Active clinical trials for "Wounds and Injuries"

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether a stress reduction intervention prior to surgery can improve wound healing and recovery.The investigators hypothesise that patients who receive a psychological stress reduction intervention prior to surgery will report lower stress and higher perceived control, have lower stress hormones, better wound healing and better self-reported recovery than patients who receive standard care alone.

This is a randomized double-blind study to determine if the administration of a small-dose of ketamine (an anesthetic)added to morphine (an opioid) contributes to reducing pain intensity during open wound care procedure (WCP)in patients who have had a traumatic injury and are in an Intensive Care Unit. Patients will be randomized to receive morphine plus saline (a placebo) or morphine plus ketamine before the WCP. The second time the patient is scheduled for WCP (no less than 24 hours), patients will be crossed over to receive the treatment they did not receive the first time. It is hypothesized that patients who receive the combination of morphine and ketamine will have better pain control during the procedure than patients who just receive morphine.

The evaluation of the efficacy of an intraportal infusion with Tacrolimus, at the time of liver graft implantation, compared to a control group without immunosuppressive intraportal infusion (Placebo: Saline solution 0.9%) with respect to the initial liver function measured by the parameters of the liver function (LFP): AST (U/L), ALT (U/L), total Bilirubin (mg/dL) and the coagulation factors: NT (%), PTT (s), INR.

We would like to learn if a medicine called "modified-release morphine sulfate" (Avinza) helps reduce Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)-related pain that has lasted a long time. "Modified-release" means that the medicine in the capsules is slowly released to the body, instead of being released all at once. Avinza is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of pain, but we do not know how effective Avinza is in reducing SCI-related pain.

It has been established that providing antibiotic prophylaxis after closed fracture fixation with implants or prosthetic devices has beneficial effects. However, the optimal duration of antibiotic prophylaxis after orthopaedic trauma surgery is not well-defined. Most studies comparing single-dose prophylaxis with multiple-dose prophylaxis have not shown beneficial effects of additional doses. Our proposed study is intended to further define the appropriate duration of antibiotic (cefazolin) administration for surgical prophylaxis in the treatment of closed fractures. We will randomly assigned patients into two groups, hopefully differentiated only by the duration of antibiotic administration (single dose vs. 24 hours). We will follow these patients until fracture healing and determine if there is a difference in the incidence of infection.

It has long been recognized that co-morbidity associated with multiple metabolic syndrome, such as adverse body composition, insulin resistance and autonomic nervous system impairment, may lead to significant increase in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. It is unclear whether the co-morbidity evident in this population are due directly to their immobility or are the result of unfavorable changes in their underlying hormonal milieu. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of testosterone replacement therapy in hypogonadal males on: body composition, i.e. lean tissue and fat mass, glucose tolerance, resting energy expenditure, autonomic-cardiovascular integrity, muscular strength, psychological assessment

Nightly administration of a unique, sublingual (under the tongue) formulation of tizanidine, a known anti-spasticity medication, has been shown in a previous study to improve sleep and next-day functioning in CP (cerebral palsy) patients. It is hypothesized that this improvement in sleep efficiency (i.e.,fewer wake episodes, longer time asleep, etc.) with resulting improvement in quality-of-life (i.e.,improvements in next-day functioning, cognition and movement) may also be seen in a similar patient population, i.e., children with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The overall objective of this research project is to examine the clinical efficacy of lower extremity cycling with functional electrical stimulation to improve the health and fitness of children with spinal cord injuries (SCI). To achieve this goal, a controlled, randomized study will be conducted with thirty children who have sustained a spinal cord injury. The children in the study will be assigned to one of three groups: those receiving functional electrical stimulation (FES) leg cycling exercise, those receiving passive leg cycling, and a non-cycling control group receiving electrical stimulation therapy to generate muscle contractions in the lower extremity. All three groups will be balanced as to the amount of time they receive the specific therapy. All therapies, after initial assessment, will be conducted at home in order to foster changes in lifestyle that may prove to be essential for improved quality of life. The specific aims of this proposal are delineated below: Aim 1: To assess, by means of a randomized controlled study design, the ability of FES cycling to improve the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems of ten children with a spinal cord injury, as compared to ten children undergoing passive leg cycling exercise and ten children receiving electrical stimulation therapy alone. Aim 2: To determine, by means of a randomized controlled study design, the feasibility of using FES leg cycling exercise to provide long-term health benefits and improve the neurologic status of ten children with a spinal cord injury, as compared to ten children undergoing passive leg cycling exercise and ten children receiving electrical stimulation therapy alone.

Background: Long-lasting pain and disability, known as chronic whiplash-associated disorder (WAD), may develop after forced flexion-extension trauma to the cervical spine. Mechanisms behind WAD are virtually unknown, as are the possible effects of early intervention. This trial was undertaken to compare the effect of three early intervention strategies for the prevention of developing chronic WAD following acute whiplash injury. Methods: 458 participants were randomised to one of 1) stiff neck collar, 2) advice to act-as-usual, or 3) an active mobilisation regime. Participants were followed for one year and treatment effects were compared in terms of lasting neck pain, headache, disability and sick-leave.

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness of three training programs designed to teach persons with acquired brain injury (ABI) to recognize emotions. It is hypothesized that the training programs will enhance several aspects of emotion recognition in persons with ABI. Furthermore, it is expected that these effects will be maintained over time, and will positively influence participants' social behavior and integration.