ANZCTR search results

Decline in cognition and physical function often occurs simultaneously and increase falls risk in older people. Previous research has shown that step training reduces falls risk as well as improving cognition. Previous research has also shown that combining motor and cognitive training would induce greater cognitive improvements than individual motor or cognitive training. Therefore, we have created ReacStep, a novel step training program with an added cognitive component. it requires minimal equipment and can be individually tailored to older adults with a range of physical functional levels. This trial will examine the effects of the ReacStep program on fall risk and cognitive function in older adults. We hypothesise the the ReacStep program will improve fall risk and cognition in healthy older adults. If this study is successful at improving fall risk and cognition, it will provide a basis for a larger clinical trial and a feasible solution for preventing falls and dementia in older adults, and can be a new training program that health professionals can use in their practice.

This study aims to build on existing local research to trial a linguistically and culturally tailored asthma education strategy that builds on our recently established early intervention asthma nurse lead education program. Shortly following a hospital admission, patients with asthma including those from culturally and linguistically diverse communities will be seen by a Nurse educator and a Bilingual health care worker if required for a detailed asthma education session. They will be supported by phone and in person over the next few months. Their asthma control will be assessed with a validated questionnaire at the end of the study. We hope to demonstrate that such a tailor-made programme of asthma education will improve asthma outcomes. for all patients with asthma

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a severe, cyclical depressive disorder that affects 2-8% of women of reproductive age. Previously known as late luteal phase dysphoric disorder, PMDD is characterised by irritability, mood changes/swings and physical symptoms of that develop during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and resolve after the commencement of menses. PMDD carries significant distress and morbidity, for which limited therapeutic options exist. The urgent and clear need exists for effective and harmless treatments in PMDD. The scope exists to investigate novel therapeutic modalities for this crippling disorder for many. The proposed project meets this need by investigating the efficacy of application of Theta Burst Stimulation (TBS) in PMDD in the form of a pilot study. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive means of stimulating nerve cells in superficial areas of the brain. TBS (a patterned form of TMS) has been approved by the FDA as a treatment for treatment-resistant major depression. TBS has received minimal research attention as a potential treatment for PMDD. The research project aims to evaluate if theta burst stimulation (TBS) is effective in treating mood and other psychological symptoms in PMDD.

Huntington’s disease (HD) involves progressive decline in cognitive function, often beginning many years prior to clinical diagnosis, and drastically affects quality of life. Further, there are currently no effective treatments for cognitive decline in HD. Cognitive training has been found to be effective in improving cognitive function in other populations, but has not been thoroughly investigated in HD. This study aims to examine the effects of cognitive training on cognitive and clinical outcomes in people with HD, as well as its effects on brain function. This will be done by randomly allocating participants to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will complete cognitive training over 3 months, whereas the control group will receive a monthly newsletter on lifestyle factors associated with cognitive function and will be provided access to the training program after the study period. It is hypothesised that compared to the control group, participants in the intervention group will have: (1) improved cognitive function; (2) improved neuropsychiatric symptoms; (3) improved subjective cognition; (4) improved health-related quality of life; (5) increased connectivity in brain networks involved in cognitive tasks; and (6) increased connectivity in brain networks during rest, after the study period.

Previous research indicates that text-message based programmes can be an effective public health approach to improve adolescent health behaviours, including tobacco use, thus may have promise as an approach to influence adolescent e-cigarette behaviours. We aim to conduct a randomised controlled trial to examine the potential effect of a text-message program targeting parents to prevent adolescent e-cigarette use. Over 12 weeks, parents of adolescents will receive text messages designed to address the factors identified that increase the risk of adolescent use (e.g. to modify perceived social norms, or correct misconceptions of risk). Adolescent intentions to use e-cigarettes will be the primary outcome, assessed via a survey.

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network now recommends molecular screening for all patients with advanced pancreatic duct adenocarcinoma (PDAC) to enable patients to benefit from these strategies. The predominant method of obtaining tissue to establish the diagnosis of PDAC is a specific ultrasound guided fine needle biopsy. This study aims to test the use of additional fluids that are collected as part of the tissue biopsy to determine whether the DNA extracted from these fluids is enough to create a genetic profile of the patient's pancreatic cancer. Who is it for? You may be eligible for this study if you are aged 18 or older, you have been diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma that is locally advanced or metastatic (has spread to other body systems) and you have undergone an endoscopic ultrasound biopsy to establish the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Study details All participants who choose to enrol in this study will consent to having the fluids previously collected during their ultrasound biopsy assessed. Participants will not be asked to provide additional blood or tissue samples as part of this study. Each sample will be assessed to determine whether there is sufficient genetic material present to create a profile of the patient's specific cancer. For participants where a genetic profile can be generated, this information will be sent to a board of cancer experts who will review the profile against a list of new and existing cancer treatments. If a suitable treatment is identified, the participant will be informed within 1 month following review of their comprehensive molecular profiling, and they will then be able to start on the treatment if they agree to. It is hoped this research will demonstrate that it is possible to create a specific cancer profile for patients with pancreatic cancer from previously collected samples, without the need for additional biopsies. It is also hoped that this research may enable identification of personalised treatment options for pancreatic cancer patients, which may improve their quality of life and survival.

It is hypothesised that implantation of the ReActiv8 System will lead to a reduction in pain and/or disability for participants with CLBP, prior decompressive surgery (discectomy or laminectomy), with unsatisfactory pain relief despite continuing medical management (including physical therapy and medications). This Investigator-Initiated Study will be a single arm prospective study using two cohorts. Cohort 1 will be 30 patients who have mechanical LBP for > or equal to 12 months following a discectomy procedure, and Cohort 2 will be 30 patients who have had chronic LBP > or equal to 12 months following a lumbar laminectomy. The study will consist of up to 60 patients implanted with ReActiv8, who are indicated for participation in this study.

A single site, open-label pilot study to examine the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial of N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) on loss of control eating. All eligible participants will receive NAC orally at a daily dose of 2400 mg for 12 weeks. Outcome assessment will be made at baseline and at 12 week using questionnaires and ecological momentary assessment (EMA)

Text-message based programmes have proven to be an effective public health approach to improve adolescent health behaviours, including tobacco use, and so may have promise as an approach to influence adolescent e-cigarette behaviours. Given this potential, we aim to conduct a randomised controlled trial to examine the potential effect of a text-message program to prevent adolescent e-cigarette use. Over 12 weeks, adolescents will receive text messages designed to address the factors identified that increase the risk of their use (e.g. to modify perceived social norms, or correct misconceptions of risk). Adolescent intentions to use e-cigarettes will be the primary outcome, assessed via a survey.

Clozapine is an antipsychotic drug given to people with psychosis (schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder) that in addition to reducing psychotic symptoms can also prevent certain cancers and age-related diseases, but can also cause weight changes. How clozapine causes these effects is unknown. Evidence suggests that disruptions in autophagy, a natural process of repair that occurs inside all cells of the body and slows the ageing process, could contribute to the development of those side effects. For this reason, this research project is aiming to see if clozapine changes a person’s autophagy. This study is the first of its kind, and the results of this pilot study could lead to a better understanding of the currently unknown mechanisms of clozapine’s actions to better assist those being treated with clozapine, and also to help inform the clinical applications of clozapine in additional settings.