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We intend to evaluate the EpiSure, a new epidural syringe that uses a novel spring-loaded mechanism to locate the correct place in the back for epidural insertion. Early data regarding this device suggests that it may ease the process of inserting an epidural and reduce complications, particularly in anaesthetists who are relatively new to the procedure of epidural insertion. We will compare effectiveness of pain relief and outcomes in patients whose epidurals are inserted with the EpiSure with those whose epidurals are inserted with traditional syringes.

After cardiac surgery the lungs may suffer from a small amount of collapse and may require extra assistance to re-expand. If this occurs nasal high flow therapy may be applied (delivery of warmed and humidified medical gas via the nose at flow rates up to 50 L/min). It is believed that this flow generates a degree of positive pressure in the lungs which is beneficial to patients with some degree of lung collapse. Assessment of the physiological effect by two different methods (pressure measurement in the upper airway and by a lung imaging technique called electrical impedence tomography) will help doctors understand the effects of this therapy better and will form the basis for future research in this area.

This randomised controlled trial compared SMS, paper and online diaries on response rate, timeliness, completeness of data, and acceptability. The correlation between behaviour reported in diaries and a retrospective questionnaire was also determined.

This study aims to evaluate whether the addition of pre-operative chemoradiotherapy to chemotherapy is superior to chemotherapy alone in patients undergoing surgery for resectable gastric cancer. You may be eligible to join this study if you are aged 18 years or over and have a diagnosis of stomach cancer that is suitable for removal with surgery. If you join the study, you will be expected to attend the following visits over a period of approximately 28 weeks: • 1 set of screening visits over a period of 3 weeks • Up to 20 chemotherapy visits (once a week during chemotherapy) • 25 radiotherapy visits if being treated with chemoradiation (daily, Monday to Friday, for 5 weeks) • 1 set of pre-surgery visits over a period of 3 weeks • 1 surgery Following treatment, you will be expected to attend approximately 14 follow-up visits over a period of 5 years (one visit every 3-6 months). You will be asked to fill in Quality of Life questionnaires before you start treatment, twice during preoperative treatment, before surgery, around 1, 4, 6, 9 and 12 months after surgery and at each subsequent follow-up appointment until 5 years. This is so we can find out how you are feeling in yourself and the effect treatment has upon you and your daily activities. The study aims to further medical knowledge and may improve future treatment of stomach cancer.

This is a pilot study to investigate the effects of Botulinum toxin (BoNT-A) and ankle foot orthosis (AFO) on controlling knee hyperextension during walking, in people who have had a stroke. It is hypothesised that a combination of BoNT-A and AFO will result in 5 degrees or more decrease in knee hyperextension, and improved ankle dorsiflexion, during walking, than BoNT-A or AFO alone. It is also hyptohesised that a combination of BoNT-A and AFO will increase walking speed by 10cm/sec or more, than either BoNT-A or AFO alone. The results of this study will provide information to calculate power and sample size requirements for a more comprehensive study.

Orygen YOUTH Health Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne is conducting an evaluation of its 14-hour Youth Mental Health First Aid Course via face-to-face training, which aims to teach adults how to better assist adolescents who are developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis. Participants will be asked to complete 3 surveys - prior to commencing the course, immediately upon completion and at 6-month followup. The surveys ask questions to determine changes in adult's knowledge, attitudes and helping behaviour towards adolescents with mental helath problems or in a crisis.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the treatment of choice for OSA. The CPAP pressure is delivered via a mask worn over the nose or the nose and mouth. If air leaks from the mouth or around the mask whilst being used, the treatment is not as effective and the patient may find it uncomfortable and not use it. We have two options to control mouth leaks , add a chinstrap to a nasal mask or change to a full face mask.We do not know which is the best option. The full face mask may leak more and is more expensive but the chin strap may not work. Also patients may find that one option is easier to use and more comfortable.

When people with airways disease have flare-ups in their disease they are often admitted to hospital and receive high doses of an anti-inflammatory drug (prednisolone) as treatment. This drug can increase the patient's blood sugar levels, even in those who are not diabetics. This temporary increase in sugar evels may slow the patient from recovery. We are measuring the effect of prednisolone on blood sugar levels in the hope that we can identify a way to manage the sugar levels and keep them in the normal range when a patient receives high doses of prednisolone. If we managed to achieve this, then we may be able to speed up the recovery of the patient.

The proposed study is a randomized controlled trial which aims to investigate how best to facilitate behaviour change regarding physical activity (defined as recreational exercise behaviours) in women who have completed primary treatment for early stage breast cancer.

The purpose of this study is to compare the safety and effectiveness of apixaban to warfarin in preventing stroke or clots in subjects with atrial fibrillation and risk factors for stroke. Warfarin is a blood thinning medication approved by the Australian TGA for the prevention of stroke in subjects with atrial fibrillation.