ANZCTR search results

The primary purpose of the study was determine the influence of antenatal educational sessions on second stage of labour. the aim being to test the effectiveness of structured antenatal education for pushing in the second stage of labour versus normal care and its impact on delivery outcome.This study has been completed and submitted for publication

Pressure ulcer development is a significant risk for hospitalised patients and health care facilities. Pressure ulcer related costs in Australia have been estimated at $285 M per annum. Preventative measures are generally based on estimating the patient’s risk, using screening tools such as the Waterlow scale. Despite the widespread use of the Waterlow scale as an intervention to prevent pressure ulcers, its effectiveness has never been tested using rigorous methods. We propose to conduct a three group, single centred randomised controlled trial to compare the Waterlow Scale, with a simpler, one item measure; and with clinical judgement. We will also investigate risk factors for pressure ulcer development in an acute hospital setting.

The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a local anaesthetic technique that has been developed in recent years for pain relief after abdominal surgey. It has been shown to work after caesarean delivery when performed by skilled operators. We aim to test an ultrasound guided approach to this block for pain relief after caesarean section. Women having elective caesarean sections will be randomly allocated to receive an ultrasound guided TAP block with local anaesthetic or placebo in addition to standard pain relief including morphine. We hope to find women who receive the local anaesthetic have better pain relief, need less morphine and have fewer side effects from morphine after caesarean section.

Many patients would like to have a say in their future health care treatment choices. Currently for many people they don't get this opportunity, as they are not routinely asked, or they may become unconscious, confused or very sick, and may not be able to participate in their medical decision making. We propose that a formal program aimed at making advance care planning available will allow people to express their wishes, and have their end of life wishe=s respected. We also think that advance care planning may lessen the stress placed on relatives around the time of the persons death.

The aim of our research is to evaluate the health benefits of regular low fat dairy consumption by determining the relationship between consumption of low fat dairy and markers of cardiovascular and metabolic (cardiometabolic) health which include body composition (waist circumference, % body fat, body weight), blood lipids, insulin sensitivity, C-reactive protein, bone mineral density, arterial compliance, blood pressure and resting metabolic rate. Hypothesis: Daily consumption of 4+ serves of low fat dairy over 12 months will improve indices of body composition and cardiometabolic risk factors. Subjects will be recruited at two sites, Adelaide, Australia (n=50) and Winnepeg, Canada (n=50). If eligible volunteers will be randomly allocated to either a high dairy diet (consume 4+ low fat dairy serves daily) or a low dairy diet (consume <1 serve of dairy daily) for 12 months. Outcomes measures including body composition (% body fat, BMI, waist circumference), blood pressure and arterial compliance, insulin sensitivity, blood lipids, C-reactive protein, bone mineral density and resting metabolic rate will be assessed at baseline and at 3, 6 and 12 months.

We aim to investigate the effects of raloxifene (SERM) in hypogonadal men on the growth hormone system and metabolism.

KADSS is a 3-week human clinical trial using a water soluble extract of kava to treat anxiety. We aim to determine whether this extract is safe and effective in reducing anxiety. We also are exploring the effects of kava on depression levels.

Objective: To investigate whether a manual therapy intervention can prevent the occurrence of hamstring and lower-limb injuries.

This study aims to replicate, in an Australian context, on a larger scale and over a longer time period, the only intervention shown to be effective in reducing the repetition of self harm in adolescents. Adolescents attending clinical mental health services at three sites in Australia who report having engaged in two or more episodes of self harm in the past year will be invited to participate in a trial designed to establish the efficacy of a group psychotherapy program aimed specifically at the adolescent self harming population. Participants will be randomly allocated to receive treatment as usual or group psychotherapy in addition to usual care. The major outcomes assessed at baseline, 7, 26 and 52 weeks will be the repetition of self harm, suicidal ideation and level of depression. If benefits are replicated, this approach will represent the only intervention shown to be reliably effective in reducing the repetition of self harm in adolescents whilst demonstrating an efficient, economic and generalizable means of assisting an at risk and difficult to reach population.

This study seeks to determine if compliance and understanding of a home exercise program is improved when the patients are provided with a DVD and a brochure when compared to using brochures only. This is particularly relevant for rural and remote residents who may not be able to attend weekly therapy sessions at the hospital