ANZCTR search results

Supervised, group-based computerised cognitive training (CCT) is a safe and effective intervention to maintain cognition in healthy older adults. This study will examine the extent to which CCT can attenuate or even reverse the rate of decline in older people with previously documented cognitive decline, as well as strategies to maintain CCT effects in the long term.

Adapted from the successful US Contraceptive CHOICE study, ACCORd is a cluster randomised control trial of a complex intervention that involves training GPs to provide “Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) First” structured contraceptive counselling to women seeking contraception and implementing rapid referral pathways to LARC insertion. Participating GPs will be randomly allocated to either the intervention (online ‘LARC First’ training and rapid referral pathways) or control arm (usual care). Participants (women) will be recruited from each arm. We hypothesise that: 1. Women who receive 'LARC First' structured contraceptive counselling are more likely to choose LARCs as their contraceptive method; 2. Improved referral pathways for LARC insertion will facilitate LARC uptake amongst Australian women.

BACKGROUND & RATIONALE In 2013, Dental Health Services Victoria and APS Innovations were awarded a grant from the Department of State Development, Business and Innovation to develop a new Plaque Removal Device (PRD) and undertake a feasibility study. The PRD is an alternative for people who cannot use a toothbrush due to manual dexterity issues. This is a three year project (2013-2016) and the PRD is being produced, made using the same materials in the production of standard manual toothbrushes. The PRD will be ready for testing in early 2016. This pilot study aims to: 1. Determine the impact of the PRD on oral hygiene in two groups: i. Able-bodied adults, and ii. Adults who require carer support to maintain oral hygiene. 2. Assess the suitability of the PRD for use in adults. STUDY OBJECTIVES 1. To determine changes in oral hygiene after two weeks of use of the PRD. 2. To determine the changes in plaque when using the PRD, immediately after use, and after two weeks of use twice daily i. Overall plaque levels ii. At gingival margins 3. To determine acceptability of the use of the PRD by participants and carers, as appropriate, over the two week period, with twice daily use. i. To identify any adverse outcomes from using the PRD on the soft and hard tissues of the oral cavity ii. To examine the durability of the PRD. STUDY DESIGN Type of study This is a pilot study using pre- and post-design to determine user acceptability and impacts on oral hygiene using the PRD in a small number of adults (able-bodied, and those who require carer support to maintain oral hygiene). STUDY SETTING This study will be undertaken at The Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne and other settings such as aged care facilities.

Hallux Rigidus is the most common arthritic condition of the foot, causing pain and stiffness of the 1st metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint. Consideration of surgical management following failure of nonoperative treatment is based on multiple factors including age and activity level of the patient, as well as the severity of the arthritis. An arthrodesis of this joint is regarded as the gold standard for treatment of end stage hallux rigidus. The goal of this procedure is to relieve pain and improve functional status. Our study aims to collect information regarding the outcomes of surgery from a patients perspective. This information will allow surgeons to ensure that patients are fully informed of the implications of surgery.

This pilot research will test the study’s feasibility in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) setting whilst contributing new information on IP, peak flow and tissue perfusion in healthy and critically ill populations. The study will determine the role that patients’ Body Mass Index (BMI), severity of illness, positioning, age and risk of pressure injury (PI) development play on pressure displacement and importantly, tissue reperfusion, in the ICU population. This is noted as the only study in the international literature to map full-body IP, peak pressure and Doppler (LDPM) tissue reperfusion in a variety of positions (30 degree semi-recumbent with knee elevation of 10 degree and lateral 1/4 turn position where pillows support the body position and the bed is tilted 10 degree) in ICU patients. The prone position will also be tested only in healthy participants to explore the peak pressure locations and their reperfusion times. This study will inform nursing practice with a view of reducing PI and thus length of stay, patient morbidity and current activity based funding penalties for PIs. The study brings together a multidisciplinary team (nursing, rehabilitation engineering, physiotherapy, biostatistics, medical imaging/sonography) where members contribute a unique skills-set to address a complex but common clinical research question. It translates existing technology and measurement skills used in wheelchair populations to a new population (ICU patients) which share limitations in mobility and skin integrity issues. The team is led by an experienced researcher and nurtures research skills development in two clinical areas seeking to grow a research base (rehabilitation engineering and intensive care nursing) and evidence. Information from this pilot study will inform both clinical practice within the ICU and further research.

