ANZCTR search results

This study was the first to examine the efficacy of a psychological treatment, cognitive behaviour therapy, was in reducing methamphetamine use and depression among a group of people who were regular users of methamphetamines. It was hypothesised that people who recieved four sessions of treatment would make superior reductions in methamphetamine use and depression relative to those who received two treatment sessions, and that those who receive the four- and two-session treatments would report superior improvements in depression and reducation in methamphetamine use relative to the control.

This study intends to investigate if there is any improvement in healing of pressure ulcer in hospitalized patients receiving an intensive and specialized nutrition intervention compared to standard nutritional care. This pilot study is being conducted initially to determine if the nutrition intervention is feasible, how many patients can be enrolled and if the nutrition intervention improves healing. This data will assist in planning future, larger studies.

There is a long established link between dietary salt intake and blood pressure, and hypertension is common in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Breads and cereals are high in salt, so the recommendation that people with diabetes should consume a high carbohydrate diet may lead to high salt intakes and make blood pressure more difficult to manage. This study will determine the effect of giving people with type 2 diabetes additional dietary education to reduce their salt intake.

The majority of smokers want to quit and support and advice from registered nurses has been proven effective (Rice et al., 2008) . Current literature reports that smokers with chronic hepatitis C have a higher risk of having poor health outcomes such as developing Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) and they may also be at higher risk of having a lowered immune response . It is therefore recommended they should be advised to stop smoking before commencing on interferon based treatment (El-Zayadi 2004). This study aims to identify the effectiveness of evidence based smoking interventions (Quitline counselling intervention and Nicotine Replacement Therapy) which may have an impact on helping smokers quit and which may improve health outcomes for people who attend the RBWH for management of their chronic hepatitis C. This will be undertaken by conducting a randomised controlled trial of this high risk group of people. The results will inform the Nurse Practitioner for Hepatology, health services and policy makers of interventions which can be used to help smokers in this high risk group quit or reduce the amount of cigarettes they smoke and hence assist with better treatment outcomes for people with chronic hepatitis C.

The study objective is to compare the analgesic efficacy and quality of postoperative pain relief following minor gynaecological surgery between four different intra-operative analgesic regimens based on opioid plus either paracetamol, parecoxib, paracetamol and parecoxib in combination or placebo. The null hypothesis is that there is no difference in the analgesic efficacy and quality of pain relief provided by either paracetamol, parecoxib, paracetamol and parecoxib in combination or placebo in patients undergoing minor gynaecological surgery.

This study sets out to see if the new water soluble intravenous anaesthetic has advantages ove the current standard, propofol which does cause problems when used to anaesthetise patiens, particularly being painful on injection and causing significant falls in blood pressure and breathing.

This study will explore whether SET is an efficacious therapy in helping individuals manage food cravings

Aim: The aim of this project is to investigate whether pleth variability index (PVI), derived from the Masimo Rainbow (Registered Trademark) SET Pulse CO-Oximetry, can predict fluid responsiveness in mechanically ventilated patients during general anaesthesia for non-cardiac surgery. Significance: The significance of assessing PVI is that it is completely non-invasive (it only requires a probe on the finger), it provides a dynamic indicator of fluid responsiveness, and the PVI is displayed as a continuously monitored number, which makes it simple and user-friendly. Hypothesis: The main hypothesis is that PVI can accurately and consistently predict fluid responsiveness in mechanically ventilated patients during general anaesthesia following a standard fluid challenge. Objective: The main objective is to assess the accuracy and consistency of PVI as an indicator of assessing fluid responsiveness, when measured against the more well-established oesophageal Doppler/fluid challenge method. This will determine whether PVI can be used reliably as an indicator of fluid responsiveness. Methods: In this observational study, a total of 30 participants will be assessed as being fluid responsive or fluid non-responsive according to stroke volume changes (measured via the minimally invasive oesophageal Doppler monitor) following the administration of a standard fluid challenge. The two main measurements including PVI and stroke volume index will be recorded along with other variables. Using appropriate statistical analysis, we will determine the consistency and accuracy of PVI in detecting fluid responsiveness. Likely benefit of the research: The significance of assessing PVI in the current study is that it may provide a non-invasive and continuous way of determining which patients are likely to respond and thus benefit from fluid therapy, a measurement that previously requires much more invasive techniques.

