ANZCTR search results

Calcium supplementation has been shown to reduce the incidence of osteoporosis and related fractures. Currently Calsup (calcium carbonate) is marketed widely in Australia. This study is to compare the effects of Calsup with a newer calcium supplement, Citracal (Calcium citrate) on reducing serum markers of bone resorption. The hypothesis is that citracal may be equally effective in smaller doses and would have less side effects.

Worldwide obesity has increased over the last decade. Paediatric obesity is known to be an independent risk factor for adult obesity. Adolescent obesity is associated with atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is preceded by endothelial or blood vessel dysfunction that can be assessed by ultrasound. Endothelial dysfunction occurs in severely obese children. Early interventions to improve endothelial dysfunction in obesity, in addition to metabolic and weight control may potentially prevent atherosclerosis and heart disease. Folic acid has been proposed as one of the strategies to reduce atherosclerosis and hasn't been investigated in obesity.

ACV1 was discovered in the venom of an Australian marine cone snail. It blocks a type of receptor in the peripheral nervous system, which may then have a pain decreasing effect in types of neuropathic pain (nerve pain). Neuropathic pain is the category of pain having the greatest need for improved drugs. This trial is in patients with sciatica, which is caused by damage or compression of the sciatic nerve which runs from the lower spine down both legs. The trial aims to examine whether giving ACV1 to these patients provides pain relief.

This study seeks to evaluate whether a multimedia approach improves performance and adherence of children to a home based exercise program prescribed by physiotherapist. This study will compare the usual current practice of providing verbal instructions and information leaflet to the new approach of providing a multimedia package in addition to verbal instructions.The hypotheses of this study is that a multimedia approach will improve the child’s motivation to perform exercises and therefore increase their adherence to the prescribed program. We also hypothesised that providing an audio-visual reference for children will aid learning and increase their technical proficiency in performing the exercises. This trial will involve patients ranging between 6-18 years recruited from orthopaedic outpatient’s clinic (RCH), who require stretching exercises for either their calf or thigh muscles as part of their treatment. Patients will be divided randomly into two groups. Each group will receive either an instructional leaflet or a multimedia CD containing the exercise program to be taken home. They will also receive a diary to record their adherence to exercise. Patients will be asked to return to the clinic 4 weeks after the initial consultation, and their exercise technique will be recorded on video and later evaluated by blinded expert panel.This information will then be analysed to see whether there is any improvement in the frequency (adherence) and the quality (performance) of the exercises.

No change required, the details have already been provided.

A randomised controlled trial of an intervention aimed to improve parenting skills and teachers' responses in ways that facilitate the development of emotional competence in children, thereby improving children's behavioural functioning (compared with waitlist controls).

Fractures of the forearm can be managed conservatively in plaster casts if are simple and stable in nature. However, more unstable fractures require surgery and internal fixation using plates and screws. Post-operatively pain can limit movement and ultimately the duration of which functional limitations persist. Currently, post-operative analgesia involves, administration via the bloodstream (intravenous), into the skin (subcutaneous) and orally. We would like to assess the potential benefits (improved pain control and earlier functional return) of using a low dose infusion of local anaesthetic into the surgical wound site. We would like to recruit participants for the study from the group patients with these injuries that come through the PA Hospital Emergency Department. Our aim is to use 40 participants. Twenty of whom will receive an infusion of ropivacaine - a local anaesthetic (treatment group) and twenty who will receive an infusion of normal saline (placebo group). Patients will be blinded to their allocation to either group. The participants will be identified by orthopaedic consultants, registrars and residents. These patients will receive an information sheet and the written consent will be required for their participation. A written data collection form will include the following fields: Range of motion; Time to discharge from hospital; Use of other analgesia in the postoperative period; Rate of wound infection; Patient satisfaction with the procedure and postoperative care. This will be completed by the hand therapists from the orthopaedic department on the wards and at subsequent follow-up therapy sessions based on their rehabilitation protocol. This is standard data that is collected by therapists and should not be of inconvenience. Once data is collected we will analyse the data for any statistically significant variations in long or short term post-operative recovery between treatment and placebo groups.

Respiratory function involves movement of structures related to the Cervical and Thoracic spines. Evidence exists that the application of spinal manipulation to these areas can alter respiratory function. This study tests the effect administering spinal manipulation with exercise has on the respiratory function of normal individuals. The aim is to develop a pulmonary rehabilitation protocol that includes spinal manipulation for use in the management of chronic respiratory disease.

The study is being undertaken because compared with normal weight women, obese women have lower fertility both in natural and ART cycles. Obesity is a risk factor for many maternal and fetal morbidities. Maternally these include an increased miscarriage rate, increased rates of pregnancy complications (gestational diabetes, hypertension), increased operative delivery rates and increased thrombotic events. Fetal risks include increased congenital anomalies and birth injuries.

The purpose is to study whether different techniques of haemostasis of the scalp edges during the operation of craniotomy lasting more than 2 hours have any influence on the speed and acceptability of healing of the wound