ANZCTR search results

The aim of this proposed research is to test precisely whether Oxytocin (OT) potentiates learning of emotion recognition training, improving processing of emotion information, thus leading to an increase in the quality and quantity of participants' social interactions with a parent or guardian. Participants will be randomly allocated to one of two groups, (1) combined Oxytocin (OT) and emotion recognition training (ERT),(2) combined placebo and Emotion Recognition Training. Effects will be examined at three levels; 1) immediate, 2) intermediate and 3) distal. Immediate effects refer to the direct impact of combined Oxytocin and Emotion Recognition Training on the basic components of social interaction. The intermediate effects of interest refer to the social interactions recorded by parents/guardians in the extended period (24 hours) following combined Oxytocin administration and Emotion Recognition Training. Distal effects will also be determined to gauge the potential for cumulative effects of combined Oxytocin and Emotion Recognition Training over a number of consecutive administrations.

The purpose of the study is to gain information on the effectiveness of the use of robotics as a type of treatment for the recovery of movement of the upper limb (arm) for clients following a stroke. It specifically investigates whether the use of this particular robotic (Bimanutrack) in therapy, results in improved arm function following a stroke.

To determine the effectiveness of an electrotherapy device called Interactive Neurostimulation (INS), in providing pain relief following a total hip replacement. Outcome measures are pain scores, length of hospital stay, analgesic use and/or increase range of movement in the acute period following a total hip replacement. The null hypothesis is that there will be no difference in each variable between the active INS and sham groups five days after surgery. The research hypothesis is that there will be a difference in each variable between the active INS and sham groups five days after surgery.

This study aims to determine the optimal bladder filling instructions for prostate cancer patients undergoing radical radiation therapy using Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) Who is it for? You can join this study if you are undergoing radical radiation therapy using Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) as treatment for prostate cancer. Trial details Participants will be divided into two groups. One group will be asked to empty their bladder 1 hour prior to their treatment appointment time, and then consume 300mL of water at least 30 minutes prior to their treatment appointment time. The second group will be asked to empty their bladder 1 hour prior to their treatment appointment time, and then consume 750mL of water at least 30 minutes prior to their treatment appointment time. The amount of daily bladder volume variation over the course of treatment will be measured daily in week 1 of treatment, and then every 2nd day until treatment is completed. Participants will also be asked to complete some questions measuring quality of life and distress, in weeks 1, 4 an 7 of treatment. Further monitoring will occur 6months and 12 months after treatment has completed.

The aim of this project is to assess the effect of a clinical Pilates intervention in community dwelling older adults on balance, strength, range of movement and blood glucose. A variety of exercise programs have been found to be beneficial in addressing physiological parameters (blood glucose control, lipid profile control, cardiovascular health) and biomechanical parameters (balance, range of movement and strength) but this form form of exercise had been little studied. Pilates is a popular form of exercise that proposes a range of health benefits, although the research into physiological and psychological benefits is limited.

This study was undertaken to determine whether the two different aquatic exercise programs undertaken between Day 4 and Day 6 after joint replacement surgery were equivalent to usual ward exercise in terms of physiological demand and self-rated pain and effort. These three programs were then to be used in a larger Randomised Controlled Trial to investigate the efficacy of inpatient aquatic physiotherapy after arthroplasty. All participants undertook the programs in the same order so that all were naive to the water programs on their first day in the pool after surgery and could rate the easy water exercise program without having a comparison to the intensive program.

This study firstly aims to determine if there are differences in the post-operative recovery in terms of muscle activation, lower limb strength and balance between people who have had additional aquatic physiotherapy and those who have had standard ward treatment. The second aim is to determine if there is a relationship between the laboratory measures of muscle activation, with clinical measures of strength and function. The third is to compare the muscle activation patterns and timing at various stages of recovery of those who have had surgery with those of healthy older people. We hypothesise that, people undergoing total hip or knee replacement will demonstrate a delay in timing of muscle activation in a step task and greater variation in gait parameters in comparison to healthy elders; those who have not had additional inpatient aquatic physiotherapy after THR or TKR will demonstrate a delay in timing of muscle activation in a step task and greater variation in gait parameters than those who had aquatic physiotherapy; and there will be a positive correlation between a delay in muscle timing and reduced clinical measures of strength and function.

Biobrane is our gold standard for superficial partial thickness burns. AWBAT is very similar but adheres more rapidly to the wound. This is the rate limiting step in healing and allowing theses patients to be treated as outpatients. The study aims to compare the two in rate of epithelialisation and pain perception (the other issue which keeps burn patients in hospital).

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and long term disability, particularly in young adults. Studies from Australia have shown that approximately half of those with severe traumatic brain injury will be severely disabled or dead 6 months post injury. Given the young age of many patients with severe TBI and the long term prevalence of major disability, the economic and more importantly the social cost to the community is very high. Pre-hospital and hospital management of patients with severe brain injury focuses on prevention of additional injury due primarily to lack of oxygen and insufficient blood pressure. This includes optimising sedation & ventilation, maintaining the fluid balance and draining Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) & performing surgery where appropriate. In recent years there has been a research focus on specific pharmacologic interventions however to date there has been no treatment that has been associated with improvement of neurological outcomes. One treatment that shows promise is the application of hypothermia (cooling). This treatment is commonly used in Australia to decrease brain injury in patients with brain injury following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Cooling is thought to protect the brain using a number of mechanisms. There have been a number of animal studies that have looked at how cooling is protective and also some clinical research that suggests some benefit. However at the current time there is insufficient evidence to provide enough proof that cooling should be used routinely for patients with brain injury and like all treatments there can be some risks and side effects. The POLAR trial has been developed to investigate whether early cooling of patients with severe traumatic brain injury is associated with better outcomes. It is a randomised controlled trial, which is a type of trial that provides the highest quality of evidence.

Randomised controlled trial to test if short periods of lack of blood flow to the leg can improve the function of new lungs in lung transplantation.