ANZCTR search results

The proposed project builds on a program of research that has resulted in a highly acceptable and effective internet-delivered treatment program, the UniWellbeing Course, for university students experiencing symptoms of stress, anxiety, low mood and depression. The proposed project seeks to examine the acceptability, effectiveness and feasibility of the UniWellbeing Course when offered by the University of Queensland (UQ) Counselling Service to their students. Students will be supported through the program by staff at the UQ Counselling Service with training, support and supervision provided by the eCentreClinic, Macquarie University. The eCentreClinic Team will be responsible for providing training around the use of the course, and the scientific evaluation of the program within the service.

Background Uncemented stems in primary total hip replacement (THR) are increasingly popular. The purported benefits of uncemented primary THR relate to improved stability and less side effects of cement implantation. However, concerns remain with the use of uncemented press-fit stems in primary THR. Methods From 2013-15, a total of 98 consecutive participants (100 primary THR procedures) were inducted into a single-institution, single-blinded, randomised clinical trial assessing, with radiostereometric analysis, whether autologous impaction bone grafting in uncemented primary THR reduced femoral component migration compared with traditional uncemented primary THR technique. Secondary outcomes comparing the two techniques were postoperative proximal femoral bone density (using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), function and quality of life (using Oxford Hip Score and Short Form-12 Health Survey), patient satisfaction, and hip pain (using visual rating scale). Results There was no difference in femoral component stability between the Graft and No Graft Groups at 2-years (p>0.5). There was no difference in calcar resorption between the Graft and No Graft Groups at 2-years (p>0.16), with both groups experiencing calcar bone loss. There was no difference in patient-reported pain, quality of life, function, or satisfaction postoperatively between the Graft and No Graft Groups at 2-years (p>0.3), with both groups improving in all measures. Conclusion Autologous impaction bone grafting in uncemented primary THR has shown its short-term postoperative outcomes to be on par with traditional uncemented technique. The next phase of research regarding this autologous impaction bone grafting technique will be to expand its application from Type-B femora into the elderly population with Type-C femora.

This study is to assess whether photobiomodulation is beneficial in treating Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP). Photobiomodulation is a low level laser therapy that is used to treat varying conditions by stimulating cell functioning. Lasers are routinely used and are approved in Australia for treating differing eye conditions. These lasers are called Thermal Lasers and are usually green in colour. They are applied to the retina through a special type of microscope and many laser spots are individually placed over the affected area. In all cases, these lasers work by burning small areas of the retina in order to trigger the required healing response for the affected cells. We are trying to assess the effectiveness of a new type of Near Infrared (NIR) laser that is about 100 times lower in power density than a Thermal Laser. The NIR laser causes no burn; however, it appears to stimulate a healing response to injured cells, including blood vessels and neurons in the retina, resulting in a protective effect on cone cells. This treatment is not yet approved for use in Australia, although it has been tested in research studies overseas. The purpose of the trial is to determine if NIR laser has an acceptable safety profile to treat patients with RP. The study will last for approximately 6 months with up to 11 study visits. Each visit will take up to 1 hour depending on the assessments involved. There will be a total of 2 laser treatments within a 1 week period for 4 weeks. After the completion of the laser treatment there will be a visit 4 weeks later to repeat the same checks as the baseline visit, and again at 6 months. This is a research study, and NIR Laser therapy is not registered for use in patients with RP in Australia at the present time and may never be registered. If this treatment becomes registered, then it may not be subsidised by the Medicare Benefit Scheme (PMBS) in Australia. The Investigators cannot commit at this stage to provide this as ongoing treatment after the study is over.

The study is a phase 1, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of multiple-ascending doses of PRAX-114 in healthy subjects. In addition, potential metabolites of PRAX-114 will also be evaluated.

