ANZCTR search results

This is first-in-Man study involving 32 healthy adult male subjects. Overall purpose of the study is to assess safety of pegylated human erythropoietin & tolerability in terms of plasma concentrations in normal male healthy volunteers.

Alcohol Dependence is a disorder with multiple adverse health and social impacts. Recent research has suggested that some of the ongoing tendency for relapse to heavy drinking is a consequence of pre frontal lobe dysfunction. An established marker of this dysfunction is high frequency beta electroencephalogram dysfunction. This pilot trial is designed to establish if the medication, baclofen, reduces this electroencephalographic marker. This medication has been used widely for this purpose in Australia and other countries based on empirical observations of its benefit for alcohol dependence. This study will hopefully further elucidate its mechanism of action in this condition.

Induction of labour is very common and may be associated with increased obstetric intervention. Information which helps guide the best approach to induction would potentially benefit many women and may help reduce healthcare costs. It is proposed to conduct a randomised controlled trial of women undergoing induction of labour who have commenced induction with a single dose of intravaginal Prostaglandin gel (PGE2). Women would be randomised to PGE2 arm (continue to administer further doses of PGE2 until the cervix is ripened and then perform an artificial rupture of membranes (ARM) and commence Syntocinon infusion to induce contractions) or the ARM group (perform ARM immediately or as soon as technically possible, followed by Syntocinon infusion to induce contractions).

To determine whether contact lenses coated with melimine can be worn safely and prevent bacterial colonization of their surface. Both the dispensing optometrists and contact lens wearers will be masked.

This pilot study aims to develop a new approach to improve protection against pneumococcal disease, using a probiotic (Bifidobacterium Bi-07) to boost immune responses to and reduce invasion by the pneumococcal bacteria. We are particularly interested in whether Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07 given early in life, together with vaccination, can improve protection against pneumococcal infection and therefore reduce disease. This study will involve 30 babies and the use of Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07 is currently experimental.

This study will evaluate whether a simple eye test could detect Alzheimer’s disease earlier than current techniques. We have already found some changes to the blood vessels in the retina, at the back of the eye, in Alzheimer’s disease. This new study will investigate if amyloid plaques, the hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease in the brain, also occur in the retina. A specialised eye camera will be used to take photographs of the retina. In order to highlight amyloid plaques in these photographs, participants will be asked to take a pudding containing Curcumin once per day for 7 days. Curcumin, the main ingredient of the common food spice turmeric, has been reported to have many beneficial health effects, and is being tested in other trials for possible therapeutic benefit in Alzheimer’s disease. Curcumin also has molecular and optical properties that may enable us to image amyloid plaques and hence detect Alzheimer’s disease earlier. It is hoped that this technique could allow us to detect Alzheimer’s disease before the cognitive signs become apparent, hence participants with normal cognition as well as those with memory problems and diagnosed Alzheimer’s disease will be recruited for this study.

Prolonged sitting at work has been identified as a significant occupational health concern, and there is a need for effective interventions that reduce potentially unhealthy sitting behaviour in particular occupational groups such as office workers. This study will compare the effectiveness of two simple occupational health interventions in reducing these potentially unhealthy sitting behaviour in office workers. This study will determine whether providing office workers with an adjustable sit-stand desk and individually targeted education is more effective in decreasing sitting behaviours than education alone or providing no intervention.

The purpose of this project is to develop a quality of life instrument specific to the treatment effects in autoimmune bullous disease. Patients with clinically and histologically diagnose autoimmune bullous disease will be recruited and interviewed regarding the ways their disease affects their quality of life. Based on these responses, a pilot questionnaire will be developed and given to 70 patients. Statistical analysis will then be performed based on the results of these questionnaires to determine whether the instrument is statistically sound or not. If it is validated, the instrument can then be used as a tool to measure quality of life in patients with autoimmune blistering skin diseases

The study aims to assist individuals on their road to recovery following a motor vehicle accident. All participants will be required to complete an on-line survey. Half of the participants will then receive feedback regarding their risk of developing chronic pain and post traumatic distress, following a motor vehicle accidents. These participants will further receive information regarding how they can prevent the development of such conditions and/or manage them better if they experience the symptoms. The remaining half of the participants will receive all the information 6 months following the initial survey.

Patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) have an impaired capacity to regulate body temperature. This study will investigate the acute effects of body heating in patients with CHF and also the effects of repetitive exposure to whole body heating. Participants will be recruited from general Cardiology at RPH, from private Cardiology clinics and from the Cardiac Transplant Unit and Advanced Heart Failure Service at RPH. Study hypotheses: 1. Patients with CHF will exhibit impaired cardiovascular responses to an acute bout of body heating, compared to age, gender and BMI matched controls. 2. Repeated whole body heating will improve abnormal cardiovascular function evident in response to body heating in patients with CHF.