ANZCTR search results

Cancer of the liver is becoming more common in Australia. A PET scan is used to diagnose many forms of cancer, but it is not commonly used in cancer of the liver. This study aims to determine whether a PET scan is an accurate way of diagnosing cancers of the liver by performing this scan on someone who we know already has a cancer of the liver. We will also see if a PET scan can provide other pieces of information about the liver cancer that we do not already have. Finally, we will investigate whether a second PET scan done after a certain type of treatment for the liver cancer will tell us whether that cancer has responded to the treatment. If the results from the research project are encouraging, we will begin larger trials. Hopefully in the future, PET scans in liver cancer will become an important part of management and will improve the outcomes for patients with this disease. Who is it for? You may be eligible to join this study if you are aged 18 to 90 years old, with newly diagnosed Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC), Barcelona-Clinic Liver Cancer Stage O, A or B, and considered for transarterial chemoembolisation, radiofrequency ablation or resection Trial details In this study, you will receive an 18F Fluorodeoxygluose (FDG) Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan, as well as an 18F Fluorocholine (FCH) Positron Emission Tomography (PET). One group of participants will receive both scans performed at the time of diagnosis, and a second group will receive both scans performed at the time of diagnosis followed by a second set of scans performed after standard care transarterial chemoembolisation

While effective treatments are available for mild levels of alcohol and drug dependence the repeated and persistent, long lasting nature of the disorder often involves people attending groups to prevent relapse. One type of approach considers whether by learning to accept and just notice the cravings for substances, instead of trying to suppress or fight off the cravings, makes it easier for people to use different or opposing behaviours to prevent relapse. This study examines the effect of an eight session programme designed to disrupt thoughts, feelings, and bodily functions implicated in stress-initiated relapse to alcohol consumption.

In 2008 in Western Australia (WA) there were 30,234 babies born. Pregnancy is a period when the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) are stretched and weakened which may lead to PFM dysfunction causing urinary incontinence. During pregnancy PFM exercises are the recommended treatment to strengthen the PFM and reduce the risk of developing urinary incontinence. Accordingly, pregnant women are encouraged to attend antenatal education which typically includes information on the function and facilitation of the PFM. This study will examine the effect of providing web-based education on pelvic PFM function and PFM exercises for pregnant women in WA. The pregnant women will be evaluated on the knowledge, awareness, intention, self-efficacy and adherence to the PFM exercises. If pregnant women can successfully use web-based PFM education during pregnancy then people with PFM dysfunction and incontinence can be guided to an appropriate evidence-based website. This may improve quality of life for women. Hypotheses: H0: There will be no difference in awareness and knowledge gained on the function of PFM in pregnant women who undertake a web-based PFM intervention programme compared to pregnant women who only receive usual care in WA H1: There will be an increase in awareness and knowledge gained on the function of PFM in pregnant women who undertake a web-based PFM intervention programme compared to pregnant women who only receive usual care in WA H0: There will be no difference in confidence and motivation to engage in PFM exercises in pregnant women who undertake a web-based PFM intervention programme compared to pregnant women who only receive usual care H1: There will be an increase in confidence and motivation to engage in PFM exercises in pregnant women who undertake a web-based PFM intervention programme compared to pregnant women who only receive usual care H0: There will be no difference in adherence with PFM exercises by pregnant women who undertake a web-based, PFM exercises intervention programme and pregnant women who only receive usual care in rural WA H1: There will be an increase in adherence with PFM exercises by pregnant women who undertake a web-based, PFM exercises intervention programme and pregnant women who only receive usual care in rural WA

This trial will investigate the effect of two different diets for patients with obstructive sleep apnea who are trying to lose weight. This study will look at changes in sympathetic activity (which controls your fight or flight response) as well as assessing your cardiometabolic health and disease risk factors. All participants who choose to enrol in the study will follow a very low energy diet for three months followed by nine months of free health coaching and weight loss therapy delivered by an accredited exercise physiologist and nutritionist. Those who proceed with the trial will be randomised to a low glycemic index/high protein diet or a standard low calorie diet based on the Australian guide to healthy eating after following a very low energy diet for three months.

The aim of this randomised controlled trial is to determine whether statins slow the progression of knee osteoarthritis. The hypothesis is that atorvastatin use will reduce the rate of knee cartilage volume loss over 2 years compared with placebo in people with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis.

This study will directly compare changes in bone mass caused by intense medical treatment for obesity and by three different types of weight loss surgery (gastric banding, gastric sleeve and gastric bypass). The aim is to determine the future risk of bone loss and osteoporosis in patients who lose a large amount of weight after the weight loss surgery and through intense dieting. As surgery has been increasingly used for treatment of obesity, there is growing evidence that these procedures may result in bone abnormalities. This project will examine if hormonal changes related to surgery have an effect on the human skeleton, particularly on thickness or strength of bones. In addition, it may explain whether changes hormones (peptide YY, ghrelin and glucagon-like peptide1) are responsible for the bone mass loss, which is experienced after these procedures, independently of weight loss. This study will also investigate if the weight loss and rapid improvement in diabetes control observed after gastric bypass surgery are driven by the changes in hormones such as leptin and peptide YY. Importantly, our study will pave the way for development of diagnostic test, which will predict if the prospective patient will benefit (or not) from the different forms of weight loss surgery.

The study is a randomised controlled trial of telehealth remote monitoring for people with multiple chronic illnesses. The patient is provided with equipment and trained to measure their vital signs daily which are then reviewed remotely through a secure website by a nurse. The aim is to promote early intervention to detect deterioration in the client’s condition before they require hospitalisation. It also aims to empower older individuals to take a more active role in managing their chronic illness.

The CORD study is a pilot study aiming to determine the feasibility of reinfusing cord blood in children who are at risk of developing type 1 diabetes. The hypothesis is that autologous cord blood, when reinfused into children at high risk of developing type 1 diabetes, will resotre immune tolerance and prevent or mitigate the development of type 1 diabetes. Participants aged 1-12 years with a relative with type 1 diabetes will be tested every 12 months for the development of islet antigens. Following screening, a target treatment group of 20 with two or more autoantibodies, will receive an infusion of their autologous cord blood. Participants will be followed for 5 years or until they develop diabetes.

This study will assess the efficacy of the 'Supporting Men, Supporting Women' website in providing information for men supporting women through genetic testing for breast/ovarian cancer. It aims to help men understand and cope with genetic testing, and communicate and support women throughout this process. We expect that individuals accessing this website will have low levels of distress, feel satisfied with the extent of support offered and received in their relationship, have high knowledge of genetic testing and feel satisfied with genetic information.

The impact of dementia on family caregivers is substantial. Building on growing clinical interest in the capacity for Transcendental Meditation [Registered Trademark] (TM; a deep relaxation technique) to reduce stress and anxiety in healthy workers, this pilot RCT will examine whether similar improvements could be experienced by dementia caregivers. Specifically, the study will explore whether a TM program can improve psychological stress, quality of life, affect and cognitive performance of dementia caregivers when compared to wait-list control.