University of Deusto

Lifestyle interventions can alleviate Parkinson's Disease (PD) symptoms and delay disease progression. The novelty of this project lies in the development of an innovative smart platform that utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) and predictive models to offer a groundbreaking solution that not only prevents disease progression but also significantly improves the well-being of patients with PD. For this, the technological smart platform will encompass 50 clinical variables, and a comprehensive range of other 50 supplementary variables, validated in a database with more than 1500 patients. The smart platform will include a user-friendly interface with different user profiles and a scalable back end with AI-based monitoring and prediction modules. This will offer primary prevention, early detection, and ongoing monitoring by specialized medical professionals at home and in hospitals.

The e-Intervention Enhancing Mental Health in Adolescents (IMPROVA) study will co-design, test, evaluate, and facilitate the upscaling of a modular eHealth intervention platform that aims to improve mental health and wellbeing, early detect mental health problems and prevent common mental problems in adolescents. IMPROVA will be implemented in school settings and will include components for adolescents, parents, teachers, and other school staff in complementary and synergistic modules based on materials designed and tested in >20 projects carried out by the consortium members. After alpha, beta and pilot testing of the platform, the IMPROVA program will be implemented via a randomised controlled trial in secondary education schools in France, Germany, Romania and Spain, including approximately 6,000 adolescents. A 360º evaluation of IMPROVA will include Effectiveness, Implementation, Economic, and Social Return on Investment analysis. The primary outcome to assess the effectiveness of the IMPROVA program is the overall mental health of adolescents. A series of secondary outcomes will also evaluate the potential impact of the platform on other health-related outcomes (e.g., wellbeing, social isolation, anxiety, life satisfaction). Using implementation science methodology, IMPROVA will co-design transferable evidence-based guidance for scaling up the platform with users and policymakers. IMPROVA aims to provide an evidence-based, innovative, large-scale, comprehensive intervention, and a scale-up plan to promote mental health and prevent mental disorders in adolescents; empower adolescents and families to make better decisions regarding their mental health; and provide schools and the community with tools to achieve a society with better mental health and lower stigma.

Background: Creatine supplementation is an effective ergogenic nutrient for athletes, as well as people for people starting a health or fitness program. Resistance training previously been identified as an important method of increasing muscle mass and strength among people, specially in people with cancer to avoid sarcopenia. The potential of creatine supplementation for adaptations produced by strength training in cancer patients are still unknown.
Objective: the primary aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a 16-week supervised resistance training program intervention with and without creatine supplementation in patients with breast cancer.
Methods: A multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study designed to evaluate the effects of creatine supplementation in addition to resistance training in breast cancer patients. Patients will be randomly assigned to 3 groups: a control group (CG) and two experimental groups. The first resistance training group (RG) will perform resistance training, while the second resistance-creatine experimental group (RCG) will perform the same resistance training as the RG and will also receive a 5 g/day supplementation of creatine for the duration of the exercise the 16-week intervention. RG participants will follow the same daily dosing protocol, but in their case, with dextrose/maltodextrin. Resistance training will be a 16-week supervised workout that will consist of a series of resistance exercises (leg press, knee extension, knee bends, chest press, sit-ups, back extensions, pull-ups, and shoulder press) that involved the largest muscle groups of the body and will be performed three times a week on non-consecutive days. Both the RG and the RCG will receive a supplement of soluble protein powder (20-30 g) daily.
Discussion: The results of this intervention will help to better understand the potential of non-pharmacological treatment for improving strength and wellbeing values in breast cancer patients with and without creatine supplementation.