ANZCTR search results

This research is being conducted to investigate the impact of a single session of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) on Forgiveness. Emotional Freedom Techniques is likened to a version of psychological acupuncture but without the use of fine needles, It uses a tapping technique (with two fingers) to stimulate pressure points on the face and upper body, and incorporating a cognitive element that involves the individual stating his/her concern aloud as he/she performs the tapping. While the studies indicating EFT is effective for stress reduction is robust, research has not yet examined the impact of EFT for forgiveness.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) systems have been commercially available for several years and have been of benefit in patients with diabetes. Advances in CGM technology have resulted in increased accuracy, reliability and ease of use. This has enabled continuous glucose data that is collected by CGM to control insulin delivery in people with diabetes via the development of technology called Closed Loop (CL) insulin delivery systems. More recently it has been suggested that these CL systems may benefit from multiple inputs in addition to glucose, such as lactate (lactic acid), that may help the system predict events such as exercise. At the same time, it is recognized that the burden and intrusiveness associated with the use of technology in people living with diabetes needs to be minimized. The development of a sensing platform that can measure multiple analytes in one platform is needed to enable the measurement of analytes in addition to glucose, without adding extra technological burden. Novel technology developed by PercuSense lends itself to the cost-effective measurement of multiple analytes. The company has demonstrated feasibility of glucose, lactate, oxygen and choline sensing in non-human models. In this study, we aim to conduct the first in human studies with PercuSense technology incorporating a multi-sensing single insertion device. n this study participants will have 2 investigational sensors inserted into the arm, as well as a commercially available glucose sensor into the arm. The investigational sensors will not provide glucose or other analyte information to participants, and so decisions regarding their diabetes treatment will be made as usual and participants may continue to wear their own glucose sensor if they wish to do so.

The International Tennis Federation’s 2021 Global Tennis Report tells us that a staggering 87 million people play tennis, with competitors from 142 countries competing in the 2020-2021 period (International Tennis Federation Academy, 2021). However, as the number of tennis players increases, so does the number of reported foot and ankle injuries (Kemler et al., 2022). The impact of these injuries has become of particular interest, as they are reported to be the most common severe injury in tennis players (Robison et al., 2021). Further, there is an increasing body of literature surrounding the significance of the intrinsic foot muscles (IFMs) in these injuries. Thus, a critical issue for exploration is the impact of these foot and ankle injuries on the IFMs of tennis players. By understanding this, a more detailed and accurate management plan for performance optimisation, injury prevention and therapy in both recreational and advanced tennis players can be developed (Di Giacomo et al., 2018). Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine if there is an association between foot muscle morphology and functional performance of selected IFMs in tennis players who have, and have not, experienced previous foot or ankle injuries. Research Questions: The specific research questions this study aims to answer are as follows: 1. What is the relationship between foot and ankle injuries and the size of the IFMs in tennis players using ultrasound measurements? 2. What is the relationship between foot and ankle injuries and the functional performance of the selected IFMs in tennis players using measurements obtained on a novel biofeedback device? 3. What is the difference between the structural and functional performance of the IFMs in tennis players with and without foot and ankle injuries at an advanced and recreational level? Di Giacomo, G., Ellenbecker, T. S., & Kibler, W. B. (2018). Tennis Medicine A Complete Guide to Evaluation, Treatment, and Rehabilitation (1st 2018. ed.). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-71498-1 ITF Academy. (2021). 2021 ITF Global Tennis Report https://www.itf- academy.com/?view=itfview&academy=103&itemid=1473 Kemler, E., Valkenberg, H., & Verhagen, E. (2022). More People More Active, But There is a Counter Site. Novice Athletes are at Highest Risk of Injury in a Large Population-based Retrospective Cross-sectional Study. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 8(1). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2021-001255 Robison, H. J., Boltz, A. J., Morris, S. N., Collins, C. L., & Chandran, A. (2021). Epidemiology of Injuries in National Collegiate Athletic Association Women's Tennis: 2014–2015 Through 2018–2019. Journal of Athletic Training, 56(7), 766-772. https://doi.org/10.4085/1062-6050-529-20

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) removes toxins that rise during kidney failure. Historically, we looked at removal of small water-soluble molecules as a surrogate marker of dialysis effectiveness. However, given its poor relationship with patient outcomes, recent guidelines have moved away from these targets and is now focusing on patient reported outcomes. Moreover, protein-bound uraemic toxins (PBUT), which are poorly removed in dialysis, may have more of a role in patient outcomes. Additionally, studies in haemodialysis and chronic kidney disease have shown that high-fibre diet may help reduce the generation of these PBUTs but studies are lacking in the PD population. We will determine effects of PBUT removal on patient outcomes (quality of life measure using EQ-5D-5L, symptoms and mood score using IPOS-renal and an assessment of physical function including hand-grip strength and timed chair-to-stand test) and preservation of residual kidney function. We will also look at the effects of increased fibre intake on PBUT levels and above-mentioned patient outcomes in a group of PD patients. We hypothesise that a high fibre diet will reduce PBUT generation in the PD population. We hypothesise that this reduction in PBUT levels will correlate with better patient outcomes and preservation of residual kidney function.

