ANZCTR search results

Patients undergoing a Stem Cell Transplant (SCT) often have difficulty eating adequately due to the side effects of treatment and malnutrition can occur which is associated with poor outcomes post transplant. The best type of nutrition support to be given during a SCT is controversial and Parenteral Nutrition/ Intravenous feeding (PN) is usually given over Enteral Nutrition/ Nasogastric feeding (EN) despite the increased cost, infection risks and other complications associated with PN. This project aims to determine whether PN or EN is better tolerated by SCT patients who are unable to eat adequately. If EN is successfully tolerated this will eliminate the risks, complications and cost associated with routine use of PN. This research will directly improve future patient care and will result in changes to current nutrition support practices and lead to improved outcomes for cancer transplant patients.

The study hypothesis is that the addition of a surgically implanted collagen scaffold will structurally thicken the tendon, measured with MRI, compared with tendons that are treated with standard decompression and/or repair alone without the scaffold.

One in three people 65 years and older fall each year with consequences for the individual and a high burden for society. Stepping is often the last protective option to prevent a fall. Studies have shown that impaired stepping is prevalent in older people and that impaired stepping is associated with high risk of falls. In this study a low-cost computer game device (dance pad) that enables a human-computer interaction via movements (exergame) will be used to as a home-based interactive step training in independent living older people. This randomised controlled pilot trial aims at improving parameters of fall-risk and physical function. Further aim is to investigate whether this step training to cognitive stimuli on a screen (TV) can improve parameters of cognitive function. This study proposes to test the hypothesis that: a short-term volitional step training intervention using a dance pad can significantly improve risk factors for falls as well as measures of cognition in independent living older people. The intervention will last 8 weeks and participants are asked to play a game of step co-ordination at least 2-3 times per week for 15 to 20 minutes and to do a choice stepping reaction time task once a week. People in the control group will maintain their usual activities. Primary outcome measure will be the choice stepping reaction time (CSRT). Further outcomes are the Physiological Profile Assessment (PPA), tests of combined motor and cognitive function, tests of physical performance, tests of cognitive functions, and a iconographic measure of Fear of Falling.

The aim of this group randomised control trial is to develop, implement and evaluate a school-based intervention to promote physical activity and improve fundamental movement skill (FMS) proficiency in children from disadvantaged primary schools. The 12-month intervention will include professional development workshops for teachers and students, school policy review and recommendations, community and parental engagement in the intervention process, student-led recess and lunchtime activities, and physical activity equipment packs. Physical activity behaviour, FMS competency, self esteem, physiological outcomes and potential mediators of behaviour change will be assessed. Assessments will be conducted at baseline 6- and 12-months.

This study is a multi-centre, assessor-blinded, randomised controlled Phase I trial in people with spinal cord injury. This study is funded by a grant from the Victorian Neurotrauma Initiative. A total of 50 participants with complete or incomplete spinal cord injury will be randomised into two groups: an experimental group and a control group. The control group will undertake a passive cycling program using a bed bike while in the acute ward and an upright bike once they progress to rehabilitation. The experimental group will undertake a FES-assisted cycling program using a bed bike while in the acute ward and an upright bike once they progress to rehabilitation. Both programs will consist of 60 minutes of training 4 times per week for 12 weeks. Training will commence once the participant is considered medically stable (a minimum 5 days post-injury, maximum 4 weeks post-injury). The main objective of the study is to determine the relative effectiveness of FES-assisted cycling compared to passive cycling on muscle cross-sectional area of thigh and calf. The total study duration is 2 years, including an 18month recruitment period, a 12 week treatment period and post-intervention assessments (within a week of last treatment).

This is a registry of patients that have presented to Australasian hospitals with chest pain of possible cardiac origin. Multiple biomarkers will be stored for ongoing research. Participants will undergo risk evaluation by a means of a set series of questions. Participants will recieve a phone call at 45 days, 6 months and 1 year post discharge to record any major adverse cardiac event (MACE) they may have experienced at 30 days or 1 year.

This project is a pilot trial of a novel, non-robotic training device, the SMART Arm, to retrain upper limb function in stroke survivors with severe paresis. The aim of the trial is to determine the extent to which training of reaching using the SMART Arm with outcome triggered electrical stimulation, will lead to improvements in upper limb function for stroke survivors with severe upper limb paresis who are in the acute stage of recovery. In a pilot randomised control trial, 12 inpatients undertaking rehabilitation at The Townsville Hospital and who have had a first ever stroke within the previous three months will be recruited to the study. The participants will be randomly allocated to Intervention A or Intervention B groups. Participants allocated to the Intervention A will receive SMART Arm training WITH electrical stimulation and 30 minutes of usual care for 30 minutes per day, five days a week for four weeks. Participants allocated to Intervention B will receive 30 minutes of SMART Arm training WITHOUT electrical stimulation and 30 minutes of usual care, five days a week for four weeks. All training will be provided by Occupational Therapy staff of The Townsville Hospital rehabilitation unit. Pre-intervention and post-intervention assessment of arm impairment and activity will be undertaken by a blinded assessor. Study outcomes will be used to refine the training device and protocol and to estimate the required sample size for a follow-up RCT.

This is a randomized, open-label, multicenter, Phase 3 study comparing the efficacy and safety of eribulin with dacarbazine in subjects with advanced soft tissue sarcoma who have disease progression within 6 months prior to study enrolment following at least 2 standard systemic regimens for advanced soft tissue sarcoma one of which must have included an anthracycline, unless contraindicated.

Ear infection (otitis media) is a major problem amongst children living in remote Australian communities. Medical treatment often fails, and ear nose and throat surgeons are called upon to provide surgical care. This clinical trial will provide surgeons with evidence so that they can recommend the best possible operation for children living in desert and tropical regions, most of whom are indigenous, to improve hearing and reduce the prevalence of ear infection and discharging ears.

The study will measure the effect of 3 snack foods (2 types of peanuts one type of potato chips) on acute satiety and on subsequent satiety and energy intake over a 4 day period which may provide a mechanism for weight control. Hypothesis; It is hypothesised that consumption of high-oleic peanuts will improve satiety and reduce subsequent energy intake. It is anticipated that the protein and fibre content of high-oleic peanuts will increase satiety compared with consumption of low salt potato crisps of the same energy value