ANZCTR search results

The menstrual cycle is an important biological rhythm characterised by cyclical fluctuations in endogenous sex hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. These hormonal changes, along with associated symptoms, may influence training responses and adaptation. However, it remains unclear whether adjusting resistance training based on menstrual cycle phase or symptoms provides additional benefits compared to traditional training approaches. Therefore, this study aims to compare the effects of traditional training prescription (TRAD), menstrual cycle phase-based prescription (MCP), symptom-based autoregulatory prescription (AUTO), and a free-living control (FLC) on changes in muscular strength, power, and hypertrophy across an eight-week training intervention.

This study aims to compare traditional training prescription, menstrual cycle phase-based prescription, and symptom-based autoregulatory prescription on neuromuscular function, sleep and nocturnal physiology, and perceptions of well-being and training load. Participants completed a resistance training program lasting approximately 8-weeks. Countermovement jump performance, well-being, and session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) were assessed at each training session, while sleep and nocturnal physiology were monitored daily throughout the intervention. It is currently unknown how recovery responses to resistance training prescribed based on menstrual cycle phase or symptoms differed from those following traditional training approaches.

HF-REACH is a study evaluating whether a nurse-led digital heart failure program can help reduce worsening heart failure compared with usual care. People taking part will either receive support from the CardioNexus nursing team using a mobile app or continue with their usual care. The program includes daily monitoring, education, and support from experienced heart failure nurses. We believe that this approach will help identify changes in health earlier and reduce heart failure-related emergency department visits and hospital admissions. The study aims to improve access to high-quality heart failure care for people living in regional Australia.

Rural Australians face significantly higher risk of suicide and trauma exposure compared to the general population (Kennedy et al., 2014; Miller & Burns, 2008; Milner et al., 2017), yet have limited access to mental health support. The MemFlex program offers a potential solution to challenges of accessibility and engagement in mental health care within rural Australia. MemFlex is a web-based, primarily self-directed treatment program that refocuses individuals towards positive memories from their past. Previous research has demonstrated the efficacy of the MemFlex in reducing symptoms of depressive and post-traumatic stress disorders (Hitchcock et al., 2021; Moradi et al., 2021). Here, we evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of offering a peer-led version of MemFlex to rural Australians experiencing psychological distress.

Some patients are difficult to insert an intravenous cannula into. These patients may experience multiple cannulation attempts, pain, anxiety, delayed treatment, and the need for more experienced clinicians or ultrasound-guided cannulation. This study will test whether it is feasible to use a patient-held Difficult Intravenous Access (DIVA) card for adults who are identified as having difficult intravenous access at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Participants will be randomly allocated to either receive a DIVA card in addition to standard care, or to receive standard care without a DIVA card. The DIVA card is designed to help patients communicate their difficult intravenous access history to healthcare staff during future cannulation episodes. The study will assess whether patients can be recruited, whether they use the DIVA card, whether follow-up information can be collected by text message surveys, and whether the study procedures are practical for a larger future trial. The study will also collect early information about cannulation outcomes, such as first-attempt success, number of attempts, pain, escalation to senior clinicians or vascular access staff, and use of ultrasound-guided cannulation. Patient interviews will also be used to explore participant experiences of difficult cannulation and their views on the DIVA card.

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a common mental health concern, yet many individuals do not disclose their experiences due to stigma, fear of negative reactions, and uncertainty about whether disclosure is the right choice. Disclosure can facilitate access to support and professional care; however, no decision-support tool currently exists to assist individuals in making informed decisions about NSSI disclosure. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of FIND (Facilitating Informed NSSI Disclosures), a web-based decision-aid tool designed to support informed, values-based decisions about whether, when, how, and to whom to disclose NSSI. In a three-arm randomised controlled trial, 200 participants aged 16 years and older with a lifetime history of NSSI will be allocated to FIND, a disclosure-focused psychoeducation resource, or a general NSSI psychoeducation resource. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and one-month follow-up, with preparedness to disclose NSSI as the primary outcome. Findings will determine whether FIND improves disclosure decision-making and may inform future interventions aimed at enhancing help-seeking, access to support, and early intervention among individuals who self-injure.

Building on promising pilot findings, this study will conduct a randomised controlled trial (RCT) to assess the effectiveness of a cyberscam psychosocial adjustment group intervention program for people affected by scams compared to an active control condition (self-directed online cybersafety education program). This program is designed for people with disability (especially cognitive impairments like acquired brain injury) and people without disability. All participants receive the same program, but there will be separate support groups for people with and without disability to cater for accessibility and discussion about any disability impacts. Participants will complete evaluations at baseline (T1), at the end of the intervention (T2), and at 2-month follow-up (T3). Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention condition or active control condition. Participants in the active control condition will be invited to attend the intervention program after the active control timeframe. Findings will provide important evidence on the program's ability to reduce the likelihood of re-victimisation and promote long-term psychosocial recovery.

This is a pilot feasibility and safety randomised controlled trial evaluating the optimal duration of antibiotic therapy (4 versus 6 weeks) for the treatment of pelvic osteomyelitis in people living with spinal cord injury, hypothesising that a shorter 4-week treatment course is feasible, safe, and non-inferior to the current 6-week standard with respect to clinical outcomes, while reducing antibiotic exposure and treatment-related harms.

Intravitreal injections (injection of medication into the jelly-like fluid inside the eyeball) are commonly used to treat a range of eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease, retinal vein occlusions, and severe eye infections. Although these injections are generally safe and effective, they cause a temporary rise in pressure inside the eye immediately after treatment. While this pressure increase usually resolves within an hour, there is some concern that repeated episodes of elevated pressure may contribute to longer-term damage to the eye, particularly in patients requiring frequent injections or those with pre-existing glaucoma. Previous studies suggest that simple techniques such as scleral indentation (gentle pressure applied to the white part of the eye) may reduce these short-term pressure spikes. However, the existing evidence is limited, and the best timing and effectiveness of scleral indentation remain unclear. This is a clinical crossover study, in which patients who normally receive intravitreal injections will be randomised to receive scleral indentation after their injection at two of their treatment visits and standard care at two of their visits in a randomised order. This unique method allows the researchers to compare the intraocular pressure outcomes within the same individual. The findings will help determine whether scleral indentation is an effective way to reduce eye pressure rises after injections, which could benefit a substantial number of patients.

This study aims to determine whether using a fixed-length ureteric stent reduces discomfort and improves patients' recovery compared with the standard multilength stent after surgery for kidney stones.