Effects on Migraine Frequency using Combined Anti-oxidant Therapy: N-acetylcysteine, Vitamin E and Vitamin C (NEC): The MIGRANT study. Lay title: Using a combination of anti-oxidant supplements N-acetylcysteine, Vitamin E and Vitamin C to reduce the frequency of migraines. Summary: Migraine affects 15% of Western Australians and is a leading cause of suffering and disability in our community. Research suggests that inflammation of the brain’s coverings (meninges) by nerve cell inflammation and the release of ‘free radicals’, is a cause of migraine. N-acetylcysteine, Vitamin E and Vitamin C are powerful anti-oxidants (free-radical scavengers) that reduce brain inflammation and nerve activity. It is therefore possible these anti-oxidants could reduce the number and severity of migraines. We will study 90 subjects to see if a combination of N-acetylcysteine 600 mg, Vitamin E 250 IU and vitamin C 500 mg (NEC) taken twice daily for 12 weeks, will reduce migraine attacks. This safe vitamin-based therapy has never been studied and if effective, will play an important role in migraine prevention.

This project aims to determine if there is a dose-related effect of dietary derived quercetin-3-O-glucoside (commonly found in plant-based fruits and vegetables) on blood vessel function in human volunteers. Quercetin glucosides are the main form of quercetin in the human diet. Quercetin is a flavonoid found in foods such as apples and onions. Our previous short term studies using pure quercetin, or apples, show improved blood vessel function. We now wish to determine if there is a dose related response prior to conducting a large intervention trial. The doses of quercetin-3-O-glucoside to be given are 0mg, 50mg, 100mg, 200mg and 400mg. All of these doses are achievable through dietary changes.

This is a clinical trial to assess the visual performance of a new (prototype) soft contact lens for astigmatism compared to commercially available soft contact lenses. Astigmatism is a common eye condition where images at all distances can be blurred to variation in the shape of the surface of the eye. To assess the visual performance we wish to monitor your eyes' response to the products and what you think of them.

The purpose of this pilot study is to assess the feasibility of conducting a larger Phase III study. The outcomes that will be measured to assess whether the trial is successful are 1) enrollment of 20 patients across 4 sites in six months, and 2) at lease 60% of enrolled patients progressing to study completion. Who is it for? You may be eligible to join this study if you are aged 18 years or above, and are experiencing pain related to cancer or it’s treatment with an average pain score of 3/10 or greater on the Brief Pain Inventory-short form (BPI-SF) in previous 24 hours. Study details: Participants in this study will all receive dexamethasone oral 8mg daily for 5 days. Participants concurrent medication use, background opioid use, co-analgesics, any rescue medication, The Edmonton Symptom Assessment System score, Brief Pain Inventory, Australian Karnofsky Performance Scale, EORTC QLQ-C30/15 will be collected by the research nurse following review of the patient each day of study intervention. The patients global impression of change will be collected on D6 and follow up D14 visit. Many doctors believe dexamethasone is helpful in relieving cancer related pain and it has been used in this way, in addition to strong pain medications, for many years. However, there is limited clinical evidence to support this use of dexamethasone, which is why this study is being conducted.

Sacral Nerve Stimulation(SNS) has revolutionised the management of urinary and faecal incontinence over the past 20 years. SNS is now embraced worldwide as a first line treatment for patients with urinary and faecal incontinence in whom conservative measures have failed. However, despite extensive experience with the stimulator and research in the field, its mechanism(s) of action remains elusive. Recently it has been suggested that SNS works by changing the way the brain functions by 'restarting' its normal function, akin to 'restarting a computer'. In this study we aim to lend scientific support for this hypothesis by investigating the impact of SNS on brain function using functional MRI (fMRI).