ANZCTR search results

Sixty-six percent of the Australian adult population are overweight or obese. Recently, there has been growing interest in very-low-calorie diets (VLCDs) for weight loss, due to greater long-term weight loss success and being more tolerable than conventional weight loss programs. This nationwide cross-sectional survey aims to understand how Australian adults choose and follow very low calorie diet (VLCD) programs, their food and eating behaviours, and associated effects on self-perceived physical and mental health.

The purpose of this study is to learn whether injecting Pexa-Vec directly into the prostate cancer or into the blood stream is a safe and useful treatment for patients with prostate cancer, before they undergo standard surgery to remove the prostate gland. Who is it for? You may be eligible for this study if you are aged 18 years or older, have been recently diagnosed with prostate cancer and you haven't received any previous cancer treatments, including surgery, androgen deprivation therapy, chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Study details Participants in this study will have a small sample of prostate tissue (biopsy) taken before they receive any treatment. The first 10 participants will have a single dose of Pexa-Vec modified viral treatment injected directly into their prostate gland while they are in an MRI scanner, at least 4 weeks prior to prostate removal surgery. The second 10 participants will have two doses of Pexa-Vec treatment injected directly into their prostrate gland while they are in an MRI scanner, the first dose will be 6 weeks prior to surgery and the second dose at least 4 weeks prior to surgery. The last 10 participants will have two doses of Pexa-Vec treatment injected into their blood stream, the first dose will be at least 5 weeks prior to surgery and the second dose at least 4 weeks prior to surgery. All participants will undergo prostate removal surgery as scheduled by their doctor and will be asked to attend a series of follow-up appointments for up to 90 days after surgery to discuss their health and any complications they might have had. It is hoped this research may be used to improve health outcomes for future patients with prostate cancer by determining whether Pexa-Vec is safe and effective at changing the appearance of tumour and immune cells, while possibly reducing tumour cell growth prior to prostate removal surgery.

Effect of Yeast Beta Glucan (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) compared to a placebo on cold and flu symptoms in an Adult Population – A double blind, randomised controlled trial. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of baker’s yeast beta glucan (Angel Yeast) for reducing incidence and severity of cold and flu symptoms compared to a placebo in otherwise healthy adults aged 18-65 years old.

This is a cluster randomised controlled trial that will test the effect of an audit and feedback strategy alone, as well as the effect of a combined strategy of audit and feedback plus an online menu labelling intervention compared to audit and feedback alone. The trial recruited 10 NSW government primary schools that already use an online canteen ordering system through which student lunch orders can be placed. The primary trial outcomes are the proportion of “Everyday”, “Occasional” and “Caution” foods (as classified by the NSW Healthy School Canteen Strategy) sold. Intervention effectiveness is assessed through analysis of the lunch order purchasing data that is automatically collected by the online ordering system.

Aphasia, an acquired language disorder affecting everyday communication, most commonly occurs after stroke with an incidence of approximately 30% of stroke survivors. Aphasia is associated with poor mental health with a high prevalence of anxiety and depression in both stroke survivors and their families. Speech pathology services include the provision of informational and personal adjustment counselling with regard to communication disorders. Speech pathologists frequently report providing counselling to support the psychological wellbeing in this client group but the majority report low knowledge, skills, confidence, and satisfaction in this practice (Rose et al, 2014). A systematic review of counselling training for speech pathologists working with people affected by post­stroke aphasia found that prequalification counseling training is variable and limited with some speech pathology training courses not offering any. Where offered, counselling training for working in post­stroke aphasia is limited to less than three hours of counselling observation, coursework, and practicum. After qualification, speech pathologists seek a wide range of counselling training and approaches from external sources ranging from short courses to doctorates in counselling and psychology in an array of approaches including in motivational interviewing, solution-focused brief training, narrative therapy, and basic counselling skills (Sekhon, Oates, Kneebone & Rose, 2019). Some stroke services provide low­level training (by clinical psychologists) to support the psychological needs of stroke survivors. This can include, for example, person centered, solution-focused, and problem-solving approaches. However, a majority of these studies are of low quality with a variety of outcomes and unvalidated measures (checklists) used in evaluating counseling training. Counselling training (of one day or more) is significantly and positively associated with speech pathologists' self­reported confidence and competence in counselling for managing psychological concerns in stroke survivors with aphasia and their carers (Sekhon, Oates, Kneebone & Rose, 2019). Research questions: 1) What is the effect of an online counselling training module for supporting psychological wellbeing (IV) on a) speech pathologists’ self-efficacy (DV) for counselling in post-stroke aphasia? b) speech pathologists’ self-reported confidence (DV) for 8 counselling skills (including self-reported competence for counselling) relevant in post-stroke aphasia? 2) Are effects of the training maintained at 4-weeks post-training? If this training module is effective, speech pathologists who feel they have low knowledge, skills, or confidence in supporting psychological wellbeing in post-stroke aphasia rehabilitation may gain confidence and self-efficacy from undertaking this training.

