ANZCTR search results

The study is an initial evaluation of Cool Little Kids Online, an online parenting program that aims to help inhibited (shy) young children be more confident and prevent them developing anxiety problems.

Obesity is a major health problem which is becoming increasingly costly to individuals and society. It is a major risk factor for diabetes, cardiovascular and liver disease, sleep apnoea, some cancers and osteoarthritis. Despite obesity research being a priority area, current prevention is having little impact at a population level as obesity rates are increasing and treatment programs are generally seen as ineffective because there is little weight lost, or there is weight regain. Pharmacotherapy to reduce hunger improves weight loss, particularly when combined with lifestyle intervention. This study involves using dexamphetamine (DEX), an old drug that is cheap and has been shown to be effective for losing weight. The dose will be titrated in a way that is highly innovative in terms of the treatment of obesity but is supported by decades of experience in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Its complications are already known and are almost exclusively dose dependent. DEX has the potential to provide a cheap and effective alternative to the currently available expensive anorexigenic medications and surgical treatment. The project is designed to test a) whether DEX is safe and more effective than placebo for treating obesity complicated by obstructive sleep apnoea over a six month period and b) whether weight loss can be sustained for 2 years after ceasing the study drug.

There is growing scientific evidence of the clinical efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in treating a number of neurological and psychiatric conditions. Although the exact mechanism of action underlying tDCS remains to be fully elucidated, its ability to promote lasting neuroplastic changes within the brain appears central to its therapeutic effects. tDCS involves the application of a very weak electrical current to the scalp, which acts to modulate the excitability of underlying cortical neurons, thereby altering their function. Importantly, tDCS is both safe and painless, and can induce changes in brain function which are measurable up to an hour after the cessation of stimulation. In order for tDCS to be optimally utilised, however, research which directly compares the different stimulation methods available is greatly needed. This project specifically aims to compare two methods of administering tDCS to a region of the brain known as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, an important area for cognitive processing. The first is a conventional method, which applies the stimulus to the head using two large sponge electrodes, while the second method, which has been more recently developed, is referred to as high definition tDCS (HD-tDCS) and uses several smaller electrodes to deliver the stimulation to a more confined region of the brain. It is currently unclear which of these two methods of stimulation is the most efficacious. Therefore, the aim of this study is to directly compare, using both behavioural and neurophysiological outcome measures, the effect that each of these stimulation methods has on brain neuroplasticity.

The study was a universal prevention program targeting the onset of symptoms of depression and anxiety in adolescent school students. It target unhelpful perfectionism as a risk factor, was conducted across 4 sites, with more 750 Year 8-10 students participating. Our hypothesis was that the intervention group would exhibit a lower rate of onset of symptoms of depression and anxiety. A prevention effect over the 6-month follow-up period was confirmed.

This is a student project contributing to a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science (Honours) degree. The purpose of this project is to investigate the application of blood flow restriction during exercise, and the training effects that result. There is a body of evidence that demonstrates benefits in muscle size and strength following low-intensity blood flow restriction training, equivalent to that of high-intensity exercise without the blood flow restriction. Studies have utilised several modes of exercise: walking, cycling, and resistance training and a large proportion of this research involves younger, apparently healthy participants, while research into its application in older adults is lacking. It is likely that the benefits would be similar in older adults, and that this would directly improve performance in functional outcome measures representative of improved everyday function. Training with blood flow restriction cuffs at a low-intensity can produce these functional benefits while eliminating the intimidation, potential risk and negative stigma that surrounds high-intensity exercise in populations unlikely to adhere to it, such as older adults and frail adults. This study will utilise functional outcome measures to gauge improvements in lower limb muscle strength following a 6-week blood flow restriction walking program.

Children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) have complex sleep issues and a higher incidence of sleep disturbance than typically developing children. Sleep disturbance has serious impact on their physical and mental health, development, daytime function and well-being, and that of their caregivers. Although management of body temperature is frequently identified as an issue affecting sleep of children with CP, there is no reported information to guide clinical practice in this area. The primary purpose of this research is to determine the effects of thermoregulation materials which are used to manage body temperature during sleep of children with CP. This study will measure the effects of specialised bedding on thermoregulation during sleep of children with CP and will be conducted as an intervention study. In a cross over randomised design, children with CP who have sleep and thermoregulation problems will be randomly assigned to begin a four week trial period using either the intervention bedding or the control (sham bedding). This will be followed by an immediate reversed sham or thermoregulation intervention period for four weeks. Measures of body temperature, thermal comfort, perspiration, and sleep, will be taken during each phase. Measures of children’s and caregivers’ activity, participation and quality of life will be taken at the start and at the end of each phase.

The purpose of this study is to investigate if restoring sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation by cardioversion is associated with impairment of endothelial function, arterial stiffness and inflammation. The hypotheses to be tested include: 1) Restoration of sinus rhythm by cardioversion will adversely affect endothelial function, arterial stiffness and inflammation. 2) The length of time patients remain in sinus rhythm will correlate significantly with changes in endothelial function, arterial stiffness and inflammation.

This project aims to investigate the effects of consuming whole grain foods, whilst following a weight reduction diet for 3 months, on body weight as well as indicators of disease including cholesterol levels, blood levels of insulin and glucose, blood pressure, inflammation markers and antioxidant measures. Therefore, this study is a very important step towards building evidence for specific whole grains as important foods in appetite control that may aid weight loss, as well as reduce the risk of disease.

This prospective study 0f 20 patients.In both the groups Bilateral TAP catheters will be placed using an ultrasound guided approach post-operatively with the bolus dose of 20 ml of 0.5% Ropivacaine bilaterally. In post anaesthetic care unit (PACU) an infusion of Ropicavaine 0.2% will be administered @ 8ml/hr for 2 days in the Continuous group. Whereas in Intermittent group only bolus doses 20ml 0.2% ropivacaine will be administered by the Acute pain service personnell every 8 hrly for 48 hrs. Patients in both groups will be provided with Paracetamol 1 gram 4 times a day (orally or IV) and a Fentanyl PCA device (bolus 10 to 40 mcg; lockout time 5 min; no back-ground infusion) as part of a multimodal analgesic approach. The following parameters will be registered: Numerical Rating Scores for Pain (NRS-P; 0-10) at rest and on coughing in PACU at 0 and I hour and in the postoperative ward at 24 hrs, 48 hrs. Fentanyl use in PACU and postoperative ward on day 1 & day 2. Procedure related: material costs and other issues will be noted. Any rescue medication used. A 4 point ‘Likert’-scale will be used on day 2 and during a follow-up telephone call at one month to assess patient satisfaction with the analgesic technique used. discharge time and cost analysis will be assessed. All results will be recorded on a data collection sheet in a prospective fashion and subsequently entered in a protected database

The effect of muscle relaxation on latissimus dorsi ease of flap dissection are unknown though the technique has frequently ben recommended. The purpose of the trial is to measure the facilitation of flap dissection by means of assessing the force (N) required to lift the flap a few centimetres off its surface, thus mimicking surgical handling of the flap. The measurement is done with a sterile scale. 3 measurements will be done: 1. baseline, 2. after either rocuronium or saline administration intravenously, and 3. after administration of the drug (rocuronium or saline) not yet given at 2.. The measurement will be done by a researcher blinded to the administration sequence of the drugs.