Chewing and swallowing performance in people with scleroderma
Investigating the Relationship Between the Biopsychosocial Status of Patients Diagnosed With Scleroderma and Their Chewing and Swallowing Performance
This project will see how children and adults with scleroderma chew and swallow and collect biopsychosocial information using questionnaires.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Ages | 7 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Hacettepe University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Çankaya, Ankara) |
| Trial ID | NCT07182981 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a single-center observational project at Hacettepe University that looks at chewing and swallowing function in both children and adults with scleroderma. Participants complete standardized questionnaires covering physical, psychological, and social aspects of their condition and specific items about chewing and swallowing. People with advanced organ failure, neurological disease, malignancy, or unwillingness to participate are excluded. The study also aims to identify which clinical scales work best for future research and clinical monitoring.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Children aged 7–18 and adults over 18 diagnosed with scleroderma who are willing to complete questionnaires and do not have advanced heart, lung, liver, kidney disease, neurological disease, or malignancy are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with advanced organ failure, neurological disease, active malignancy, or those unwilling or unable to attend the single-center visits are unlikely to benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help clinicians spot chewing and swallowing problems earlier in people with scleroderma and choose better measurement tools for care and research.
How similar studies have performed: Previous observational work has documented swallowing problems in scleroderma and used questionnaires, but scleroderma-specific, validated chewing and swallowing scales remain limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
For a child diagnosed with scleroderma: Inclusion Criteria: * Cases diagnosed with scleroderma, * Cases aged 7-18 years will be included. Exclusion Criteria: * Advanced heart/lung/liver/kidney disease, neurological disease, and malignancies * Cases that are not willing to participate in the study will be excluded. * Having participated in a regular exercise program for the past 3 months * Individuals who are not willing to participate in the study For adults diagnosed with scleroderma: Inclusion Criteria: * Individuals diagnosed with scleroderma, * Individuals over the age of 18 will be included. Exclusion Criteria: * Advanced heart/lung/liver/kidney disease, neurological disease, and malignancies * Individuals who are not willing to participate in the study will be excluded. * Having participated in a regular exercise program for the past 3 months * Individuals who are not willing to participate in the study
Where this trial is running
Çankaya, Ankara
- Hacettepe University — Çankaya, Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Orkun Tüfekçi, PT, PhD(c)
- Email: orkuntf@gmail.com
- Phone: 5319502648
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.