinical trials

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether adding artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted education to standard orthodontic education can improve quality of life in adults starting treatment with fixed braces. Specifically, the study aims to find out whether AI-assisted education can improve how oral health affects participants' daily activities and how participants feel about the appearance of their teeth and smile. To answer these questions, researchers will compare participants who receive standard orthodontic education with those who receive the same education plus access to a Manus-based AI chatbot for 6 months. All participants will receive standard education about caring for their teeth and braces during treatment and will complete questionnaires at the start of the study, after 3 months, and after 6 months. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two groups, and those in the AI-assisted education group will also use the chatbot during the 6-month study period. By comparing the two groups over time, the researchers will assess whether adding AI support provides extra benefits during orthodontic treatment.

This is a community-based, parallel-group, double-blinded randomised controlled trial aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of single and dual applications of 38% Silver Fluoride (SF) in arresting dentinal caries among Malaysian preschool children aged 4 to 6 years. The main questions this study aims to answer are: i) Does dual application of 38% Silver Fluoride differ from single application in arresting dentinal caries lesions after 6 months? ii) How does SF application influence oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among preschool children, as measured by the Malay-ECOHIS questionnaire? iii) Is there a correlation between caries arrest and changes in Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) measured using the Malay-ECOHIS questionnaire? Researchers will compare children receiving a single application of 38% Silver Fluoride with those receiving dual applications to determine whether more frequent application improves caries arrest outcomes. Participants will: i) Undergo oral examination for assessment of dentinal caries using ICDAS criteria. ii) Receive 38% Silver Fluoride application at baseline, with the dual-application group receiving an additional application at 3 months. iii) Attend follow-up assessments at 3 and 6 months to evaluate caries arrest status. iv) Have parents or guardians complete the Malay-ECOHIS questionnaire to assess changes in OHRQoL.

The goal of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic performance and feasibility of non-invasive spectrophotometric haemoglobin (SpHb) measurement for detecting anaemia in infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. What is the agreement between non-invasive SpHb and laboratory reference total haemoglobin (tHb)? 2. How accurately can non-invasive SpHb detect clinically significant laboratory anaemia (Hb \< 10g/dL)? 3. What is the feasibility (success rate and time-to-reading) and what physiological factors (e.g., perfusion index) moderate measurement accuracy in NICU infants? Researchers will compare non-invasive continuous SpHb readings against routine invasive laboratory haemoglobin values (tHb) obtained during standard clinical care from the same clinical encounter. Participants will: 1. Have a non-invasive optical sensor applied to an approved peripheral site (e.g., foot or palm) to record an SpHb reading whenever routine blood sampling is required by their attending clinician. 2. Undergo standard routine blood sampling (venous, arterial, or capillary) for laboratory haemoglobin testing as part of usual clinical care, with no extra blood drawn for research purposes.

This study evaluates whether a clinical upper airway assessment tool (the Clinical Examination Score plus ENT Examination Score, CES-EES) and an artificial-intelligence wearable ring (Belun Ring, Belun Sleep System BLS-100) can serve as accurate, less resource-intensive alternatives to in-lab polysomnography (PSG) for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Adults referred to the Otorhinolaryngology sleep clinic at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) for suspected OSA, who score 4 or more on the combined CES-EES scale, undergo a single overnight Level 1 in-lab PSG. The Belun Ring is worn concurrently with standard PSG electrodes during this same overnight study. The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) from the Belun Ring and the CES-EES score, individually and in combination, are compared against the AHI from in-lab PSG -- the diagnostic reference standard -- to assess their agreement, correlation, and diagnostic accuracy for OSA.

The goal of this interventional study is to learn if carbohydrates loading improves overall outcome in adolescent patient undergoing scoliosis curgery The main questions of the study are as follows: 1. Does carbohydrates loading improves gastrointestinal related problems such as improvement in return of bowel function measured by first passage of flatus, reduce constipation by patient's time to first bowel opening and reduce incidence of post post operative nausea and vommiting 2. Does carbohydrates loading reduces length of hospital stay and patient's overall condition in term of anxiety, thirst and hunger 3. Does carbohydrates loading affects gastric residual volume by measuring residual gastric volume with ultrasound

Stroke often leads to significant cognitive impairment, impacting quality of life. While existing rehabilitation options exist, there's a need for innovative, accessible, and patient-centered solutions. Research suggests music can engage multiple brain networks associated with sensory and motor processes, cognition, and affective regulation, potentially enhancing cognitive functions like attention and processing speed as well. Home-based interventions have also demonstrated positive impacts on rehabilitation adherence and outcomes. Building on this foundation, this study proposes to develop and pilot test a home-based musical rehabilitation program to improve attention and processing speed in Malaysian stroke survivors.