Iron deficiency is one of the most common health conditions globally, and disproportionally affects women, comparative to men (Pasricha et al., 2021). Specifically, the menstrual cycle can negatively affect iron regulation, with low-estrogen periods of been prohibitive for iron absorption and menstrual blood loss resulting in a direct, and often substantial loss of body iron (McKay et al., 2022). Additionally, high exercise volumes can also be detrimental to iron status, with direct iron losses (via GI bleeding, haemolysis and sweat) and exercise-induced decreases in iron absorption been contributors to the high prevalence of iron deficiency in athletic populations (Peeling et al., 2008). Accordingly, female athletes need to combat both the sex- and exercise-associated challenges to iron regulation, making them a ‘high risk’ cohort for iron deficiency. One approach for correcting an iron deficiency is to use oral iron supplementation. A conventional supplementation regime consists of daily ferrous sulphate dose (~100 mg of elemental iron), usually found in combination with a source of vitamin C which typically increases an athlete’s iron stores by 30-50% over a 6–8-week period (Dawson et al., 2006; Hinton et al., 2000). However, it is not uncommon for individuals to report high levels of gastrointestinal distress from this treatment, especially athletes. Other formulations have been identified which claim to reduce the side effects associated with iron ingestion. One such formulation, is an iron(III)-hydroxide polymaltose complex (Maltofer), which has shown good efficacy and reduced side effects in pregnant women (Ortiz et al., 2011), however it’s use in athlete cohorts has not yet been determined. Accordingly, this study will assess to efficiency of different iron formulations in different cohorts of women with varying exercise loads and menstrual statuses. It is hypothesised that both supplements will be equally effective at increasing iron stores, however Maltofer consumption will be associated with lower GI complaints. Furthermore, we hypothesise that iron stores will be repleted faster in generally active, compared to athlete cohorts, and that menopausal women will have the greatest increase in their iron stores after 12 weeks. Collectively, this work may highlight the need to develop athlete-specific strategies for the treatment iron deficiency. The aims of this project are: 1. To assess the efficacy of two different iron formulations (Ferrograd C and Maltofer) on the treatment of low iron stores in women. 2. To compare the efficacy of oral iron supplementation in different cohorts of women. 3. To assess the relationship between iron status, supplement efficacy and the TMPRSS6 rs855791 (2321 C>T) polymorphism in women.

This project investigates how low and moderate doses of alcohol affects eye movement patterns during simulated driving. It will also examine how these doses of alcohol affects cognition, visual information processing, and subjective intoxication

Respiratory illnesses are the most frequent reason for non-elective hospital admissions in children aged less than 5 years, with a high global health burden. Whilst mortality due to acute respiratory failure (ARF) has improved in high-income countries, mortality remains between 13-20% in less well-resourced settings. In Far North Queensland (Qld), 50% of mostly indigenous children with ARF require transfer to a tertiary hospital due to higher care needs, whereas in South-East Qld only 9-12% of these children require transfer. To address this inequality, we aim to introduce an evaluation of a measured model of care using a comprehensive respiratory care bundle for children with ARF in rural and remote hospitals in Qld. This includes the implementation of nasal high-flow therapy, which is a standard therapy used in regional and urban hospitals in Australia, but yet to be offered in a large number of rural and remote settings. We hypothesis that with the implementation of the respiratory care bundle we can reduce the number of children requiring interhospital transfers.

The study is a parallel group double-blind Phase 3 randomised control trial comparing a 12-week treatment period of oral Cannabidiol (CBD) (400mg daily, Experimental) to Placebo (Control). The research hypothesis is that CBD, compared to placebo, will achieve significant reductions in cannabis use, as measured by number of self-reported cannabis-free days and urinary THC-COOH levels, among treatment-seeking patients with moderate-severe CUD. Participants will be treatment-seeking clients recruited from study sites under conditions of informed consent. Participants will be randomly allocated to either CBD or placebo (1:1 ratio, double blind conditions), and attend every 3 weeks (weeks 1-12) for (a) clinical review with study doctor, (b) dispensing of medication, (c) collection of urine drug screen and (d) a research interview with an independent researcher. Participants will have up to 4 sessions of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy-based counselling over the 12 weeks. Final research interview will occur at week 24, 12 weeks after the study intervention. Additional qualitative research interviews will be conducted with Aboriginal participants in a sub-study examining their perspectives of treatment. Sample size is 250 participants, with approximately 125 randomised to each condition. It is estimated that approximately 20% of participants (n=50) will be Aboriginal. The study will use an intention to treat between-group analysis.

Interventions used to change behaviour typically rely on providing solely education, however this is usually insufficient for behaviour change. Training of health professionals in effective strategies such as behaviour change techniques can provide positive benefits in both the confidence of health professionals to deliver effective interventions as well as improve primary care. To date, dietitians have received limited training in this area and have expressed a need for professional development on behaviour change. To address this gap, dietitians will be able to participate in two 2-hour workshops in behaviour change. The pre-post trial will allow us to see changes over time over three time points. Outcomes of the study will guide the development of future continuous professional development for health professionals in health-behaviour change to improve client outcomes.

Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disorder in the world and occurs most often in hips and knees, with symptoms including pain, stiffness and limited movement of the affected joint. Diagnosis of OA is the principal indication for total hip arthroplasty which is the treatment for individuals with end stage hip osteoarthritis when conservative therapies to manage symptoms have been exhausted . The aim of this study is to investigate how restoration of the native hip anatomy in total hip arthroplasty (THA) affects biomechanical and functional outcomes. Biomechanics (in this context) refers to gait assessment (joint angles and ground reaction forces) and its integration with musculoskeletal modelling techniques to determine joint contact forces.