ANZCTR search results

This randomised controlled trial will compare two treatment methods for management of stable volar plate injuries to the proximal interphalangeal joint of the finger. The aim is to determine if management with figure 8 splinting with an exercise plan provides similar or improved results to the current treatment used in the hand clinic of dorsal block splinting with an exercise plan. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two treatment groups and will follow the designated treatment protocol for those groups. Each participant will be assessed by either an occupational therapist or physiotherapist experienced in the management of volar plate injuries. Measurement will be quantitative, using goniometry (measuring finger range of movement), visual analogue scale (VAS) to measure pain severity, circumferential oedema measurement, and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand scale. Measurement will occur at the time of initial assessment, and at approximately 4 and 12 weeks after commencement of treatment. Data will be collated and analysed by the primary researcher, using ANOVA repeated measures which can be carried out with SPSS software. An ANOVA with repeated measures is used to compare three or more group means where the participants are the same in each group. This will occur when participants are measured multiple times to see changes to an intervention ie what impact the splint has on range of movement, oedema and outcome measures at different time points.

The purpose of this research study is to determine the changes in lung ventilation using a new imaging technique before and after inhalation of a bronchodilator that opens the airways, and before and after inhalation of a stimulant that narrows the airways in asthma and COPD patients. In this study you will perform several standard lung function tests and you will undergo lung imaging to assess lung ventilation during a total of 3 visits. We predict that the outcomes of this study will contribute to further characterisation of asthma and COPD and will support the use of this imaging technique as a new clinical tool to measure responses to new treatments.

Opioids are an important tool in the management of pain and the benefits are well understood. However, opioids for some patients, may also have a detrimental influence on how much benefit you get from your joint replacement surgery. This is the subject of ongoing research. In this study we would like to gain a better understanding on the taking of opioid medications both before and after joint replacement surgery.

Synovitis, Acne, Pustulosis, Hyperostosis and Osteitis or SAPHO syndrome, is a rare immuno-inflammatory bone disease that may be associated with skin changes. There are no clear guidelines for treatment. To assess the outcome of previously observed therapeutic treatments in SAPHO, we examined outcomes in 21 patients collected over more than 30 years of clinical experience. Mostly good or very good long-term treatment outcomes were observed in older bisphosphonate medications and newer biologic treatment called tumour necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) treatment.

‘Teach-back’ can help providers identify when a patient has difficulty understanding health information. The strategy involves asking patients to explain in their own words what they have just been told and then working with that patient to clarify any misunderstandings. Evidence from multiple studies shows teach-back improves health outcomes and safety. This study aims to evaluate the use of teach-back in Western Health (WH) orthopaedic service at Williamstown Hospital. The service will implement teach-back in pre-discharge education for patients following arthroplasty. Staff and researchers will co-design a strategy for ensuring that teach-back is used in a systematic way within the unit. Teach-back will then be implemented over a 4-month period. We will evaluate the impact of teach-back on both patients and staff. For patients, we will compare outcomes between those who are admitted to the unit before and after staff are trained in teach-back. We will also survey staff to evaluate whether they feel more confident about providing education. This study will also assess the uptake of teach-back in the unit (‘implementation’). We will interview staff about their experiences using teach-back including frequency of use. Findings from this study will provide further evidence for the effectiveness of teach-back, and guidance for other services seeking to implement teach-back into routine care.

This research project is being conducted to investigate the safety and tolerability of multiple doses of cannabidiol (CBD) when administered to healthy volunteers.

This trial aims to investigate the effects of a novel renal dietary intervention (rich in plant foods, utilising a whole food dietary approach) designed to improve diet quality, symptom burden, the gastrointestinal microbiome as well as other health outcomes in adults with moderate-severe, pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease. It is anticipated that this trial will improve overall diet quality by increasing the volume and variety of plant foods, improve quality of life and symptoms such as constipation, result in changes to the microbial community present in the gastrointestinal tract of participants and hence, observe a reduced production of gut microbiome derived metabolites/toxins which may include indoxyl sulfate and p-Cresyl sulfate

The aim of this study is to explore physiological and psychosocial differences between women classified as overweight/obese with premenopausal breast cancer, and postmenopausal breast cancer, and compare their response to a partial meal replacement dietary intervention. Who is it for? You may be eligible to participate in this study if you are: • A female who was premenopausal at the time of being diagnosed with breast cancer, and has finished primary treatment (surgery, chemotherapy and radiation); or • A female who was postmenopausal at the time of being diagnosed with breast cancer, and has finished primary treatment (surgery, chemotherapy and radiation). Study details All participants in this study will undergo a dietary intervention. This will consist of a partial meal replacement diet in conjunction with face-to-face sessions, telephone calls and a meal replacement booklet to support women to lose weight and increase exercise. All women will receive a 12-week dietary program with regular sessions with an Accredited Practising Dietitian. Participants will be prescribed meal replacement products (KickStart soups and shakes) to replace two meals per day for a period of 11 weeks followed by 1-2 shakes per day for the remaining week (based on the individual’s requirements and preferences). On the partial meal replacement diet, participants will be advised to eat a main meal (lunch or dinner) consisting of 2 cups of non-starchy vegetables, lean protein (serving based on protein requirements of 1-1.2g/kg body weight) and 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Data will be collected at baseline and 12 weeks (end-of-intervention). All participants will be undergo assessments at enrolment, 6 weeks and 12 weeks (end-of-intervention) in order to evaluate any changes in body mass, body composition, dietary intake, physical activity, quality of life and psychological well-being. It is hoped that this study will enable us to determine whether a larger trial would be feasible.

The proposed research project will focus intervening in the prison-to-community transition period to improve post-release mental health and other outcomes. Our research will specifically test whether an early and individualised critical-time intervention for prisoners released into the community is feasible locally and whether it can, firstly, increase contact with community mental health services and, secondly, whether there is any consequent benefit for mental health status, functioning or reoffending. It will utilise a randomised controlled trial (RCT) design, with longitudinal multi-source follow-up to assess the feasibility and efficacy of a novel ‘critical-time’ intervention. The intervention is to be implemented during the prison-to-community transition period. As part of the intervention, the research team will identify prisoners entering custody who have severe mental illness, have committed relatively minor offences, and are likely to benefit from ongoing community mental health team input on release. The research team will identify the appropriate CMHT for the participant early in their custodial episode and make contact with the key worker. In collaboration with custodial mental health clinicians involved in treating the prisoner, we will develop an individualised care plan for each participant which will be forwarded to the Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) as part of the project. We will follow-up with the key worker and the participant to encourage ongoing community mental health engagement following the participant’s release from custody.

Postprandial hypotension (PPH) is defined as a larger than expected fall in blood pressure following a meal – the more exact definition is a fall in blood pressure of greater than 20mmHg for a period lasting longer than 30 minutes, following a meal. PPH may lead to fainting and is common in older people. In this study, we are interested in seeing whether a preload containing whey protein and guar (Omniblend) can reduce the fall in blood pressure after a sugary drink – and also whether the rate of stomach emptying is affected by this preload.