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if Moving to Emptiness Technique (MET) works to treat counselors' compassion fatigue (CF). It will also learn about the effectiveness of MET on counselors' professional quality of life and counselling self-estimate. The main questions it aims to answer are: • Does MET reduce counselors' compassion fatigue? Researchers will compare MET intervention to a waitlist control group to see if MET works to treat counselor burnout. Participants will: * Receive MET intervention for 4 sessions, once a week, 50 minutes per session. * Fill the questionnaires tests at three timepoints: before the intervention, immediately after the intervention phase and 4 weeks after the intervention.

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) can improve obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in late adolescents and adults aged 16 to 60 years. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Does MARPE improve sleep apnea severity, as measured by Home Sleep Apnea Testing (HSAT), including respiratory event index (REI), oxygen desaturation index (ODI), mean oxygen saturation, nadir oxygen saturation, snoring events, and body position? 2. Does MARPE improve breathing and sleep-related symptoms, including upper airway dimensions, daytime sleepiness, quality of life, and peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF)? Researchers will compare a MARPE group with a control group that receives standard care for obstructive sleep apnea for 3 months to see whether MARPE provides additional benefit. Participants will: 1. Receive standard care for obstructive sleep apnea 2. Be randomly assigned to either MARPE plus standard care or standard care alone for 3 months 3. In the MARPE group, wear a miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expander and activate it according to the study protocol 4. Visit the clinic for follow-up care and monitoring 5. Data will be collected at baseline (T0) and 3 months (T1). At both time points, participants in the MARPE group will be assessed using Home Sleep Apnea Testing (HSAT), cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire Short Version (FOSQ-10), and peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF). Participants in the control group will be assessed using HSAT, ESS, FOSQ-10, and PNIF.

After braces are removed, teeth may move back toward their original positions. Retainers are used to help keep teeth straight after orthodontic treatment. This study compares two types of clear removable retainers used together with a fixed wire retainer behind the lower front teeth. One retainer covers the entire inner surface of the teeth (full coverage), while the other covers only part of the inner surface (partial coverage). The purpose of this study is to find out whether the two retainer designs differ in their effects on gum health, comfort, retainer breakages, stability of the orthodontic correction, comfort, and compliance. The findings from this study may help orthodontists choose the most suitable retainer design for future patients. Participants in this study will receive a fixed wire retainer on the lower front teeth and upper and lower clear removable retainers. They will be randomly assigned to receive either the full coverage or partial coverage lower retainer. Participants will attend follow-up visits at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after starting retainer wear. At these visits, the orthodontist will examine the teeth, gums, and retainers, and participants will complete a short questionnaire about their experience wearing the retainer. This study excluded participants who are pregnant or breastfeeding within the first 6 months, have uncontrolled medical conditions or gum disease, smoke or vape, require a Hawley retainer instead of a clear retainer, or have missing front teeth or certain jaw conditions. Participants may benefit from receiving retainers, oral hygiene care, and regular monitoring of their teeth and gum health at no additional cost. Participants will also receive an oral care kit during the debond appointment and at the 3-month and 6-month review visits. Possible risks include breakage of the retainers, which may require repair or replacement, gum problems if oral hygiene is not maintained, and slight tooth movement despite retainer use. If gum problems develop, appropriate cleaning and referral for further treatment may be provided. Replacement retainers required during the study period will be provided free of charge.

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if two-step angulation Temporary Anchorage Devices (TADs) insertion technique better for survival, stability and patient-reported outcomes. It will also learn about how the trabecular bone volume fraction measured from pre-treatment CBCT imaging influences the stability, survival, and overall clinical success of TADs. The clinical trial will be carried out among fit and healthy adults aged 18 years old above who require extraction of all four permanent first premolars, planned for maximum anchorage using bilateral maxillary and mandibular TADs. The main questions it aims to answer are: In orthodontic patients, * does the two-step angulation insertion technique for TADs provide superior survival, stability, and patient-reported outcomes, with acceptable complication rates? * how are these outcomes influenced by maxillary and mandibular trabecular bone volume fraction measured on CBCT? Researchers will compare two-step angulation insertion technique to steady oblique-angled TADs insertion technique to see it provide more superior survival, stability, and patient-reported outcomes, with acceptable complication rates. Participants will: * be taken CBCT radiography before TADs insertion * receive both TADs insertion technique either right or left on both maxilla and mandible between second premolars and first molars * fill up patient reported outcome questionnaire At immediate post-insertion (T0), post alignment (T1), and subsequently at monthly intervals during en-masse retraction: 1 month (T2), 2 months (T3), 3 months (T4), 4 months (T5), 5 months (T6), 6 months (T7) * visit the clinic for measurement of TADs stability, clinical assessment of inflammation, mobility and the need for replacement at immediate post-insertion (T0), post alignment (T1), and subsequently at monthly intervals during en-masse retraction: 1 month (T2), 2 months (T3), 3 months (T4), 4 months (T5), 5 months (T6), 6 months (T7)

