ANZCTR search results

This will be a two group (1) resistance training (RT) in a gymnasium and 2) RT in the home, pre- and post-test feasibility study using a peer (buddy) for encouragement. The aims of this pilot project are to determine whether: 1. Peer (buddy) training is suitable to encourage older people who are not involved in resistance training (RT) currently, but are physically active (e.g. walk regularly) to start participating 2. Peer (buddy) training is suitable to encourage older people who are not involved in any physical activity to meet the recommended Australian physical activity guidelines (150 minutes moderate activity including RT twice a week) 3. The outcome measures proposed for the use in a larger trial planned to follow this feasibility study, are suitable for and acceptable for this population.

The study is to assess the safety and tolerability of PTG300 in normal healthy volunteers. This includes vital signs, safety labs and physical examinations Study drug (a single dose of either PTG-300 or placebo, or two doses a week apart) will be given as a subcutaneous injection. The study will also evaluate the PK of the drug after dose administration, and effects of PTG300 on iron levels. Participants will be entered into standard study cohorts of 10, 8 active:2 placebo for Cohorts 1 to 6, and 6 (5 active: 1 placebo) for Cohort 7

The primary aim of this project is to examine specific inflammatory markers and define the association with coagulopathies in patients undergoing elective total knee arthroplasty (TKA). A total of 20 patients will be observed in the trial; these patients are all undergoing Primary TKA for treatment of osteoarthritis (OA). There are multiple traumatic events that occur over the duration of TKA surgery, all which illicit some form of inflammatory and immune response; it is this response that we are interested in examining. Disruption to the skin, bone and synovial membrane all trigger an inflammatory cytokine cascade. The concentrations in peripheral blood of selected cytokines have been reported to undergo more rapid increases and quicker return to normal values after surgery than either CRP or ESR suggesting they may be better markers for risk of early infection following TKR. There has been limited research to determine whether there is an association between particular inflammatory cytokine markers, coagulopathies and clinical outcomes post-surgery. We aim to examine the changes in concentration of key inflammatory cytokine markers in peripheral blood of elective TKA patients during and after surgery and to define the association with coagulopathies. Patients undergoing unilateral TKA for OA will have blood samples taken at six time-points peri-operative and on the ward at day one and three post-surgery The blood samples will be used for analysis of key inflammatory markers and coagulopathy parameters. Patient-reported health outcomes relating to pain, analgesia, sleep and joint function will be completed pre and post-surgery. Patient rehabilitation post-surgery will be consistent with current standard protocols with the exception of NSAID administration, unless otherwise advised. The use of tranexamic acid during TKA to treat or prevent excessive blood loss during surgery will be recorded. Data collected will be analysed to identify significant changes in both coagulation and inflammatory markers in response to trauma during surgery and in recovery, Correlations between biological markers and patient health outcomes will be explored.

Children with ASD aged 3 to 12 years will take a placebo spray for 3 weeks, followed by being randomised to a course of twice-daily nasally-administered oxytocin or placebo for 12 weeks in a double-blind, placebo-controlled between-subject design. We hope to identify children with ASD who benefit from this treatment and the associated cognitive and neurobiological markers that predict such changes.

A 2-arm randomised waitlist-controlled trial with a primary endpoint at 3 weeks and a 3-month follow-up, testing the effectiveness of a web-based, audio podcast (using computer, smartphone or tablet) program to improve adjustment following an intimate partner relationship separation. The purpose of this intervention is to target individuals who have separated from a romantic relationship in the past six months, and use Brief Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT-B) strategies to promote active coping and positive adjustment and decrease suicidal ideation and symptoms of depression. The intervention is a web-based, six-session, online podcast program that can be accessed from any location with internet access. The intervention is free, confidential and easily accessible by people across Australia. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, immediately after intervention (3 weeks) and at 12-week follow-up. Outcome measures will include demographics, mental health status, presence/severity of suicidal ideation, social support, positive adjustment, help seeking and the utility of the program.

This observational study will explore the prevalence and risk factors of central venous access device (CVAD) associated skin injury and the types of skin injuries which occur in cancer patients. Who is it for? You may be eligible to join this study if you are aged 16 years or above, are receiving care within a Cancer Care Services inpatient unit, and have a CVAD in place. Study details All participants in this study will have the skin surrounding their CVAD device assessed by a study nurse once per week, or twice per week if there are any signs of skin injury, for the duration of their hospital admission. Nurses will also note any management/treatment received for the CVAD-associated skin injury if present. It is hoped that the results of this study will help researchers to understand the prevalence of CVAD-associated skin injuries, in order to support the development of evidence-based solutions for their prevention and treatment in the future.

