ANZCTR search results

The EASSI-PC study is a cluster-randomised, open-label, pragmatic, parallel-group trial conducted in general practices in Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia. The study aims to assess whether implementing an integrated, multifaceted package of high-resource-intensive antimicrobial stewardship interventions (enhanced support arm) reduces antibiotic prescribing in general practice compared with a low-resource-intensive package (standard support arm). The standard support intervention consists of passive, self-directed access to antimicrobial stewardship strategies and resources via the EASSI-PC website, while the enhanced support package includes additional implementation strategies and support activities. The co-primary outcomes are practice-level prescribing rates of all oral antibiotics and rates of all Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme-subsidised oral antibiotics dispensed. The scalability and sustainability of these improvements have the potential to embed antimicrobial stewardship into routine general practice, ultimately resulting in better health outcomes and reduced healthcare costs associated with less antibiotic resistance.

We know that in the general population, aging is characterised by progressive biological changes (“biological aging”) that increase risks for infection, cardiovascular disease, or cancer, and consequently these increase the risk of death. People with CF have faced biological stresses from birth, due to multiple episodes of severe illness, altered diet, and heavy medication use, and we hypothesise that people with CF will show signs of accelerated biological aging. The aim of the “Outliving the CF Pamphlet” study is to work in partnership with a study consumer reference group and answer whether accelerated biological aging is a factor in CF, and how this aligns with the community’s experiences and concerns. This study will recruit participants from both the CF and general populations to donate blood. Participant sex, age and family history of chronic disease will be recorded. Participants will be reimbursed for costs associated with the research visit. This blood will be deidentified and analysed in the laboratory of CPI Garratt as well as external partners for changes to DNA, blood proteins, and immune system that are known to relate to aging.

The PROTECT-PD Study - Cohort 2 is an Open-Label, single-arm study designed to assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of Probucol (Lorelco™) in individuals with advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD). The trial will investigate whether Probucol can slow disease progression while maintaining an acceptable safety profile in approximately 80 participants. If you are eligible and choose to take part, you will receive Probucol (Lorelco™) daily. You will take 4 tablets each day, two in the morning and two at night. Participants will continue their standard PD medication regimen throughout the trial. Clinical assessments will be conducted at baseline, weeks 2, 3, 4, 12, 26, 35, 52, 65, 78 and at a follow-up visit 4 weeks after the last dose. Assessments include MDS-UPDRS Parts I-IV, MoCA, 10-metre walk test, and the PRO-PD scale.

This study tests whether a short online intervention about how food supports the brain and body can reduce unhealthy eating thoughts and behaviours in young adults aged 18 to 25 who are concerned about their weight. It builds on an earlier trial, using an updated intervention designed to be more engaging and to support healthy body image. Participants will be randomly assigned either to complete the intervention, which includes nutrition education and a planning exercise, or to complete questionnaires only. Aims: 1. Does a functional nutrition single-session intervention reduce disordered eating and improve body image flexibility, relative to assessment-only control, in young adults aged 18 to 25 years with elevated weight concern, at one and four weeks post-randomisation? 2. Does the intervention improve depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, hope, eating disorder behaviours, psychological distress and regular carbohydrate intake, relative to control, at one and four weeks post-randomisation?

Older adults who return home from hospital after an injury can have unmet needs for information, support and services during their recovery. This study tested whether a telephone-based navigator service, delivered by clinically trained navigators (physiotherapists), was feasible and acceptable for adults aged 65 years or over discharged home from a South Australian trauma service. Thirty participants were offered up to eight calls over the four weeks after discharge, in which the navigator helped them understand their discharge information, monitor their recovery and find relevant health and community services. The study measured recruitment, delivery of the calls, acceptability, the needs identified and how navigators responded to them. It also assessed measures of function, quality of life and care transitions for use in a future evaluation and the findings will inform the design of the service and of a larger service and study.

