ANZCTR search results

Trial Objective - To determine the efficacy of the ultrasound guided “hamstrings block” in reducing pain and enhancing quality of recovery following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) with a hamstring autograft. By doing this study we hope to show that the “Hamstrings block” is effective and provide clinical evidence to support the use of this nerve block in order to optimise recovery and improve patient outcomes in the future. Patients will be randomised to one of two groups. The first group will receive the current standard anaesthetic for ACLRs. The other group will receive the current standard anaesthetic for ACLRs plus the novel “hamstrings block”. This will be performed under general anaesthesia. Post-operatively routine questions will be asked about pain levels and any side effects. We will briefly examine the leg to look for effects of the block by testing sensation and muscle strength. Pain levels and presence of nausea/vomiting will be recorded immediately after the operation, at 1 hour, at 6 hours and 24 hours. Also, before and after the operation we will be asking patients to complete a standardised questionnaire that will help us judge how patients have found the recovery following the operation. We then plan to analyse the results and do a Peer reviewed publication of these results in approximately 12 months time.

Aim: To investigate acute changes in tendon volume and stiffness following different isometric load protocols among people with Achilles tendinopathy and healthy controls. setting: The proposed study will be conducted in the physiology laboratory located in Clayton campus of Monash University. participants: total number of 42 male participants (21 with midportion tendinopathy and 21 healthy matched), recruited from community. intervention: 3 different isometric protocols with different parameters performed on a custom-built dynamometer. the protocols have different load intensity and duration of contraction. each subject in the 2 groups will perform a single protocol per session and the interval between each session is one week. outcome measures: tendon volume, cross-sectional area, and stiffness will be measured at baseline and immediately following intervention using freehand 3-dimensional ultrasoud. secondary outcome: pressure pain threshold measured at baseline and immediately following interventions. discussion: the study will determine if a specific combination of load parameters could maximize volume changes among people with midportion tendinopathy and healthy controls

This study will investigate the role of rituals in open-label placebo effect. Recent studies have found that open-label placebo treatments are effective in improving symptoms of IBS, depression, ADHD, and low-back and migraine pain. These findings suggest the possibility of generating a placebo effect without deception. Participants will be recruited to take part in a study investigating the effect of open-label placebo administration on wellbeing and randomly assigned to one of three conditions: no-treatment control, placebo treatment, or placebo treatment taken performing a ritual procedure.

This study is attempting to address shortcomings with the current DR screening process by implementing novel portable devices at point of care for high-risk patients. Non mydriatic camera (NMC) fundus photography has been approved by the NHMRC as a screening tool for DR. Combined pupillometry/electroretinography (ERG) has been proven sensitive and specific for DR screening. We will build on these promising novel screening tools through implementation in new clinical settings: point of care in hospital. Opportunistic diabetes case-finding by HbA1c screening of patients presenting to Blacktown ED identified 66% of patients had diabetes or pre-diabetes. Synchronising our DR screening protocol with established successful systems for identification of high-risk patients, using the WSLHD Diabetes Detection and Management Strategy & Western Sydney Diabetes Initiative will amplify the clinical impact of these initiatives by reducing the burden of blindness. The goals of this study align with the WSLHD Better West Strategic Priorities which identified the priority for “Healthy people- Overcome diabetes through screening and early management”. Our aim is to investigate whether NMC and ERG screening at the point of care in patients with high risk for DR, results in improved detection of new and vision threatening DR compared to current screening practices. This study aims to establish: *The proportion of patients with undiagnosed and/or vision threatening DR in patients presenting to hospital emergency departments with raised blood sugar level (BSL) and/or HbA1c, or high-risk foot clinics. The rate of undiagnosed DR will be compared to population based estimates from the 2016 National Eye Health Survey and ophthalmology clinic populations. *The various methods (NMC, ERG, MC and computer-automated DR screening) will be compared with respect to: *Rate of successful administration eg. proportion of retinal images that are readable. *The relative diagnostic accuracy in this novel setting *Cost of the procedure from health care provider perspective (time, personnel, equipment). *The value of ERG in addition to NMC in screening this population. *The validity of portable NMC and ERG compared with dilated 2-field MC. *Fundus DR grading by an automated image screening program will be compared to human graders with a cost-benefit analysis. *The value of this screening protocol compared with community screening. In combination, these aims will provide an evidence base for clinically appropriate HbA1c and BSL screening criteria.

