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Postoperative impairment of gut function following gastrointestinal surgery is a major cause of delay in resumption of normal oral intake and discharge from hospital. Gum-chewing as a form of sham-feeding (the act of chewing without swallowing) is thought to have a stimulatory effect on the normal reflexes associated with bowel movement. The purpose of this study is to examine whether this simple and cost-efficient treatment helps to improve recovery time following surgery to the gastrointestinal tract.

The largest problem faced by peritoneal dialysis patients is infection of their dialysis catheter, which can occur at the point of entry of the catheter into the belly (exit site infection), along the catheter tunnel (tunnel infection) or inside the belly (peritonitis). Such infections are the commonest cause of death or failure of treatment in peritoneal dialysis patients at Princess Alexandra Hospital. Recent studies have suggested that honey may be a promising agent for preventing catheter-associated infections. Honey has natural antibacterial and antifungal actions and has been shown to be very effective in preventing infection when applied to a variety of wounds, including burns, ulcers and surgical wounds. A previous controlled trial by our group in haemodialysis patients showed that honey was as effective as, and less likely to select resistant germs than, standard antibiotic ointment (mupirocin). The purpose of the present proposed study is to determine if exit site application of standardised antibacterial honey (Medihoney Wound Gel) is more effective at preventing infection of peritoneal dialysis catheters than the standard antibiotic ointment, mupirocin, which is currently recommended by national guidelines.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is defined by marked changes in both cognitive and emotional functions. The majority of medicated ADHD individuals are treated with stimulants (controlled substances). Up to 30% do not respond to stimulant treatment, and in others the potential for abuse remains. Atomoxetine is a recently approved non-stimulant (non-controlled) to treat ADHD, with evidence of clinical effectiveness. Yet, the impact of atomoxetine on objective measures of a range of cognitive and emotional function has not been studied. Several lines of evidence indicate it is effective for these functions. Atomoxetine has been shown to alleviate inhibitory capacity, while stimulants have not. Common disturbances may underlie abnormal inhibitory capacity and impaired emotional recognition in ADHD that is best treated with atomoxetine rather than stimulants. The primary aims of this project are to: (1) Examine the efficacy of a non-stimulant medication (atomoxetine) in ADHD using a randomised controlled design. (2) Demonstrate that atomoxetine has efficacy for both cognitive and emotional functions, assessed using objective tests, with indicators of clinical improvement. The outcomes from this project will be a significant step towards a 'personalised medicine' approach to ADHD, providing clinicians with increased options in the treatment of ADHD. Should atomoxetine prove to be efficacious for stimulant non-responders it would contribute to reducing the significant social and financial burden of this disorder.

Phase 2 This is a study of the effectiveness and toxicity of chemoradiation therapy for skin cancer (squamous cell carcinoma). Who is it for? You can join this study if you have squamous cell skin cancer that cannot be treated surgically. Trial details Participants will receive chemotherapy with the drugs cisplatin or carboplatin once per week for 6 weeks as well as daily radiotherapy. There is no control group in this study. Participants' response to treatment will be measured 8 weeks after treatment is completed. Side effects will be monitored during treatment, at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after treatment is completed, and then every 2 months for the first year, and every three months after that. Overall survival and disease free survival will be measured after 3 years. The study aims to document the effectiveness and toxicity of treatment with combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

This 7 week cross sectional study aims to get a 'snap shot' of the hydration status of stroke patients admitted to Flinders Medical Centre and the determine any significant differences in the hydration status and fluid intake between those receiving thickened fluids compared with stroke patients on thin fluids. This project also seeks to determine whether there are any associations between hydration status and rehabilitation outcomes post acute stroke. This will provide data to ascertain whether dehydration is a common phenomenon among acute stroke patients admitted to flinders medical centre and whether urine specific gravity is used in clinical practice to determine if stroke patients are dehydrated, and therefore, require additional fluid subcutaneously or intravenously to ensure adequate hydration.

To preliminarily evaluate the effects of the program on primary outcomes (indicators of metabolic syndrome and diabetes control), and to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of both the program and the methods to be used in the main study.

The primary purpose of the study was to determine the effects of a Tai Chi/Qigong intervention program on variables associated with metabolic syndrome and/or diabetes control, and on other psychological, general health, and physical activity variables.

Aggressive behaviour related to psychostimulant abuse, poisoning and/or withdrawal, such as amphetamines, is an increasing problem in emergency departments. It can lead to patient harm, injury to staff and damage to hospital property if the situation is not rapidly controlled. Intravenous sedation can be difficult, particularly in smaller urban and regional hospitals because it requires sufficient staff numbers to restrain the patient to obtain intravenous access and can lead to needle-stick injuries. Intramuscular sedation with benzodiazepines, mainly midazolam, is unpredictable and can lead to over-sedating the patient or not sedating them enough, and may be associated with problems in this group due to benzodiazepine tolerance. Droperidol is a highly sedative antipsychotic medication that is rarely associated with complications. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of intramuscular droperidol and intramuscular benzodiazepines for sedation of aggressive patients with psychostimulant associated agitation in a randomised controlled trial. The study is designed to assess both the speed of onset and duration of sedation.

The primary purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of a management protocol designed to improve the management of children with chronic cough. Cough that lasts greater than 4 weeks in children has been shown to cause considerable anxiety to parents and presents a major management problem to the treating doctor. This study aims to prove the hypothesis that the management of chronic cough in children in accordance with a management protocol is feasible and efficient, and improves clinical outcomes.

This randomised controlled trial is using the Neurocom Balance Master force platform for early detection of balance problems amongst older community ambulant Veterans. For Veterans who are assessed as having balance outside of normal limits for their age, they will be randomised to either receive usual care or an exercise program. The exercise program will be a targeted balance and strength training program developed by a physiotherapist (based on the Otago exercise program that has been shown to reduce falls). After six months a follow-up balance assessment will be undertaken to determine whether the exercise program has brought balance back to within normal limits. This study will provide a better understanding of the types of early balance problems that occur, the frequency of undetected balance problems in a reasonably well sample, and the response of a targeted exercise program in addressing the early presence of balance problems in community ambulant Veterans. The study is due to be completed in the later half of 2008.