Diaper dermatitis is a common inflammatory skin condition among children aged 0-24 months. Although commercial barrier creams are widely used, maternal breast milk has been suggested as a safe, accessible, and low-cost alternative due to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. However, evidence regarding its effectiveness within structured nurse-led management programs in primary healthcare settings remains limited. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of topical maternal breast milk and commercial barrier creams in the management of mild-to-moderate diaper dermatitis among children aged 0-24 months attending primary healthcare clinics in Palestine. The study will use a mixed-methods design consisting of a pragmatic randomized controlled trial followed by qualitative interviews with nurses. Clinical outcomes will be assessed using the Diaper Dermatitis Severity Scale (DDSS), and qualitative findings will explore the feasibility and implementation of the nurse-led intervention in routine practice.

Knee osteoarthritis is a common condition that causes knee pain, stiffness, reduced mobility, and difficulty performing daily activities. Many patients seek non-surgical treatment options to help manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Mobithron® Xtra, an oral health supplement containing hyaluronic acid, undenatured type II collagen, and Boswellia serrata extract, in adults with primary knee osteoarthritis. Participants will take Mobithron® Xtra once daily for 3 months as part of their routine care. The study will observe changes in knee pain, stiffness, physical function, treatment satisfaction, and overall perception of improvement using validated patient-reported outcome measures, including the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM), and Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC). This is a prospective, multicentre observational study involving patients receiving treatment in participating general practitioner clinics throughout Malaysia. No experimental procedures will be performed, and participants will continue to receive standard clinical care. Safety will be monitored throughout the study by documenting any adverse events reported by participants. The findings from this study may provide valuable real-world evidence regarding the role of Mobithron® Xtra in improving symptoms and quality of life among patients with primary knee osteoarthritis.

Evidence suggests that appropriately selected older adults can tolerate standard-dose chemotherapy and achieve survival outcomes comparable to younger patients. However, older adults are usually under-represented in clinical trials and often receive reduced doses of chemotherapy due to concerns regarding age-related frailty, polypharmacy, and toxicity. This study seeks to evaluate chemotherapy dosing patterns and associated survival outcomes in older patients.

The purpose of this study is to explore whether intensive music therapy can help improve cognitive functions like memory, attention, and decision-making skills in stroke patients who are undergoing rehabilitation. This is a feasibility study, meaning it's also designed to see how practical it is to include music therapy as part of stroke rehabilitation. The investigators want to learn how well patients can participate in and stick with this type of therapy, and whether it fits well with other treatments that stroke patients usually receive. By understanding this, the investigators can assess the resources, staff training, and planning needed for music therapy to be part of stroke recovery in the future. The study will also help the investigators estimate the effects of music therapy, which will be used to design a larger, more detailed study in the future.

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) participation remains suboptimal, partly due to logistical challenges and limited access to center-based programs. Hybrid Endurance-Strength Training (HybEST) offers an alternative model by combining supervised endurance and strength exercises with home-based components. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does a hybrid exercise program significantly improve a patient's body function and structures \[exercise capacity, body composition, and muscle strength\] compared to usual care? * Does a hybrid exercise program significantly improve a patient's activity \[functional capacity, physical activity, and total energy expenditure\] compared to usual care? * Does a hybrid exercise program significantly improve a patient's participation \[health-related quality of life\] compared to usual care? This single-center, two-arm parallel randomized clinical trial aims to evaluate the effects of HybEST on health-related outcomes and quality of life among patients with coronary artery disease in Phase II CR. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the HybEST intervention group or the standard CR control group using a lottery method, specifically the sealed envelope approach. Assessments will be conducted at baseline (T0), Week 5 (T2), and Week 9 (T3) to measure changes in health-related outcomes and quality of life.

