ANZCTR search results

The aim of the study is to compare the efficacy of three models of community aphasia groups for participants with aphasia and their nominated family members. Outcomes for people with aphasia will be measured in relation to each domain of the World Health Organisation (WHO) International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (WHO, 2001): impairment, activity & participation, personal factors, and environmental factors. Quality of life and participant experience of the program will be additional outcome areas of interest. Outcomes for family members will relate to caregiving, psychological health, supported conversation skill, and participant experience of the program. Hypotheses: 1) Each of the three community aphasia groups will lead to positive outcomes for all people with aphasia at the end of participation in at least one area of outcome measurement, 2) People with aphasia attending the treatment group (known as multidisciplinary-facilitated community aphasia group, or MD-CAG) will show greater gains than people with aphasia attending either of the two active comparison groups, 3) The gains made by people with aphasia attending MD-CAG will be maintained or will increase further 4-6 weeks after the end of participation, 4) Family members attending MD-CAG and one of the active comparison groups (known as volunteer and peer-facilitated community aphasia group, or VP-CAG), will show gains in at least one area of outcome measurement at the end of participation, 5) Family members of people with aphasia attending MD-CAG will show greater gains than family members of people with aphasia attending either of the two comparison groups, and 6) The gains made by family members will be maintained or will increase further 4-6 weeks after the end of participation. Reference: World Health Organisation. (2001). International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organisation.

This study will examine the neuromuscular, physiological and perceptual responses to two types of modified high intensity running sessions typically used in rugby training environments, i.e. linear (L) vs. shuttle run with multiple changes of direction (COD). Measures of muscle function (i.e. knee flexion, extension, shallow range eccentric hamstrings and adductor squeeze) will be recorded before and immediately after both protocol A (linear) and B (multidirectional). Blood lactate concentration ([La]), rating of perceived effort (RPE), heart rate (HR) and a perceptual measure of fatigue questionnaire will also be measured at each trial. Movement characteristics during running will also be recorded using a 10Hz GPS system. Subjects will run at maximal speed during 30 m shuttles set up in accordance to either protocol A or B. Each 30m of running will be followed by 30 m walking at <1 m/s. Subjects will run a total distance of 1500 m in both protocols. Neuromuscular markers will be reassessed at 48 hours post running.

Physical exercises are well established as having a wide range of physical and psychological health and well-being benefits for individuals, including older individuals. However, less is known about the effects of PE interventions for individuals with dementia, specifically in nursing homes. The aim of this PhD study is to implement and evaluate the effectiveness of a physiotherapist-led PE intervention for individuals living with a dementia in nursing homes in Adelaide. The primary outcome will be a measure of agitation levels using the Cohen Mansfield Agitation Inventory, and the secondary outcomes will be physical performance (timed up and go test, six meter walk test, five time sit to stand test, (modified) functional reach test, timed static pedalling and number of falls) and interviews with family and staff.

This is an observational study which aims to evaluate the nutritional status, muscle mass and function, quality of life, morbidity and mortality in the elderly living in nursing home setting. Measurements will be taken at baseline, 6 months and 12 months. Outcome measured in this study include: nutritional status, muscle mass and function, hospital admission (number and length of hospital stay), level of care quality of life, and mortality.

The project aims to evaluate the acceptability and clinical efficiency of the online Reboot Pain Program. Up to 30 people with chronic pain (experiencing pain for more than 3 months) will be assigned to the active treatment group. The treatment group will commence the Reboot online program immediately. The efficacy of the program will determined by comparing severity of pain levels before and after treatment and at 3-month follow up.

The stethoscope is the standard tool used to assess bowel sounds, however, a regular stethoscope does not allow recording of bowel sounds and therefore can be subject to bias. We aimed to establish normal bowel motility patterns in relation to feeding in newborn infants using the Littmann Electronic Stethoscope 3200. This tool enables transmission of real time bowel sounds to a computer for further analysis and standardisation of frequency and amplitude. We hypothesis there is no difference in peristalsis in relation to feeding.

