ANZCTR search results

This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of Virtual Surgery School (VSS) for patients scheduled to undergo major abdominal cancer surgery. Who is it for? You may be eligible to join this study if you are aged 18 years or above and are scheduled to undergo upper gastrointestinal surgery (including oesophagectomy), lower gastrointestinal surgery (including pelvic exenteration) or major sarcoma procedures of at least 120 minutes duration at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. Study details: Participants in this study will be allocated to one of two groups based on individual participant preference. One group will participate in our established, well-received hospital based 'Surgery School'. The other will participant in Virtual Surgery School (VSS) using a live Webinar platform, which they can access, anywhere there is an internet connection (e.g. home/community centre). Patients who choose not to participate will receive standard care comprising of general information incorporated into routine care pre-anaesthetic clinic appointments. Surgery School is a pre-operative education pack which includes six information modules; Introduction to Surgery School, aCOUGH, Nausea and pain management, Nutrition, Exercise and Psychological Prehabilitation. These are delivered by presenters from our multidisciplinary team (Physiotherapist, Anaesthetist, Pain Nurse, Psychologist) either in person or via live webinar. It is hoped that the virtual method of assessing Surgery School will reduced inequities to this proven prevention initiative for patients who are unable to attend the hospital.

This is a double blinded randomized trial of Botox injection for the treatment of complex anal fistulae. All patients will have a Seton drain placed at their initial surgery. After six weeks they will be randomized to either Botox injection to the anal sphincter or placebo as well as (in both groups) removal of the Seton drain. Patients will be followed up at 3,12 and 24 weeks to assess healing of the fistula.

Background: Symptoms of anxiety and depression are highly prevalent among people with severe asthma. Despite this, symptoms of anxiety and depression are not frequently assessed in severe asthma management. Due to the high burden and potential under treatment, further investigation is warranted. Aims: o To determine the illness burden of patients with severe asthma and anxiety and depression using patient reported outcome measures o To inform the development of a targeted non-pharmacological intervention for anxiety and depression in a severe asthma population. o To capture emotions and explore the intimate and individual experience of living with severe asthma, anxiety and/or depression through art-based methods.

Gastrointestinal problems in the lower gastrointestinal tract can manifest as irritable bowel symptoms. The Broth & Co Beef Bone Broth Powder contains a nutrient rich mix of amino acids, minerals, collagen, glucosamine and chondroitin, which have been shown to be beneficial for the gastrointestinal system. In this pilot single-arm pre-post study of 12 weeks duration we aim to investigate the effect of the Broth&Co Beef Bone Broth Powder on gastrointestinal disturbances in Australian adults.

Embryo transfer is the final process in the highly technical treatment of IVF. It is performed via the cervix and the embryo is placed into the uterine cavity via a fine catheter. Studies demonstrate that pregnancy rates are better when embryo transfer is performed under ultrasound guidance. Studies have also looked at the position of the bubble(fluid containing the embryo) on ultrasound following embryo transfer, with a sweet spot at 15mm from the fundal endometrium. Currently in most clinics ultrasound guidance is not performed by a person formally trained in pelvic ultrasound. The ultrasound probe is often positioned by the doctor and held by the patient whilst the doctor performs the transfer. The researchers hypothesize that performing the transfer with a trained sonographer will lead to a higher number of embryos being in the best position in the uterine cavity. We hypothesize that as compared to a patient holding the ultrasound probe, the sonographer is skilled at locating the endometrium, dynamically adjusting the probe and guiding the doctor to place the embryo in the ideal position. This study will assess the distance of the bubble from the fundal endometrium immediately following embryo transfer.

This study aims to evaluate biomarkers from blood, tissue, urine, and stool, in order to assess how useful they are in predicting treatment response and side effects from Immunotherapy. Who is it for? You may be eligible to join this study if you are aged 18 years or older and have been diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer, bladder cancer, or kidney cancer, for which you will be commencing Immunotherapy. Study details This study will involve a taking a variety of biological samples including, blood, urine, stool and tissue on seven separate occasions throughout the 12 month study period. The samples will be used to evaluate new tests (biomarkers) to assess how useful they are in predicting cancer outcomes. It is hoped that these biomarker tests can provide insight to changes in tumour tissue, blood, stool and urine during treatment. The information from this study will be crucial in personalizing Immunotherapy treatment.

Optimal outcomes in total hip arthroplasty are dependent on appropriate component placement, with technological advances providing a platform for guiding component placement to reduce the risk of malpositioned components during surgery. This study will validate the accuracy of the data captured using a handheld imageless navigation system (for total hip arthroplasty) against pre/postoperative CT scans. Patients are to be recruited and data captured as part of the existing approved protocol for John Ireland's patient registry [ACTRN12618000317291].

This study aims to evaluate a new approach to provide a ‘personalised’ treatment management plan for patients with glioma that has started to grow again following treatment with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Who is it for? You may be eligible to join this study if you are aged 18 years or older, with histological confirmed grade 2 or 3 glioma at initial diagnosis. In addition, evidence of progressive disease as defined as evidence of new contrast-enhancing tumour and/or 25% increase in the size of the T2/FLAIR area compared to prior imaging after prior treatment with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Study details For each participant, the study will involve a taking a sample of tumour tissue during surgery and then screened for a range of biomarkers. If a suitable biomarker is found, the study team will try and match the identified biomarker with specific treatment. Blood samples and imaging assessments will also be obtained during this study. It is hoped that screening tumour tissue for specific biomarkers can inform a personalised treatment plan for patients with brain cancer and provide valuable insight to the feasibility of conducting such trials.

This study will evaluate an updated health care delivery model for patients with Cystic Fibrosis by incorporating virtual health/telehealth clinics. For patients in the telehealth arm, clinic visits may occur at home, work or at their local GP practice. This will replace in-hospital clinic visits. Patients in this arm however will need to attend at least one in-hospital clinic visit over a 12 month period. Spirometry will be performed at home using a portable spirometer. Patient satisfaction and well-being questionnaires will need to be completed at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Patients in the non-telehealth arm will need to complete similar questionnaires at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Patients in the latter arm will continue to attend in-hospital clinic visits every 3 months. Three groups of patients will be recruited for this study; a. Patients living in regional NSW b. Patients living in metropolitan NSW, 15km away from the RPA CF centre c. Patients colonised with multi-resistant bacteria

The purpose of this partnership project is to address a significant evidence-to-practice gap by implementing and evaluating a new model of care for stroke rehabilitation, using mechanobiology-based, robot-assisted weight-bearing exercise with biofeedback to improve bone health in patients following an acute stroke. Hypothesis:: Relative to standard care, the new model of care for stroke patients utilising a mechanobiology-based robot-assisted weight-bearing exercise will achieve significant and sustainable improvements in bone health consistent with that recommended by the 2017 clinical guidelines for stroke management. This project will provide the necessary comparative-effectiveness ‘proof-of-concept’ evidence for the use of robots in clinical practice to inform rehabilitation policy.