ANZCTR search results

The primary purpose of the study is to investigate the effects of 4 different novel pharmacological treatments in the treatment of anorexia nervosa. We hypothesise that there will be a significant difference in a) improvement in AN symptoms from baseline to end of treatment, and 2) increase in BMI from baseline to end of treatment in the 4 groups receiving pharmacological treatment as compared to the control group.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent liver disease worldwide; progression and severity are influenced by systemic inflammation, lifestyle factors and body composition. With no pharmacological treatments available, exercise and diet are first-line treatments. The mechanisms by which lifestyle interventions influence NAFLD severity are unknown but may be related to inflammation and gut microbiome composition. We aim to examine whether gut microbiome composition and inflammation are related to NAFLD severity; and whether 12-weeks of exercise impacts gut microbiome , inflammation and NAFLD severity. This research will provide basis for identifying novel treatments for NAFLD by targeting the microbiome. This research will develop our understanding of how exercise improves NAFLD through modulation of gut microbiome diversity and inflammation. This will contribute to identifying effective exercise prescriptions that target underpinning mechanisms to improve health outcomes for patients with NAFLD and prevent disease progression. This in turn will contribute to better diagnosis/treatment when considering disease severity and outcomes for those with NAFLD. Additionally, assessment of potential changes in HRQoL of NAFLD patients in response to exercise training will verify real world efficacy, considering the gut microbiome and inflammation in NAFLD progression/severity. There is evidence showing that exercise-mediated changes to the gut microbiome influence biological variables known to be related to NAFLD severity and progression. However, research is yet to examine correlations between gut microbiome alpha diversity, key inflammatory markers, and body composition with NAFLD severity. Additionally, research is yet to examine the effects of a combined exercise program on gut microbiome composition in NAFLD. Research aimed at filling these gaps could inform the development of evidence-based recommendations for diagnostic, exercise, and treatment-related outcomes in patients with NAFLD and place SCUH Hepatology/Gastroenterology as a leading department in novel research and treatment in this field. SCUH has the expertise to undertake clinical data collection, as well as access to a large patient group and access to excellent laboratory facilities, however, the department does not have the expertise required to run clinical exercise interventions or assess inflammation or gut microbiome diversity.

This study is investigating whether early reintroduction of oral feeding following free flap surgery of the oral cavity has benefits to patients. Who is it for? You may be eligible for this study if you are an adult with a diagnosis of cancer of the head or neck, and are undergoing oral mucosal resection with free flap reconstruction. Study details Participants will be assessed by a speech pathologist on Day 1 post-operatively to determine whether it is safe to re-introduce oral intake of solids and fluids. Regular speech pathologist assessments will occur, as per standard and current clinical practice, to guide the progression of the oral diet. Data on patient outcomes and nutritional status will be collected and a semi-structured interview will be conducted with patients to understand their perspectives of eating and drinking after surgery. It is hoped that findings from this study will help inform a new approach to reintroducing oral feeding for patients following free flap surgery

The goals of this research project are to evaluate the implementation and preliminary effectiveness of an attachment-based and trauma-informed parent program for foster carers and children in their care. The program aims to promote carers' understanding of and sensitive responding to their child's behaviour and emotions, and, in turn, strengthen the carer-child relationship and promote children's behavioural and emotional wellbeing.

Older people are more likely to develop postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) after cardiac surgery due to the possible age-related decline in inspiratory muscle strength. We aim to investigate the impact of frailty on inspiratory. muscle strength amongst older people following elective cardiac surgeries. We also aim to investigate the impact of frailty on lung function and PPCs. The findings of the study may elucidate potential means to identify individuals who may be more at risk of PPCs following surgery and could assist in the development of tailored post-surgical management strategies.

