ANZCTR search results

The aim of this study was to investigate if a longer time interval between rhDNase nebulisation and chest physiotherapy improves clinical outcomes of subjects with CF. METHODS: A single-blind randomised cross-over trial was conducted on subjects with CF from outpatients of 4 hospitals. Subjects were in stable health and studied over 6-weeks (utilising 14-day blocks of morning or evening rhDNase administration with 14-days washout). Usual regimes for physiotherapy and exercise were unaltered. Thus changing the times altered the dwell time of rhDNase prior to physiotherapy. Long interval was defined as dwell time of >6-hours and short as <6-hours. Outcomes were measured at pre and post each regime.

This study will evaluate the use of I-131 rituximab radioimmunotherapy, together with further doses of unlabelled rituximab immunotherapy, as treatment for advanced stage follicular and low-grade non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Such patients are currently recommended for treatment with systemic chemotherapy and unlabelled rituximab. Many patients are anxious to avoid the toxicity associated with systemic chemotherapy. We have previously demonstrated that I-131 rituximab (as used at Fremantle Hospital) has equivalent efficacy to the licensed agents (I-131 tositumomab and Y-90 ibritumomab) approved for use in the United States in patients with relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkins lymphoma. We expect, therefore, similar efficacy to these agents in patients with newly diagnosed lymphoma Previous North American research has shown that I-131 radioimmunotherapy can achieve response rates similar to those seen with chemotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed non-Hodgkins lymphoma. These investigators used I-131 tositumomab (Bexxar®), a similar product to I-131 rituximab, and achieved an overall response rate of 95%. 75% patients showed a complete remission and, of these, 70% remained in remission for 5 years or more. The 5-year progression-free survival was 60%.

Low systemic blood flow in the early hours after birth is a common problem in very preterm babies. It is associated with a range of adverse outcomes. This trial aims to test the efficacy of the two commonly used inotropes in preterm babies. Inotropes are drugs that improve the pumping performance of the heart.

A feasibility study to compare the relative benefits of a combined physical activity and cognitive training program, a physical activity-only training program, and no-treatment control, for improving cognitive functioning in older adults.

Testing for bronchodilator response (airway reversibility) is an essential part of spirometry. Traditionally respiratory laboratories use nebulised salbutamol to check such response. New data suggest that inhaled salbutamol via metered dose inhaler and spacer is at least as effective as nebulised salbutamol and may be associated with fewer side effects. Comparison between the two methods of inducing bronchodilatation in the laboratory has not been previously tested. We aim to compare the 2 methods of delivery for bronchodilator response. The patients will be monitored for any potential side effects during the study.

The objective of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of a new experimental computer task and whether this task will improve the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) for managing chronic pain.

The aim of the study is to investigate the role of cues to actions in motivating participation in screening for colorecetal cancer (CRC) using the faecal occult blood test (FOBT). Specifically, the focus in this study is upon the effect of 'implementation intentions', a practical concept which attempts to move individuals from a generalised intention to undertake screening to the formulation of a plan which deliberately deals with the concrete details necessary for actually carrying out the screening behaviour. It is hypothesised that those who draw up a plan of how they will go about completing the FOBT are more likely to return a completed kit compared to those who do not draw up a plan. The project fits in with the broader aim of attempting to understand the factors that motivate people to participate in CRC screening, and serves as a fundamental basis for tailoring consumer information designed to increase participation in CRC screening technologies.

The primary objective of the trial is to determine, in patients who have undergone surgery with curative intent for high-risk CSCC of the head and neck, whether there is a difference in time to loco-regional relapse between patients treated with post-operative concurrent chemo-radiotherapy ,consisting of Carboplatin, and post-operative radiotherapy alone. The target sample size for the trial is 266 patients and will take 3-4 years to accrue, based on an anticipated accrual of 80 patients/year. A further 2 years follow up is required.

The researchers propose that it may be corpus invasion, rather than tumour volume per se, which is one of the important determinants of ultimate outcome in cervix cancer. The aim of the proposed prospective, multicentre study, is to confirm the results of our retrospective studies, specifically that corpus invasion or tumour volume or both contribute important prognostic information over and above that provided by the currently used International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging system. A successful outcome would have important implications for the staging, and management as well as the biologic understanding of the behaviour of cervical cancer.

The project is a simple randomised placebo controlled trial of probiotics for very premature infants to determine whether the probiotics reduce late onset infection and associated morbidity and mortality.