We are studying ways to improve cardio-metabolic health of individuals with chronic disease so that patients can better manage or avoid developing common conditions like obesity, diabetes and heart problems. The aim of this study is to determine whether using health technologies in specialist chronic disease clinics (telephone and web-based appointments and educational videos) is useful to support patients in developing healthy eating habits and regular exercise, in a way that can improve cardio-metabolic health. The information gathered from this study will be used to improve hospital clinic dietitian services, and give you the chance to assist in developing better access to health information and services that can be made available through technology

This project aims to evaluate a 1 year program to increase physical activity, decrease sedentary behaviour and optimise sleep in 2 year olds. The program will be delivered via a mobile web-based application with text-message prompts.

This study is investigating the safety and feasibility of providing specific pulmonary rehabilitation consisting of exercise training and education sessions to patients with respiratory conditions (including lung cancer) in their home via videoconference (telehealth). Who is it for? You may be eligible for this study if you are aged 18 or older, have an underlying respiratory condition (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Bronchiectasis, interstitial lung disease, Asthma, Lung Cancer), or have recently had lung surgery, or people recovering from COVID-19 and those using long term oxygen therapy (LTOT) and have recently been treated at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPA). You also need to have access to WIFI and a home device (tablet, computer or mobile phone). Study details All participants who have been discharged from the RPA will be offered the opportunity to complete a remote (telehealth) pulmonary rehabilitation program consisting of exercise training and education specifically for people with respiratory conditions. Participants who enrol in the exercise program will be asked to complete a 40 minute exercise sessions via videoconference with a physiotherapist, twice per week for 8 weeks. Participants will also be offered a 30 minute education session once per week during the rehab program. Participants will be asked to complete two short exercise tests before and after the 8 weeks of tele rehabiltiation program, as well as some questionnaires asking about your quality of life and respiratory symptoms. Results: Seventy-five people (66 females) commenced PTR [mean (SD): Age 67 (11) years, FEV1 63 (20) % pred] and 52 (70%) completed. There was a statistically significant improvement (mean change (SD) [95% CI]) for 5STS: -4 (7) [-6 to -1] seconds; 1MinSTS: 5 (8) [2 to 9] times; SGRQ total: -7 (12) [-11 to -3] points; mMRC: -0.3 (0.7) [-0.6 to -0.7] score; CAT: -2.4 (6) [-4 to -0.5] score. No adverse events were reported.

Diabetes may contribute to the development of a certain form of heart disease, also known as diabetic cardiomyopathy. Diabetic cardiomyopathy occurs in the absence of heart disease or high blood pressure. It encompasses a variety of processes impacting on the pumping action of the heart muscle and shortening life expectancy. Symptoms include shortness of breath, decreased exercise tolerance and thirst which are associated with a poor quality of life. There are currently limited management strategies available for patients with diabetic cardiomyopathy. There is a lack of evidence to support if patients require a special diet to improve their symptoms and quality of life. Traditional dietary recommendations provide limited symptom relief for this patient group. However, diets that are low in carbohydrate have been shown to improve blood glucose levels and reduce the risk for heart disease. Hence, a low carbohydrate diet may reduce the long-term complications of diabetes. With this in mind, the aim of this research is (a) to explore if a diet low in carbohydrates has an impact on symptoms of heart failure such as thirst and quality of life in patients suffering from diabetic cardiomyopathy and (b) to identify what factors influence a participant’s ability to continue this dietary change.

This observational study aims to investigate the supportive care needs of melanoma patients across different stages of the disease, as well as their caregivers. Who is it for? Patients- You may be eligible for this study if you are aged 18 years or older, have been diagnosed with melanoma (Stage I-IV), and are either currently undergoing treatment (including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy. radiation therapy or surgery), or have completed treatment within the last two years. Carers- You may be eligible for this study if you are aged 18 years or older, and you are carer to a person diagnosed with melanoma (stage I-IV) who is currently undergoing treatment for their melanoma, or you are a carer to a person diagnosed with melanoma (stage I-IV) who has completed treatment for their melanoma within the last 2 years. Study details All participants (patients and carers) enrolled in this observational study will be asked to complete an online questionnaires asking them about their supportive care needs. It is anticipated that completion of the questionnaires will take about 35 minutes. Following this questionnaire, you will have an opportunity to provide your contact details to be contacted to participate in a semi-structured one-on-one interview with a member of the research team to further discuss their supportive care needs and preferences for future care. It is anticipated that the interview will take 30-60 minutes to complete. It is hoped this research will provide further information regarding areas of concern for melanoma patients and their carers, and that these details will help clinicians to design and provide more useful support systems for melanoma patients in the future.