ANZCTR search results

This pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) will test a novel telephone-based intervention for carers of patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer. The intervention involves five structured calls from a nurse to the carer over 10 weeks, aiming to improve psychosocial outcomes for carers. This pilot study aims to assess the feasibilty and acceptability of the intervention and determine any impact on carer outcomes. If the results are positive, this telephone intervention will be evaluated in a multi-centre randomised controlled trial (RCT) and could be implemented broadly in both metropolitan and rural areas, and could be adapted for other groups of carers.

This study assesses the efficacy of exercise versus a complementary therapy on the physical and psychosocial well-being of people who have undergone treatment for haematological malignancies. Who is it for? You can join this study if you are undergoing or due to complete treatment for non Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), Hodgkin's Lymphoma (HL) or Myeloma. Participants will be randomly divided into 3 groups. The groups will undertake 12 weeks of either exercise, Bowen therapy (a hands-on technique to enhance healing and relieve pain), or 'Wait-listed' supportive care. Participants will be assessed at 0 weeks (pre-), 12 weeks (mid), 24 weeks (post), and there will be the option of a 12 month follow-up. The study aims to measure key physiological and psychosocial outcomes following treatment including quality of life (QoL), anxiety, depression, fatigue, body composition, aerobic fitness and strength.

Orygen Youth Health Research Centre aims to evaluate the quality of advice on the web about how to help someone who is suicidal. It also aims to assess whether there is an improvement in the quality of suicide prevention advice, after website administrators are given feedback on the quality of their website and guidelines on how to help someone who is suicidal.

The aim is to carry out a cross-over study to determine if Nicotinic acid prolonged release (Nicotinic acid PR) has beneficial effects on postprandial lipid and lipoprotein concentrations and apoprotein transport rates in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) who are at high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). In these participants, Nicotinic acid PR will be used in combination with their current optimal dose statin therapy.

Contact lens wear affects mucin expression on the ocular surface and in the tear fluid. The mucin change correlates with clinical variables and lens performance.

The pharmacokinetics of drugs administered intraperitoneally in patients with peritonitis on peritoneal dialysis has not been widely studied. Our main aim will be to maximise efficacy and minimise toxicity of this antibiotic in this group of patients. This project will involve taking serial plasma and peritoneal fluid samples to measure gentamicin concentrations. Sample analysis results will be interpreted using pharmacokinetic computer software to develop dosing guidelines for optimal intraperitoneal dosing of gentamicin for patients with peritonitis undergoing peritoneal dialysis.

In Australia Caesarean section is most commonly performed under regional anaesthesia, usually spinal or epidural. These techniques are associated with a significant incidence of shivering which can cause the mother significant distress, prevent her from holding her baby & interfere with monitoring of blood pressure and other vital signs. Ondansetron is a widely used anti – nausea drug, with a good safety profile and very few adverse effects. It has been shown to reduce the incidence & severity of shivering in non obstetric patients undergoing regional or general anaesthesia. We plan to investigate whether the prophylactic administration of ondansetron prior to regional anaesthesia will decrease the incidence and severity of shivering in women undergoing elective caesarean section.

Although experimental and observational studies suggest that a raised body temperature after brain injury may be associated with adverse outcomes for patients, there is no evidence that intervening to reduce temperature improves patient outcomes. Current clinical practice involves the variable use of strategies that modify temperature despite the clinical uncertainty. The PARITY study is part of a programme of research developed at St George Hospital and the George Institute for International Health aiming to provide rigorous, high quality research to assess the effect of interventions that target normothermia after traumatic brain injury on patient-centred outcomes.

In an attempt to further improve the management of moderate to severe acne, this study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of a combination of a topical acne gel and an oral antibiotic.

The aim of this study is to determine whether sequential physiologic assessment using B-type Natriuretic Peptile (BNP), 3-dimensional and strain rate echocardiography can guide the management of Congestive Heart Failure. The efficacy of this strategy will be established by assessment of functional capacity using measurement of oxygen uptake with exercise (VO2), 6-minute walk (6MW), hospital admissions and quality of life. The study will also assess whether a the use of a combination of nitrate (isosorbide mononitrate) and hydralazine in addition to the contemporary medical regimen (including beta blockers and ACE Inhibitors) leads to improved outcomes in symptomatic patients with systolic heart failure. Hypotheses: #1 – Short-term (3 month) reduction of end-systolic volume on medical therapy, BNP and cardiac imaging are predictors of improved functional capacity, BNP and Quality Of Life (QOL) at 12 months. This will be addressed by an observational trial. #2 - Use of physiologic testing to guide intensity of a Heart Failure Managment Program (HFMP) (including the combination of isosorbide mononitrate and hydralazine to the contemporary medical regimen) leads to better outcomes over 2 years follow-up.