ANZCTR search results

The study aims to examine the use of printed education materials to support the dissemination of nutrition guidelines in childcare centres. We hypothesise that the use of these materials will increase the cooks intentions to apply such guidelines when planning their menu. This increase in intentions is also likely to be supported by improvements to attitudes and perceptions of whether other people think this is important. We will also ask cooks to report on whether their menus comply to the nutrition guidelines.

The study, RECHARGE is an investigation of a novel 8-week behavioural regulation program targeting circadian rhythm desynchrony and its impact on depressive symptomology in young people with depression. It is the aim of the study to evaluate the 8-week behavioural regulation program and its impact on depression, and identify whether targeting circadian rhythm desynchrony (and its related improvements in circadian rhythm) are associated with improvements in depression.

Coronary artery disease affects around 1.4 million Australians, and represents one of the most significant causes of death and disability in Australia and worldwide. Over the last two decades the focus in the treatment of coronary artery disease has primarily been on blood vessels of large calibre. However, it is becoming increasingly apparent that small vessels within the heart muscles, which are the main determinant of blood supply to the heart, may in fact have an equally important, if not more dominant role to play in patients with heart attacks or angina. It has also been suggested that small vessel problems may also be responsible for injury to the heart muscle during a stenting procedure, a potentially serious problem which remains a common issue despite recent technological advancement. Currently the understanding of these small vessels and treatment options are limited. This project aims to investigate the role of these small vessels in heart muscle injury during a stenting procedure and elucidate the possible mechanisms which predispose to or cause dysfunction within these small vessels. I also hope to find a treatment strategy which may benefit patients with small vessel problems and thus improve their overall outcome. If successful, I believe the results will have a wide reaching effect in patients with heart attacks, as well as in an emerging group of patients with angina secondary to small vessel dysfunction, which is resistant to conventional therapies.

Dry eye symptoms associated with Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) is a commonly encountered complication in optometric care. MGD refers to the abnormal functioning of the meibomian glands located at the eyelids. Meibomian glands are normally responsible for secreting oils which maintain proper hydration of the eyes. Management and treatment options for the relief of MGD complications such as sensations of dry eyes, grittiness, and discomfort of the eyes, have been widely investigated in the literature. The current mainstay treatment for MGD is an application of heat on to the eyelid surface by the use of a warm compress (usually a face cloth wrung under hot water) which have shown to be effective in the relief of dry eye symptoms and discomfort of the eyes. More recent studies have investigated the efficacy of different heating devices to treat MGD. Our study aims to evaluate the effect of the Bruder Eye Hydrating Compress on symptoms of dry eyes and discomfort, and the presentation of the eye in subjects with dry eye associated with MGD. The Bruder Eye Hydrating Compress is a microwave activated moist heat compress intended to stimulate the meibomian glands, in order to increase lipid secretion and slow tear evaporation to bring relief for dry eye sufferers. It is considered superior to conventional treatments using warm face cloths, as the MediBeads technology incorporated in to the design of the mask eliminates the need for repeated rinsing and wringing out of the face cloth to maintain adequate heat for the required duration. However, no studies to date have evaluated the effect of the Bruder Eye Hydrating Compress on ocular symptoms and signs. This study will utilise questionnaires to evaluate eye symptoms, as well as traditional and advanced diagnostic tools and techniques, to evaluate eye surface characteristics after treatment with the Bruder Eye Hydrating Compress in subjects with MGD

To date, no drugs are approved for the treatment of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Newly published evidence showing that the antipsychotic drug, quetiapine, improves BPD symptoms suggests that quetiapine might facilitate the benefits of psychotherapy – currently the only evidence-based treatment for BPD. We plan to investigate this at Spectrum (Eastern Health), the specialist service for treatment of BPD in Victoria, Australia

Exercise therapy has been shown to be effective in treating subacromial impingement syndrome. The purpose of this research project is to compare two different exercise treatment protocols. The first protocol has been researched and shown to be of benefit. The second protocol has a sound physiological basis and has been used by therapists for many years. This will be the first time it has been the subject of a research project. If proven to be effective the second protocol will simplify the treatment of subacromial impingement syndrome.

The aim of this study is to investigate how well people with low back pain can manage their symptoms following a video-game exercise program. We are specifically interested in people who are currently awaiting treatment for their back at the Physiotherapy Department of Westmead Hospital. Low back pain is the leading cause of disability in Australia and is more disabling in older people. Exercise programs are frequently used to treat low back pain and are known to offer moderate improvements for pain and function. However, usually exercise programs require supervision and the need for patients to travel to treatment sites, which can be problematic for older people with disability. Additionally, limited availability of health resources and an increasing number of people with chronic diseases means patients are often on long waiting lists for treatment. Video-game exercises for low back pain could be particularly useful in older people because they can be implemented at home and therefore reduce the need to travel to treatment sites. This has the potential to reduce the number of people waiting for treatment in public hospitals and reduce management costs of chronic low back pain. Video-game exercises are starting to be used to treat a variety of conditions and have been shown to increase motivation for completing a home-based exercise program. Therefore, this study will determine whether video-game exercises done in the home are effective in the management of low back pain.

This is a study exploring the safety and efficacy of the combination of ABT-199 and tamoxifen in patients with metastatic ER-positive breast cancer. Who is it for? You may be eligible to take part in this study if you are aged over 18 and have metastatic breast cancer that is oestrogen receptor positive. Study Details Participants are recruited into either the dose escalation phase or dose expansion phase of the study depending upon when they decide to enrol. Before the study starts, they are asked to sign a consent form. Each participant then goes through a series of tests to see whether the study is suitable for them. These tests include reviewing the participants medical and medication history, a physical examination, an electrocardiogram (ECG), CT and bone scans (to locate and measure tumours), taking urine and blood samples for testing and asking about how able they are to do their usual daily activities. If a participant's test results are satisfactory, they are enrolled into the study. They are asked to visit the study hospital once a week for the first 4 weeks, and then at least once a month after that. Both the study medications (ABT-199 and tamoxifen) are tablets to be taken once a day by mouth with breakfast and a glass of water. Participants are given their first dose of both study medications in the hospital clinic. Subsequently, both tablets are provided for the participants to take at home every day with clear instructions on how to take the tablets. During the visits to the hospital, each participant has blood tests, CT scans and bone scans (if applicable) to determine if they are responding to treatment and to ensure that they are not having major side-effects as a result of the treatment. They are also asked if they are happy to have tissue biopsies of their cancer about a month after treatment. This is optional but strongly encouraged as it provides valuable information about how the drug affects the cancer. Each participant continues to take the study tablets as long as they are able to tolerate them, and if their cancer continues to respond. Each participant is monitored for side-effects after they have completed the study. Participants can, of course, choose to withdraw their participation from the study at any time.

Ischaemic stroke may affect a number of hormone pathways involving the pituitary gland in the brain, including the production of human growth hormone (HGH). Disruption of HGH production may contribute to a number of the long-term clinical symptoms experienced by stroke survivors. This study aims to investigate whether HGH deficiency is common in stroke survivors. This is a hypothesis-generating pilot study which may lead to bigger studies in the future.

The study will compare the oesophageal and axilla method of temperature taking and evaluate levels of agreement. All infants who are admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, who have parental consent will be eligible for enrolment. Each infant will have an OGT/NGT inserted which incorporates a thermistor so the clinician can monitor core temperature on a continuous basis. Infants will also have their axilla temperature taken at the relevant care times. Each infant will be enrolled in the study for no longer than one week. We hypothesise at the oesophageal method of temperature taking will be in agreement with the axilla method of temperature taking.