ANZCTR search results

The aim of this study is to evaluate a new evidence based model for increasing the adoption and maintenance of physical activity in sedentary community dwelling middle aged individuals. Specifically targeting those individulas who are less likely to adopt and maintain exercise as they do not normally access the currently available community group exercise programs. We hypothesize that (i) There are a large number of individuals in the community aged 50-65 years who are not interested in group exercise, the common method used to increase the population's level of physical activity. (ii) A proportion of this group would commence exercising if an alternative method of increasing physcial activity was available, such as a home based approach. (iii) The home based program would produce health benfits equivalent to those seen in the group based exercise program for sedentary adults 50-65 years old. (iv) Those that commence the home based program are more likely to continue with an increase in physical activity in the long term, as compared to a group based program. (v) A home based approach to increasing physical activity with minimal support is more cost effective than a group based intervention, taking into consideration long term physical activity maintenance.

The project is a pilot study of the therapeutic efficacy of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) in patients with severe depression that has not responded to treatment with all other standard antidepressant treatments. DBS involves the placement of small stimulating electrodes into the brain which are connected to a pacemaker like device which is implanted under the skin. The electrodes are used to stimulate a small brain area called the nucleus accumbens. DBS is now widely used in Australia and overseas for the treatment of neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor. When performed by an experienced team it appears to be gnerally safe and well tolerated. A small body of work looking at the impact of DBS in obsessive compulsive disorder has indicated that DBS can affect mood and may be an effective treatment for major depression. There are a small percentage of patients with major who do not respond to any of the standard antidepressant treatment options. these patients are debilitated by their illness and remain at very high risk of death by suicide. We aim to trial DBS in a small number of carefully selected patients in an open trial. We will evaluate the efficacy of the treatment by video recording interviews with patients describing their depression and having the severity of depression rated by a trained rater who is unaware of whether the interview was conducted before or after the procedure. All patients will be carefully selected and assessed to ensure they can provide informed consent. The participation of each patient will be independently reviewed by the Victorian Government Psychosurgery Review Board, an independent statutory authority.

This study will compare two medications (Avastin (bevacizumab) and Triesence (Triamcinolone) given at the time of cataract surgery for patients with, or at high risk of developing, diabetic macular oedema. Patients will be seen monthly and outcomes include visual acuity, centra macular thickenss, time to retreatment and assesment of adverse events.

A randomised controlled trial will be conducted to determine the efficacy of two physical activity (PA) counselling strategies on PA behaviour over a 12 month period amongst insufficiently active adults attending general practices in the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Hunter, and Inner West Sydney areas of New South Wales. Participants will be randomly allocated to one of 3 groups: a) face-to-face counselling by an exercise specialist; b) one face-to-face visit followed by telephone counselling by an exercise specialist; or c) receive generic print materials in the mail promoting PA. The primary outcomes will be pedometer steps at 12 months.

We are looking to investigate the effect of alcohol on simultaneous touch sensation. There are specific areas within the brain that are vital for deciphering touch. When two areas of skin are touched simultaneously, some of these brain areas are excited and some are inhibited. A greater ability to determine between two simultaneous stimuli (a reduction Two Point Discrimination threshold) has been associated with increased inhibition in the brain. Recent research has shown that alcohol can increase inhibition within the brain. With this in mind we look to explore the possibility that alcohol could improve tactile acuity, lowering the Two Point Discrimination threshold.

Being overweight and gaining too much weight in pregnancy increase the chances of complications of the pregnnacy for the mother and baby. We believe that by giving women simple dietary advice and encouraging them towards healthy weight gain targets in pregnancy, these outcomes may be improved

Antibody mediated rejection post kidney transplant has become a significant clinical problem given that over 25% of kidney transplant candidates have antibodies to potential organ donors. There is no approved treatment for AMR and options to treat are limited. It is hoped that eculizumab will reduce the incidence of AMR post kidney transplantation in sensitized patients.

A prospective, single-blind, multicentre, randomised clinical trial to evaluate the clinical impact and resource implications of the high-sensitvity troponin assay in the care of patients presenting with suspected ACS. The study will enroll 2000 patients presenting to an emergency department with clinical features in whom the treating physician seeks to measure serum troponin level. The study will be run across 5 metropolitan public hospitals in Adelaide, South Australia. Patients will be randomised to either the 4th generation or 5th generation troponin reporting system. Information will be collected on presenting chest pain characteristics. Clinical outcomes (death, new/re-MI, bleeding, stroke, revascularisation) including quality of life will be sought in-hospital and at 30 days, 6-months and 12-months and cost effectiveness will be measured at 12-months.

There is a well established association between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and bronchiectasis. It has been observed that patients who suffer RA are between 10 and 30 times more likely to develop bronchiectasis. The aetiology of this association is unknown. Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a component of the immune system which is active in fighting infection. It is thought that a deficiency in MBL may predispose individuals to infection especially if there is coexisting immunodeficiency. This study seeks to find an association between MBL deficiency and the development of bronchiectasis in patients with RA as a means to providing insight into the association between the two diseases.

The aim of this study is to measure the release of PLA2 enzymes during elective coronary stenting in patients with coronary artery disease and to compare this release with known characteristics of the patient and their current treatment.