ANZCTR search results

The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether strength or balance exercises leads to greater improvements in outcomes in patients who complete a 6-week falls and balance program in outpatient setting at St John of God Berwick Hospital. We hypothesised that both interventions will reduce risk of falling and improve quality of life.

Theta tACS is a potentially efficacious treatment for depression that warrants development. However, there are inconsistent findings in the tACS literature making the optimal selection of stimulation parameters challenging. In our proposed research, we aim to explore several tACS protocols to identify an optimal procedure that can be used to modify theta activity. We aim to explore 2 stimulation approaches to modify theta oscillations (as well as mood and performance on working memory task to explore behavioural correlates of changes in theta activity) in healthy individuals. Specifically, we aim to investigate whether theta-tACS produces greater effects when applied at individualised theta frequency (i.e., matched-ITF tACS) or at 1Hz below the ITF (offset-ITF tACS) with both compared to a sham tACS condition. We will investigate effects on theta power, working memory and mood. We hypothesise that: 1.Matched-ITF tACS will increase theta power to a greater degree than offset-ITF tACS and sham tACS 2.Matched-ITF tACS will increase working memory to a greater degree than offset-ITF tACS and sham tACS 3.Matched-ITF tACS will transiently increase positive mood to a greater degree than offset-ITF tACS and sham tACS

We will establish a person-centred approach to health service monitoring in aphasia services. Our team has developed a minimum aphasia dataset in partnership with stroke survivors with aphasia, their families, clinicians, and researchers. We will evaluate its implementation using a prospective, multi-centre, observational cohort study and a mixed-methods process evaluation.

Very few studies have investigated the use of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), in multiple sclerosis (MS) or Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD). This study will provide a comprehensive overview of ART use in women with MS or NMOSD and look at if ART affects disease activity, if MS or NMOSD affects a woman's ability to fall pregnant through ART. Additionally we plan to evaluate blood based tests that might be able to predict both ART success or increased disease activity in women with MS or NMOSD while using ART.

Multimodal pain relief forms part of the early rehabilitation protocol in patients undergoing hip replacement. This has been shown to reduce complications and improve outcomes. The pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block is a new type of regional nerve block, which is associated with fewer side effects, than the currently used intrathecal morphine. Its efficacy in providing pain relief has not been demonstrated in anterior hip replacement. The primary aim of our project is to compare the postoperative pain relief provided by these techniques, at 3- and 24-hours following surgery, in patients undergoing anterior hip replacement. The secondary aim of our project is to compare the side effect profile, opioid utilisation, time to mobilisation, hospital length of stay, standardised patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) and patient satisfaction.

This study is investigating the effect of gamification on a virtual reality (VR) training for ultrasound guided regional anaesthesia techniques. The cohort will comprise of 60 novice medical students and junior clinicians who will be divided into two groups (original versus gamified VR trainer). The study is primarily concerned with comparing performance scores (as compared from baseline to final testing) between groups to determine if gamification provides superior outcomes in training. Individual learning progress; cognitive task loads during training; and the participants' perception of the usefulness of the training tools will also be considered. It is predicted that gamification will improve learning outcomes on the VR trainer for ultrasound guided regional anaesthesia techniques.

This project aims to determine the effect of exercise intensity on brain recovery biomarkers in stroke survivors who have or have had mobility impairments after stroke and healthy age and sex-matched controls. We will measure post-exercise changes in the following biomarkers: salivary biomarkers of stress and inflammation cortico-excitability using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

This study aims to understand the optimal ways to implement lung cancer CT screening in Australian, and specifically to research the best ways to recruit and undertake lung cancer screening in at risk people from a range of geographic and socioeconomic communities Who is it for? You may be eligible to join this study if you are aged between 50 and 80 years old, and have risk factors for developing lung cancer Study details All participants who meet the eligibility criteria in this study will have a low dose CT chest scan and complete a questionnaire about possible risk factors. Participants will be followed-up post-scan annually for 10 years to assess risk of developing lung cancer and quality of life. It is hoped that this research project will help identify how to optimally invite people at risk for lung cancer screening.

We are conducting a clinical trial to determine if cushioned shoe insoles are an effective treatment for big toe joint osteoarthritis. The participants will wear their allocated insoles at all times when wearing shoes for a 12 week period. The two different groups in this study are: 1. Cushioned insoles 2. Placebo insoles We will evaluate the effectiveness of the different insoles on pain and physical function at 12 weeks. Primary and secondary outcomes will be collected via online survey at baseline and 12 weeks. Our hypothesis is that flat cushioned shoe insoles will result in a greater improvement in pain and physical function for individuals suffering with first MTP OA.

This study aims to identify the optimal way to implement fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy in patients who have a genetic variant of the DPYD gene, the ability to test for UGT1A1 prior to irinotecan chemotherapy, and cost effectiveness of a large-scale roll out of this screening program. Who is it for? You may be eligible to join this study if you are aged 18 or over, and have solid organ malignancy requiring fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy. You may be eligible for additional for UGT1A1 genotyping if you require irinotecan chemotherapy Study details All participants who meet the eligibility criteria in this study will undergo pharmacogenomic (PGx) genotyping to identify DPYD and UGT1A1 variants prior to commencing Fluoropyrimidine (FP) and Irinotecan (IRI)(where applicable) chemotherapies. Genotyping is conducted from a blood sample collected from patients prior to commencing chemotherapy, and relevant adjustments to chemotherapy dosing is made in accordance with international dosing guidelines. Participants will be followed for 60 days to assess for acute chemotherapy induced toxicity, and beyond completion of chemotherapy regimen to assess cost-effectiveness and feasibility of the screening program. No additional tests will be required from patients beyond standard of care. It is hoped that this research project will determine the feasibility of DPYD genetic testing for cancer patients which may assist with providing personalised treatment options for these patients.