ANZCTR search results

It is hypothesized that soluble fibre from oats will increase satiety, when consumed as part of an energy-controlled diet. The increased satiety will allow improved compliance with dietary regimens and result in increased weight loss in overweight individuals compared with control subjects on energy restriction alone.

This study will be an open, non-randomised, clinical phase 2 trial which will involve 30 women diagnosed with Uterine Serous Papillary Cancer. We will investigate the effect of four cycles of Paclitaxel / Carboplatin, followed by whole pelvic external beam radiotherapy to a standard pelvis field (50.4 Gy) with or without a para-aortic boost with respect to safety and efficacy of treatment, and patterns of recurrence.

The purpose of the study is to determine whether BG00012 is effective in reducing the proportion of patients experiencing a clinical relapse at 2 years compared to placebo in patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis. Two different doses of BG00012 will be compared to placebo. Patients will be randomised to one of 3 groups in a 1:1:1 ratio: Group 1 will receive 480 mg daily orally via 2 capsules 3 times daily. Each capsule will contain either 120 mg BG00012 or placebo. Group 2 will receive 720 mg daily orally via 2 capsules 3 times daily. Each capsule will contain 120 mg BG00012. Group 3 will receive placebo orally via 2 capsules 3 times daily. Patients will have the option of switching to open label Avonex (interferon beta-1a) if they experience relapse after 24 weeks and have completed 48 weeks of double blind treatment, OR they experience disability progression sustained for 12 weeks at any time.

The primary purpose of the sudy is to reduce alcohol-related problems in selected rural communities in NSW by sytematically implementing a number of interventions across the whole community, involving numerous community groups, such as schools, police, health workers, GPs and road safety officers. It is anticipated that the communities involved in this process will reduce their number of alcohol-related problems by more than similar communities that are not involved in this process.

A randomised control trial will be conducted to determine whether participation in a supervised weekly group exercise program with ancillary home exercises reduces falls risk in elderly persons living in rural communities. The risk factors to be investigated include balance, muscle strength and reaction time. Quality of life and health status will also be compared between the groups.

Metoclopramide is a frequently used drug in emergency departments. It can cause unpleasant side effects called akathisia. We are trying to find out if giving the metoclopramide slowly makes getting akathisia less likely.

Children with cerebral palsy benefit from therapy that is goal-directed in their daily activities and environment. It is hypothesised that their parent’s contribution via home exercise programming is also important for goal achievement. This hypothesis has not been tested in a randomised controlled trial, the appropriate research design for studying intervention effectiveness. Benefits of home programs have been shown in my earlier Masters pilot study, which lacked a controlled comparison group. When measuring children, any improvements observed may be due to maturation and therefore a control group is the preferable design. This study will address this gap

Cerebral palsy is the most common physical disability in childhood, with a significant lifelong impact on the person, their family and the community. It is estimated that 1:400 children are born with cerebral palsy (Stanley et al, 2000), with over 600 new cases diagnosed in Australia each year. At present there is no known cure for this condition (Stanley et al, 2000) however the methods for the treatment of its symptoms, such as muscle spasticity, are well documented. It is known that the combination of occupational therapy along with botulinum toxin (BOTOX) injections (Lowe, Novak & Cusick, 2005; Wallen, O’Flaherty & Waugh 2004) and best-practice home programs (Novak, Cusick & Lowe, 2005) can produce positive outcomes for improving function and manage the symptoms of spasticity in children with cerebral palsy (Corry & Graham, 1994; Delago, 2002; Leach, 1997; Russman, Tilton & Gromley, 1997). It is therefore worth investigating the nature and extent of parental input and determine whether or not intensive provider delivered therapy intervention following upper limb botulinum toxin injections will lead to greater desirable outcome in the daily functioning of a child with cerebral palsy. The results of this research project will provide valuable data for determining therapy intensity and the conditions and processes that affect the treatment process. This will help inform decisions by health professionals and families regarding the type, amount, model and method of therapy to be used following BOTOX® injections, thus guiding best practice, use of time, resources and funding in the treatment of spasticity in children with cerebral palsy. There is thus a clear gap in research literature regarding provider-based intense therapy effectiveness that needs to be filled.

This study evaluates the effectiveness of on an on-line web based intervention for bipolar disorder. The intervention utilises techniques and strategies found to be successful in previous psychosocial interventions conducted in face-to-face groups. The study also uses the experience of similar online studies in the area of unipolar depression and anxiety.The intervention comprises a number of modules including an introduction to the project, understanding bipolar disorder, stress and triggers of illness, medication management, managing and monitoring prodromes of depression, mania and hypomania and relapse prevention plans. The modules contain psycho-education along with specific strategies for participants to utilize in the management of the illness. The intervention also contains a moderated discussion board to develop a sense of support between participants and reduce feelings of stigma and isolation. The active intervention group described will be compared to an online information only group with moderated discussion.

This project aims to determine whether training in and use of a brief cognitive impairment screening tool and training in dementia management guidelines can improve diagnostic rates, management techniques and patient and carer outcomes compared with General Practitioners (GPs) who are not so trained and their patients and carers who undergo usual care. It will also evaluate the benefits of screening as opposed to case finding for early dementia in general practice.