The goal of this clinical trials is to learn about the effect of taking Prodentis on a long term basis following periodontal therapy. The main question it aims to answer is 1\. what is the effect of long-term consumption of Prodentis on regulating periodontal health and systemic immune-response, when compare to only taking it for 3 months post RSD?

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether adding low-dose ketamine to PCA morphine reduces opioid requirements after posterior spinal fusion surgery in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients. Selected patients aged 10-18 years undergoing elective AIS surgery at University Malaya Medical Centre will be randomised to ketamine-morphine or morphine-only PCA. The primary outcome is cumulative morphine consumption at 48 hours, with secondary outcomes including pain scores, opioid-related adverse effects, time to ambulation, and patient satisfaction. This study aligns with national priorities for safe opioid stewardship and enhanced peri-operative care in Malaysia.

This observational study aims to understand why some adults with diabetes find it difficult to take their medicines as prescribed. Medication adherence is essential for controlling blood sugar levels and preventing complications, yet many patients face challenges that go beyond personal motivation. The study will examine multiple factors that may influence medication-taking behavior, including patients' understanding of their medicines, beliefs about treatment, family and social support, communication with healthcare providers, and practical issues such as medicine cost, availability, and distance to care. These factors will be analyzed using a structured behavioral framework to better understand how capability, opportunity, and motivation contribute to adherence. By identifying the most important barriers and supports across different levels, this research aims to provide evidence that can guide patient-centered care strategies and improve medication adherence in diabetes management.

The goal of this observational study is to develop and test a new questionnaire called the Liver Cirrhosis Cognitive Decline Scale (LiCCoS) for adults with liver cirrhosis. This questionnaire is designed to help identify problems with thinking and daily mental functioning that are common in people with liver cirrhosis but are often missed during routine care. People with liver cirrhosis may experience problems such as forgetfulness, slowed thinking, trouble paying attention, or difficulty planning everyday tasks. These problems can affect daily life, safety, and treatment adherence. Existing cognitive tests often require special training or equipment and may not fully reflect how people experience these difficulties in daily life. This study aims to create a simple, patient-reported tool that captures these concerns in an easy and practical way. The main questions this study aims to answer are: 1. Can the LiCCoS questionnaire reliably measure cognitive difficulties in adults with liver cirrhosis? 2. Does the questionnaire correctly reflect differences in cognitive function across levels of liver disease severity? 3. Do LiCCoS scores relate to results from commonly used cognitive screening tests? Participants will be adults aged 18 to 75 years who have a confirmed diagnosis of liver cirrhosis and are attending outpatient clinics. Participation is voluntary. Participants will: Provide basic background information, such as age and medical history Complete the LiCCoS questionnaire about their thinking and daily mental functioning Complete standard cognitive screening tests commonly used in clinical care This study does not involve any treatment or change in medical care. The information collected will be used only for research purposes. The results are expected to help develop a reliable and easy-to-use tool that can support early recognition of cognitive difficulties in people with liver cirrhosis and improve communication between participants and health care providers.

Post-craniotomy pain is common and often undertreated. Inadequate analgesia can lead to patient discomfort and higher opioid consumption, which may result in respiratory depression, sedation risks and impaired neurological assessment in the early postoperative period. The incidence of post-operative delirium after intracranial surgery was 19%, ranging from 12 to 26% caused by variation in clinical features and delirium assessment methods1. It is associated with increased morbidity, longer length of hospital stay, and harm to self or staffs. Dexmedetomidine (Precedex) is a highly selective α2-adrenergic agonist with the properties of analgesia, sedative, anxiolytic and neuroprotection without significant respiratory depression. Most of the trials administered a loading dose of 0.5-1.0 μg/kg intravenous dexmedetomidine over 10 minutes followed by infusion dose 0.2-0.7 μg/kg/hour. The use of intraoperative dexmedetomidine is believed to reduce the usage of postoperative opioids where frequent neurological assessment is often required in neurosurgical patients. Beyond the benefit of analgesia, perioperative dexmedetomidine has been studied for prevention of postoperative delirium. Randomized trials in mixed noncardiac surgical populations reported that low-dose perioperative dexmedetomidine may reduce the incidence of delirium. Dexmedetomidine produces dose-dependent bradycardia and hypotension, which should be carefully monitored to maintain the cerebral perfusion pressure in brain surgery. However, most trials and meta-analyses have focused on general surgical or cardiac cohorts; the evidence remains limited in neurosurgical (craniotomy) patients. Although it showed promising benefits of analgesia and neuroprotection in non-neurosurgical patients, recent meta-analyses of intraoperative dexmedetomidine reported high degree of heterogeneity due to the inclusion of varied procedures (elective vs emergent craniotomy), dosing regimes (loading dose only versus loading dose + infusion versus infusion only) and varied primary endpoints (postoperative pain scores, cumulative opioid consumption or incidence of delirium). Therefore, this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial is designed to examine the use of intravenous dexmedetomidine in the reduction of postoperative pain score and delirium in neurosurgical patients. We hypothesised that intravenous dexmedetomidine reduces postoperative pain score and delirium with lower need of rescue analgesia and amount of morphine consumption in patients undergoing craniotomy.

