ANZCTR search results

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.

Concussion is a significant public health concern among Australian children and adolescents. A large population of children who experience a concussion (approximately 30%) will go on to experience persistence post-concussion symptoms for more than 4 weeks following their injury. These symptoms can limit their ability to attend and engage in school, extra-curricular activities and can lead to reduced quality of life. International consensus on Concussion recommends a brief period of physical rest immediately after concussion (24-48 hours) followed by a graduated return to physical activity at a level that does not provoke significant symptom exacerbation . Active rehabilitation involving sub-symptom threshold aerobic activity is a growing area of research with evidence showing reduced symptoms and improvements in recovery following concussion. There is a lack of evidence for an incremental aerobic exercise test that can safely be performed via a telehealth platform. This requires that the participant remain in view of the therapist via a computer, tablet or smart phone camera. One such method is the Modified Shuttle Test (MST). The MST is an incremental aerobic exercise test. Here, the participant to walk/run back and forth between the two markers separated by 10m as many times as possible following incrementally increasing speeds (i.e. incrementally increasing aerobic exercise) indicated by an audio recording. It has been validated in several paediatric populations with chronic health issues (Cystic Fibrosis, bronchiectasis, cerebral palsy, asthma, obesity). We propose to validate the 10m MST in children and adolescents with concussion. In phase 1 of our study, we will validate the 10m MST by comparing it to the gold-standard Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test. The aim of the study is to validate the Incremental 10m Shuttle test for use in a paediatric population who have sustained a concussion. The objective of this study is to determine if there is a correlation between the Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test and Modified Shuttle Test exertion test for those children who have sustained a concussion. Permission for the physiotherapist to contact the family will be provided as per QPRS Contact Consent Form. The physiotherapist will supply the participant with a graded exercise program in the next 24 hours via email if the family are interested.

TransformUs is a behavioural school-based intervention targeting reducing sedentary behaviour and increasing physical activity in students with additional needs. This is an adaption of a previously registered successful trial "Scalability of the Transform-Us! program to promote children’s physical activity and reduce prolonged sitting in Victorian primary schools" (ACTRN12617000204347), to suit children and adolescents with additional needs. In this study a sample of 6 special schools (3 with students requiring a low to medium level of support and 3 with students requiring a medium to high level of support will be invited to participate in the effectiveness trial. One nominated school leader per school (n=6) and teachers/teachers aides (n=20) from each school will be invited to deliver the program. Around n=125 students (with varying levels of support) will be assessed on physical activity, on-task behaviour and life skills. A sub-sample of students will be invited to take part in focus groups where the discussion will be around students’ perceptions regarding the physical activity strategies implemented in the trial (enjoyment, physical/mental effort, favourite activities, perceived barriers, suggestions for improvements, etc.). We believe that students may find this activity engaging and enjoyable. Focus groups will take up to 45 minutes and be in the presence of teachers and teacher's aides, or other school staff where applicable. Our findings will determine the effectiveness of the program for students will disability in Australia so that it can be rolled out nationally and become part of routine best practice.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the Moral Injury Treatment for Refugees (MIT-R) in reducing posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTS) and symptoms associated with moral injury (i.e., heightened moral emotions of anger, shame and guilt, and disconnection with others) in a group of Arabic, Dari, Farsi and English-speaking refugees. This study will use a case series design where participants are randomised to different baseline lengths (4, 6, or 8 weeks) before receiving the intervention. It is hypothesized that participants will show reductions in PTS symptoms and negative moral emotions when compared to symptoms pre-treatment. It is also hypothesized that participants will endorse greater social functioning at post-treatment completion compared to pre-treatment. Clinically, this project will represent a critical first step in trialling a novel psychological intervention for moral injury in refugees.

Biliary Cancer (BC) or Cholangiocarcinoma remains a rare but important cause of cancer related mortality worldwide. Although surgical resection can be curative, most patients present with advanced disease not suitable for surgery. Current chemotherapy has improved median survival to 1-2 years for these patients. The aim of this study is to examine the feasibility and benefit or role for integrating comprehensive molecular profiling (CMP) of advanced biliary cancer (ABC) using tissue collected during routine diagnostic tests or procedures. Who is it for? You may be eligible to join this study if you are aged 18 years or older, have suspected advanced biliary tract cancer, and are either scheduled for an endoscopy procedure or have pre-existing "biobanked" (stored) endoscopic biopsy tissue. Study Details: All participants will have been reviewed in a multi-disciplinary meeting and deemed suitable for inclusion in the trial. Those enrolled will be asked to provide a sample of their pre-existing or upcoming cancer biopsy tissue. The tissue will be collected at the time of the routine endoscopic procedure, or from the existing tissue sample stored at the hospital. Then, 6 months after providing the tissue sample, participants will be called by a member of the study team for telephone interview asking about disease progress and diagnosis. Additionally, information related to advanced biliary cancer diagnosis will be directly collected from medical records for the 12 month period after providing the tissue sample. It is hoped this research will show that comprehensive molecular profiling (CMP) on samples obtained /biopsies from routine diagnostic tests is able to perform comprehensive molecular profiling of advanced biliary tract cancer, and improve the detail on the profile and accuracy of cancer diagnosis.