The aim of this study is to identify and categorize barriers and facilitators to the use of guidelines in the management of bronchiectasis and to clarify current bronchiectasis care. Objectives: 1.To examine sample populations of health professionals and patients working or living with bronchiectasis to determine their attitudes to bronchiectasis management and the use of guidelines. 2.To examine opinions to bronchiectasis guideline specific areas of patient management including action plan/ emergency pack use, vaccination, sputum clearance, use of antibiotics, impact of co-morbid disease, clinical assessment and documentation of review. 3.To explore patterns and common themes in attitudes to bronchiectasis management and use of guidelines Study design: Questionnaires and semi moderated guided interviews will be conducted to obtain quantitative, semi quantitative, and qualitative data from participants. Participants will be health professionals (Respiratory physicians, respiratory nurses and respiratory physiotherapists) and bronchiectasis patients. It is expected recruitment will be between 12-18 people from each of these 2 groups. If data saturation is not reached more participants will be recruited. Study procedure At interview participants will bring consent form and sign, answer the questionnaire and then take part in the semi structured interview. Bronchiectasis patients will complete an additional Quality of life assessment using the quality of life bronchiectasis questionnaire. A eFACED severity score will also be calculated for patients to allow grouping of patients responses with like disease severity/ impact. Data Analysis Transcribed interviews will be coded by 2 researchers using deductive thematic analysis to categorise the responses into the 18 Domains of the Theoretical Domains Framework. Date will be analyses using IBM Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Statistics Version 24.0. for quantitative data and coded responses will be entered and analysed in NViVo software version 11.0. Data collected will be safely and securely managed. Audio recordings will be kept for 15 yrs, data will be de-identified through use of a study code. All data will be stored securely with password protection on secure network or locked filling cabinet accessible by trial researchers only.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of paraesthesia-free (sub-perception) waveform patterns for patients with chronic neuropathic low back pain.

The purpose of the study is to determine the effectiveness of personally-tailored, web-based physical activity intervention, with and without Fitbit syncing, targeted to inactive older adults (65+ years of age) in a 6-month randomised controlled trial . It is hypothesised that increases in objectively measured physical activity will be greater in both intervention groups compared to the control group and greater in the Fitbit and tailored advice group compared to the tailored advice only group at 12 weeks.

This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 4 trial will compare the incidence of surgical site infection, safety and cost-effectiveness of surgical prophylaxis with cefazolin plus vancomycin to cefazolin plus placebo. The study will be initially undertaken in patients undergoing elective or expedited joint replacement surgery. Dependent on timelines and funding, the study may be expanded to include patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

The overall aim of this project is to identify perceived and actual barriers and facilitators to the provision of guideline-concordant care for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the hospital setting and the community setting, There is a particular interest to understand the experience and perceptions of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the health professionals that help them manage their condition, with relation to best practice guidelines and technology and outreach nursing services. The information gathered through these interviews will help identify potential strategies to improve motivation to access and use guidelines in practice. This project is a qualitative investigation using semi-structured interviews. The responses gathered from the interviews will be triangulated with quantitative data through use of questionnaires. Once the data is collected it will be analysed to identify themes and patterns which will help to understand the problem and identify potential solutions.

We have developed a smartphone application, MunchIO, to help users reduce their consumption of unhealthy snack foods. Users are asked to track their snack food consumption while being provided support to understand and plan against their snacking habits. The novel distinguishing factor of this app is the use of behaviour change techniques known as cue monitoring and implementation intentions. Cue monitoring refers to tracking snacks alongside user affect and context data that can influence individuals to consume snacks. For example, a snacking cue might involve being stressed. Implementation intentions then refer to creating if-then plans that when repeated form a new replacement habit for snacking. For example, if I am stressed, I will go for a walk. This research project will collect data from two phases: Phase I includes data from the smartphone application (see above for outline of the app). Phase II includes data collected from a series of focus group interviews. Overall, the aim of this project is to determine if these apps features have any impact on participant snacking, engagement and retention. Results will further inform the design and deployment of future interventions.