ANZCTR search results

This project is part of a research program to develop and evaluate an Internet-based education and treatment program for people with chronic pain. This project examines the efficacy and acceptability of a treatment program to enhance management of pain, anxiety, depression and disability amongst people with chronic pain, when augmented with daily SMS prompts reminder participants to practice self-management skills. We expect that participants will experience improvements across the measures and will rate the SMS prompts as acceptable and helpful.

Functional mobility is generally considered a major contributor to maintaining quality of life at any age. Degenerative changes and lower levels of physical activity that often occur with ageing, contribute to impaired function and mobility and increase the risk of falling and loss of independence for older adults. This study will investigate the benefits of the Home Activity Monitoring Program (HAMP) on functional fitness in home dwelling older adults and also report on the incidence of falls in this group.

The primary purpose of the clinical trial is to determine whether taking a 100 mg capsule of coenzyme Q10 daily for a period of two months can alleviate the excessive fatigue of Post Polio Syndrome or Late Effects of Polio. This will be tested in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial at the Griffith Clinical Trials Unit. Fatigue will be assessed by two fatigue questionnaires to be filled out by the participants before the start of the trial (baseline) and after the two-month period of taking capsules. Coenzyme Q10 blood levels will also be determined to confirm compliance and to validate the findings. Statistical analysis of the questionnaires will be undertaken by a biostatistician.

After lung transplantation, all patients receive medications, called immunosuppressives. These drugs suppress the immune system and prevent the body from rejecting the transplanted lung(s), but this also makes them susceptible to infections. CMV is a virus known to cause infection after transplantation and affects over 40% of patients and may influence the on-going success of their new lung(s). To reduce the damage that CMV can cause in newly transplanted lungs, all patients undergoing lung transplantation take medications, called anti-virals (Valganciclovir), for approximately the first five months following the transplant operation. Valganciclovir is approved in Australia for use to reduce CMV infection after lung transplantation. However, CMV infection can occur after the anti-viral drugs are stopped. The purpose of this project is to see whether a blood test (QuantiFERON-CMV assay) that assesses whether you can mount an immune response against CMV, can predict which patients are at risk of ongoing CMV infection, and therefore would benefit from taking the anti-viral medication (Valganciclovir) for a longer period.

Wounds that fail to heal may cause distress to patients and impact negatively on the physical, social, economic aspects of their life. Wound complications also add to the cost of health care, with clinical comsumables responsible for a large proportion of health care budget. NPWT is based on a therapy on a closed sealed system that produces negative pressure to wound surface. The wound is covered or packed with an open-cell foam or gauze dressings and sealed with an occlusive drape. Intermittent or continuous suction is maintained by connecting suction tubes from the wound dressing to a vacuum pump and liquid waste colelctor. NPWT is growing in use as a prophylactic approach to prevent wound complications especially SSI, yet evidence of its benefits is lacking.

This trial is investigating whether echogenic needle technology improves needle visibility and ease of insertion when transversus abdominus plane (TAP) blocks are used for gynaecological and obstetric operations.

The primary purpose of this trial is to evaluate the relationship between drugs which are administered for blood or bone marrow transplants and the outcomes of the transplant. Who is it for? You may be eligible to enroll in this study if you are receiving intravenous busulphan and/or other conditioning agents prior to a blood or bone marrow transplant. Study details All participants enrolled in this study will have blood samples taken at different timepoints depending on the institution at which they are receiving treatment, but may be as frequent as weekly until three months following the transplant. Some of the samples will have been taken for clinical reasons and some additional samples are for research. Participants can choose how many additional samples they will contribute to the study. Researchers will review medical records to evaluate the clinical outcomes of the transplant, and participants will be followed-up for 5 years. It is hoped that by evaluating the concentration of these drugs in the body, and their longterm effects, it may be possible to individualise the dose given to patients to enhance efficacy, reduce toxicity and maximise the chance of disease control.

We are using a randomised controlled trial to evaluate a program designed to promote safe mobility for drivers aged 75 years and older. Half of our study participants will be randomly selected to receive an integrated program which includes individual advice about safe driving and promotion of alternative transport delivered over two sessions in the participants own home. All study participants’ cars will be fitted with a monitoring device which transmits GPS location, speed and acceleration patterns during the 12 month study. We will compare driving exposure and incident involvement (crashes and rapid deceleration events) through this objective measurement. Community participation and independent mobility will be assessed with surveys. The trial will determine if an individual program can improve safety in a group of older drivers. The trial will assess the impact on mobility and evaluate uptake of alternative transport. The study approach is robust using a randomised controlled design and safety outcomes will be measured objectively. Safety of older drivers, is of concern due to increased crash involvement per km travelled and their vulnerability to injury. While there are a number of programs designed to improve safe driving, there is very little evidence about their effectiveness. The results of this trial will contribute high level evidence for policy makers in this area.

Knee osteoarthritis is a common musculoskeletal condition that is increasingly prevalent as the population ages. Knee osteoarthritis research has largely focused on treating pain and disability. However, to reduce the incidence of this burdensome disease, prevention is also vital. Individuals who have undergone an arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM), a common surgical procedure to repair, remove or trim the inner knee meniscus are at increased risk to develop knee osteoarthritis. Post-APM patients, have increased knee joint loading as compared to matched healthy individuals. It is widely accepted that increased knee joint loads may be one factor related to the initiation and progression of knee osteoarthritis. In young healthy individuals neuromuscular exercises can reduce knee joint loading during athletic tasks however, the effects of neuromuscular exercises on knee joint loads are unclear in those considered at high risk of developing early knee osteoarthritis. This research will primarily investigate the effects of a neuromuscular exercise program on knee load in those who have undergone an arthroscopy to repair, remove or trim the inner knee meniscus. The neuromuscular intervention includes exercises designed to improve co-ordination, knee alignment and balance. This study will help us to develop better rehabilitation programs that could help delay the onset of knee osteoarthritis following knee arthroscopy.

Investigation into the efficacy of the analgesic medications ibuprofen and acetaminophen (paracetamol) for the prevention of pain and discomfort in relation to the first 48 hours of fixed orthodontics treatment (braces). The study is a double blinded investigation with a placebo control group.