Quality of Life Clinical Trials

Hypertension (HTN) has a greater impact on African Americans (AA) than any other U.S. racial group. Uncontrolled blood pressure (BP) contributes to higher rates of disability, death, and health resource use among AA. HTN is the single most influential risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), as well as a risk factor for the incidence of stroke, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and dementia. Importantly, older adults account for 15% of the U.S. population, and two-thirds of older adults over age 60 have HTN, with higher rates observed in AA older adults. Strategies to support self-managing HTN and BP control are crucial as the older population is projected to age considerably and become more racially and ethnically diverse. Research has documented the negative effects on health and health outcomes of poorly controlled BP and is one of the most important modifiable CVD risk factors. Lower BP targets will require aggressive management and an increase in antihypertensive medications. Therefore, to achieve lower targets in this population, greater efforts, including patient-centered methods will be needed to support self-managing HTN, especially in terms of medication adherence. As we shifted into the digital age, the use of mHealth technologies (smart phones, applications, SMS or text messaging) has been a powerful approach and mechanism for the treatment and management of chronic diseases. However, behavioral interventions that incorporate technology do not reach minorities or disadvantaged AA older adults with HTN. OPtimizing Technology to Improve Medication Adherence and BP Control (OPTIMA-BP) will leverage existing knowledge of effective technology-based components for HTN self-management to support and improve BP control using unique aspects of mHealth platforms in AA older adults. Findings from this study, if confirmed, will improve BP control and support self-managing HTN, as well as has the potential to close the health disparity gap between AA and non-AA older adults with HTN. Read Less

Hypertension (HTN) rates have increased worldwide, but the most significant increase in the incidence of morbidity and mortality has been in African Americans (AA)1,2 (43% vs 27% for other U.S. population groups). Despite evidence of positive benefits from lifestyle modification (healthy diet, reduced sodium intake, increased physical activity, smoking cessation) and prescribed antihypertensive therapy (AHT) many AA with HTN do not adhere to their treatment regimens. Consistent, effective lifelong self-management is required to sustain optimal BP control and thus reduce morbidity and mortality. Self-managing HTN to a blood pressure (BP) <130/80 mm Hg presents challenges such as juggling multiple medications and health care providers, dealing with complex recommendations and treatment regimens, and coping with negative emotional states. Few studies have examined the biopsychosocial mechanisms that foster effective HTN self-management and resilience among AA living with HTN. Understanding the mechanisms that influence HTN self-management and resilience in AA holds the promise of new modifiable targets for behavior-change interventions. This study explores the relationship among resilience precursors on hypertension (HTN) self-management behaviors, stress response, and the effects that these relationships have on health outcomes-health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and blood pressure (BP) in African Americans (AA) with HTN over a 6-month period. Read Less

A prospective, longitudinal, non-comparator, non-randomized observational cohort study to assess the quality of life in adult patients affected by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and thoracic aortic dilatations who are not amenable to surgery, as well as those affected radiation-induced cardiac disease caused by radiation therapy. Read Less

This study will evaluate whether patients and their providers benefit from an evidence-based decision tool to help prioritize preventive (and select chronic disease management) services based on their potential to improve quality-adjusted life expectancy, individualized for patient risk factors. The study seeks to enroll 600 patients and 60 primary care providers. Half of providers will be assigned to an intervention to utilize the decision tool with approximately 10 high-priority patients each (patients of particular interest to the research study, on whom follow-up outcomes will be collected), and half will be assigned to usual care. Surveys will be administered at baseline and approximately 6 months later; electronic health records data on preventive service utilization will be collected; and optional qualitative interviews may be conducted. Read Less

The aim of this prospective study is to investigate quality of life and oncologic outcomes in low-risk elderly breast cancer patients randomized to adjuvant therapy with accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) alone or endocrine therapy alone after lumpectomy. The study population will include women age 65 years and older with low-risk tumor characteristics (tumor size <2cm, grade 1-2, node-negative). APBI will consist of 5 fractions of radiation therapy delivered every other day to the lumpectomy cavity. Endocrine therapy will be chosen by the treating medical oncologist with an aim of 5 years duration, as tolerated by the patient. Quality of life outcomes will be measured at 1 year following lumpectomy and compared between groups. We hypothesize that the use of APBI may be superior in terms of quality of life when compared to endocrine therapy alone following lumpectomy while providing equivalent rates of disease control and overall survival. In this phase II study, we anticipate enrolling 90 women at N.C. Cancer Hospital in Chapel Hill, NC. Read Less

This research is aimed to address one of the big gaps in the current vision rehabilitation protocols for people with profound visual impairment by evaluating a multisensory approach. There are a growing number of clinical trials that recruit people with end-stage eye diseases and the rehabilitation plan following various treatments is not clear. It is important to address this in order to maximize the efficacy of such treatments and to improve the quality of life in people with profound visual impairment. Read Less

