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Running mitigates many common barriers to physical activity as it is time efficient, inexpensive and easily accessible (Hespanhol et al. 2015; Ainsworth 2011). Running has a positive impact on longevity, reducing the risk of premature mortality by 30% compared to non-runners (Lee 2014; Lee 2017). Yet despite its broad appeal, there are a variety of barriers that can hinder long-term participation, with novice runners most at risk of drop-out (Fokkema 2019; Menheere 2020; Vidbaek 2015; Berelsen 2017). Running-related injury and lack of motivation are two main reasons for discontinuation (Dallinga et al. 2015; Middelweerd et al. 2014). Despite motivation being a known reason in determining running adherence, little is known about how this should be addressed. Online interventions to promote exercise participation in conjunction with activity tracking have been used extensively in health research. Compared to face-to-face interventions, online interventions tend to be low cost and can target a broad population. This study will explore the feasibility of a 12-week online intervention comprised of evidence-based education and relevant behaviour change techniques and strategies to improve running adherence, promote motivation, and increase sustainable running participation.

BEAT CF is a national, multi-site project which aims to learn and implement , which of the antibiotics commonly used to treat lung infections are best. There is no single standard of care for managing CF pulmonary exacerbations. Standard care comprises a range of interventions and varies across and within CF treatment centres and may evolve over the course of the PEx Treatment Platform. At the time of initiation of the PEx Treatment Platform Protocol, management of pulmonary exacerbations generally involves the use of one or more intravenous (IV) antibiotic therapies. Most Australian clinicians manage pulmonary exacerbations with an antipseudomonal beta-lactam or carbapenem, combined with a non-beta lactam antibiotic - most typically the aminoglycoside tobramycin given intravenously (IV). Tobramycin can also be given via inhalation. Inhaled tobramycin is widely used for outpatient management, it is rarely used as part of inpatient management of PEx. This particular domain to the BEAT CF PEx treatment platform aims to find out if there is any gain in providing tobramycin in addition to ‘backbone’ antibiotic therapy. Also, it will assess there is any difference in giving tobramycin by the IV or inhaled route, and whether no tobramycin is non-inferior to the IV or inhaled tobramycin. Some clinicians reserve the use of IV aminoglycoside for patients known to be colonised with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Some, but not all, clinicians use the results of microbiology and in vitro susceptibilities to guide antibiotic selection. Many centres provide additional antibiotic cover targeted to specific pathogens, but only if identified on sputum microbiology, e.g. for Stenotrophomonas maltophilia or Staphylococcus aureus. The duration of IV antibiotic therapy is typically 14 days, and generally ranges from 10 days to 21 days. A recent RCT found evidence that 10 days was non-inferior to 14 days of IV antibiotics therapy in those with a rapid treatment response, and found no evidence that 21 days was superior to 14 days of IV antibiotics in those without a rapid treatment response. The primary objectives, outcomes and endpoints for the PEx Cohort were informed by a systematic review of the literature and involvement of key clinical and consumer stakeholders.

With the general ageing of the population attributed to Baby Boomers and the increase in life expectancy, attention of health consumers is turning from simply the treatment of chronic illness to increasing the span of good health (healthspan) as people age. The inflamma-ageing hypothesis proposes that much of the ageing process per se as well as chronic disease, even in healthy persons, is underpinned by chronic low-level inflammation. In pilot human studies undertaken by NatMed Research looking at their proprietary green-lipped mussel-based products as an anti-inflammatory treatment of osteoarthritis, the observation was made of changes in body composition in those persons receiving active medication. The current proposal is to undertake an open-label trial in middle-aged healthy women (without osteoarthritis) to determine if improvements in body composition and strength can be determined.

This study is designed to show that using a subcutaneous indwelling catheter to administer enoxaparin (Clexane) is safe and effective for patients requiring long term treatment at both treatment doses and prophylactic (preventative) doses. This will be assessed by measuring peak drug activity levels, regular nursing and medical reviews, and assessing participant satisfaction and preference for using the subcutaneous catheters as compared to subcutaneous injections. If successful, this will provide reassurance to clinicians and patients and allow access to use of subcutaneous catheters as part of standard practice for those requiring extended durations of enoxaparin (Clexane) treatment.

Despite the increasing recognition of the negative impacts of HVSNS use on mental health outcomes, there is a paucity of research focused on possible interventions to reduce such negative outcomes. The current study is an extension of the review already completed as part of the project, that mapped the literature to date focusing on such interventions and that identified gaps in the literature. As outlined in that review, much of the existing research in this area has adopted exposure reduction or abstinence strategies, with mixed findings, and a need for other easily accessible psychology-informed treatment programs. The current project aims to fill the gap identified in the literature by developing an easily accessible, time and cost-effective solution through a CBT-based online micro-intervention designed to ameliorate the negative impacts of online highly visual social networking site (HVSNS) use on well-being outcomes. The proposed research aims to evaluate the acceptability of the CBT-based micro-intervention video. The current project also aims to assess the feasibility of recruiting, retaining and collecting outcome data in a university population. Secondary objectives will be to undertake a preliminary assessment of the potential impact of the program on reducing the negative impact of mental health outcomes. Through this study, the acceptability of the program and feasibility of a larger study will be assessed. The current study will also provide valuable information provide required information about sample size required for any larger studies.

