ANZCTR search results

Research has shown that only few adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), particularly those without intellectual disability, participate in the competitive workforce. Many studies have identified the need to develop vocational support programs to enable individuals with ASD to participate in and retain employment. However, there is limited research detailing the impact of workplace environmental factors in employment and the potential successful employment outcomes that may occur from modifying the environment through the use of an ASD specific tool. The overall aim of this research project is to develop the Integrated Employment Success Tool (IEST) which will be used to adapt the workplace environment to facilitate successful employment outcomes for adults with high functioning autism/ Asperger Syndrome.

This study aims to determine whether DHA supplementation during pregnancy enhances child IQ, measured by the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI II) version II, at 7 years of age. hypthesis: Children who were exposed to a DHA-rich environment during the second half of gestation will have higher IQ scores at 7 years of age than children whose mothers consumed a regular Australian diet typically low in DHA.

This pilot study will provide information regarding effect sizes, distribution of results and the feasibility of comparing two PR approaches: a PR approach in which the MECT is added to the PR assessment to further tailor the intervention and a PR approach that will not require this MECT information. Data from this pilot study will inform the investigators regarding the design of a larger multi-centre RCT to evaluate the effectiveness of both exercise prescription approaches in pulmonary rehabilitation

The current research project aims to investigate the efficacy and acceptability of the Pain Course when delivered via a hardcopy workbook (wCBT) versus in a softcopy format via the internet (iCBT). Importantly, given that many Australians still do not have reliable access to the internet, if efficacious and acceptable, workbook delivery represents another simple, low cost, approach for increasing access to evidence-based treatment for people with chronic pain.

The proposed project seeks to examine the acceptability, efficacy and feasibility of low-intensity CBT-based self-management program, the SCI Pain Course, in reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression and disability among adults with spinal cord injuries. The SCI Pain Course is based on the already established and efficacious Pain Course but has undergone minor modification to make it optimally suitable for people with SCI.

The aim of this study is to measure the medium to long term effects on lung function, exercise capacity and quality of life of a new combination of interventions for people with COPD. The interventions are manual therapy and exercise. The rationale behind the study is that manual therapy delivers short-term improvements in respiratory mechanics which delays the onset of exercise-induced breathlessness. This permits an increase in exercise performance and ultimately exercise capacity. As exercise capacity is an indicator of mortality in COPD, any increase represents an improvement in the long-term prognosis of the disease.

Premature infants often need to receive additional oxygen treatment. Usually this is because they have a lung condition called chronic lung disease. To ensure that the right amount of oxygen is given to them, we routinely use a sensor (or probe) that tells us the oxygen level in the baby’s blood. This is the oxygen meter (pulse oximeter); that is a devices that measures the level of oxygen in the body. This sensor does not cause any harm or discomfort to the baby. Our team of doctors and nurses use a test that we call “overnight oximetry study” or simply “ a download”. The test involves using the measurements from the oxygen meter to tell them if the baby still needs oxygen treatment. There are some standard settings (in detail, the “averaging time” of the pulse oximeter) that most hospital put on their oxygen meters. To date, there has been no study to tell us which “averaging time” is best suited for this purpose. The aim of our study is investigate which averaging time(s) is(/are) most effective for the “overnight oximetry study” in premature babies when doctors use them to check when the babies are ready to stop oxygen treatment.

The overall purpose is to evaluate the feasibility of conducting a study to find out whether ventilated adult patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) who receive a bundle of early rehabilitation strategies will have improved functional and cognitive capacity when they are discharged from both the ICU and hospital compared to a group receiving standard care

It is postulated that impairments in circulatory function are central to the association between hypertension and declining cognition and mood. Regular long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCn-3PUFA) supplementation has the potential to enhance cerebral arterial function which may in turn enhance mood and cognition. This project aims to evaluate benefits of supplementing the diet with LCn-3PUFA on cerebrovascular function, mood and cognitive performance in hypertensive adults with low habitual intake of LCn-3PUFA. Sixty dementia-free adults aged 40-65 years with elevated blood pressure (BP) (130-160 mmHg systolic and 85-100 mmHg diastolic) at screening will undertake a 20-wk randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel design omega-3 supplementation trial at the University of Newcastle. Eligible volunteers will undergo further baseline assessment of systemic artery compliance (AC) (pulse wave analysis), cerebral AC (pulsatility index), cerebrovascular responsiveness (CVR) to hypercapnic and cognitive stimuli (assessed by transcranial Doppler ultrasound), cognitive performance and mood. Participants will then be randomised to consume 4 capsules delivering 2g LCn-3PUFA or placebo daily for 20 wk before returning for reassessment. We expect that LCn-3PUFA supplementation will improve cerebrovascular perfusion and thereby enhance mood and cognition. Findings will advocate the use of LCn-3PUFA in hypertension management.

Men having sex with men attending Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (MSHC) who volunteer will be randomised to usual care OR the availability of additional HIV and syphilis serology tests whenever they choose, for up to one year. They can have these at MSHC or at Melbourne Pathology. The primary outcome is the frequency of HIV testing and participants will be followed for one year. Controls will have the usual access to HIV and syphilis testing at clinical consultations. In the second year controls will be able to have tests without consulations only at MSHC.