This study aims to determine whether a risk-adjusted approach to breast cancer screening using Contrast-Based Imaging modalities (MRI or CEM) may particularly benefit women with higher mammographic breast density by increasing screening sensitivity. Who is it for? This study is for: * Both female and male BreastScreen Victoria clients aged 40-70 years * With a clear most recent routine mammographic screening, and * Who have been assessed as being at higher risk of breast cancer based on either 1) their family history (as recorded by BreastScreen Victoria) and Category C breast density; OR 2) Category D breast density (regardless of family history). Study details BreastScreen Victoria (BSV) clients will be randomly allocated (by chance) to either: Group 1. An invitation to supplemental screening tests using either magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or Contrast Enhanced Mammography (CEM) or Group 2. No invitation to supplemental screening tests. In the group allocated to receive an invitation (Group 1), they will be further allocated to have either magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or Contrast Enhanced Mammography (CEM) depending on their age and breast density. That is: Allocation to supplemental screening using MRI: * Clients aged 50-55 with Category D breast density or * Aged 40-49 regardless of breast density or family history Allocation to supplemental screening using Contrast Enhanced Mammography (CEM): * Clients aged 50-70 with Category C breast density and potentially high risk of developing breast cancer due to family history or * Aged 55-70 with Category D breast density. Feasibility, acceptability and cost-effectiveness of supplemental imaging will be determined from recruitment rates, imaging attendance and questionnaires assessed at 3 months after consent to the study. It is hoped that risk-adjusted breast cancer screening program is feasible, will be acceptable by BreastScreen clients, will be cost-effective for the Australian healthcare system, and will lead to earlier detection of clinically significant breast cancers, a reduction in interval cancers and reduced breast cancer mortality.

Lumbar spinal stenosis is a common condition in older adults that can cause pain, difficulty walking, and reduced quality of life. This study will evaluate whether a chiropractor-led Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Boot Camp program can be safely and effectively delivered within an integrated tertiary spine care service in Australia. Forty adults aged 60 years and older with lumbar spinal stenosis will participate in a 6-week program consisting of education, manual therapy, exercise, and self-management advice. The study will assess feasibility by examining recruitment, consent, retention, treatment attendance, data collection procedures, safety, and the integration of chiropractors into tertiary spine care pathways. The study will also collect preliminary information on changes in symptoms, physical function, walking ability, quality of life, and health care use to inform the design of a future larger clinical trial.

This observational study investigates whether a bacterium called MAP is associated with Crohn's disease and how it relates to changes in gut bacteria. We will compare 30 Crohn's patients (followed for 6 months) with 30 healthy controls, testing blood, stool, and bowel biopsies taken during endoscopy (standard care). We expect to find that MAP is more common in Crohn's patients and associated with an imbalance of gut bacteria that changes with treatment over time. This research could lead to better diagnostic tests and new treatment approaches for Crohn's disease. Participation involves brief interviews, blood and stool samples, and endoscopy with biopsies at baseline and 6 months for Crohn's patients; controls provide one-time samples.

Disturbances in cerebral blood flow and intracranial pressure may alter blood flow through collateral vessels connecting the intracranial and extracranial circulations. Some of these vessels are superficial and can be assessed non-invasively using Doppler ultrasound. This prospective observational study will investigate whether arterial and venous Doppler signals can be reliably obtained from superficial extracranial vessels in critically ill patients with suspected disturbed cerebral haemodynamics. Participants will undergo non-invasive Doppler ultrasound assessments of vessels including the superficial temporal and supraorbital/supratrochlear circulations. Up to three examinations may be performed during the first seven days following enrolment. Doppler waveform characteristics will be compared with clinical diagnosis, intracranial pressure where available, neurological findings and clinical outcomes. The primary aim is to determine the feasibility of obtaining adequate Doppler signals in this patient population. Secondary exploratory analyses will investigate whether extracranial Doppler waveform characteristics are associated with disturbances in cerebral haemodynamics and neurological outcomes.

People with spinal cord injury often sleep poorly. One reason is that spinal cord injury can disrupt the body’s ability to control temperature, and temperature control is one way the body prepares for sleep. This project will examine the efficacy of a home-based temperature-controlled mattress topper in 20 adults with chronic spinal cord injury using a randomised crossover design, with participants completing a 21-night usual-sleep condition and a 21-night mattress-topper condition separated by a three-night washout. Sleep will be estimated using a consumer smart ring, with morning questions, skin temperature measurements and questionnaires assessing sleep, insomnia, mood and wellbeing. We expect the mattress topper to improve sleep and overnight comfort, particularly for people with higher-level spinal injuries.