Healthy Clinical Trials in Chicago, IL

The objective of this pilot study is to evaluate and compare the effect of three different perturbation based training devices on the reactive balance control among healthy young adults, healthy older adults, and neurologically impaired stroke individuals. Furthermore, the project aims to determine the feasibility and tolerability of 30-minutes of perturbation training using the SureFooted Trainer. Overall, the project directs to find out the long term effect of training on fall risk reduction and fall prevention. This study investigates the effects of perturbation training (slip and trip) based on the principles of motor learning. Perturbations in the form of slips and trips induced by the three different types of perturbation devices will displace the center of mass outside the base of support and challenge the stability, thereby inducing a fall and demand compensatory strategies in order to prevent it. Such perturbation training would train the motor system to improve stability control and vertical limb support. The project design aims to examine the ability of the central nervous system to mitigate the interference in stability control (if any) that is induced by opposing types of perturbations. The hypothesis of this study if supported by the results, will provide the difference in motor learning with training on three different perturbation devices. Furthermore, it would help to determine which of the three training devices is the most effective in developing defense mechanisms necessary to reduce fall-risk among community-living older adults and the neurological population. Read Less

The goal of the study is to better understand the neural mechanisms underlying the rewarding, reinforcing properties of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, among healthy young adults. Read Less

This study uses magnetic resonance imaging to determine whether 3 weeks of repeated exposure to Acute Intermittent Hypoxia can improve brain blood flow or blood flow regulation in healthy adults. Read Less

The objective of this clinical study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of mechanical coring for directional skin tightening. This study is a prospective, up to 3 center, multiple skin treatment area study of the safety and efficacy of mechanical coring with directional closure to achieve directional skin tightening. Read Less

Investigators plan to perform a pilot study that aims to characterize the microbiome of human vitiligo patients with both active and stable disease and compare this to the microbiome of age and sex matched controls. The investigators aim to answer the question whether the gut and skin microbiome of patients with vitiligo differs from the general population. Read Less

The goal of this research study is to increase understanding of error augmentation by applying it to visual feedback during motion tracking with a Leap Motion device - a recently developed optical hand tracking tool - and the LookingGlass - a new, portable virtual reality environment. In conjunction with the Leap, large, three dimensional work spaces can provide an immersive and virtual augmented environment for rehabilitation. Previously, experiments have utilized the Virtual Reality Robotic and Optical Operations Machine (VRROOM) to create such visually immersive environments. The Robotics lab as part of the Arms and Hands Lab on the 22nd floor of the Shirley Ryan Abilitylab has developed a portable version of this system, which is more compact and clinic-compatible. Combining this visual 3D system with the Leap creates a novel, more capable apparatus for studying error augmentation. This research study will have 3 different arms: 1.) a healthy group of individuals (Healthy Arm), 2.) a group of stroke survivors within 8 months of stroke (Acute Arm), and 3.) a group of stroke survivors that had their stroke more than 8 months ago (Chronic Arm). Each Arm will use the Leap motion tracker and the Looking Glass to participate in a reaching intervention. The healthy arm will only participate in 1 visit with an intervention with and without error augmented visual feedback. The Acute Arm and the Chronic Arm will both have 2 groups: 1.) Error Augmented Visual Feedback group and 2.) Non-Augmented or Veridical Visual Feedback group. The Chronic Arm will have a structured intervention and evaluation protocol: Study staff will administer outcome assessments at 3 time points: a.) prior to intervention, b.) post intervention, and c.) 2 months after the conclusion of intervention. Intervention will occur over the span of 6-8 weeks with the goal of 3 1-hour sessions per week. The Acute Arm will have a less structured intervention that will occur while the participant is an inpatient at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. Study staff will administer outcome assessments at at least 2 time points: a.) prior to intervention, b.) post intervention just prior to discharge from Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. Between initial and post intervention evaluations, midpoint evaluations will take place at a maximum of once per week if the participant's schedule, activity tolerance, and length of stay allows. Intervention will consist of 1-hour sessions occurring according to the availability of the participant at the rate of no more than 2 sessions in a 24 hour period. Investigators hope to investigate these questions: Can the movement of healthy individuals be characterized with error augmented visual feedback and veridical visual feedback? Will error augmented visual feedback or veridical visual feedback result in greater movement ability improvement? Investigators hypothesize that in the Chronic Arm, those what trained with error-augmented visual feedback will have improved movement ability compared to those who trained with veridical visual feedback. Is treatment with the looking glass and leap system feasible with an inpatient population? Investigators hypothesize that this treatment will be feasible for an inpatient population. Read Less

The goal of this clinical trial is to test a culturally tailored health promotion intervention for children with IDD and their families. First investigators will conduct a single group design pilot study of a health promotion intervention, followed by second, a small-scale randomized control trial (RCT). of the intervention with Latino parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in the Chicago, Illinois and Austin, Texas areas. The following research questions will be addressed: Question 1: What is the appropriate content, dosage, and delivery method of the intervention? Question 2: What is the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention? Question 3: Do participants improve between pre and post-test on outcome measures both in the one group design and compared to the control group in the RCT? Parents will receive 10 weekly remote sessions on health promotion content delivered by parent mentors called promotoras. Parents and children will attend 3 multi-family group workshops in-person that will provide demonstrations and interactive activities. Read Less