ANZCTR search results

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprogramming (EMDR) and exposure therapy are well established first line psychological treatments for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)(Boudewyns et al., 1993; Boudewyns & Hyer, 1996; Edmond & Rubin, 2004; Lee et al., 2002; Montgomery & Ayllon, 1994; Power et al., 2002; Vaughan et al., 1994; Van Etten & Taylor, 1998). There have been few studies to date exploring changes in brain functioning following treatment in EMDR, which has left the underlying question of 'what is the mechanism by which the two therapies acheive their therapeutic effects' unresolved. Evidence as to what neurological changes occur as a result of treatment may help vindicate the efficacy of treatment modalities and aid understanding of treatment function. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanning enables research into changes in activation of different parts of the brain by measuring regional cerebral perfusion (blood flow), providing insight into this question by measuring brain activity. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) will enable accurate interpretation of the PET/CT scans and will aim to replicate or refute findings from a recent study that suggests effective treatment of PTSD is associated with an increase in hippocampal volume (Bossini et al., 2011). This project aims to also explore the therapeutic efficacy of EMDR and exposure therapy (in terms of symptom reduction), and the significance of the participant's experience of therapy; the impact of this experience on therapeutic efficacy and on the participant's quality of life and levels of functioning. Although there is an abundance of data evaluating the effectiveness of EMDR and prolonged exposure therapy in relation to symptom reduction (see refrences above), there are very few studies investigating participant's experience of therapy and the significance of this experience in their recovery both short and longer term; and only three major qualitative studies published on EMDR (Di Giorgio, Arnkoff, Glass, Lyhus & Walter, 2004; Edmond, Sloan & McCarty, 2004 and Ricci, Clayton and Shapiro, 2006). It was reported that due to the unusual nature of EMDR with the eye movements, exploration of participant's experiences of treatment was relevant, furthermore qualitative methods were felt to be the logical approach to gaining insight into these questions (Edmond, Sloan & McCarty, 2004).

The majority of patients with kidney failure have anaemia requiring erythropoietin therapy administered either subcutaneously or intravenously. Darbepoetin is a type of erythropoietin, which can be given via the subcutaneous or intravenous route. In patients prescribed subcutaneous darbepoetin, pain during and at the site of injection are common complaints. The aim of this study is to determine the differences in patients’ perceptions in the administration and pain between pre-filled syringe and pre-filled pen darbepoetin in patients already on subcutaneous pre-filled syringe darbepoetin therapy.

The communication difficulties associated with aphasia, an acquired language disorder, can have significant negative effects on an individual’s quality of life and participation in healthcare decisions. Currently, Australian health practitioners are not trained in techniques for communicating effectively with people with aphasia. The proposed study will investigate the impact of a communication training program on people with aphasia, health practitioners and health practitioner students. It is predicted that the program will improve communication efficiency between the groups, increasing the involvement of people with aphasia in their treatment programs and healthcare decisions and potentially improving patient and staff satisfaction. The techniques gained during the program may also assist health practitioners to interact effectively with patients with other communication needs.

This study is been carried out to investigate if transplanting minor salivary glands into the eyelid will provide adequate symptomatic relief from severe dry eye disease. Studies have shown that the composition of salivary secretions is fairly similar to that of natural tears, thus making it a promising potential source of tears for patients with severe dry eye disease. If the procedure is successful, it will restore a natural tear film to the eye, and help prevent the symptoms of dry eye including pain, visual disturbance and light sensitivity. If successful it will also reduce or even remove the need for artificial tear drops.

The trial aims to assess if designated driver programs may increase alcohol consumption intentions of community football club members. Participants will be randomised to receive a hypothetical scenario describing a post match celabration, or an identical scenario which also indicates that participants would have access to a designated driver to transport the participant home following the celebration. Participants will then be asked to indicate the quantity of alcohol they would intend to consume given this scenario.

This trial is being undertaken to assess whether the herbal formulation containing Testofen improves general sexual function, performance, and satisfaction in healthy males.

This study will compare the safety and efficacy of morphine-alfentanil mixture with morphine alone for the treatment of severe pain in the emergency department at the Lyell McEwin Hospital. Alfentanil is a short acting opiate with rapid onset, where morphine is a longer acting opiate which is slower in its onset of action. It has previously been shown, in post-surgical patients, that a mixture of alfentanil and morphine can safely reduce the time to comfort when compared with morphine alone. We hypothesize that within the emergency department, the alfentanil-morphine mixture will safely reduce the time to effective analgesia.

Daytime urinary incontinence is very common in children and impacts on self-esteem, socialisation opportunities and quality of life, with the potential to lead to adult urinary incontinence with associated psychosocial comorbidities. The estimated annual cost for urinary incontinence in Australian children aged 5-15 is at least $116.1 million (extrapolating from 2001 adult data of $387 per person in 10% children aged 5-15). Timed voiding is an effective, non-pharmacological treatment for treating DUI in adults, but is less effective in children, possibly due to poor compliance. The use of a personal alarm watch may enhance the effectiveness of timed voiding in children. A randomised controlled trial is the best research method to definitively answer the question of whether timed voiding aided by an alarm watch is superior to timed voiding alone. If found to be successful, incorporating a personalised alarm watch to aid timed voiding will provide a simple, inexpensive but effective non-pharmacological treatment for managing daytime urinary incontinence in children. If the alarm watch does not improve timed voiding, this knowledge will reduce unnecessary financial costs for families.

This trial aims to assess the safety and efficacy of Haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) for severe systemic sclerosis (SSc) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). HSCT is reserved for patients with severe disease who have failed multiple previous therapies. Numerous lines of evidence have suggested that HSCT may have a role to play in these autoimmune conditions as a way of suppressing the inflammatory condition but also by possibly re-educating the immune system, especially, the thymus. This study aims to assess if the HSCT has been successful ( as measured by standard response criteria) and safe in these patients. Secondly it aims to assess if the thymus has a role to play in those who respond. This will be assessed by flow cytometry on stored specimens (collected with informed consent via a tissue bank consent form) with a particular emphasis on oligoclonal T cell subsets.

The physical impairments characterised by cerebral palsy, which make movement more difficult, put young people with cerebral palsy at risk of reduced habitual physical activity and increased sedentary time, the long term effects of which can include a greater risk of developing secondary health problems. We aim to complete a high quality phase one randomised controlled trial to establish if an innovative school-based aerobic exercise programme is both realistic and feasible in the specialist school setting, as well as being effective in increasing fitness, physical activity and participation for children and adolescents with cerebral palsy.