ANZCTR search results

Project Lighten Up is a community-based project which enhances family involement in the treatment of depression. It evaluates the efficacy of a multi-family model of intervention using a randomised control design and both quantitative and qualitative data analysis

Background: The demand for genetic counselling and genetic testing for individuals with a family history of cancer is considerable and increasing. Current best practice in genetic counselling may not allow a full deliberation of the consequences of decisions about genetic testing for cancer susceptibility. Literature on risk perception in high-risk breast cancer families reveals persistent over-estimation of risk, even after counselling. In this study, two decision aids were designed to assist people deciding about genetic testing for cancer susceptibility. Methods: Stage 1. Two decision aids for individuals considering genetic testing for breast/ovarian cancer and hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) susceptibility were developed and pilot tested with 25 women considering genetic testing for breast/ovarian cancer risk, and 18 individuals considering genetic testing for HNPCC risk. The aids were developed by a team of experts guided by expectancy-value decision theories and the literature on risk communication and the psychological impact of genetic testing. Stage 2: Involves two concurrent randomised controlled trials of the decision aids, each with 120 patients, assessed by questionnaire at two time points after genetic counselling. Results: Stage 1. Two 40 page two-colour decision aids were developed using varying formats of words, numbers, graphs, pie-charts and illustrations. Pilot testing results were positive, with all patients saying that they would recommend the decision aid to others facing the same situation, 93% reporting that the decision aid would have been relevant when they were making their decision about genetic testing and 84% of patients rating the amount of information contained as 'about right'. The decision aids were modified according to the results of the pilot testing. Stage 2 of the study is on-going. Preliminary results show that the decision aid may improve knowledge about genetic testing and may assist individuals to more accurately estimate their risk of developing cancer.

DHA is an omega-3 fat found in fish and fish oils and is thought to play a role in the way the brain works and develops. It has been suggested that supplementing the diet with DHA may reduce feelings of depression, while studies with young infants suggest that enriching the diet with DHA may also help improve visual development. While in the womb, the baby is supplied with DHA from the mothers circulation. The level of DHA in the mothers circulation is largely determined by the amount of DHA in the mothers diet. Australian women generally have low levels of DHA. This study will help determine whether increasing the amount of DHA in the diet improves outcome for women and their babies.

The efficacy of a multi-disciplinary consultative service offered to selected "frail" general medical patients, recruited at admission, is tested using an RCT design. The primary outcome is the ability of the intervention to reduce use of institutional care (hospital and residential care) over a 6 month period from the date of entry.