ANZCTR search results

Clonal haematopoiesis of indeterminant potential (CHIP) is defined a genetic variation that leads to expansion of certain blood cells, particularly those with an immune function. CHIP is increasingly common beyond the age of 65 and associated with an increased risk of heart attack. The purpose of this study is to find out more about inflammatory processes after heart attack for CHIP positive patients compared to CHIP negative patients. We will screen for inflammatory markers and other molecular information in blood samples from people with and without CHIP who have had a recent heart attack.

We have developed a non-Invasive Intracranial Pressure Measurement via a Modified Photoplethysmography Technique. We have published several papers, demonstrating the accuracy of the system, which was large and unwieldy. We have shrunk the system down so that it can now be held by an examiners hand and used in patients who were bedbound, or have other medical problems. We wish to measure the accuracy and utility of such a portable photoplethysmographic system in assessing intracranial pressure. If the system is accurate, then it could save many patients from requiring invasive lumbar puncture or external ventricular drain when they have conditions where elevated intracranial pressure is thought to be a factor.

Eating ultra-processed foods high in saturated fats and refined carbohydrates, and low in essential nutrients, can disrupt the body’s natural metabolic balance over time, leading to increased metabolic stress. This stress arises because energy-dense foods challenge the body’s ability to process fats and sugars. Previous studies have shown that consuming such meals can trigger a postprandial response, as indicated by a negative correlation between postprandial glucose area under the curve (AUC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels both before and after eating. Incorporating more whole foods, such as fruits, into the daily diet may help mitigate the effects of less nutritious meals. Fruits are rich in essential nutrients that can alleviate oxidative stress and promote better metabolic health. Specifically, incorporating freeze-dried blueberries into a high-fat, high-carbohydrate meal may play a protective role against oxidative stress.. This study will assess whether incorporating fruits (blueberries) into a high-fat, high-carbohydrate meal could play a protective role against postprandial oxidative stress markers induced by the meal.

Survivors of critical illness are burdened by persistent disability, termed post intensive care syndrome (PICS), encompassing cognitive, physical and psychological impairments that lead to loss of independence and increased healthcare utilisation. To address this post-ICU disability, critical care follow-up clinics have been implemented and tested internationally although are limited in availability and efficacy. Most of these clinics are medical or nurse-led. Allied health professionals may be another workforce capable of leading post-ICU interventions. We propose AH-led interventions targeting PICS recovery and delivered via a centralised and integrated approach early after hospital discharge, may improve patient and health-system outcomes.

The purpose of this project was to provide information for the development of online physical activity programs for older adults to improve well-being and reduce social isolation. This study assessed the feasibility, engagement, and acceptability of a 6-week online Qigong program delivered to community-dwelling older adults.

A new allied health transdisciplinary stroke assessment was designed and implemented at the Mater Hospital Brisbane acute stroke unit (2020-2023), replacing time-consuming and separate stroke assessments completed by occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech pathology, and social work. The new assessment process helped the allied health professionals to streamline stroke services, saving assessment time and reducing occasions of service required to meet clinical and service goals and safely discharge patients from hospital. The proposed study is the translation phase of the work. The aim is to modify and implement the transdisciplinary stroke assessment in other settings, test if similar results can be achieved, and understand what factors drive success. The hypothesis states that compared to separate stroke assessments, the new transdisciplinary assessment will reduce allied health stroke assessment time by at least 35 minutes per patient in the initial occasion of service. This study has the support of the Queensland Chief Allied Health Officer.

Toe walking occurs in 5% of all children and 20% of children with autism spectrum disorder. It can result in foot and lower leg pain, contribute to falls and even bullying. Current treatment methods are time consuming, uncomfortable and ineffective. Textured insoles have shown to improve balance in children and adults. We do not know if either shoes or a textured insole will help children who toe walk. We are recruiting children aged 4 to 14 years who toe walk for no known reason or for sensory reasons to investigate if we can improve the amount or height of toe walking, balance or walking speed with the use of supportive sneakers with or without Naboso insoles. We are also determining the feasibility of the study and whether it can be conducted on a larger group of children

This study aims to evaluate the impact of the PANConnect intervention in addition to usual care on pain and symptom burden among patients with pancreatic cancer compared to usual care alone. Emotional distress, unmet needs, financial wellbeing, and the relative impact on health service use will also be assessed. Who is it for? You may be eligible to join this study if you are a patient aged 18 or older; have a confirmed diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma at any stage; have a life expectancy of at least three months, as indicated by your treating consultant; and are receiving your initial care at a trial site. You may also be eligible if you are a carer aged 18 or older or a healthcare professional providing or having provided care to participants with pancreatic cancer recruited to the trial. Study details: All patients who meet the eligibility criteria allocated to the PANConnect intervention continue to receive oncology care from their treating team, in addition to the PANConnect intervention. The intervention comprises the following: (1) weekly patient symptom-reporting, (2) symptom assessment and subsequent care coordination by a specialist cancer nurse (the PANConnect nurse) via telehealth, and (3) real-time communication of outcomes from telehealth consultations to the patient’s treating team. Before and after completion of the intervention, participants will be assessed for pain and symptom burden, unmet needs, financial wellbeing, emotional health and health service usage. It is also hoped that this research project will also inform the implementability of PANConnect and develop an effective scaling-up strategy to support future implementation efforts.

This study will evaluate the safety, feasibility and acceptability of a rehabilitation program (exercise and education) for people with lung cancer on immunotherapy. Who is it for? You may be eligible to join this study if you are a person aged 18 and above, have a histologically confirmed diagnosis of stage 4 lung cancer and are scheduled for or have commenced (within the last 6-months) immunotherapy treatment at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (Melbourne). Study details Participants in this study are randomly allocated (by chance) to one of two groups. Participants in one group will receive usual care at their treating hospital which does not routinely involve referral to rehabilitation services. Participants in the other group will receive a 12-week rehabilitation program of exercise and education delivered by a physiotherapist. The first session is conducted face-to-face to set up your exercise program and help you set goals. After this you will be able to attend twice-weekly group exercise classes for 12 weeks (conducted remotely by telehealth or at the hospital gym). The findings from this research will establish how feasible and acceptable it is to provide this rehabilitation service to those with lung cancer and support future research in the area.

The aim of this study is to investigate the acute effects of high intensity resistance exercise compared to balance & stretching on cognitive function (attention and inhibition) and affect in adults with ADHD. Selection criteria include those with an official diagnosis of ADHD, who are not physically active, have not recently engaged in resistance exercise (past 12 months) and currently have elevated ADHD symptoms on the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale for DSM 5 (14+). It is hypothesised that resistance exercise will acutely improve attention (as measured by omission errors, hit reaction time and the sustained attention composite score) and inhibition (as measured by commission errors and the Impulsivity composite score) more than balance and stretching on the Conners Continuous Performance Test 3rd Edition. Participants will complete both exercise conditions in a randomised and counterbalanced order, one week apart at the same time of day, off medication.