287 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
The goal of this study is to research Dupilumab, an FDA approved medication in treating patients diagnosed with Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). The drug works by controlling allergic inflammation of the esophagus. The esophagus is a food pipe that transfers food from the mouth into the stomach. Participants with EoE have dysfunction of the muscle of the esophagus (impaired peristalsis) that is not favorable for the transport function. Main question this study aims to answer is: Whether Dupilumab helps improve muscle activity of the esophagus in participants with EOE? Participants will: Take Dupilumab every week for 12 weeks. Visit the clinic before and after starting the medication. Keep a diary of symptoms.
The goal of this randomized clinical trial is to learn if imagining fast or slow muscle contractions causes different responses for nervous system excitability and muscle function in young, healthy males and females in. The main questions are: Does imagining fast muscle contractions cause greater nervous system excitability compared to imagining slow muscle contractions? Does imagining fast muscle contractions increase muscle function compared to imagining slow muscle contractions? A control condition (rest) will be compared with two intervention conditions: imagining fast and imagining slow conditions, to determine if the fast and slow increase outcomes more than control and if fast has the greatest response. Participants will: * Attend 4 laboratory visits * Perform 50 imagined contractions fast or slow, but with no physical movement * Physical muscle contractions and non-invasive brain stimulation would be completed before and after each condition.
The purpose of this randomized control trial is to determine the extent of muscle fatigue in the lumbar erector spinae musculature secondary to a high-intensity interval kettlebell swing protocol utilizing TMG previously published by Jay et. al in 2011.
The purpose of this study is to examine the potentiation effects of 2 sets of multi-joint eccentric overload maximal contractions on muscle function.
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited disorder of the blood. SCD can injure the smallest blood vessels, which can cause pain and damage organs all over the body. Some treatments are available, but researchers need better ways to monitor the effects of these treatments. An imaging technique called near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) may be helpful. Objective: To test NIRS as a tool for measuring oxygen levels, blood flow, and the makeup of skin and muscle in patients with SCD. Eligibility: People aged 18 years and older with SCD. Healthy volunteers are also needed as a comparison for the changes in SCD patients. Design: Participants will be screened. They will have a physical exam, and 1 teaspoon of blood will be drawn. Participants will have NIRS testing on their second visit. Probes will be placed on their skin. A blood pressure cuff will be placed on their arm. The cuff will be filled with air for up to 5 minutes and then released. Participants may be asked to breathe at a certain rate or hold their breath during these measurements. At this visit, participants will also have an ultrasound exam to get images of their heart. They will be monitored while they walk for 6 minutes. They will have 1 tablespoon of blood drawn. Their height, weight, and vital signs will be measured. Participants may be asked to return for up to 4 additional visits for NIRS testing within 120 days, but this is optional. The visits must be at least 3 days apart. Each visit will last up to an hour....
This study will evaluate lower extremity and trunk neuromuscular control in 78 nulligravid and postpartum women. Participants will attend two experimental sessions, approximately 1 week apart, to assess neuromuscular function. Physical activity levels will also be assessed.
The study will compare the effects of eccentric resistance training versus eccentric training combined with aquatic plyometric training on muscle function outcomes.
The study will determine the effects of adding blood flow restriction to eccentric training to assess whether this increases the improvements of muscle strength and size.
Older adults with coronary artery disease (CAD) have impaired vascular and inspiratory muscle function. The objective of this study is to examine the effect of beet juice supplementation on vascular and inspiratory muscle function in older adults with CAD.
This study is to determine the correlations between oxygenation of calf muscles and physical performance including balance, gait speed, and endurance in older adults by utilizing the NIRS device.
Exercise tolerance decreases with age and a sedentary lifestyle. Muscle critical power (CP), is a sensitive measure of exercise tolerance that is more even more relevant to and predictive of endurance performance than VO2max. While recent evidence indicates that CP and muscle function decrease with aging, the cause of this decrease in CP and the best way to mitigate the decrease in CP are unknown. This study will: 1. Measure knee extensor CP in young and old individuals and determine the extent to which changes in muscle oxygen delivery (e.g. resistance artery function, maximum exercise blood flow), muscle mass and composition (e.g. whole-muscle size, muscle fiber cross-sectional area) and mitochondrial oxygen consumption (e.g. maximal coupled respiration of permeabilized fibers biopsied from the knee extensors) contribute to the decrease in CP with age. 2. Examine the effectiveness of two different therapies (1. High Intensity Interval Training, HIIT and 2. Muscle Heat Therapy) at improving muscle function and critical power in young and older adults. 3. Examine the impact of muscle disuse (2 weeks of leg immobilization), a potential contributor to the decrease in muscle function with aging, on muscle function and critical power and determine if heat therapy is an effective means of minimizing the impact of disuse on muscle function and critical power.