This study looks at whether receiving extra chemotherapy during a waiting period between radiotherapy and surgery can assist in shrinking a patient’s tumour even more when compared to just the waiting period alone and without any additional treatment. Who is it for? You are eligible for this study if you are 18 years and over, have a histologically proven adenocarcinoma, distal rectum (defined as being less than 12 cms from the anal verge on rigid sigmoidoscopy), and have non-metastatic (M0) disease. You may also be eligible if your health care professional recommends that you undergo long course preoperative chemoradiotherapy prior to surgery. More details on the eligibility criteria for this study can be found in the Inclusion Criteria field of this form. Trial Details Normally between radiotherapy and surgery there is a 6 week wait period to see if the tumour shrinks. Recent studies have suggested it may be beneficial to have chemotherapy in this period – although this experimental approach has only been tried in a small number of patients. The aim of this study is to see whether extra chemotherapy given in this wait period shrinks the tumour even more. The waiting period in this study will be 10 weeks. We will assess this at the time of surgery by clinical response (no tumour visible by eye) and by pathological response (no tumour visible under the microscope). We will also use the samples we take from the tumour to see whether we can identify any factors which might predict better outcomes for all patients with rectal cancer. If you choose to take part in this study, you will be randomised to either the standard preoperative chemoradiotherapy followed by a 10 week wait period without any additional chemotherapy (the SCRT group) OR the standard chemoradiotherapy followed by a 10 week wait period with additional chemotherapy (the XCRT group). Chemotherapy will be fluropyrimidine based using a standard regimen of infusional 5FU continuous throughout radiotherapy, at a dose of 225 mg/m2/day. A Picc line will be inserted prior to treatment and the infusional 5FU will be given through a Baxter infuser pump, in an ambulatory fashion, and will be changed once a week, for the duration of radiotherapy. A full blood count and MBA20 test will be performed weekly during chemoradiotherapy. For patients on the standard arm (the SCRT group), no further preoperative chemotherapy is planned. Patients on the investigational arm (XCRT group) will receive further chemotherapy as bolus 5FU (450 mg/m2 with leucovorin at 50mg/m2, on each of 3 days, 3 weekly for 3 cycles (week 9, 12, 15).

Some people have problems with a profound lack of energy (fatigue) after finishing cancer treatment known as post cancer fatigue. They also commonly have difficulties in concentration, sleep disturbance and low mood. The experts in the Lifestyle Clinic have developed an exercise and support program for people with post cancer fatigue which will now be evaluated in a trial. Who are the clinicians? The exercise physiologist helps with: - Activity pacing - helping to better manage day to day symptoms and activity levels; - Graded exercise therapy - increasing capacity for activity to improve health. The clinical psychologist helps with: - Memory, concentration and attention problems; - Sleep issues ; - Anxiety, mood and coping. What is involved? Those eligible will be randomized into either a simple education group or an intervention group. Regardless of what group you are allocated to you will be interviewed and asked to complete a series of questionnaires about your health and lifestyle at the beginning, at 12weeks and then 3 months later. Participation is free of charge. The education group will receive a booklet describing the principles of the treatment program and will meet with the clinicians to ensure they understand the plan. They will provide clear advice on how to implement these principles yourself at home over the 12 weeks. Those in the intervention group will receive this booklet but will also participate in regular sessions implementing the 12 week program. What is the 12 week intervention? The 12 week program is run by an exercise physiologist and clinical psychologist, designed to better manage your fatigue and related symptoms and to increase your day to day function. The program includes: - Assessment of symptoms and activity patterns with an exercise physiologist. - Assessment of your well-being with a clinical psychologist The treatment program is ‘home-based’ and is designed to suit your individual needs and current level of activity. This includes fortnightly consults either in the Clinic or by phone with your clinicians to review your progress. What happens after the trial if I get randomized into the education group? If the intervention proves to be effective and you were allocated to the education group you will be offered the intervention without cost to you. Who can participate? - People who have completed adjuvant treatment (chemotherapy, radiotherapy or hormonal treatment) for breast or bowel cancer, who have symptoms of unexplained fatigue reducing activity levels. - People who have finished treatment at least 3 months ago but less than 12 months ago. -Aged at least 18 years