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Be Prepared for Being Outside: can new technology improve sun protection behaviours in adults?
Expand descriptionThis feasibility study is aiming to test the SunVisor app and messages to determine its effectiveness before it can be applied to a randomised controlled trial setting. The app aims to improve sun protection strategies and reduce sunburn incidence. We plan to recruit up to 115 participants to test the feasibility and satisfaction with the app. Participants will be asked to use the app for a two week period and receive a daily sun protection message. Participants will be asked to complete a evaluation survey after the 2 week intervention period to assess satisfaction with the app and messages.
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A comparative randomised double blind study to evaluate the effect of Lutein supplementation on Macular Pigment Optical Density (MPOD) and blood Lutein levels in healthy adults over 16 weeks.
Expand descriptionA comparative randomised double blind study to evaluate the effect of Lutein supplementation on Macular Pigment Optical Density (MPOD) and blood Lutein levels in healthy adults over 16 weeks.
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A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled interventional study to evaluate the effect of orally-dosed Almega PL on cardio-metabolic parameters and inflammatory markers in men and women.
Expand descriptionA double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled interventional study to evaluate the effect of orally-dosed Almega PL on cardio-metabolic parameters and inflammatory markers in men and women.
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A visual training program for body dysmorphic disorder: A novel intervention trial
Expand descriptionBody dysmorphic disorder is a characterised by perceived defects or flaws in appearance which are associated with distressing thoughts, repetitive or obsessive behaviours, and significant impairment in social and occupational functioning. A core feature of BDD involves abnormalities of visual processing, although this is predominantly ignored within psychological and psychiatric treatments. While current treatments such as cognitive behavioural therapy or antidepressant medications generally show moderate effectiveness in the short-term, those with BDD can have high relapse rates, perhaps as they can see ‘see’ their flaws or defects. The current research is a single group pilot study to trial a visual training program designed to remediate visual abnormalities and reduce symptom severity of BDD. This pilot trial will be conducted at Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne Australia, and will involve up to 20 participants diagnosed with BDD. These participants will complete pre- and post-assessments, and a 10-week visual training program encompassing three phases of: basic visual processing, face and emotion recognition, and self-perception. These training activities will include a combination of computer and therapist-administered tasks. Outcomes include a variety of clinical interview, self-report questionnaires, and a full eye tracking battery to assess overall clinical and visual performance across time. Analyses will compare participant’s overall symptom severity and eye movements across five timepoints using repeated measures ANOVAS. Qualitative data will also be collected to assess the feasibility and efficacy of the program using thematic analysis methods. This pilot trial will be the first of its kind to translate the empirical findings of abnormalities in visual processing among those diagnosed with BDD, to an innovative treatment method across a range of visual processing levels. This trial will additionally assess the efficacy and feasibility of such a visual training program, paving the way for additional research including future randomised control trials.
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SENSE trial: Language Exposure of Preterm Infants in the Neonatal Unit
Expand descriptionThe objective of the study is to determine if a predefined quotient of supplementary language exposure improves short, intermediate and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants (<30 weeks) cared for in the neonatal unit. Participants <30 weeks gestational age, admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, will be randomised to receive either one of two levels of supplemental language exposure in the form of recorded maternal voice, delivered via micro speaker. The intervention group will receive a treatment level of exposure of 6000 words/hour and the control group will receive a placebo of 600 words/hour within a developmental appropriate decibel range. The exposure will occur for one hour, three times daily, commencing on day 7 of life until 37 weeks gestational age or discharge. The level of 6000 words was chosen as the rate of slow speech is approximately 100 words/minute. Mothers of participants included in the trial will be directed to speak in 'motherese' style language at this rate for ten minutes. The recording will then be repeated six times. Control group infants will receive 10% of the language exposure level of the intervention group.
