This study is about understanding how people experience sexual function and sexual distress, especially those who are transgender or gender diverse. Right now, most questions about sexual health focus on cisgender men and women, and don’t include the wide range of experiences that people of different genders may have. We are looking at two specific questionnaires that ask about things like sex drive, arousal, and satisfaction with sexual activity. However, the way these questions are written might not make sense to everyone, and people might understand them in different ways. In this study, participants will complete the questionnaires and then talk to us about their answers. We want to know why they chose certain answers and how they interpreted the questions. By doing this, we can learn how to improve these measures so they are more inclusive and better reflect the experiences of all genders. The goal is to make sure future research on sexual health includes everyone, not just cisgender people.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a debilitating chronic blood disorder with multi-system end-organ damage that leads to morbidity and early mortality. The only cure for SCD is hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), which given the risks with unrelated HSCT, is only an option for a minority of patients who have a matched sibling donor. Currently, patients with a matched related major ABO-incompatible donor are not eligible for treatment with nonmyeloablative (NMA)-HSCT. This phase II pilot study will enroll SCD patients with a matched related major ABO-incompatible donor to determine the safety and efficacy of NMA-HSCT. Biological studies will include a plan to study and monitor red cell engraftment in this population.

This study aims to improve pelvic health care. We want to learn about experiences with pelvic health care and how it can be better. Open to women, transgender men and non-binary people. Must have had pelvic health care experience in the past five years. Must have experience with medical or sexual trauma. Trauma should not be recent (within the past year).

This research project examines the experiences of immigrant international medical graduates (I-IMGs) in their first five years of practice after Canadian postgraduate training. We will conduct interviews with potential participants. In these interviews, we will explore how their immigrant status and identities influences their transition at work and in social settings. Our goal is to use these insights to improve professional development programs and better support I-IMGs during this period.

This study will look at how safe and how well the investigational drug NaBen®, in addition to clozapine, works in improving the symptoms of refractory schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a mental disorder consisting of positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and an inability to pay attention or process information clearly. Sodium benzoate has been shown to regulate brain chemicals that may help to improve some of the schizophrenia symptoms. The active ingredient in the NaBen® tablet is sodium benzoate. Sodium benzoate is naturally found in cranberries, prunes, plums, cinnamon, ripe cloves, and apples.

Bio-banking is the collection, storage, and use of human body samples and personal health information for research. It provides an important resource for mental health research locally, across Canada, and around the world. We are currently building a biobank to collect samples such as stool, urine, and blood along with clinical information to support research in the field of gut bacteria and it's effect on mental health.

The goal of this study is to use an online consensus method to identify key quality indicators measures of healthcare for substance use disorders in Alberta. We aim to develop a set of Quality Indicators to measure substance use disorder care. To achieve this, we will use online surveys to create a shortened list of quality indicators from those that are available (i.e. those identified in the scoping review).

This study examines how acute stress affects problem-solving and reward-related decision-making, focusing on how people adjust to new or changing situations. It also explores whether these effects differ between males and females. Participants will complete questionnaires and provide blood, saliva, and hair samples to measure stress-related responses. They will then perform tasks designed to test problem-solving and decision-making both before and after experiencing a stress-inducing situation.

The goal of our project is to evaluate the effects of parks visits for people living with dementia and their caregivers. The purpose of this project is to assess the effects of a park visit program on the quality of life, cognition, behavioral symptoms, stress, and burden in people living with dementia and their caregivers. We aim to recruit 10 people living with dementia and 10 caregivers. Participants who are selected for this study will be provided with education related to the health benefits of outdoor activities, resources to help them complete their outdoor activities, and weekly support sessions. Participants will then participate in outdoor activities of their choosing during their own time over 8 weeks. The park visiting program in-person assessments of participants with dementia and their caregivers will occur every 4 weeks during the project. This project will also provide families and healthcare providers with new approaches to help improve the quality of life of people affected by dementia.

CAN-PROTECT is an online study for people 18 and older that will look at things that contribute to healthy aging, as well as risk factors that contribute to a decline in memory, thinking, and dementia. We will also look at the contributors to health and stress in those who care for the people with dementia. Data will be collected online at www.canprotect.ca. The data that is collected will help the researchers to better understand the aging brain with a focus on the caregivers. It will also tell the burden on caregivers, and the factors that help and worsen this burden.