Frailty is an age-associated clinical condition of poor physiological reserve that increases risks for falls, hospitalization and mortality. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is a critical co-factor needed for many cellular processes. The natural levels of NAD decline aging and this has been linked to physical performance decline in animals. Human trials have demonstrated that nicotinamide riboside (NR), a form of vitamin B3, is safe and effectively increases NAD+ levels. In animal studies, NR improves treadmill performance and muscle quality. Here the investigators propose a double-blind randomized control trial to assess the benefits of NR supplementation on human muscle function and physiology. The investigators anticipate the research findings will support the use of this nutritional supplement to improve the health of Veterans during aging.
Quadriceps muscle dysfunction persists for years after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) and is related to poor self-reported outcomes, altered movement patterns and joint loading associated with post-traumatic knee osteoarthritis (OA), and higher risk of reinjury. Emerging evidence indicates that central drive (pathway from the brain to the muscle of interest, i.e corticospinal excitability) to the quadriceps muscle is reduced as early as 2 weeks after surgery and can persist for years after ACLR, meaning that current rehabilitation strategies may not be addressing potential maladaptive changes in central drive. Anodal tDCS is a neurostimulation technology that increases brain excitability (i.e. central drive) and has the potential to address alterations in central drive and quadriceps muscle performance. The purpose of this study is twofold: 1) to determine the effects of anodal tDCS on central drive and quadriceps muscle performance in patients after ACLR, and 2) determine the relationship between central drive and quadriceps muscle performance in patients after ACLR. Central drive will be defined by two measures: 1) active motor thresholds, and 2) slope of a stimulus response curve. Quadriceps muscle performance will be defined by two measures: 1) isometric quadriceps strength, and 2) rate of torque development (RTD). For purpose 1 the investigators hypothesize that measures of central drive and quadriceps muscle performance will increase with administration of active anodal tDCS compared to no change with sham tDCS. For purpose 2 the investigators hypothesize that both measures of central drive will be associated with both measures of quadriceps performance, with a stronger association between central drive and RTD. Following a cross-over design patients 3-6 months from ACLR will receive active and sham anodal tDCS at different sessions separated by 7-10 days while they ride a stationary bike for 20 minutes. Bike position and intensity will be standardized for all patients to maximize quadriceps activity. Findings from this study will expand our basic science knowledge on how tDCS effects different aspects of corticospinal excitability and quadriceps strength, and lead to subsequent studies to determine the effects of multiple sessions of tDCS on corticospinal excitability and quadriceps muscle performance in patients recovering from ACLR.
This observational study characterizes the relationship between amniotic fluid lactate and uterine electromyography during labor in healthy individuals at term planning a vaginal birth. Additional comparison measures and outcomes measures will be collected and analyzed as exploratory measures.