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Comparing a novel videolaryngoscope with conventional Glidescope® videolaryngoscope in simulated difficult airway: a manikin study
Expand descriptionAirway or respiratory complication is one of leading causes of morbidity and mortality in anaesthesia. There are different techniques and intubating equipment (laryngoscope) available for anaesthetists to deal withdifficult airways. Anaesthetists use their knowledge and previous experience to decide which type of laryngoscope to use in these cases. In this study, we are evaluating, for the first time, this newly available videolaryngoscope. We are comparing it with the widely used Glidescope® video laryngoscope. The reason for comparing these two devices is because the blade design of both devices is similar. We hypothesise that In simulated difficult airways, the novel videolaryngoscope allows a faster tracheal intubation time as compared to the Glidescope® video laryngoscope. We will prospectively recruit 30 voluntary anaesthetic residents, registrars or consultants for this study. All participants will be tested on using each of the two intubation devices on a manikin with a simulated difficult airway. Participants will be assigned to one of the two groups – Group 1: novel videolaryngoscope followed by Glidescope® videolaryngoscope, or Group 2: Glidescope® videolaryngoscope followed by novel videolaryngoscope. The primary outcome is the time taken for successful tracheal intubation. Secondary outcomes include: the number of failed intubation, the number of intubation attempts, the number and type of intubating adjuncts used, the best laryngoscopy view achieved and the ease of intubation.
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Heat wrap therapy for the management of acute low back pain
Expand descriptionThe current study is a prospective cohort study that will test the feasibility and acceptability of heat wrap therapy as well as our ability to collect the key outcomes planned for the RCT, which are use of analgesic medications, clinical outcomes (such as pain, function), and adverse events.
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Short-term effects of apple consumption on vascular health
Expand descriptionThe primary aim of this study is to determine if short-term regular apple intake (4 weeks) results in a sustained benefit on measures of vascular health in individuals with at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
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'Agents of Change': Improving post diagnosis care for people with dementia and their carers through the establishment of a National Quality Collaborative to implement guideline recommendations
Expand description‘Agents of Change’ is a new collaborative research project funded by the NHMRC Boosting Dementia Research Grants and NHMRC Cognitive Decline Partnership Centre. The project aims to improve the implementation of three key recommendations from the Clinical Practice Guidelines for Dementia in Australia: 1. ‘People living in the community should be offered occupational therapy (reflecting evidence based programs)’ 2. ‘People with dementia should be strongly encouraged to exercise’ 3. ‘Carers and family should have access to programs to support and optimise their ability to provide care for the person with dementia’ This will be achieved by establishing a national quality collaborative in which health professionals across Australia are trained and supported to develop and enact an implementation plan addressing one of the recommendations. Health professionals (e.g. general practitioners, nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists) who regularly provide services to people with dementia, and who have some influence in their workplace to affect change will act as implementation clinicians. Implementation clinicians will be trained and supported to develop and then enact an implementation plan tailored to their recommendation of interest. They will participate in an online training course about quality improvement and translating research evidence into practice. In addition to the online training and tools, Implementation clinicians will be supported by a team of clinical, consumer and quality improvement experts to develop their unique implementation plan. They will have regular opportunities to have online communication with their collaborative. The primary outcome of this project is to measure the number of people living with dementia receiving the recommended level of care (consistent with the implementation plan). The feasibility of establishing national quality collaborative will also be explored. Interest and participation in the program will be assessed and feedback about the success of plans and barriers to implementation from clinicians and the people with dementia they are supporting will be gathered.
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Evaluation of targeted screening in high risk melanoma patients using: 3D full body imaging, genomic risk assessment and functional testing of gene variants.
Expand descriptionThis study will evaluate the effectiveness of targeted screening of people at high-risk of melanoma using 3D full body imaging and genomic risk assessment. Who is it for? You may be eligible to join this study if you have been diagnosed with melanoma before the age of 40 years old. Study details Participants in this study are randomly allocated (by chance) to one of two groups. Participants in one group will receive standard care at the participants’ discretion which may involve regular skin checks from their own doctor. Participants in the other group will attend a screening program involving 6-monthly 3D full body imaging for 24 months and a once-off genetic testing for high-risk melanoma genes. We hypothesise our surveillance program using 3D whole body photography and genomic testing will be cost-effective, and will result in fewer excisions of benign lesions and earlier/smaller excision of malignant lesions than the control standard care group