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if generic parecoxib (Parestat) works as well as the original drug (Dynastat) for treating pain after breast surgery. It will also learn about the safety of both drugs. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does Parestat provide pain relief that is not inferior to the pain relief provided by Dynastat? * What medical problems (adverse events) do participants have when taking Parestat compared to Dynastat? Researchers will compare Parestat to Dynastat to see if the generic version also works to treat postoperative pain. Participants will: * Be randomly assigned to receive either Dynastat or Parestat during their surgery. * Have their pain level assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) upon arrival in the recovery bay, 6 and 24 hours after surgery. * Be monitored for common side effects like nausea, vomiting, and changes in blood pressure for 24 hours.

This study aims to evaluate whether adding dexmedetomidine to ropivacaine-based periarticular infiltration (PAI) improves postoperative pain control in patients undergoing total knee replacement (TKR). Despite standard pain management, many patients continue to experience moderate-to-severe pain after surgery. Dexmedetomidine, a sedative and analgesic agent, may help prolong the effect of local anaesthetics. A total of 60 patients will be randomly assigned to receive either ropivacaine alone or ropivacaine with dexmedetomidine. Pain scores, opioid use, side effects, and recovery time will be monitored for 24 hours. The goal is to determine if this method is more effective and safer for improving recovery after knee surgery.

The Twin Block appliance is a removable orthodontic appliance that is used to help correct a backward positioned lower jaw in growing children. This appliance works by guiding the lower jaw forward to a specific position over a certain period of time. After completing the treatment, patients often experience improvements in their appearance, such as an improved bite, a more balanced facial profile and improved lip posture. The investigators' interest is to compare two types of Twin Block appliances; traditional (conventional) and 3D-printed, by examining several factors, including the amount of bacteria that stick to them, the surface roughness, and the overall effectiveness of each type. Surface roughness refers to the texture of the appliance's surface, which could influence how much bacteria can accumulate. Rougher surfaces may trap more bacteria, potentially leading to oral health issues such as bad breath, tooth decay, and gum problems. The study will also assess the effectiveness of both the conventional and 3D-printed Twin Block appliances, focusing on factors like how well they perform in improving jaw position and achieving the desired treatment outcomes. Additionally, the investigators want to assess how these appliances affect the quality of life related to oral health. Participants will answer questions about their experience to help understand how the type of appliance impacts their daily lives, comfort, and overall well-being during the course of treatment.

This research project aimed to develop a culturally appropriate Asian Inflammatory Bowel Disease Diet for the Malaysian population, based on the Crohn's disease exclusion diet (CDED). The study will be conducted in inflammatory bowel disease patients in University Malaya Medical Centre, which are ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease patients. The objectives of this study are to assess the impact of diet in clinical outcome and gut microbiota changes in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The study duration spans 24 weeks, during which comprehensive follow-ups will be conducted at 0, 6, 12, and 24 weeks, respectively. At each follow-up session, participants will be requested to provide stool and blood samples for meticulous assessment of clinical and biochemical responses.

Throat packs are commonly used in many surgical procedures involving the oral cavity and pharynx, primarily to prevent blood, saliva, and other debris from entering the lower respiratory tract, thereby maintaining a clear airway and reducing the risk of aspiration and respiratory complications. Traditionally, these packs are moistened with saline or used in a dry state, with the choice often depending on the surgeon's preference and specific surgical requirements. However, despite their widespread usage, the exploration of alternative substances to moisten throat packs, particularly those with additional therapeutic benefits, remains limited in medical research. This pilot study introduces Gengigel spray as an innovative alternative to saline for moistening throat packs. Gengigel, a hyaluronic acid (HA)-based product, is known for its healing properties and anti-inflammatory effects, which are beneficial in oral care. Gengigel provides a non-anesthetic approach that promotes tissue repair and reduces inflammation. This makes it particularly advantageous in the context of surgical procedures where reducing postoperative inflammation and promoting mucosal healing are crucial.