ANZCTR search results

Infants born preterm are at risk of adverse long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes, including cognitive, behavioural and motor deficits (including cerebra palsy). These adverse outcomes can significantly impair social and educational functioning and quality of life. We have established a cohort of infants born very preterm (<31 weeks gestation) with early neonatal brain imaging and concurrent clinical assessment of motor, neurological and neurobehavioural function (PREMO - Prediction of Preterm Motor Outcomes, ACTRN12613000280707; PREBO - Prediction of Preterm Brain Outcomes, ACTRN12615000591550). This study now aims to examine whether early MRI scans or clinical assessments can predict a child’s motor, cognitive, language, educational achievement and mental health outcomes at 6 years corrected age. If this is found to be the case, then in future, families will be provided with information on their child’s likely development much earlier. This will enable families to receive support and their children to be offered earlier treatments to help them with their movement, learning or behavioural development.

Motor imagery is an imagining of an action without its physical execution; it is a dynamic state during which the representation of a given motor act is internally rehearsed or imagined within working memory without any overt muscle activation. Motor imagery activates brain regions that are activated during actual task performance and motor imagery training has been found to improve task performance. Motor imagery has been found to improve static balance in the elderly but its effect on strength and mobility in older adults is unknown. The aim of this study is to determine whether imagining certain movements over a four week period promotes improvements in strength and mobility. It is hypothesised that motor imagery will lead to small improvements in strength and mobility.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of two methods of food introduction following a pancreaticoduodenectomy (otherwise known as Whipple procedure). Who is it for? You may be eligible for this study if you are aged 18 or over, and are undergoing a pancreaticoduodenectomy (or Whipple procedure) at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney. Study details Participants will be randomised by chance into two groups. After their planned Whipple procedure, each group will follow a similar nutritional plan, reintroducing foods in a defined manner. One group (the ‘intervention’) will also have nutritional supplementation through a needle in the shoulder placed before surgery. For the 7 days after surgery and one month later, both groups will complete a number of questionnaires and strength tests. It is hoped this research will demonstrate the feasibility of performing the study and, to see if there is an improvement in a participants overall function if they get the food via a needle compared to the usual diet progression after the surgery.

Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) mainly affecting the lining of the large intestine (colon) and rectum. It is a chronic, progressive condition characterised by periods of acute inflammation and remission. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, bloating, fatigue, frequency, urgency, and bloody stools. Although treatment options have improved in recent years, there exist a need for non-pharmacological options to support medical therapy and improve outcomes. Recent studies demonstrate the positive effects of extra virgin olive oil supplementation in animal models, and it is associated with prevention of the disease in Mediterrannean populations.. Separate lines of research has further demonstrated potential anti inflammatory properties of olive oil in the diet for other chronic inflammatory processes. .

The focus of this study is to determine the safety and benefits of exercising patients who are mechanically ventilated via a tracheostomy whilst using a Passy-Muir speaking valve. The benefits of early exercise for patients in ICU have been well documented including: decreased ICU length of stay (LOS), hospital LOS and more ventilator-free days. Furthermore for tracheostomised patients, the benefits of utilising speaking valves (SVs) include: less accumulated secretions, decreased carbon dioxide retention, decreased respiratory rate, improved lung recruitment and greater verbal communication. Unfortunately the use of SVs has been limited due to concerns of lung derecruitment during a period of cuff deflation or conversely in some patients, hyperinflation. Fortunately recent studies have addressed these safety concerns by demonstrating that SVs did not cause derecruitment or hyperinflation of the lung, rather resulted in improved lung recruitment. It is important to note that these studies were completed with patients at rest, therefore the effect on the lungs during physiotherapy or exercise still needs to be investigated.

It has been suggested that guided ICBT-P can substantially decrease perfectionism in low doses (3 or less modules) but appears to only impact secondary outcomes with higher doses of treatment. The current study addressed this question, as well as the best method to promote higher dosage use.

After stroke, there is strong evidence that indicates that the greater the intensity of practice in rehabilitation, the better the function outcome for the patient. Currently, there is no research that has determined the effect of instructions on increasing intensity of practice in rehabilitation. Therefore, the primary purpose of this study is to test three goal oriented instructions and compare them to a non-specific instruction. A non specific instruction, "do this exercise", was presented to a participant and the time taken to perform repetitions was recorded. Then, one of three goal oriented instructions were presented. These instructions are 1) “do [exercise] 25 times,”, 2) “do [exercise] 25 times as fast as you can and 3) “do [exercise] 25 times, as fast as you can, aiming for a personal best”, The time taken under each instruction was converted to repetitions per minute, Each participant received all three instructions in a random order, with one instruction presented per day over three days. For each instruction, the recorded time for twenty five repetitions was converted to a rate of repetitions/minute. The time taken to perform the twenty five repetitions under each goal oriented instruction was be compared with the non specific instruction and a percentage change in rate of repetitions was calculated. Statistical anaylsis was applied to determine if one instruction was more effective at increasing intensity of practice

This study is aiming to assess if makeup and moisturisers with SPF applied to the face provide coverage from UV radiation in indoor workers. Who is it for? You may be eligible for this study if you are aged 18 years of age or older, work mostly indoors and use cosmetics with SPF 5 or higher on your face. Study details Participants will be asked to have a photo of their face taken using a UV camera in the morning and afternoon and provide feedback after all photos are taken in an audio-recorded interview. Participants will supply and apply their SPF product as per their usual routine. It is hoped this research will help to assess whether consumers apply their cosmetic products with SPF to ensure coverage from UV radiation throughout the day (for e.g. traveling to and from work)

The primary purpose of our study is to compare Near-infrared spectroscopy and Transcranial Doppler in terms of measuring cerebrovascular elasticity. Our hypothesis is that NiRS results will have a significant correlation with TCD-derived elasticity measurements

The purpose of this research study is to implement and evaluate a sexual function and cardiovascular health-targeted intervention during and following treatment for prostate cancer. Who is it for? You may be eligible to join this study if you are aged 18 years or more and you have been, or have previously been, diagnosed with prostate cancer. Study details Participants in this study will be randomly allocated (by chance) to either 12-weeks of an exercise intervention or usual care. Participants in the exercise intervention group complete cardiorespiratory/aerobic, resistance and stretching exercises on 3 days of the week; which are individually tailored to each intervention participant. Participants in both groups are required to undertake assessments both before and after the 12-week intervention period. These assessments are related to sexual function, cardiovascular disease risk development and other health measures (e.g. body composition, blood markers, cardiorespiratory fitness). Some participants will also be invited to attend a focus group discussion on the quality and feasibility of the intervention after intervention completion.