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that arises when the body’s response to an infection injures its own tissues and organs. Globally, sepsis kills more people each year than any other condition except cardiovascular disease, yet few Australian’s know what it is. This study asks, 'what is the baseline awareness of sepsis in Emergency Department patients and what is the best way to educate them about it?' To answer that question participants will undergo a short test to measure their knowledge of sepsis. Then they will be split evenly into two groups at random (like tossing a coin), one group will receive a one-page paper handout that tells them what they need to know about sepsis while the other group will watch a video that presents the same information. One month after receiving the sepsis education the participant will receive a follow-up phone call and be asked to take the short sepsis test again to measure how much they have learned and retained about sepsis. By comparing the difference between the average test scores in each group we will learn which education method (paper handout or video) is most effective at teaching participants about sepsis. Embedded within the process of signing up to this study will be another study component focused on different ways to present consent information for research. People who are interested in participating will be split evenly into two groups. One group will receive information about the study in paper form, the other electronically. Those who consent to participate will be followed up one month later and asked what they recall of the consent process. Recall of study and consent details will be compared between the group receiving the paper study information and the group receiving the electronic version. This is how we will show which method of presenting information results in better understanding and recollection. We hypothesise that electronic consenting and educational materials will allow patients to better comprehend the information and recall this at 30 days post-enrolment.

In ischaemic stroke (caused by a blocked blood vessel) a region of the brain is starved of oxygen, and dies. There is a window of opportunity to restore blood flow to prevent tissue death, even small increases in blood flow can lengthen this window. Only unblocking blocked arteries by clot dissolving medication or sucking the clot out directly are proven therapies. We propose that using Metaraminol to boost blood pressure will improve blood flow to the brain as a bridging method until definitive treatment restores blood flow. We aim to prove this approach using advanced brain imaging called CT perfusion, which can effectively detect the size and region of brain tissue at threat of dying without blood flow restoration. Stroke patients are usually managed without blood pressure support, but if our research is positive, this practice could be altered, especially in long distance stroke retrievals.

University students and young people are already a known high risk group for experiencing poor mental health and wellbeing. This at-risk group also demonstrates low uptake for early help seeking where the largest barrier often experienced by this group to seek help early is lack of awareness and understanding about the process and often associated bias or stigma. It is critically important to develop the resources and tools to support students in feeling like they understand mental health, can recognise early trends in mood and behaviours that might be early symptoms of poor mental health, and feel supported and empowered to reach out for help when they need it. The Monash THRIVE App is being developed to help students track their own feelings and set, and achieve, their own wellbeing goals through a tailor made resource that is private and secure on their own device. Through using the Monash THRIVE App students will learn more about mental health, and themselves and feel more supported to seek help early when they are struggling. This trial has been designed to measure both efficacy in terms of perceived willingness to seek help and overall wellbeing as well as the user feedback on the design, functionality, and usability of the Monash THRIVE App in a true co-design and co-development process with users. Note that no specific mental health condition or diagnosis is explored in this trial as all participants are pre-clinical. The core outcome of this trial is to explore improved wellbeing and improved intentions to seek help if in need amongst a healthy population of University students.

This study aims to determine novel peripheral cardiovascular markers of exercise intolerance in adults living with atrial fibrillation, specifically skeletal muscle microvascular blood flow. The study will compare the skeletal muscle blood flow response before and following exercise in atrial fibrillation participants compared to health age- and sex-matched controls. It is hypothesised that adults with atrial fibrillation will have impaired skeletal muscle microvascular blood flow following exercise when compared to healthy controls and skeletal muscle microvascular blood flow predicts exercise intolerance in atrial fibrillation patients.

Reduced exercise capacity is a condition of decreased ability to perform physical exercise and is common in people with type 2 diabetes. This causes a range of problems such as fatigue, pain, nausea, breathlessness, and severe muscle cramps. Reduced exercise capacity significantly reduces quality of life making independent living difficult. We have established that poor blood flow in the smallest blood vessels (microvascular) in skeletal muscle, and not problems with the heart, is the main driver of impaired exercise capacity in type 2 diabetes. We have also demonstrated that people with type 2 diabetes have poor blood glucose (glycaemic) responses to meals which is at least in part due to impairments in microvascular responses in skeletal muscle. Traditional exercise training has been demonstrated to improve exercise capacity and glycaemic regulation. Although effective, traditional exercise programs are not widely used to treat type 2 diabetes because most patients cannot or choose not to participate despite the recognised benefits. Other “exercise mimetic” vascular therapies are therefore required to assist people with type 2 diabetes. One promising novel approach is whole body vibration exercise. We will investigate whether home-based whole body vibration exercise (using a commercial vibration platform) for 3 months can improve exercise capacity and glycaemic regulation in people with type 2 diabetes compared to usual care.