ANZCTR search results

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

The purpose of this study is to implement an online database which has the ability to easily collecting clinical data from patient sand orthopaedic surgeons. Participating clinics have been selected from Orthopaedic clinics that are located in a variety of hospitals in the SVHA group. This proves different environments to test the implementation. The aim is to ensure that the database is embedded into the clinic workflow to ensure that there burden required by patients and orthopaedic surgeons is low, which will encourage long term use. At conclusion of this study all sites will have an online data collection tool capable of reporting on patient suitability for TKR and their outcomes of the patients to surgeons due to the step-wedge trail design.

This study aims to generate new knowledge on the feasibility and effectiveness of pre-operative exercise training (‘prehabilitation’) to induce clinically relevant improvements in physical fitness (cardiopulmonary function) in patients with prostate, colorectal or breast cancer undergoing surgery in the Grampians region of Victoria. Who is it for? You may be eligible to join this study if you are aged 18 years or more, are scheduled for prostate, colorectal or breast cancer surgery, and are able to partake in exercise training. Study details Participants in this study will be randomly allocated (by chance) into one of two groups. Participants in one group will continue to receive usual care. Participants in the other group will undertake a supervised exercise training session once every three days (estimated four weeks) up to 3-5 days before surgery. Sessions will involve aerobic training on apparatus such as treadmill, stationary bicycle and cross-trainer for 45-60 minutes. All participants will undertake physical assessments at enrolment, post- exercise intervention completion (approximately 48 hrs pre-surgery), and at 30 days following surgery. They will also be required to complete questionnaires to measure quality of life and physical and emotional well-being. Given that the body of physical activity research in cancer prevention, management and therapy has focused almost entirely on post-operative exercise regimens, we are hoping to address this gap in the literature in regards to pre-operative exercise and provide a pathway to fixed pre-operative exercise model for future use in the Grampians region of Victoria

This study is aiming to examine the minimum dose of solar exposure required to cause cellular damage and induction of repair pathways. Who is it for? You may be eligible for this study if you are aged 18 years of age or older with skin type 1-3 fair skin. Study details Participants will receive graded sub-erythemal UV doses on their back equal to sunlight in Brisbane during summer at 7 am for 15, 30 and 40 minutes and skin biopsies will be collected 24 hours post UV exposure to analyse the level of cellular damage. A control site will also be biopsied to examine non-exposed UV skin. It is hoped this research will help to assess the current UV exposure guidelines and whether the suggested dose limit is safe or not.