Active clinical trials for "Wounds and Injuries"

The present proposal has the objective to assess whether the addition of autologous ex vivo expanded mesenchymal stromal cells (XCEL-M-ALPHA) to the conventional meniscal injury rehabilitation program is contributing in creating the proper healing environment for the meniscus repair. For this purpose, 20 patients will be randomized (10 per group) to one of the two treatment arms (rehabilitation + xcel-m-alpha or rehabilitation alone) . The conduction of this clinical trial will, in addition of having the aim of improving the patient's quality of life, contribute to consolidate an emerging new type of therapy which is still under development.

This investigation addresses emotional health in community dwelling persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI). It is designed to test the efficacy of a novel behavioral treatment for depression and anxiety symptoms. This treatment incorporates principles of Behavioral Activation (BA), a promising treatment model for depression and anxiety after TBI, and implementation intentions, a theoretically motivated method to enhance enactment of goal-relevant behaviors via action planning. To maximize the impact of this intervention over time, we use the low-cost, widely available technology of SMS, or text messaging, to promote positive behavior change in accordance with planned values and intentions. Participants are randomized 1:2:2 to one of three conditions. Condition 1: a control condition in which participants receive SMS messages with self-selected motivational statements. Condition 2: a condition using BA-based implementation intentions. Condition 3: a condition using BA-based activity monitoring and scheduling based on personal values.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the most common cause of death and disability in young adults. Patients can experience significant problems with concentration, attention, and memory (so called 'cognitive impairments') following TBI. These cognitive impairments can drastically impact on a patient's well-being, and can lead to significant economic and social consequences. Roughly a quarter of TBI patients improve but an equal number deteriorate over time. The investigators know little about why patients vary so much in how they recover. Crucially, the investigators have no treatments to improve brain functioning or recovery after TBI. Trials investigating ways of protecting the brain just after injury have been disappointing. An alternative strategy, however, is to improve the function of brain regions that remain intact, but that function inefficiently after TBI. The investigators know that dopamine (a chemical in the brain) is known to influence many brain functions and the investigators know that pathways in the brain that use dopamine are affected by TBI. In humans, drugs that increase dopamine in the brain, such as methylphenidate, are sometimes used to enhance cognitive function after TBI, but the response to treatment can be highly variable between patients. Therefore, what is needed in the clinic is a way to target the use of these drugs to patients who are likely to respond. In a single centre study, the investigators will use SPECT (Single Photon Emission Tomography) imaging to measure dopamine levels in the brain. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scans will assess brain structure and function. The investigators will test whether treatment with methylphenidate improves cognitive functions in TBI patients who have ongoing cognitive problems, whether the mechanism involves a normalisation of brain functioning and whether brain dopamine levels can predict the magnitude of any improvement in symptoms.

Approximately 500,000 surgical site infections occur annually in the US. These lead to worse patient quality of life, more outpatient and emergency room visits, readmissions and home services, with an estimated increase in costs of at least $3500 per complication. Surgical site infections are associated with increasing body mass index. There is limited and conflicting data of the utility of multiple surgical interventions to decrease the risk of surgical site complications. The investigators explored the effect of a prospective care pathway for closure of vertical abdominal wounds on patient's wound complications.

The present pilot study is designed to assess the extent to which BOTOX and MYOBLOC cause muscle atrophy in spastic patients. The primary objective is to assess whether there is statistically significant difference in muscle atrophy between the two groups over a one year period.

Peripheral nerve stimulation for the treatment of sequelae due to traumatic brain injury. This study will specifically examine patients with mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) who have persistent cognitive impairments lasting one year or longer. Neuropsychological testing will occur to confirm the diagnosis.

The TOPHR HIT trial is a clinical trial of patients experiencing blunt trauma who present with an injury to their head which makes them unconscios. The study compares two different fluids given to the patient in the out of hospital setting by a paramedic. The two fluids are salt water (standard treatment) versus a higher concentration of salt water mixed with a sugar (study fluid). The patients have an equal chance of receiving either fluid and the paramedic and the patient and the treating trauma surgeon do not know which fluid was provided in the out of hospital setting.

The purpose of this study is to see the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on the pain and itching associated with burn injury. This study is part of the Boston-Harvard Burn Model System. The investigators hypothesize that there will be a decrease in pain levels with active stimulation, when compared to sham stimulation, using a 3 week stimulation schedule- 2 weeks of stimulation (10 consecutive days) followed by 1 week of stimulation (5 consecutive days) after three follow up visits at 2, 4 and 8 weeks after initial course of stimulation. The subject will also have follow ups at 2, 4 and 8 weeks after the second course of stimulation. If a subject receives sham during the experiment, he/she may enroll in an open-label portion of the study and receive 10 days of active stimulation.

The purpose of this study is to analyze the security application of the amniotic membrane in extensive wounds in the granulation phase.

Patients with limb amputations experience the sensation of the missing extremity, which is sometimes coupled with a persistent and debilitating pain in the missing limb, a condition known as phantom limb pain (PLP). This study will test the use of virtual reality (VR) training as a possible treatment of PLP.