ANZCTR search results

This study represents a pilot study which aims to compare the effectiveness of a new laser (Ellex 2RT) to a conventional laser (SLT) in the treatment of primary open-angle glaucoma. It is expected that the Ellex 2RT laser should provide comparable or better results than the conventional SLT laser because of the more homogenous beam profile of the new laser. Results may form the basis for further clinical investigation.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in Australia. High blood pressure is one of the major modifiable risk factors for the development of CVD. There is a strong association between sodium chloride salt intake and elevated blood pressure. Salt reduction in diets has been shown to reduce blood pressure but salt intakes remain very high in many countries. Recent studies have shown that long term use of a “salt substitute” – potassium chloride, can result in significant reductions in blood pressure. However, there are currently no published studies on the acute effects of potassium chloride on blood pressure. The aim of this research study is to compare the effects of three meals containing different amounts of sodium and potassium salts on blood pressure and blood vessel function.

This study aims to test the feasibility of providing a Coping-Together self-directed supportive care intervention to couples affected by prostate cancer. It is anticipated that using the proposed Coping-Together skills will be primarily associated with couples experiencing less anxiety. Who is it for? You may be eligible for this study if you have recently been diagnosed with a primary, early-stage prostate cancer, are currently receiving or planning to receive treatment, gain a score of 4 or above on a Distress Thermometer (DT) measurement, have a partner who is willing to participate in the study, and you are both able to understand and complete feedback surveys on your level of care and support. Trial Details: You will be randomised to one of two treatment arms in this study, either the Coping-Together (CT) arm, or to the Minimal Ethical Care (MEC) arm. The purpose of this study is to test which arm works better in couples to enhance your illness adjustment, along with how well the two of you are able to cope with your illness. Both arms involve being supplied with cancer and coping information; all or some of which you can use at your own pace. You will also receive fortnightly follow-up phone calls from research staff over a 2 month period following baseline measurements.

Curcumin, the main bioactive ingredient of the common food spice turmeric has been reported to have many beneficial effects on decreasing Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) pathogenesis. However, its low absorption in the body has limited its clinical impact and not translated into clinical benefits. Methods to increase its oral bioavailability are a subject of intense current research. BCM-95(R)CG (BiocurcumaxTM), a novel bio-enhanced preparation of curcumin and has been reported to be more absorbed in the body compared to curcumin. This proposal will evaluate the potential efficacy of BCM-95(R)CG (BiocurcumaxTM) in preserving memory and cognitive functioning in older individuals with subjective memory complaints over a 12 month period. Research hypotheses 1. BCM-95(R)CG (BiocurcumaxTM) will slow cognitive decline over 12 months compared to placebo. 2. BCM-95(R)CG (BiocurcumaxTM) will alter AD related biomarkers over 12 months compared to placebo.

The aim of this research is to trial a theory based group exercise and counseling intervention that addresses questions related to the optimal characteristics of rehabilitation programs, focusing on intensity of exercise. This research will attempt to identify characteristics of both the intervention and participants that contribute to the success of such a program. This information will help Australian breast and prostate cancer survivors reach and maintain their fitness and well being goals and improve their quality of life. The literature so far has shown that exercise and counseling can help improve quality of life in breast and prostate cancer survivors, but there is a need to determine how intense exercise needs to be to make optimal improvements in quality of life. Who is it for? Patients aged 25-75 who have had confirmed stage I, II, or III breast or prostate cancer and also completed acute treatments (surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy) within the past 5 years will be eligible for this study. Patients who register their interest must have their physician complete a referral form to clear them for participation. Trial Details Participants will be allocated by the project manager to one of the 3 treatment arms of the study, based upon their availability and course openings. Arm 1 and 2 are both group exercise and counselling interventions, differing in exercise intensity (low to moderate in Arm 1, moderate to high in Arm 2) and lasting 8 weeks. Arm 3 is a control group that maintained their normal routine.

An abscess is a localised collection of bacteria, dead tissue, and pus. There are no human studies demonstrating a link between increasing abscess pressures and the spread of infection. The current management is surgical incision and drainage of the abscess cavity. Once the abscess spreads it is associated with a prolonged stay in hospital and a longer recovery time. We propose to measure the abscess pressure in patients presenting to the Royal Darwin Hospital Emergency Department, and correlate the pressure with clinical indices of local and systemic inflammatory reaction.

The goal of this study is to examine the effect of Oxytocin (OT) in facilitating eye gaze during a speaking task in adults who stutter. Participants who stutter will be randomized to receive 24UI intranasal OT or placebo before giving a speech to a pre-recorded audience. The aim of the procedure is to assess whether participants who receive OT before delivering the speech show a difference in eye gaze than the placebo group. It is predicted that the experimental participants who receive OT will demonstrate increased gaze towards audience members compared with the participants in the placebo group and thus increase access to important social information from the interaction. Secondly the experimental group is hypothesized to report less fear and anxiety following the procedure than the placebo group.

Arthroscopic shoulder surgery may produce severe pain that is a challenge to control. Interscalene nerve blocks have been shown to be an excellent method of analgesia. It is not clear what concentration of local anaesthetic should be used for interscalene blocks to maximise pain relief and minimise side-effects. We aim to determine if lower compared to higher concentrations of ropivacaine (a local anaesthetic) can produce comparable pain relief duration with less side-effects.

Several evidence support the notion that increase in total plasma cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDLC), and decreased high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) are risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Epidemiological studies have reported that high concentrations of HDL-C or "good" cholesterol (>1.5mMol/L) may also be protective against Alzheimer’s disease (AD). “AmlamaxTM” developed by the R&D lab of Arjuna Natural Extracts Limited (Kerala, India) is a dry extract from fresh fruits of Amla, which has shown remarkable results in increasing HDL-C levels. Therefore, the objectives of this proposed study will be to explore the effectiveness of the herbal extract AmlamaxTM on raising HDL cholesterol levels in population of subjects with low HDL-C levels drawn from the Perth memory cohort study, as well as to determine whether directly raising HDL-C levels can result in a decrease in plasma beta amyloid levels.

People with lung cancer often feel short of breath and lack energy. Not surprisingly, people diagnosed with lung cancer tend to decrease the amount of activity and exercise they do. However promising new research shows that doing just the opposite can result in improved quality of life and fitness (which can contribute to survival). One way of increasing activity levels in a safe way is taking part in an exercise rehabilitation program, a 8-week program of group exercises led by a physiotherapist. This project is an initial, small scale trial of lung cancer patients participating in exercise rehabilitation after surgery to determine whether a larger scale trial is safe and feasible.