The purpose of this study is to test a new screening tool to see if this tool helps the hospital meet patient’s supportive care needs. Supportive care includes physical, financial, emotional, family and practical support. Who is it for? You may be eligible for this study if you are aged 16 or over, you have a diagnosis of blood cancer and are receiving treatment. You may also be eligible for a part of the study if you have received treatment for a blood cancer in the past. Study details Participants in this study will be divided into two groups, depending on whether they are currently having treatment (called the prospective group), or received treatment in the past (the retrospective group). Both groups will complete screening tools, which involve a questionnaire. The retrospective group will complete a paper questionnaire and return by mail. The prospective group will complete the questionnaire at each appointment in a 12-month period. In addition to the questionnaire(s), all participants will also complete a satisfaction survey. It is hoped this research will demonstrate the usefulness of this screening process, and enable the needs of patients to be responded to more effectively.

Ginger has long been used in ancient medicine. Modern research has found ginger has many health benefits from relieving nausea and pain to lowering blood pressure. However, little is known about how and why. Studies on animals suggest that ginger may benefit health through its effect on the gut microbiota. Therefore, The GINGA GUT (GINGer And the GUT Microbiota) Study will be the first human trial to assess the effects of ginger supplementation on the gut microbiota and related health outcomes (bowel habits, depression, anxiety, stress, fatigue, quality of life and adverse events). Participants will be advised to follow a one-week run-in period to stablise diet and lifestyle factors (e.g. sleep, exercise, diet), followed by a 14-day supplementation period of either four ginger root or placebo supplements per day (two in the morning and two at night). Participants will take one stool swab sample prior to supplementation and one on the 13th or 14th day of supplementation. In addition, participants will answer numerous online surveys. It is hypothesised that ginger supplementation will be associated with increased quantities and diversity of gut bacteria species and strains.

The primary aim of this study is to investigate the possible differential effects of two VLEDs on gut microbiota composition and associated health in women with obesity. It is hypothesised that from baseline to endpoint, those allocated to the food-based VLED will have more diverse and abundant bacterial microbes compared to those in the supplement-based VLED. It is also hypothesised that those allocated to the food-based VLED will have more beneficial metabolic and mental health outcomes relative to the supplement-based VLED.

In 2015/16 there were 104 072 low back pain presentations to Emergency Departments in Australia. Many of these patients do not require an imaging test. However, 30 -40% of patients receive an imaging test. Imaging tests take time, cost money, and can cause unnecessary concern for patients. We aim to determine whether it is feasible to run a campaign to raise awareness of unnecessary imaging for low back pain among patients and physicians.

The intervention is a relatively novel hip regional block, called the PENG block. This is an injection of local anaesthetic solution into a fascial plane close to the acetabulum bone. We hypothesise that this local anaesthetic technique is more effective in preventing and relieving pain than the most commonly used regional block for hip fracture surgery, which at the moment is the femoral nerve block.

This project aims to improve the quality of acute health care services provided to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, in line with the Australian Safety and Quality Framework for Health Care (ASQFHC) and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Quality Improvement Framework (ATSIQIF). Based across three sites (Flinders Medical Centre SA, Alice Springs Hospital NT and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital NSW), this project will highlight the immensely important role of Aboriginal liaison officers, strengthen the capability of the Aboriginal health research workforce, privilege the voices of Aboriginal people in research and ultimately improve health for Aboriginal patients in the acute care setting by improving the effectiveness of the acute care provided