ANZCTR search results

The purpose of this study is to understand how healthy people absorb glucose (sugar) and lipids (fat) from their small intestine. This information can then be compared to information we are collecting about nutrient absorption in Intensive Care Unit patients. We hypothesize that absorption will be reduced in Intensive Care Unit patients compared to healthy volunteers.

Clonidine has been effectively used as a non-opioid (morphine-like) pain killer and sedative in a variety of clinical settings for many years. The Analgesia Nociceptive Index (ANI) monitor is a novel anaesthetic monitor that has been developed for use with opioid based pain killers. It works by assessing (primarily) heart rate variability to generate a score which gives an indication of nociceptive (painful) inputs. This study aims to examine the effects of clonidine on the ANI under general anaesthesia for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, as part of the pain relieving strategy

We have recently developed an online cognitive behavior therapy program involving exposure and response prevention for people with OCD. This study will examine the program’s effectiveness in reducing symptoms of OCD and related symptoms of anxiety, depression, distress, and disability. We will also assess how acceptable the program is to participants.

Patients with previous burns injuries are subject to abnormal pain processing responses compared to people who have never been affected by severe burns. We propose to run a pilot study which will demonstrate whether patients have ongoing abnormal pain responses. This would be determined by using a form of quantitative sensory testing which evaluates the integrity of pain pathways.

Patients with multiple fractures or whose blood has a tendency to clot easily have a risk of developing a pulmonary embolus. This occurs when a clot formed in the legs, called a deep vein thrombosis, is dislodged and travels in the blood circulation to the lungs, causing difficulty in breathing and potentially death. Patients who have a risk of developing a pulmonary embolus may have a filter called a vena cava filter placed in the large vein beneath the heart. The filter stops any clots from the legs reaching the lungs. The filters are designed to be removed once the risk period is over. In some cases the filters may be difficult to remove and in a few cases may not be able to be removed at all. The design of vena cava filters and the devices used to remove them are being continually improved. There are a number of good filters with good removal devices available. The purpose of the study is to help us determine which of two commercially available vena cava filters is best designed for ease of removal. Taking less time to place and remove the filters helps to reduce the procedure time and consequently the radiation dose, the volume of contrast dye and the discomfort to patients.

This study is evaluating the effect of timed vaccine and chemotherapy delivery in advanced melanoma patients. You may be eligible to join this study if you are a male or female aged 18 years or above who has been diagnosed with advanced melanoma (Stage IV or IIIB/IIIC) that cannot be treated with surgery. Participants in this trial will be randomly allocated to one of two groups. Participants in groups one and two will both receive the VCML vaccine. Group one will receive regular, pre-determined vaccinations whereas Group two will have their vaccination times determined by blood test results. If disease progression occurs, then participants in group one will receive oral chemotherapy treatment on pre-determined dates, whereas participants in group 2 will receive oral chemotherapy at times determined by the results of blood tests. The treatment in group 1 will not be timed in this way. All participants will be assessed on a regular basis for a period of up to 5 years in order to determine whether treatment response and overall survival differ between groups. This will enable us to determine whether the timing of vaccine or chemotherapy administration can improve treatment response.

Cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) is a structured group intervention for people with mild to moderate dementia aimed at improving cognition and social functioning. The initial course of CST involves 45-minute group sessions, held twice a week over seven weeks (or weekly with two 45 minute sessions and a 30 minute break). Maintenance CST (MCST) follows on from the initial course and is a weekly 45-minute 24-session group program. The content of the sessions is designed to stimulate mental function by focusing on the retained abilities of people with dementia and by doing so in a varied, interesting and fun way, through group interactions, games and puzzles, and by sights and sounds. This project aims to 1. To develop an Australian adaptation of the Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) and the Maintenance Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (MCST) programs 2. To pilot and evaluate the adaptations in an Australian setting. The project will involve adapting the content to Australian conditions, piloting the CST and MCST programs and evaluation of both the CST and MCST programs. In addition family members and carers (support persons) will be ask for input and feedback regarding their perceptions of the program's efficacy as well as in the latter part of the maintenance program, being informed what was beneficial and/or enjoyed by their relative/friend.

Background: Studies have shown that antidepressants may reduce inflammation in animal models of colitis. The present trial aims to examine whether fluoxetine added to standard therapy for Crohn’s disease (CD) maintains remission, improves quality of life and/or mental health in humans with CD as compared to placebo. Methods / Design: A parallel randomised double-blind placebo controlled trial was conducted. Participants with clinically established CD, in remission or with only mild symptoms, were randomly assigned to receive either fluoxetine 20mg daily or placebo, and followed for 12 months. Participants provided blood and stool samples and answered questionnaires measuring mental health and quality of life. Linear mixed-effects models were used to compare groups on the outcome variables. Results: Of the 26 randomised participants, 14 were randomised to receive placebo and 12 to receive fluoxetine for 12 months. Overall, 14 (53.8%) participants were male. The mean age was 37.4 (13.2) years. Fluoxetine had no effect on IBD activity measured using the CDAI (F(3, 27.5) =.064, p=.978) or the calprotectin (F(3, 32.5)= 1.08, p=.371) during the 12-month period of observation. Similarly, there was no impact of fluoxetine on physical (p=.645), psychological (p=.884), social (p=.649), or environmental quality of life (QoL) (p=.992), on anxiety (p=.979) or depressive symptoms (p=.956) as compared to placebo. Conclusion: 20mg of fluoxetine daily does not appear to improve the course of CD, QoL or mental health over 12 months of observation as compared to placebo. The trial documents the difficulty of conducting antidepressant trials with human subjects suffering from CD .

The research project is aiming to understand how the body controls appetite (that is how hungry and how full we feel) after we consume foods that are made up of the main nutrients carbohydrate, protein and fat. We are also aiming to understand if this appetite control process is disrupted in adolescents who are obese compared with adolescents who are of a healthy weight. This information will be beneficial to be able to provide nutritional advice and strategies to help with the treatment and prevention of obesity in childhood.

LEAP for Life is a training package for packaged community care staff which aims to improve engagement of clients by providing more individualised conversation and activities. This single arm trial will follow staff and their clients for 18 months, 6 months before the training begins, and across 12 months of training. Staff will be trained on how to incorporate engagement strategies and activities into care plans, and how to deliver these strategies and activities into practice. They will be supported by a change champion over 12 months.