ANZCTR search results

The purpose of this study is to implement a national longitudinal study of cognitive impairment in men diagnosed with testicular cancer. Those who go on to have chemotherapy after surgery will be compared to those who do not have chemotherapy. Mounting evidence suggests that chemotherapy may lead to cognitive impairment in patients with cancer, such as learning, memory, and attention deficits. However, methodological limitations of previously published research raise questions about the accuracy and validity of results. The current study has been designed to minimise these methodological problems and therefore provide a more conclusive outcome regarding the effect chemotherapy has on cognitive function (a) over time, (b) with a group of patients other than breast cancer patients, (c) using an appropriate control group, (d) after controlling for known confounding factors, and (e) using an appropriate measure of cognitive function that allows easy, serial assessment. If cognitive impairment is observed in the chemotherapy group over time, as compared to the group of patients not undergoing chemotherapy, outcomes will be more conclusive, and acute versus cumulative effects can be theorised. This research on the extent of cognitive impairment post-chemotherapy has implications for informed consent and the way future clinical trials are investigated, and is especially important given that cancer survivors are living longer due to advances in medical care and may suffer long-term effects of treatment.

This research study aims to evaluate the safety and tolerability of two formulations of liposomal ciprofloxacin when inhaled using two diflerent nebulizers. It will also study the uptake and removal of ciprofloxacin from the human body. The sponsor wants to know which formulation/device combination is the most tolerable to test in patients with bronchiectasis, a rare disease that affects people's lungs. There are two parts to this study. The first part will include healthy adults and the second part will include patients with bronchiectasis.

To better understand the role played by fat as a food ingredient in decreasing the rate at which a given foods' carbohydrate component is digested and absorbed into the blood stream in the form of glucose.

The primary purpose of the study is to determine whether measurement of total and free cortisol by mass spectrometry improves the diagnostic accuracy of synacthen tests to assess adrenal function in patients with pituitary disease.

The prevalence of overweight/obesity is currently exploding with over 60% of Australian adults in this category, leading to a rapid increase in diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). There is evidence that adding fibre to the diet can improve cardiovascular and diabetes related risk factors although there is little research on fibre consumed as a supplement with both a normal diet and a healty diet.

Determining which types of proteins are effective in lowering glucose response, promoting a greater insulin response and satiety postprandially (after a meal is consumed) has obvious benefits. There is little conclusive evidence on the postprandial effect of different types of proteins on such metabolic factors and satiety in humans. This study aims to determine the satiety and metabolic responses in relation to glycaemia and insulinaemia of four completely different protein sources, namely fish, poultry, dairy (whey) and egg albumin in healthy men aged between 18 and 30 years.

In people with chronic low back pain, a randomised controlled trial comparing the effect of a six week clinical pilates program with a general exercise program on back function with a 3 and 6 month follow up.

Brief Summary: Insomnia is very common in the elderly population and is associated with increased morbidity and a detrimental effect on quality of life. The main form of current therapy for insomnia is sedative-hypnotic drugs which can have serious negative side effects and cause adverse effects when used with alcohol or other medications. Thus there is an imperative to find other forms of safe and effective therapy for insomnia in the growing elderly population. Yoga includes a series of integrated activities that include physical exercises along with meditation, breathing and relaxation and these activities have previously been shown to influence psychophysiological, neuroendocrine, and autonomic parameters. Preliminary research suggests that yoga also provides benefit for people with insomnia but there is little rigorous research to confirm this and no research to determine if yoga or other forms of exercise can influence objective indicators of sleep or if it can be successfully adapted to an elderly population in Australia. This study primarily aims to examine the effectiveness of yoga as an intervention for geriatric insomnia and to determine the ability of yoga to enhance quality of life, mood and cognitive function. This study will build upon previous knowledge of yoga with a comprehensive 6-month, randomised, controlled trial of yoga for the treatment of insomnia in an elderly Australian population. The trial will involve 120 subjects randomized to either an integrated yoga intervention or a callisthenics control group. The study will aim to answer the following questions: 1. Does an integrated yoga intervention improve subjective and objective sleep quality and/or quality of life in elderly people with insomnia? 2. Does participation in yoga improve mood and/or cognitive function in elderly people with insomnia 3. Does participation in yoga reduce health resource utilization in elderly people with insomnia 4. Is yoga safe and acceptable for elderly people?

This study is a randomized controlled trial designed to assess the efficacy of Cognitive Existential Couples Therapy for men with early stage prostate cancer and their partners. Research has shown that men with early stage prostate cancer may experience considerable psychological distress in the months following their initial diagnosis. Research has also shown that their partners may also experience distress at the time of the diagnosis which, if left untreated, can lead to subsequent relationship difficulties. Cognitive Existential Couples Therapy has been designed to help couples cope in the aftermath of a prostate cancer diagnosis. It is predicted that couples who receive Cognitive Existential Couples Therapy will experience less psychological distress and show improved quality of relating and more adaptive coping compared to couples who receive medical treatment as usual.