This observational study will evaluate causes of catheter failure in cancer care patients. Who is it for? You may be eligible to join this study if you are aged 18 years or above, have been admitted to a cancer care service inpatient unit, and have had a peripheral venous catheter (PVC) inserted within 48 hours of admission. Study details All participants in this study will be reviewed by a research nurse second daily throughout their hospital admission. Information will be collected about risk factors, such as antibiotic use, flushing regime, dressing types and catheter types; and catheter related outcomes such as PVC failure, insertion of a Central Venous Access Device (CVAD), adverse events, and hospital length of stay. Participants in the study who experience peripheral catheter failure will be compared against those who did not, to identify the risk factors associated with this failure and how this can be mitigated. Patients who go on to receive Central Venous Access Devices (CVADs) will also be compared to those who do not, in order to explore the decision-making processes that go into transitioning to long-term devices (as well as the outcomes of these decisions e.g. CVAD success or failure).

The cumulative impact of infant sleep and settling problems is consequential for both the infant and their parents. Options to improve infant sleep disturbance most commonly include behavioural sleep interventions. A large amount of research has focused on extinction based sleep interventions (controlled crying) that are typically centred on ignoring an unwanted behaviour (night time crying) to allow the infant to settle on their own. However, majority of parents find controlled crying unpalatable. Recently, there has been an increased focus on finding alternatives that focus on responding to infant cries rather than ignoring them (cue-based or responsive methods). These methods have not been directly and empirically tested against controlled crying are not systematically available. The aims of this study are to investigate the differences between two forms of infant sleep interventions (controlled crying and responsive methods) compared to a control group, on infant sleep disturbance and parental and infant well-being. These aims will be achieved by providing parents with education on infant sleep based on which intervention group they have been assigned to. After these sessions, parents will undertake this intervention in their own home and complete the outcome measures to determine the success of each intervention.

Elite athletes regularly incorporate living and training at altitude into their programs to enhance physiological and performance adaptations. It can be logistically difficult and expensive for Australian athletes to gain the benefits of altitude training. Current options available in Australia are limited to relatively low levels of natural altitude or the use of artificial hypoxic environments. Preliminary data suggests that supplementation with the antioxidant n-acetylcysteine (NAC) may boost the erythropoeitic response (i.e. increase red blood cell production) to hypoxia and support the immune system during strenuous training blocks. However, to date, the efficacy of NAC to enhance these physiologic systems has not been determined in an applied sports setting. This investigation, part of a series of studies will be the first to comprehensively examine the acute effects of NAC supplementation to augment the physiological adaptations to hypoxic exposure in elite athletes. It will also contribute to the existing knowledge regarding the ergogenic effect of NAC on repeat sprint cycle performance and add further real-world data to the debate regarding the potential blunting of cellular adaptations with antioxidant supplementation. Importantly, it will also provide valuable information to physiologists, coaches and athletes regarding the prescription and periodisation of NAC supplementation and the optimal integration of hypoxic interventions to produce peak performance during targeted competitions.

Elite swimmers regularly incorporate living and training at altitude into their programs to enhance physiological and performance adaptations. Although altitude training and research has been undertaken previously in swimming the use of a novel dietary supplement to enhance adaptation to altitude training at accessible altitudes would be highly beneficial. Typical training locations in Australia for swimming at altitude typically require additional time and resources to achieve similar physiological adaptations to higher altitudes overseas. Additionally swimming can add an additional hypoxic stressor to altitude training that NAC may help support and hence reduce the risk of illness or overtraining seen when swimmers travel to altitude. Preliminary data suggests that supplementation with the antioxidant nacetylcysteine (NAC) may boost the erythropoeitic response (i.e. increase red blood cell production) to hypoxia and support the immune system during strenuous training blocks. However, to date, the efficacy of NAC to enhance these physiologic systems has not been determined in an applied sports setting. This investigation, part of a series of studies will be the first to comprehensively examine the acute and medium term effects of NAC supplementation to augment the physiological adaptations to hypoxic exposure in elite athletes. It will also contribute to the existing knowledge regarding the ergogenic effect of NAC on performance and add further real world data to the debate regarding the potential blunting of cellular adaptations with antioxidant supplementation. Importantly, it will also provide valuable information to physiologists, coaches and athletes regarding the prescription and periodisation of NAC supplementation and the optimal integration of hypoxic interventions to produce peak performance during targeted competitions in elite swimmers.