ANZCTR search results

The study aims to examine the effect of buprenorphine for pain in opioid dependent people. Most research with buprenorphine for pain has been conducted using doses that are at least 10 times lower than those used in opioid dependent people. This study aims to examine if increasing doses of buprenorphine result in improved pain response in the dose ranges used for treatment of opioid dependence.

The primary aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness, measured in terms of pain and disability, of the integrated addition of an intervention aimed at modulating early stress responses (SIT) to a standard physiotherapy exercise approach for individuals with acute whiplash injury. The second aim is to investigate the effectiveness of integrated SIT and physiotherapy exercise in decreasing post-traumatic stress symptoms, anxiety and depression. It is hypothesised that: * In individuals with acute whiplash, SIT integrated into a physiotherapy exercise program will be more effective than exercise alone where effect is measured in terms of pain related disability. That is, individuals in the SIT and exercise group will experience statistically significant, greater improvements in self-reported pain and disability than the exercise only group immediately following the 6 week block of treatment. These improvements will be sustained at the 6 month and 12 month follow-up. * The effect of SIT integrated into physiotherapy exercise will also be greater than that of physiotherapy exercise alone where effect is measured in terms of post-traumatic stress symptoms, anxiety, depression, pain catastrophising and fear of movement. In other words, participants who receive SIT intervention will exhibit improved coping strategies, reflected by statistically significant reductions in psychological parameters listed above.

A Variety of research suggests that hypnosis can be used successfully to treat acute pain (Patterson and Jensen, 2003; Wright and Drummond, 2001). Specifically, it has been demonstrated that hypnosis can reduce the intensity of pain experienced by patients with burn injuries during treatment (Wright and Drummond, 2000). Hypnosis also appears to have unique effects above and beyond other pain management treatments, such as opioid analgesics and relaxation training (Patterson, 2010). Despite this, it appears that hospitals do not routinely use hypnosis or other psychological pain management strategies with their patients. One reason for this may be that hospitals are not well resourced with clinical psychology staff, and thus their time is taken up with high priority issues such as post trauma psychological symptoms. Another reason may be a lack of education amongst medical staff of the benefits of hypnosis for pain management. It has been suggested that nurses are well positioned within a hospital environment to use hypnosis for pain management (Valente, 2006). Nurses spend more time with patients than other clinicians, and are often present during painful procedures. However, nurses have a demanding role and may not have time amongst their general duties, or specialist training, to work through hypnosis protocols with patients. It has been suggested that nurses may have time to administer and reinforce an audio recording of a hypnosis protocol, and that this may have similar benefits to protocols administered directly by a practitioner. The aim of this study is to trial an audio recording of a Rapid Induction Analgesia (RIA) hypnosis protocol with a student sample, as a pilot study, to determine if a larger scale study at the burns unit at Fiona Stanley hospital may be worthwhile in 2015. The effects of hypnosis on students’ experience of pain will be examined. References Patterson, D (2010). Clinical Hypnosis for Pain Control. Washington: American Psychological Association. Patterson, D., & Jensen, M. (2003). Hypnosis and clinical pain. Psychological Bulletin, 129:4, 495-521 Valente, S. (2006). Hypnosis for pain management. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing, 44:2, 2-9 Wright, B. & Drummond, P. (2000). Rapid induction analgesia for the alleviation of procedural pain during burn care. Burns, 26, 275-282 Wright, B. & Drummond, P. (2001). The effect of rapid induction analgesia on subjective pain ratings and pain tolerance. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis. 49:2. 109-122

Exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) is a significant contributor to ill health among children. This study examines the effectiveness of a child health nurse intrvention delivered as part of routine care in reducing SHS exposure amongst infants, increaseing parental smoking cessation and implementation of household smoking bans.

We modify the positioning of patients going under robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, with head and shoulder in horizontal positioning and compare their intra ocular pressure to patients in standard position; 23 degree head-down trendelenburg.

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is well established to assess bone strength in clinical settings; however, it has many limitations. This research aims to evaluate the role of peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT), an alternative bone density testing method that is believed to provide more information than DXA, for the assessment of bone strength. We will recruit patients with osteoporotic fracture and evaluate whether pQCT measures are associated with bone strength. We have already obtained normal pQCT measures in healthy young adults and calculated the means and standard deviations. We will compare patients’ pQCT results with the normal values to achieve our research aim. We may also find new factors that may contribute to fracture prediction in older patients.

Excessive and prolonged sitting may be detrimental to the healthy growth and development of young children. We have shown in Phase 1 of the Standing Preschools Project, that 3-5 year old children spend around 50% of their day at childcare (˜180mins) sitting. The aim of this study is to assess the acute effects of a “reduced-sitting pre-school day” on energy expenditure, musculoskeletal health, and executive function in preschoolers’, using the whole room calorimeter.

Epilepsy affects an estimated 225,000 Australians. Approximately one-third of people with epilepsy still experience seizures whilst on medications. They may be on maximum therapy or are unable to tolerate the side-effects of anti-seizure medications. There is emerging evidence to show a very low carbohydrate diet, known as the Modified Atkins Diet for Epilepsy (MADE), may improve seizure control, with relatively low side-effects. The use of this dietary therapy has not previously been studied in Australian adults. This research aims to investigate if Australian adults with epilepsy are able to comply with the dietary modifications of the MADE and to assess if participants experience a reduction in the number of seizures whilst on the diet. Participants will be seen regularly during the study by a Neurologist to monitor for any side-effects of the diet. A Dietitian will provide education, support and resources for those participating in the study on a regular basis. We anticipate most participants will be able to implement the dietary modification of the MADE. It is expected participants will experience up to half the number of seizures than normal whilst on the diet with minimal side-effects. A reduction in seizures can significantly improve the quality of life and overall health status of people with epilepsy who do not respond to medication management.

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) have a number of limitations that contribute to social play and pragmatic language restrictions. Effective social play skills and pragmatic language are necessary for psychosocial development. Well developed social emotional skills and good quality relationships are protective factors that promote resilience and quality of life. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a peer-to-peer play based intervention to improve social play skills and pragmatic language in children with unilateral (i.e. affecting one side of the body) CP. It is expected that following the intervention children with UCP will have improved social play and communication skills and improved ability to establish and maintain friendships. Findings from this study will be directly translated into clinical practice.

This study examines the effect of curcumin taken orally, within a broader study investigating curcumin in the prevention of Alzheimer's disease. Participants will be allocated to either, no treatment or curcumin, for a period of 3-6 months. At the beginning and conclusion of the study, they will be required to undertake a brief cognitive assessment, answer lifestyle questions and donate blood. A once only mouth swab will also be taken. The intention of the study is to measure the influence of curcumin on the expression of inflammatory genetic markers, to examine if it is useful in reducing inflammation, by measuring associated proteins in the blood. The influence of curcumin on existing lifestyle patterns including sleep, activity levels and nutrition will also be examined through questionnaires at the end of the study.