ANZCTR search results

The main purpose of the study is to compare two different instruments that are used to assess and treat conditions of the small bowel.

The main purpose of the study is to test whether a faecal test done before capsule endoscopy can identify those patients that are likely to have a significant result on the capsule endoscopy.

12/11/2009. A pilot study checking the sensitivity of the Painmatcher is currently underway. This involves 20 healthy male volunteers who are randomised to receive either 100mls Normal Saline intravenously or 1g Paracetamol intravenously in a blinded crossover fashion. Pain thresholds are checked using the PainMatcher at T0, T30, T60, T120, T180, T240. Each volunteer has been trained four times prior to the first clinical session in the use of the PainMatcher. 18/07/2010. The pilot study has now been completed.

Background: Studies have demonstrated usefulness of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) in managing distress in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); however, few have focused on IBD course. The present trial aimed to investigate whether adding CBT to standard treatment prolongs remission in IBD in comparison to standard therapy alone. Methods: A 2-arm parallel pragmatic randomised controlled trial (+CBT – standard care plus either face-to-face (F2F) or online over 10 weeks versus standard care alone (SC)) was conducted with adult patients in remission. IBD remission at 12 months since baseline was the primary outcome measure while the secondary outcome measures were mental health status and quality of life (QoL). Linear mixed-effect models were used to compare groups on outcome variables while controlling for baseline. Results: Participants were 174 patients with IBD (90 +CBT, 84 SC). There was no difference in remission rates between groups, with similar numbers flaring at 12 months. Groups did not differ in anxiety, depression or coping at 6 or 12 months (p>0.05). When only participants classified as ‘in need’ (young, high baseline IBD activity, recently diagnosed; poor mental health) were examined in the post-hoc analysis (n=74, 34 CBT and 40 controls), CBT significantly improved mental QoL (p=.034, d=.56) at 6 months. Online CBT group had a higher score on Precontemplation than the F2F group, which is consistent with less developed coping with IBD in the cCBT group (p=.045). Conclusions: Future studies should direct psychological interventions to patients ‘in need’ and attempt to recruit larger samples to compensate for significant attrition when using online CBT.

This randomsied comparison trial will test the efficiacy of a novel rehabilitation (constraint induced movement therapy) whcih involves placing a glove on the unimpaired hand and intensively training the Hemiplegic hand and comparing this approach to more conventional bimanaul training in children with congenital hemiplegia.

Early detection of melanoma is the key to long term survival from the disease. This study aims to develop a simple educational tool for melanoma detection, aimed at people without a medical background. Current teaching looks at 5 criteria that should be present in a melanoma (Asymmetry, colour variation, border irregularity, diameter >6mm and evolution in appearance). However, we believe that asymmetry and colour are the two most important features for melanoma identification.

The main purpose of this study is to assess the frequency of emergence of oseltamivir and zanamivir resistant influenza viruses, and their virological characteristics, in patients treated with oseltamivir and zanamivir for influenza caused by A/H1N1 2009 (‘swine flu’) and other human influenza viruses during periods of high transmission. Limited clinical information will also be collected. Patients with clinical symptoms indicative of influenza, who present within 72 h of the onset of fever during confirmed influenza activity in the community, will be randomized to receive immediate treatment with oseltamivir or zanamivir according to standard age appropriate dose. Patients will have baseline virus samples taken for typing and oseltamivir and zanamivir sensitivity and also on completion of treatment (After 5 days of treatment). Limited clinical information will also be collected.

In Australia, many hospitalisations and deaths from whooping cough (pertussis) occur in babies less than 2 months old. Currently when babies are between 6-8 weeks old they are given a vaccine against pertussis. The aim of this study is to see if giving babies the pertussis vaccine (Pa vaccine) earlier than 6 weeks old means that they are better protected. This study is looking at just how early antibodies to protect against pertussis develop and whether babies given either one dose at birth and again at 6 weeks old or just at 6 weeks will make antibodies earlier than the current schedule. This study is also being conducted in Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth.

Dexamethasone is a drug commonly given to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting. It also has properties that dampen the body's immune response to infection. In this study, we propose to examine healthy volunteers who were either given placebo or dexamethasone in 2mg, 4mg or 8 mg. Blood samples were taken before and after the intervention to determine the effect that they have on the immune system.