All Clinical Trials in Canada

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a serious infection associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Recent studies demonstrated an increased risk of infective endocarditis in people who inject drugs (PWIDs). PWIDs have a high rate of non-compliance with hospital admissions and leaving against medical advice. A recent landmark randomized controlled trial demonstrated similar outcomes when comparing partial oral antimicrobial therapy to continued intravenous antimicrobial therapy in the general population. Performing a trial to explore the non-inferiority of oral compared to intravenous antimicrobial therapy in PWIDs is essential in advancing patient care in this high risk increasing population. Read Less

Schizophrenia is a chronic debilitating psychotic disorder. Identifying persons with "clinical high-risk" (CHR) symptoms, which are like those of schizophrenia but less severe, and providing psychiatric care to these individuals has been shown to help prevent psychosis. Current medications used for CHR symptoms, however, are associated with substantial side effect burden. Therefore, practice guidelines do not recommend current medications as routine treatment for the CHR state, and there is a need to identify new treatments for this condition. Research suggests that abnormal brain oxidative stress may contribute to schizophrenia, offering a potential novel treatment target in the CHR state. Oxidative stress is an excess of free radicals, which are generated from normal metabolism and environmental exposures, and can damage cells. Antioxidants in the body normally neutralize free radicals. Antioxidant deficiency could result in excess oxidative stress that damages brain cells, leading to schizophrenia. Recent studies suggest that N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a precursor of the most abundant brain antioxidant, glutathione, may be a safe, well-tolerated treatment for schizophrenia. In light of this, NAC may also reduce symptoms and brain abnormalities in CHR patients. Read Less

Informed consent in pediatric anesthesia is obtained from the caregiver by the anesthesiologist prior to surgery. Studies demonstrate that caregivers often do not fully understand or recall the information (risks and benefits) discussed with them during the consent process. The use of visual aids (pictographs etc.) in the consent process has been studied and found beneficial in increasing recall of the discussion about surgery (appendectomy) and for sedation in the emergency department. The investigators developed posters/pamphlets as visual aids with information about general anesthesia and risks involved to help the caregivers understand the process and risks better when their child comes in for an elective procedure. This randomized controlled trial comparing the recall and satisfaction of the standard consent process with and without the use of the visual aids will help evaluate whether the consent process and caregiver understanding can be improved by using these aids. Read Less

For the purposes of beta testing the first version of A4i-O, 15 individuals with OUD will use the platform for one month. From a design perspective this sample size is viewed as being sufficient to answer questions regarding app functionality and feasibility before moving to larger trials. Additionally, 15 individuals is a larger sample size than in the A4i pilot. This is an open label pilot with a primary objective of troubleshooting and providing early feedback on the beta version of the technology. To that end, 15 participants are anticipated to be sufficient to provide robust, early feedback. As with the focus groups, through sampling an effort will be made to secure a diverse group. Any individuals who might be declined in that effort at this stage (e.g., it is determined that no more male identifying participants are needed but they were interested) would be invited to take part in the subsequent RCT. Read Less

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common brain tumor in adults. The strikingly poor survival for patients with GBM (average survival 14-16 months following diagnosis) is due in part to limited early detection methods and an absence of effective therapeutic options. The study proposed would establish important evidence for the use of Health Canada approved drugs such as amantadine as a safe, effective and affordable way to monitor GBM. The method is based on the overproduction of a key enzyme in GBM cells called spermine/ spermidine n-acetyl transferase (SSAT1). The increased SSAT1 expression in GBM results in increased metabolism of the drug which is detected in the blood or urine of patients with GBM. The levels of acetyl-amantadine captured will be correlated with the tumor burden as seen on the MRIs of these patients. Thus, the study aims to determine the usefulness of amantadine as a diagnostic biomarker for GBM. Read Less

With the COVID-19 pandemic, elderly people (EP) living at home have seen their health deteriorated, thus increasing their needs in support and care. Indeed, while it was estimated that before the pandemic120 000 unattended living at home EP required care and services (taking bath, access to medication and food, etc.), the number doubled after COVID-19. Therefore, the waiting list for socio-medical services for unattended vulnerable clientele without a family doctor grew from 1300 à 1715 EP in a couple of months during the pandemic. With these numbers, it becomes clear that an intervention is needed. Truly, the Institut National d'Excellence en Santé et Services Sociaux (INESSS) conclude that it was pivotal to first identify the most vulnerable EP and second re-orient them according to their needs. Thus the investigator developed the Évaluation et orientation SOcio-GÉRiatrique (ESOGER) questionnaire available on a secure digital plateform enabling both a rapid evaluation and intervention to asses EP needs and provide the adequate ressources. Investigator's previous research has demonstrated that ESOGER is one of the rare clinical tools of first contact in telehealth while being global, multidimensional, and equitable. For this study, the investigator aims to evaluate the effect of ESOGER on EP physical and mental health, loss of autonomy, social isolation, quality of life and ressources consumption. Read Less