Pep19 is a naturally occurring peptide (protein) that triggers loss of body fat. It has been certified Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) at up to 3.8 grams per day and may be included in various foods. Pep19 has no effect on the brain, heart, pancreas or skeletal muscle. It is highly purified, not allergenic or mutagenic, and free of microbes, metals and other contaminants. Preliminary, open-label, uncontrolled studies have shown that Pep19 is well tolerated in rodents, dogs, and humans. This placebo-controlled study will evaluate the effects of two doses of Pep19™ -- 2 mg and 5 mg - on quality of life and sleep quality in obese subjects. Read Less

The goal of this clinical trial is to test whether financial support in the form of a one-time $500 stipend would improve medication adherence and quality of life in low-income, socially-needy patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in the post-discharge setting. The main questions it aims to answer are: Will financial support improve heart failure quality of life? Will financial support improve medication adherence? Participants will complete surveys on quality of life, social stress, and spending habits at their baseline visit. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive $500 at their baseline visit or $0 at their baseline visit. At their one month visit, quality of life and medication adherence will be assessed. These results will be compared between groups. The group that received $0 at their baseline visit will be provided $500 at their one-month visit and return for a two-month visit. At that visit, quality of life and medication adherence will be assessed. These results will be compared to their one-month results. Researchers will compare the 1-month quality of life scores and medication adherence scores between the immediate financial support vs delayed financial support. Researchers will also compare 1-month vs 2-month quality of life and adherence data for participants who were randomized to the delayed financial support group. Read Less

This is a prospective observational follow-up study of children enrolled in a single center randomized controlled trial (REDvent). Nearly 50% of adult Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) survivors are left with significant abnormalities in pulmonary, physical, neurocognitive function and Health Related Quality of Life (HRQL) which may persist for years.Data in pediatric ARDS (PARDS) survivors is limited. More importantly, there are no data identifying potentially modifiable factors during ICU care which are associated with long term impairments, which may include medication choices, or complications from mechanical ventilator (MV) management in the ICU including ventilator induced lung injury (VILI) or ventilator induced diaphragm dysfunction (VIDD). The Real-time effort driven ventilator (REDvent) trial is testing a ventialtor management algorithm which may prevent VIDD and VILI. VIDD and VILI have strong biologic plausibility to affect the post-ICU health of children with likely sustained effects on lung repair and muscle strength. Moreover, common medication choices (i.e. neuromuscular blockade, corticosteroids) or other complications in the ICU (i.e. delirium) are likely to have independent effects on the long term health of these children. This proposed study will obtain serial follow-up of subjects enrolled in REDvent (intervention and control patients). The central hypothesis is that preventing VIDD, VILI and shortening time on MV will have a measureable impact on longer term function by mitigating abnormalities in pulmonary function (PFTs), neurocognitive function and emotional health, functional status and HRQL after hospital discharge for children with PARDS. For all domains, the investigators will determine the frequency, severity and trajectory of recovery of abnormalities amongst PARDS survivors after ICU discharge, identify risk factors for their development, and determine if they are prevented by REDvent. They will leverage the detailed and study specific respiratory physiology data being obtained in REDvent, and use a variety of multi-variable models for comprehensive analysis. Completion of this study will enable the investigators to identify ICU related therapies associated with poor long term outcome, and determine whether they can be mitigated by REDvent. Read Less

The aim of this pilot study is to determine the effects of a 12-week indoor rock climbing training program on heart health, mental health, and behavioral health in generally healthy adults aged 18-35 years old who do not exercise. Participants will learn to rock climb using ropes on an indoor rock climbing wall and participate in the training program 2-3 days per week for 60 minutes each session over 12 weeks. Health outcomes will be measured at 4 time points over the course of the study (pre-intervention, 6-weeks/mid-intervention, 12-weeks/post-intervention, and 24-weeks post-intervention). Read Less

The purpose of this study is to test whether an individual coaching program called Social Engage Coaching (or 'Engage Coaching' for short) helps adults age 60 and older feel more connected to other people in ways that matter to them. Procedures include participating in a Social Engage Coaching program, research assessments with surveys, and assessments completed on a cell phone. Engage Coaching involves individual sessions with a trained Engage Coach (up to 10 sessions) that are designed to help participants improve social relationships and well-being. All subjects will receive the scheduled baseline and follow-up interviews by the research team. These interviews will be conducted at study start, mid-way through the program at 8 weeks and after completing the program at 16 weeks. Interviews will be via Zoom/phone as well as surveys done online. Read Less

This study aims to assess the quality and life and life satisfaction of pediatric and adolescent gymnasts throughout their musculoskeletal injury recovery. Read Less