The objective of this pilot research project is to evaluate the effect of prosthetic socket design on amputated limb hip muscle strength and endurance in Service members, Veterans, and civilians who use above-the-knee prostheses. Traditional above-the-knee socket designs provide pelvic support that interferes with hip motion. They may also reduce the effort required from amputated limb hip muscles to stabilize the hip and amputated limb, risking further loss of muscle mass and strength beyond that due to amputation. Long-standing use of above-the-knee sockets with pelvic support may therefore intensify amputated limb muscle loss and weakness, leading to challenges with walking and balance, increasing the effort required to walk, and contributing to degenerative changes in the hips and knees. Alternative socket designs that lessen the loss of muscle mass and strength are therefore required. The investigators have developed a new socket without pelvic support for above-the-knee prosthesis users called the Northwestern University Flexible Sub-Ischial Suction (NU-FlexSIS) Socket. This new socket design increases user comfort and is often preferred by users over sockets with pelvic support. This new socket does not lessen the mechanical function of the socket, or walking and balance performance. Our recent research suggests that walking with this new socket may also increase amputated limb hip muscle size. However, more research is needed to demonstrate that this new socket design improves amputated limb hip muscle strength and endurance, leading to better function. A socket design that increases amputated limb hip muscle strength and endurance would provide a simple way to restore amputated limb hip muscle weakness in above-the-knee prosthesis users. Despite a considerable decrease in hip muscle size and strength due to amputation surgery, amputated limb hip muscles are expected to compensate for the loss of knee and ankle function by providing stability and propulsion during walking. Walking in the new socket design without pelvic support is expected to increase amputated limb hip muscle strength and endurance, providing an appealing alternative to traditional resistance training in order to retain hip muscle strength. Unlike traditional resistance training, using this new socket design would not require additional time or equipment, and may be effective just by walking in the home, community, or workplace. Due to existing infrastructure (e.g., ongoing clinical adoption of the NU-FlexSIS Socket, existing instructional materials and courses for fabrication and fitting of the NU-FlexSIS Socket, as well as a continuing partnership with Chicago's largest provider of prosthetic clinical care), the investigators anticipate being able to translate our research results to clinical practice by the end of the project period. The investigators expect the results of the proposed pilot research project to directly and positively benefit the health and well-being of Service members, Veterans, and civilians who are above-the-knee prosthesis users. Benefits of increasing amputated limb hip muscle strength and endurance may include: i) improved control over the prosthesis, ii) better balance, iii) reduced effort to walk, and iv) protection against joint degeneration. For Service members these benefits could improve their performance on challenging and/or uneven ground, and increase the distance and speed they can walk or run. For Veterans, these benefits could lead to greater independence during activities of daily living, and fewer falls, reducing the physical and emotional burden on family members and caregivers.
Patients with X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) often report symptoms of fatigue and weakness particularly after exertion, in addition to their skeletal complaints. In previous trials using KRN23 (same drug as burosumab/Crysvita®), patients report these symptoms improve. The investigators wish to test this hypothesis directly by measuring muscle energy when patients begin treatment with Crysvita® for the first time.
The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of antibacterial mouthwash on muscle speed and power in healthy young men and women. We have previously demonstrated that drinking beetroot juice, a source of dietary nitrate and therefore nitric oxide, increases muscle function in this population. Antibacterial mouthwash has been shown to interfere with the conversion of dietary nitrate to nitric oxide. We therefore hypothesize that it will diminish nitric oxide bioavailability and inhibit muscle contractility.
The purpose of this research is to gather data on how exercise can help recovery of muscle mass, strength, and physical function after bedrest in older adults with pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes.
The goal of this research study is to investigate the effect of a new neuromuscular approach for correcting pelvic alignment and improving pelvic floor muscle function. Investigators hypothesized that this approach would be significantly superior than no intervention to improve the ability of pelvic floor muscle contraction, measured by transabdominal sonography as bladder base elevation. Participants will be randomized to the intervention and control groups. while intervention group will receive five supervised sessions of pelvic realigning exercises, the control group will receive no intervention. Bladder base elevation will be measured as an indicator of pelvic floor muscle function, before and after one week intervention in both control and intervention groups.
This study is being done because investigators are trying to determine how respiratory muscle and lung function influence the exercise responses in heart failure and healthy participants. Further, the heart failure patients will participate in an intervention to improve their respiratory muscle function to determine if this improves exercise capacity.
Nitrate is a naturally-occurring substance found in foods, especially green leafy vegetables and beets. Increasing nitrate intake (by drinking beetroot juice (BRJ) has been shown to improve muscle function young and middle-aged subjects, athletes, and patients with heart failure. The purpose of this study is to determine whether dietary nitrate provides a similar benefit in older individuals, and if so, the optimal dose. We will be comparing the effects of ingesting BRJ containing a smaller or greater amount of nitrate versus the effects of a placebo (BRJ from which the nitrate has been removed).
This is a pilot study designed to examine changes in muscle function after Aromatase Inhibitor (AI) therapy, at both the molecular and clinical level.
