ANZCTR search results

An observational study to explore if stroke survivors exposed to an enriched environment during their rehabilitation stay, have greater activity levels than stroke survivors receiving rehabilitation in a typical rehabilitation ward (non enriched setting). It is hypothesised that exposure to an enriched environment will increase activity levels during non therapy times.

the main hypothesis of this study is to prove whether using the cough assist regularly twice a day will help maintain lung function in children with neuromuscular disease

Cognitive behaviour therapy delivered either face to face or over the web has been shown to be an effective treatment for social phobia. It is not known whether people referrred for face to face treatment will benefit from internet therapy This trial will determine that.

This project is part of a research program examining the efficacy of Internet based education and treatment programs for people with commmon mental disorders. This project compares the effectiveness a program aimed at supporting people with common anxiety disorders. We expect that people in delayed education group will report the same benefit as those who immediately begin the education program.

The major aim of this project is to evaluate the effectiveness of a program designed to increase physical activity participation, and to improve self efficacy, health and lifestyle behaviours in both mothers and their daughters. M.A.D.E 4 Life program is specifically designed to unite mothers and daughters in a fun, educational setting where both parties can experience positive behaviour change the improvements in self-efficacy and overall health and wellbeing. A secondary aim of our project is to determine whether having a mother participate in a physical activity program has an effect on their daughters health and lifestyle behaviours. Parents influence the physical activity behaviours in the home environment through their behaviours, attitudes, and approach to physical activity and by being a role model. Parents of primary school children, in particular, play a pivotal role in changing a child’s environment to facilitate healthy physical activity behaviours.

The research project will test whether a new device, the Novate IVC Filter, can be placed safely in a vein called the inferior vena cava, and then stay in place filtering blood for any clots that may occur. This filter is intended to prevent a clot from moving through the body to lungs. This research project will be the first time that the Novate IVC Filter will have been used in humans, however, the device has undergone all of the testing required by law to ensure that it is safe to use in humans and is very similar to other filter devices routinely used in this hospital. The device being tested in this research project differs from the normal device offered in this hospital because of its design and the way in which it works. Most hospitals would usually use a retrievable (removable) filter in this type of operation. This type of filter may be removed after a period of time and this means that the patient would have to undergo a second operation to remove the filter. The Novate IVC Filter doesn’t require the patient to undergo this second, removal operation. This is because after 60 days when the patient no longer needs it, the filter is designed to open up, the patient's blood will no longer be filtered and the remaining parts of the device will then be incorporated into the walls of the patient's vein over time. The vein wall will grow tissue over the remaining parts of the filter and cover them up, leaving the inside of the vein clear.

Chronic illness places demands and challenges on the lives of children and their families. As a result, more intense and difficult emotions are experienced. A greater risk for mental health problems had also been documented in these children and their parents. Research has found that children often have better emotional, social, and physical functioning, as well as fewer behavioural difficulties when they have good emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand and control your emotions, as well as being able to communicate to others about how you feel. A child’s emotional intelligence is influenced by parenting style. This study aims to adapt and trial an emotion coaching group parenting program, "Tuning in to Kids", and assess the program’s efficacy in improving the socio-emotional functioning as well as reducing risk factors for poor mental health in children with chronic illness and their parents.

As we get older, it is difficult to eat the right amount of food and get the right nutrients every day. When we do not get enough nutrients in our diet, this can sometimes lead to various diseases or conditions. Fish and seafood provide some valuable nutrients including protein, zinc, iodine and vitamin D. In particular, fish and seafood also contain fatty acids (called EPA and DHA) which may reduce the amount of inflammation in your body. Meat products also contain protein, zinc, iron, some B vitamins and fatty acids. Most people eat more red meat compared to fish and we do not know much about how this affects inflammation. You can’t see inflammation, but higher levels have been associated with arthritis, diabetes, eye diseases, heart disease, depression and even obesity. We are interested in reducing these levels of inflammation in the body because this may reduce the risk for these diseases. Many people do not eat a lot of fish, and so we want to find out whether increasing the amount of fish/seafood in our diet (to approximately 4 meals per week) will help levels of inflammation compared to people who eat a usual amount of fish/seafood (0-1 meal of fish/seafood a week) and eat a diet that is higher in red meat.

It is extremely common for individuals with substance abuse disorders to also have co-occurring mental health problems. Approximately 60% of participants at Australian residential rehabilitation services report a previous mental health diagnosis, with depressive disorders being the most common. Individuals with co-occurring mental health problems typically have a poorer treatment response and higher rates of relapse. Integrated treatment approaches are recommended for residential substance abuse programs, where both the person’s substance abuse and co-occurring mental health problems are concurrently addressed. However, the majority of residential substance abuse services still primarily target the person’s substance abuse problems. One approach to improve treatment is to utilise computer-based self-help programs. Benefits of computer-based approaches to residential settings include: a) the low costs associated with delivering the intervention; b) it doesn’t require additional staff members or training; and c) participants can continue to access the program should they leave the facility early. There is a growing body of literature supporting the usefulness of computer delivered interventions for mental health problems. Additionally, computer-based interventions have been recommended as a way to improve the use of evidence based approaches within routine care. However, only limited controlled dissemination research has been conducted in this area. The aim of the present study is to examine the effectiveness of using a computer delivered comorbidity treatment program for individuals attending long-term residential substance abuse programs. The study will be conducted as a real-world randomized trial, where the Treatment Condition will complete the computer-delivered intervention in addition to treatment as usual.