ANZCTR search results

Studies demonstrate that critically ill patients experience anxiety, pain and discomfort as part of their hospital stay. Being subject to numerous procedures common in the intensive care unit such as turning, endotrachael suctioning and wound care impact adversely on patients' experiences. The discomfort associated with these procedures can result in a number of stress sequela for patients that can be detrimental to their health and well-being in terms of their discomfort and anxiety levels. The challenge for nurses working in intensive care settings is to find ways to reduce these stressful experiences. Researchers hypothesize that listening to music is one way of reducing activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)axis that induces release of various hormones particularly cortisol which reduces immune function and peripheral perfusion. Stress reduction can potentially reduce HPA axis activation and enhance immediate, short- and longer-term.patient outcomes, in a clinical setting. The theoretical basis of music as an intervention for anxiety lies in its ability to promote relaxation and improve mood through the autonomic nervous system, which controls the stress response. It is believed that the auditory stimulation of music enhances activation of a number of neurotransmitters thereby diverting feelings of anxiety, fear and pain resulting in a more positive perceptual experience.

Numico Research has developed a food product which is available as a food bar and as a food powder that can be dissolved in water. The food product consists of a mix of ingredients, including special proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and fibres. The special balance of these ingredients in the food product is expected to have a beneficial effect on the immune system. The purpose of the study is to determine the effect of the daily use of this food product for a period of one year among HIV positive adults. If the study results are favourable, the food product can be developed further to support the treatment of HIV positive patients.

This study will compare the effects of a gymnasium-based strength training program to usual care in people with Down syndrome.

The investigational product in this trial is Cloretazine (VNP40101M). Cytosine Arabinoside (AraC) is a known treatment. Currently, there is no known standard chemotherapy that is considered effective for patients with AML in first relapse. With existing treatments, tumor reduction can be difficult to achieve and is short-lived. Vion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is interested in developing new drugs that might have a better effect against the disease. Hence, there is a need for trials such as this. This is a double-blind, randomised, two-arm, phase 3, placebo-controlled trial. For every six patients randomized on to this trial, four patients will receive study drug and two patients will receive placebo. AraC will be given to one group of patients in combination with Cloretazine (VNP40101M) and the other group of patients will receive AraC with placebo. The main clinical hypothesis under study is that the patients on the experimental arm have a higher overall response rate (ORR) compared to patients on the control arm, i.e., the main objective is to see if the group of patients with the Cloretazine (VNP40101M) added, do better than the group who receive AraC alone. Patients with AML in first relapse will be invited to take part in this study.

This study will be the first scientifically rigorous randomised controlled trial comparing the effects of a 9 week treadmill and body weight support training programme compared to walking practice on the walking ability, quality of life and activities of daily living of school aged children with cerebral palsy. The primary aim of this study is to determine if compared to a supervised walking practice programme, a 9 week, twice a week treadmill and body weight support training programme improves the walking ability (walking speed and walking endurance) of school aged children with cerebral palsy and moderate to severe walking difficulty. The secondary aims are to (a) to determine if a 9-week, twice a week treadmill and body weight support training programme improves the quality of life and activities of daily living compared to a supervised walking practice programme for school aged children with cerebral palsy and (b) to determine the safety and acceptance of treadmill and body weight support gait training within the child’s normal school environment. The study hylothesis is: that a 9 week partial body weight supported treadmill training program will improve the walking performance of school aged children with cerebral palsy more than a 9 week overground walking practice program.

A specifically designed continence promotion program including real time ultrasound as biofeedback for pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation, delivered to stroke survivors in stroke rehabilitation units will reduce urinary incontinence and lower urinary tract symptoms in stroke survivors

As a consequence of mammographic breast screening programs, ductal carcinoma in situ was diagnosed with increasing frequency. Mastectomy for localised DCIS was thought to be a overtreatment by many physicians, but there was much controversy as to whether complete local excision alone was sufficient. The trial aimed to assess the effectiveness of adjuvant radiotherapy and tamoxifen.

Acute bronchitis is the 5th most frequent reason to visit a general practitioner (GP), often leading to an antibiotic prescription even though guidelines advise that the infective organism is usually viral. Patient factors are partially responsible for these prescriptions but research indicates that GPs are inconsistent in their labelling of acute bronchitis and may feel the need to use antibiotics “just in case”. Studies indicate that, overall, patients with acute bronchitis may experience only a marginal benefit from antibiotic treatment, and this benefit may be offset by potential side effects. A recent Cochrane systematic review suggests that some patients may benefit from antibiotics. Based on clinical symptoms, signs and investigations, we think there may be two groups of patients with acute bronchitis - ‘uncomplicated’ and ‘complicated’- the former not requiring antibiotics and the latter, associated with poorer outcomes, who might benefit from their use. By identifying those sub-groups, GPs could be more certain about who to treat (and therefore who not to treat) leading to more rational and cost effective prescribing without compromising patient care. This is a double blind study which means that the patients have been randomly assigned to recieve either amoxycillin or placebo capsules for 6 days, and neither the patients nor the physicians or trial staff know which treatment has been allocated until database close.

The purpose of this study is to test a new anticancer drug, AMG 706, which targets the blood vessels of the tumour. Evidence suggests that the formation of new blood vessels within the tumour is critical in the progression of solid tumours, including breast cancer. Of the numerous factors that affect the growth of these blood vessels, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is likely one of the most, if not the most, important molecules regulating new blood vessel formation and subsequent invasion and metastasis. As a result, agents that inhibit VEGF (such as those drugs being used in this trial) may prevent this tumour vascular invasion and thereby block the growth of the tumour.

This study will investigate two methods of pain relief after caesarean section conducted under regional anaesthesia. Our hypothesis is that multimodal analgesia including intrathecal morphine is more effective than multimodal analgesia with regular administration of oral opioid.