Background: People are living longer and are more likely to survive a heart attack if they have one. Longer life expectancy is good but it also means more people get chronic heart failure over time. This is a condition in which the heart doesn't pump blood as well as it should. Treatment of chronic heart failure has not improved much in a few decades. Researchers want to see if giving a dietary supplement to people with heart failure can help their heart function. The supplement is nicotinamide riboside (NR). Objective: To study how NR affects skeletal muscle function in people with heart failure. Eligibility: Adults ages 18-70 with clinically stable systolic heart failure Design: Participants will be screened with a medical history and physical exam. They will answer demographic questions and review their current medical treatments. They will have blood and urine tests. They will have an echocardiogram. This uses sound waves to test heart function. Participants will have 8 study visits over 16 weeks. At these visits, they will have some of the following: Repeat of screening tests Skin sample taken Skeletal muscle exercise Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Muscles will be measured while participants do foot exercises. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Participants may ride a stationary bike or walk on a treadmill. A facemask will analyze their breath. Heart and blood pressure measurements will be taken. Participants will take the supplement in pill form each day for 12 weeks. Pill bottles will be checked at study visits. Participants should not significantly change their activity levels during the study.
This research is intended to begin to explore the impact of inspiratory muscle resistance exercise and/or 1,25(OH)2D3 for improving respiratory muscle strength in cancer patients (subjects).
The proposed project will examine how exercise counteracts metabolic disorders and type 2 diabetes through regulating gene expression. The project is highly relevant to public health because of the global pandemic of diabetes, obesity, and associated metabolic syndromes as well as the well-known metabolic benefit of physical exercise in correcting these disorders.
This is a randomized, double-blind, single-center, placebo-controlled Phase 2 trial enrolling 66 healthy elderly subjects (33 placebo and 33 AMAZ-02 administration) who are ≥65 and ≤ 90 years of age with evidence of low mitochondrial function. AMAZ-02 or placebo will be orally administered for 4 months.
The purpose of this study is to examine if thigh muscle weakness and the lack of muscle activation that accompanies ACL injury can be improved through a form of mental coaching and encouragement, known as operant conditioning.
Mechanical ventilation can be life saving strategy for patients with respiratory failure due to a variety of reasons. Once the underlying illness has resolved, intensive care doctors have to take a decision on when the patient is safe to get off the ventilator or be extubated. They use clinical assessment of the patient's ability to breathe spontaneously and make use of some breathing parameters to make the judgment. Most of the time, a patient can come off the ventilator and do well, but sometimes muscle weakness from sickness can affect the patient's ability to breathe adequately once ventilator support is discontinued. If that occurs, the patient may have to be put back on the ventilator and the physician will suggest some changes to help muscles get stronger. A simple, non-invasive test that can assess respiratory muscle state before taking patients off the ventilator to see if their muscles look healthy can help distinguish which patients may not be ready to be extubated. There are currently several tests available to assess muscle strength, in particular muscles that help in breathing like the intercostal muscles and diaphragm. The study will test the use of Ultrasonography (Ultrasound) as a non-invasive test to assess the muscles of respiration. This test will also help the investigators test physical therapies and interventions of mechanical ventilation that can help patients strengthen the muscles while waiting for extubation.
The investigators propose to conduct a randomized, control trial of β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation in elderly patients (≥65 years of age) with acute respiratory failure, who are identified at high risk for malnutrition by ICU-specific nutritional risk scores. Patients will receive either 3g of HMB daily, or control, daily until day 28 following randomization (even if discharged).The investigators will measure functional outcomes using standard, validated measures prior and after discharge.
Purpose: To evaluate the acute and chronic effects of a botanical supplement on strength, muscle function, and lean body mass Participants: The acute phase will include 30 participants, and the chronic phase will include 84 participants. All participants must be healthy recreationally active males between the ages of 18 and 35 years. Procedures (methods): Acute phase: Participants will complete three testing visits as part of as part of a cross-over design, during which strength and muscle function will be assessed prior to and following consumption of a supplement. The experimental supplement is a blend of the botanical extracts; treatment arms will include a full dose (FULL; 350 mg capsule), half dose (HALF; 175 mg plus maltodextrin), or placebo (PLA; maltodextrin). Chronic phase: Body composition, muscle cross-sectional area, a complete blood count and metabolic panel, subjective surveys, and strength will be measured prior to and following an 8-week supervised resistance training program, in conjunction with daily supplementation of FULL, HALF, or PLA.