Currently, equine-assisted therapy (EAT) programs are offered and promoted by popular media as an intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Results from the qualitative study conducted as part of this PhD research suggests that EAT programs have become more accessible due participants being able to access NDIS funding if they are deemed reasonable and necessary, particularly if provided by allied health professionals. However, the evidence base for benefits achieved through EAT interventions remains limited and requires further exploration. Due to the nature of EAT, research faces difficulty meeting some of the gold standard requirements of RCT studies, including large sample size and double blinding. Therefore, this study will contribute to the field of EAT research through the use of the single subject (N-of-1 design) as a valid means of evaluating data on novel, less established treatments (Barlow & Nock, 2009; Borckardt et al., 2008; Portney & Watkins, 2009). A single subject, multiple cross-over (N-of-1) study design with multiple baseline will be used to test the overall effectiveness of a nature based, equine assisted, intervention and will examine whether effectiveness and/or motivation during sessions can be enhanced by the addition of a horse. A mindfulness-based, cognitive-behavioural therapy intervention (MCBT) will be provided in a farm setting and will be adapted to allow for the inclusion of a horse in some of the scheduled activities. The study will test the following hypotheses for children with ASD: H1) A nature based, equine- assisted intervention decreases participants' idiosyncratic "problem behaviour" as measured by the Parent Daily Report Checklist. H2) Equine- assisted sessions reduce idiosyncratic "problem behaviour" more than nature-based strategies alone. H3) A nature based, equine- assisted intervention improves externalising and overall behaviour as measured by Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. H4) Participants show higher observable idiosyncratic signs of happiness in equine- assisted sessions than during nature-based strategies alone. H5) A nature based, equine- assisted intervention improves quality of life as measured by the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory. Research. To ensure rigor, the planning and reporting of this study will follow guidelines provided by the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) extension for reporting N-of-1 trials (CENT) 2015 Statement (Vohra et al.,2015) the Single-Case Reporting guideline in Behavioural Interventions (SCRIBE) statement (Tate et al., 2016). It is anticipated that the results of this study will provide information about the effectiveness of equine-assisted interventions. The findings will also provide insight into possible mechanisms of change, which can inform the development of future interventions.

People coming into the Transition Care Program (TCP) are invited to participate in a research project. Researchers from the University of Queensland and Metro South Health are conducting a study to understand goals, activity patterns and other health data relevant to older people who enter the TCP following their stay in hospital. We will use Fitbits to collect activity and health data. Fitbits are worn on the wrist and track your movement and sleep throughout the day. You will also be asked to do some additional health assessments when you first start TCP, when you exit TCP, and 6 months after that. These assessments will either be done in person by someone in your rehabilitation team, or over the phone by our research assistant The purpose of this study is to examine how much TCP clients’ move around each day and to see how this is related to their goals, health and quality of life outcomes throughout the program. Future benefits for TCP clients’ may include improved clinical monitoring and patient care, as well as better goal attainment and health outcomes.

This project aims to compare different swim strokes (freestyle, breaststroke and backstroke) for pain response and biomechanical movements in the spine in participants with chronic low back pain. This will be completed with 30 adult participants at Macquarie University Aquatic Centre. Participants experiencing an episode of chronic low back who are comfortable with completing 100m of swimming in freestyle, breaststroke, and backstroke will be eligible to participate. Participants will attend one 1-hour session. Participants will then complete a set of swimming trials for each swim stroke (Freestyle, breaststroke, and backstroke), totaling three 100m swimming trials. They will be instructed to swim at a comfortable pace and, if required, to take short breaks after every 25m. Participants will complete a short warm up prior to each swim (a 50m walk) and will be given a 10-minute rest break in between each swimming trial. The primary outcome is the average and worst pain experienced during each swimming exposure. Secondary outcomes include further measures of pain, heart rate, perceived exertion, accelerometer data and self-rated swim stroke preference.

This project aims to fill a gap in existing services by helping young people living in rural areas who are feeling distressed about climate change. Specifically, the project aims to support the mental health and resilience of young people aged 16-18 in rural NSW who have been affected by natural disasters, such as fire, drought, or flooding. The program will take place outdoors for a full day, on two separate occasions. It will draw on the best-available evidence in the field of eco-therapy for mental health resilience in the era of climate change.

Mallet finger deformity is a common injury to the extensor tendon of the fingers. Currently, there are no published randomised clinical trials comparing operative and non-operative management of this condition. Traditionally, non-operative management has been considered the ‘gold standard’ treatment for uncomplicated mallet finger deformity. However, recent studies have suggested superior patient outcomes regarding compliance amongst patients, patient satisfaction, incidence of skin complications, time out of work and treatment outcomes in the operative management group. Therefore, this randomised clinical trial is required to identify which treatment path is optimal following mallet injury.