Study type: Prospective, double-blinded, double arm, cross-over, randomized controlled clinical trial. Brief protocol: Postoperative week 0-2 -\> Conventional parameters (parameters tested during trial period) Postoperative week 2-6 -\> Sham stimulation (2 weeks) and paresthesia-free stimulation (2 weeks) double-blind crossover design Postoperative week 6 - month 12 -\> Parameters that patients feel more benefit from Read Less

The purpose of this study is to collect data on how advanced and rare cancers respond to biomarker-based treatments. Read Less

Hypothermic circulatory arrest is an important surgical technique, allowing complex aortic surgeries to be performed safely. Hypothermic circulatory arrest provides protection to cerebral and visceral organs, but may result in longer cardiopulmonary bypass times during surgery, increased risks of bleeding, inflammation, and neuronal injury. To manage these consequences, a trend towards warmer core body temperatures during circulatory arrest has emerged. This trial will randomize patients to either mild (32°C) or moderate (26°C) hypothermia during aortic hemiarch surgery to determine if mild hypothermia reduces the length of cardiopulmonary bypass time and other key measures of morbidity and mortality. Read Less

The goal of this project is to facilitate the design of individualized postpartum anxiety (PPA) screening strategies in British Columbia (BC), Canada. A cohort of postpartum people (n=550) will be invited to complete the following seven questionnaires at 4-8 weeks after delivery: 1. State-Trait Anxiety Inventory 2. Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale 3. Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support 4. PROMIS (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System) Emotional Distress-Anger, Short Form 5-a 5. Short Form Brief Pain Inventory 6. WHOQOL-BREF for assessing quality of life 7. PROMIS Sleep Disturbance Short Form 8-b and PROMIS Sleep-Related Impairment Short Form 8-a The investigators will evaluate the feasibility of screening for postpartum anxiety and comorbid conditions through a web-based platform in a diverse BC population. They will assess the usability of the platform and questionnaires through 12-15 follow-up interviews with study participants and responses to the System Usability Scale. Their analysis will also identify patient characteristics and comorbidities (e.g., anger, pain, sleep disturbance) associated with a positive screen for postpartum anxiety. Read Less

Radiotherapy for head and neck cancer can cause severe mucositis (ulcers in the mouth) and pain. Photobiomodulation (Light therapy) will be used before and during radiotherapy to try to reduce the occurence and severity of mucositis in patients treated with radiotherapy for head and neck cancer Previous studies in head and neck cancer patients have shown that photobiomodulation (light therapy) can prevent mucositis. There are currently no centers in Canada using this technique in routine practice, but this is recommended in International guidelines and widely used in Europe. The investigators therefore wish to implement this technique in Ottawa under the umbrella of a clinical trial to insure its safety and efficacy in a Canadian context. Read Less

This study aims to evaluate the feasibility, safety and cost-effectiveness of opportunistic salpingectomy (OS-the removal of the fallopian tubes) at the time of colorectal surgery to prevent ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is the fifth cause of cancer-related mortality in females in Canada. OS can prevent the most common and lethal type of ovarian cancer, high grade serous carcinoma (HGSC). OS during gynecologic surgery (hysterectomy or instead of tubal ligation) is safe and effective. However, rates of hysterectomies and tubal sterilization are decreasing. This research team aims to extend the prevention of ovarian cancer by expanding to offer OS during other surgeries in the pelvis where fallopian tubes are accessible, beginning with colorectal surgery. This study will examine: 1) the feasibility of OS at the time of colorectal surgery; 2) the safety of OS at the time of colorectal surgery; 3) the cost-effectiveness of OS at the time of colorectal surgery. The hypothesis is that OS will be well accepted by individuals with fallopian tubes undergoing colorectal surgery, and that the vast majority (around 90 percent) of attempts to remove both fallopian tubes will be successful. It is expected that there will be 10-20 minutes additional operating room time for completing OS and that there will be no increased risk of complications when OS is included in a colorectal surgery. The researchers also hypothesize that OS at the time of colorectal surgery will be cost-effective because of the reduced number of ovarian cancer cases and associated treatment costs. Read Less