Background: Vitamin A is essential for development and growth of lungs in preterm infants. Diseases characterised by abnormal lung development such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) may be linked to vitamin A deficiency. BPD is associated with long term breathing and developmental problems. Very preterm infants are at risk of vitamin A deficiency. Timely evaluation of vitamin A status of preterm infants may help to assess the risk of BPD and tailor vitamin A therapy based on the infant’s vitamin A status. Current method of assessment of vitamin A is “Relative Dose Response” (RDR). RDR test involves collection of two blood samples from the infant, one before and one after a dose of vitamin A. Thus, the requirement of repeated blood sampling, which is an invasive procedure and also increases risk of anaemia, is a major disadvantage of current RDR test. Therefore, a minimally invasive method with least harm is required. Aim: 1) To compare salivary vitamin A with blood vitamin A, and RDR using saliva with RDR using blood; 2) Assess safety of the test Participant group: Participants will be preterm infants admitted in King Edward Memorial Hospital, less than 30 weeks gestational age at birth and 21 to 28 days of life, and tolerating milk feeds. Project design and Methods: An informed consent will be obtained from the parents of the eligible infants. RDR test will be performed. The test involves collection of blood samples of 0.5 mL each, before and five hours after a dose of vitamin A (2000 IU/kg body weight). Along with the blood samples, samples of saliva will also be collected using proprietary swab specifically designed for infants. An additional saliva sample will be collected at seven hours, as appearance of vitamin A in saliva may lag behind its appearance in blood. Collection of saliva is a painless procedure with no expected harm to the infant. Vitamin A levels will be measured in blood and saliva samples with high performance liquid chromatography which is a standard method of vitamin A measurement. All the study infants will be monitored for 24 hours for adverse effect of vitamin A. Expected outcomes: A study in adults showed a good correlation between salivary and blood vitamin A in adults. We expect that salivary vitamin A level will correlate with blood vitamin A in preterm infants and will be useful to assess vitamin A status of preterm infant

This study is testing the potential benefits (if any) of betahistine dihydrochloride when administered as an intranasal spray (via the nose) to Eustachian tube function. This study involves a total of up to 24 participants. Betahistine dihydrochloride, the Otifex Therapeutics study drug, is an experimental drug being investigated for its potential as a treatment for middle ear disorders. Betahistine dihydrochloride taken orally (via the mouth) has been approved for marketing by the Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA) in Australia for the treatment of vertigo (dizziness) related to Meniere's syndrome (inner ear disorder). Healthy participants have previously been dosed intranasally with the study drug in a separate study. In the first group of 8 participants (6 receiving the study drug and 2 receiving a placebo), the study drug was well tolerated intranasally with no clinical signs of any concern. There were two events reported that were related to an effect on the hearing in participants who received the active study drug. A review of the data by an independent audiologist concluded that both participants had pre-existing hearing defects prior to the study. That is why in this study, your ears will be examined prior to study entry, as part of determining your suitability to take part in the study. In subsequent study groups, a further 32 participants (4 groups of 8 participants - 6 receiving the study drug and 2 receiving a placebo) have been dosed at the dose levels of 5, 10, 20 and 40 mg. All dose levels were very well tolerated and there were no significant changes in the hearing assessments noted. This study is being conducted at the The Wesley Research Institute Clinical Trials Centre in conjunction with the Wesley Centre for Hyperbaric Medicine. This study is being sponsored by Otifex Therapeutics Pty Ltd (AUS).

This study is assessing the safety and tolerability of using T cell therapy targeting human cytomegalovirus (CMV) in treating brain cancer (glioblastoma multiforme). Who is it for? You may be eligible to join this study if you are aged 18 years or above, have been diagnosed with primary glioblastoma multiforme, and have human cytomegalovirus (CMV)-positive serology or positive staining for CMV in tumour tissue. Study details A blood sample will be taken from patients in order to grow the cells for the experimental therapy. These cells, known as T cells (a type of white blood cell) will be grown in the laboratory from each patient’s blood sample. Following generation of the T cell therapy, the participants will commence T cell infusions. The specific timing of each infusion will be dependent on the participants’ chemotherapy regimen. Treatment consists of 2 to 6 infusions (each taking 5-15 min) of T cells, and patients are monitored for 12 months afterwards to see if the treatment is safe. It is hoped that the development of an immunotherapy as an adjuvant to standard chemotherapy and radiotherapy will reduce the rate of tumour recurrence in patients with glioblastoma multiforme.

This project aims to determine: 1. Weight loss profiles for patients attend the Royal Melbourne Hospital Obesity clinic. 2. The impact of this weight loss of metabolic parameters such as lipid profile and liver function tests. 3. To determine the impact of this weight loss on Quality of Life Survey results 4. To find factors that predict the occurrence of weight loss in people with obesity who attended the Obesity Clinic. Hypothesis: Weight loss will be comparable to published data on lifestyle interventions at an average of 5% body weight loss. This weight loss will be variable depending on baseline characteristics such as family history, concurrent mental health issues and low starting motivation being negative predictors for weight loss. Patients who lose weight will show improvement in the metabolic profiles and Quality of Life survey results when compared to those who do not lose weight.