ANZCTR search results

This study aims to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of a wafer containing glutathione (an anti-oxidant) as a therapeutic skin health supplement. The treatment involves taking glutathione wafer under the tongue 2 times daily for 12 weeks.

Transient ischemic attack and minor stroke (TIA/mS) are common cerebrovascular events affecting tens of thousands of Australians. People with TIA/mS usually receive minimal, if any, rehabilitation despite high risk of further stroke, and in many, mild balance and gait problems. Also, people who have had a cardiac event are offered cardiac rehabilitation but do not necessarily have their balance assessed. This project addresses these two substantial gaps. People with TIA/mS will receive rehabilitation through existing cardiac rehabilitation services and the people with cardiac conditions who are participating in cardiac rehabilitation programs will be assessed for balance and gait dysfunction. If deficits are identified, balance and agility exercises will be provided.

This project will seek to identify 1) If a home based exercise programme which includes telephone/internet calls and an email newsletter to encourage compliance and long term adherence can be delivered by healthcare professionals to persons with mild to moderate MS living in rural Australia. 2) What is the best model of delivery by first establishing a 1:1 (1 healthcare professional to 1 person with MS) method, and next establishing a 1:group (1 healthcare professional to >2 person with MS) method. 3) The training requirements for healthcare professionals to deliver the program. 4) What are the effects of the exercise program on outcomes of physical activity, MS symptoms, and exercise adherence.

The development of an effective airway clearance regimen is important to minimise development of irreversible airway obstruction in people with cystic fibrosis. Positive expiratory pressure (PEP) is often used as it helps to provide resistance during expiration, improve collateral ventilation and aid in the shearing of mucus from airways. The use of PEP and other expiratory resistive devices (ERD) as airway clearance techniques (ACT) in this population is well established in the literature but there is no literature which looks at the use of an ERD combined with masks during huffing, to improve sputum clearance. The proposed study will investigate the effect of using an ERD during a huff on ease of expectoration, sputum volume, and coughing, when compared to a huff without resistance. The hypothesis is that using an ERD during a huff will improve ease of expectoration, sputum volume and reduce amount of coughing required.

Post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) occurs in 30-50% of patients, and can prolong the hospital stay. Acupressure can safely and effectively reduce the incidence of PONV by up to 30%. Over 80% of surgical patients would be willing to try acupressure for PONV, however this intervention has not been incorporated into routine peri-operative care. This study is embedded in a large project that aims to systematically examine the barriers and enablers in the implementation of acupressure for PONV, and to develop and implement strategies for successful application of acupressure. The specific aim of this feasibility study was to identify the suitable form(s) of acupressure to be used in a peri-operative setting. We used FAME approach to study its feasibility, appropriateness, meaningfulness and effectiveness and safety. Our initial FAME analysis of the existing literature indicates moderate to strong support to the feasibility of per-operative acupressure for preventing and treating PONV. The two forms of acupressure identified from the literature were wristband and auricular acupressure. In this study, we trialled out these two forms of acupressure and to identify if, when and how acupressure could be implemented. We hypothesised that this simple, non-drug intervention would be well-accepted by patients and staff, and with modification could be integrated into the per-operative setting without any difficulties. Acupressure could reduce PONV incidents and / or medication use. Data from the study also helped us identify barriers and enablers for later implementation. This study was conducted among patients undergoing elective surgery at Northern Hospital.

Liver transplant (LT) can be associated with large volume blood loss and subsequent transfusion. Allogenic transfusion of bank blood (BB) has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality. In addition BB has increased cost implications. In our center cadaveric donor blood (DB) is collected in all instate recipients who are ABO and CMV compatible. Briefly DB is collected by inserting a 32Fr chest drain into the inferior vena cava and draining under suction into a cell saver reservoir prior to aortic cross clamping. Following a full cross match the DB is then processed by the cell saver and transfused into the recipient in preference to BB. A retrospective review of transfusion requirements for all patients undergoing LT was conducted to see the effects of DB on transfusion requirements in LT.

The purpose of this study is to conduct preliminary studies of a new version of an existing medication (called Herceptin) in healthy males. Who is this study for? You may be eligible for this study if you are a male aged 18 to 55 and you are in good health with no existing conditions. Study details: Participants in this study will be randomised (by chance) into three groups. All participants will receive a single dose of breast cancer medication infused through a needle in the arm. over a period of 90 minutes. The medication will be the same, but each group will receive a different version – EU-licensed, US-licensed and a new version. Neither participants nor those giving the medication will know which is being administered. As part of this study, participants will provide blood samples and answer questions about their general health. It is hoped this research will provide evidence the new version of the medication is equivalent to the existing licensed versions.

The purpose of this study is to test the clinical- and cost- effectiveness of a stepped care psychological interventions compared to treatment as usual for ageing adults with anxiety and depression within existing services representing public (urban, regional) and private mental health organisations. Evidence-based treatments are more likely to be incorporated within public services when they can demonstrate maximum cost-effectiveness. The results of this study will inform the translation of evidence-based stepped care models of psychological interventions for anxiety and depression in older adults into the Australian mental health system.

Over a third (36%) of patients on dialysis at Northern Health (NH) are obese and are often advised to achieve a weight of < 100kg or BMI<30kg/m2 before being waitlisted for kidney transplantation. Low calorie diets aim for low daily energy consumption and evidence supports they can achieve significant weight loss results. However, there is limited evidence on whether the use of low calorie diets in dialysis patients is safe. The aim of this research is to undertake a quasi-experimental study to determine if using a low calorie diet incorporating Optifast meal replacement products is a safe method of weight loss for dialysis patients with obesity who need to lose weight for kidney transplantation eligibility. Participants will be prescribed a low calorie diet for 12 weeks and monitored closely by the multidisciplinary renal team to ensure patient safety.

This is an open-label single-center study, to assess the safety, tolerability and efficacy of cannabidiol administered as ZYN002, a transdermal gel, for the treatment of child and adolescent patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Male and female patients with ASD will be treated for 14 weeks. Patients taking Anti Epileptic Drug medications will have an additional one or two week Taper Period after the completion of doing with ZYN002. Approximately 36 male and female patients, ages 4 to < 18 years, will receive ZYN002