ANZCTR search results

This study is exploratory in focus, and aims to (1) identify the concerns of patients with severe COPD and their families including physical, emotional and social, (2) obtain insights into bereaved families’ experiences of caring for someone with COPD and their end of life care, (3) explore the staff perceptions of the palliative care needs of patients (and their families) with severe COPD, and (4) identify points when information about illness course, prognosis and goals of care are perceived as critical by patients, families, bereaved families and staff. Semi-structured in-depth interviews will take place with patients who have COPD, with family members and with bereaved family members. Focus groups will be held with health care professionals. Data will be analysed using a phenomenological approach, giving rise to a thematic analysis, and the identification of general themes and theme-clusters. It is anticipated that a synthesis of results from this and related quantitative investigations into the end of life care needs of patients with COPD will inform the development of a model of palliative care that may best serve this population.

This study hopes to show that when tobramycin is given via inhalation in those patients with cystic fibrosis who are sick enough to need intravenous (into a vein) antibiotics, the levels in the lung are adequate for effective bacteria killing and that they recover from the acute infection. The study will be undertaken in all eligible patients who are admitted to the hospital for treatment of an exacerbation of their lung infection.

The study will evaluate how effective a herbal formulation is in decreasing psychological symptoms such as anxiety and depression. The study will run for 12 weeks in total, and over that time participants will be asked to complete one questionnaire every 4 weeks to evaluate their symptoms of depression and anxiety. Half the women in the study will take 2 tablets daily of the study product while the other half will take 2 placebo tablets. A placebo is a dummy treatment, which looks and tastes like the real medication, but contains no active ingredient.

The purpose is to perform tonometry in HIV-infected adults before and after switching their HIV treatment from Kivexa to Truvada (or from Abacavir to Tenofovir). Hypothesis: that markers of cardiovascular function (as measured by applanation tonometry) will improve in patients switching from ABC-3TC to TDF-FTC.

Aim: A study investigating the bio-efficiency of de-alcoholised red and white wine as an antioxidant in humans using both red and white wine formulas. The study will be split into two 3 week blocks. Each participant will be involved for only 3 consecutive weeks. Recruitment: 8 healthy females are required. Study design: Participants will fast for 10 hours overnight (water allowed) prior to each study day. During the 24 hours prior to each visit, participants will be asked to refrain from consuming foods/drinks that are rich in polyphenolic compounds (a list will be provided to them). In the first week, participants will be randomised to one of 3 treatments. In the second week, participants will be randomised to one of the remaining 2 treatments and in the third week, participants will cross over to the last treatment. Drinks will be blinded to minimise any impact on the outcomes of the research.

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors seen when used to treat anxiety are related to the drug, or to the fact that the people have an anxiety disorder. We expect that we will see "jitteriness" when healthy volunteers start taking the medication, and that the medication will reduce anxiety brought on by an experimental challenge in people who do not have an anxiety disorder.

Aim: To determine whether an online interactive intervention can improve physical activity and related behaviors in adolescents with cerebral palsy. Methods: Adolescents (11-17 year old) with cerebral palsy were recruited to this randomised controlled trial. Intervention participants used an 8-week online physical activity self-management program which incorporated education, self-reflection, goal setting and positive role modelling. Blinded assessments were undertaken at baseline, 10 weeks and 20 weeks. Outcomes included exercise knowledge, attitudes, intention and self-efficacy scales; self-reported physical and sedentary activity; objective physical activity; and functional capacity. Results: 41 adolescents (mean age 13y 7m: Standard Deviation 1y 8m; males n=26) participated. At the 10-week follow-up, the intervention group showed favourable changes (relative to the control group) approaching statistical significance for exercise knowledge (effect size 0.56, p=0.08) and physical activity behaviour as measured by pedometer (weekly step counts effect size 0.56, p=0.06; weekly moderate-to-vigorous physical activity effect size 0.50, p=0.06; weekly distance effect size 0.96, p=0.05). At the 20-week follow-up similar trends for change were observed but the effect sizes had weakened, suggesting a washout effect. Interpretation: Given the encouraging trends for change, interactive online programs may offer an effective alternative for participants unable to attend face-to-face programs.

We will examine the efficacy of an Internet based education program for improving the mental health of people with depression. Participants will be recruited via a website developed for this Program (www.climateclinic.tv), and a structured diagnostic interview via telephone. Consenting participants will be randomly allocated to an active Education Group, or Wait-List Control Group. Participants will complete six lessons of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) based education delivered via the Internet and weekly emails from a clinician, weekly homework, and weekly contact with other participants via an online discussion board. Participants will be assessed at application, prestudy, one week poststudy, and 6 months poststudy. Once the Education Group have completed the lessons the Control Group will be given access to the lessons.

Before service provision models for the management of the complex array of disorders of movement, cognition and autonomic function associated with Parkinson can be comprehensively evaluated, there is a need for preliminary investigations to determine the best measurement tools to quantify therapy outcomes and program costs. Further data are also needed to map disease progression in a sample of people with Parksinon, providing a frame of reference against which inter-disciplinary therapy outcomes can later be evaluated. This study aims to address these needs as the first step in measuring the outcomes and costs of an inter-professional team model for the comprehensive management of people with Parkinson.

The current study aims to investigate the effectiveness of tyrosine (an amino acid found naturally in protein foods) in the treatment of adolescent females with anorexia nervosa. The design of the study is a double-blind randomized control trial (RCT). The design will allow for the investigation of the effects of tyrosine in the study population, the testing of process measures, and exploration of recruitment and loss to follow up in clinical trials in people with anorexia nervosa.