ANZCTR search results

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.

In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 80 peri- or early post-menopausal women aged 40 to 65 years who believe that their cognitive function has worsened since the transition into menopause will be randomly assigned to receive either a curcumin extract (Curcugen) or a matching placebo for 12 weeks. Changes in cognitive performance, self-reported menopausal symptoms, brain fog, and general wellbeing will be assessed over time. Moreover, to examine potential mechanisms of action, changes in blood markers associated with inflammation, glucose regulation, and appetite markers will be evaluated.

Brief description of the study purpose This study aims to evaluate whether a structured psychological skills program (the MyWell program) can improve mental health and wellbeing for people living with multiple myeloma. Who is it for? You may be eligible for this study if you are an adult living in Australia aged 18 years or older who have been diagnosed with multiple myeloma or smouldering myeloma and are able to participate in an online program. Study details Participants who are eligible will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will take part in a seven session online psychological wellbeing program delivered via Zoom, where they will learn practical skills such as mindfulness, coping strategies, and ways to manage thoughts and emotions. Sessions are delivered in small groups by experienced myeloma nurses, and participants will also receive a workbook to support their learning. The other group will receive usual support resources, such as information sheets and access to support services, during the first phase of the study, and may access the program later. Participants will complete questionnaires about their mental health, including symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as overall wellbeing and quality of life. It is hoped this research will show whether a structured, nurse led psychological program can improve mental health outcomes and provide better support for people living with myeloma.

This study aims to compare two commonly used pain-relief techniques given during anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery using hamstring tendon grafts. After ACL surgery, some patients experience significant pain and require opioid pain medicines, which can have unwanted side effects. Participants undergoing ACL reconstruction at Hornsby Hospital will be randomly assigned to receive one of two regional anaesthetic techniques in addition to standard pain management: an adductor canal block with local anaesthetic infiltration, or an IPACK block with local anaesthetic infiltration. Both techniques are routinely used in clinical practice. The main aim of the study is to determine whether one technique leads to lower opioid use in the first week after surgery. The study will also compare pain levels, patient satisfaction, and knee-related recovery outcomes over the first three months following surgery. We hypothesise that patients receiving the IPACK block will require less opioid medication and experience better early pain control compared with those receiving the adductor canal block.

The trial aims to assess the associations between the personality trait Extraversion and preferences for social physical activity (“we-exercise”) versus solitary physical activity (“me-exercise”), and between Extraversion and changes in affective responses in social physical activity versus solitary physical activity. The research question underpinning this trial is "Does the level of person-environment fit in facet Gregariousness moderate the relationship between moderate intensity exercise and affect?" It is hypothesised that person-environment fit will moderate the relationship between moderate intensity exercise and affect.

This study investigates whether playing recorded maternal heartbeat sounds to babies after surgery can improve their recovery. The researchers hypothesise that this familiar, soothing sound will reduce pain, improve physiological stability (such as heart rate, breathing, and oxygen levels), and decrease the need for pain medications. The main outcome will be differences in pain scores over the first 48 hours after surgery, while secondary outcomes include cardiorespiratory stability, analgesic use, stress hormone levels, and parent satisfaction. Overall, the study aims to test a simple, low-risk intervention that could enhance comfort and recovery for vulnerable newborns.

Hearing loss in midlife is one of the biggest modifiable risk factors for a dementia diagnosis in later life. Sleep issues are also associated with both hearing loss and dementia but the link between hearing device use, cognitive decline and sleep is poorly understood. HAVENS will address this knowledge-gap in an Australian-first prospective study that uses a combination of innovative sensing techniques to assess cognition (electroencephalogram and functional near infrared spectroscopy sensing technologies), brain health (magnetic resonance imaging), sleep (domestic sleep sensing mattress), and physiological measures (wristband oximetry sensor for heartrate, breathing rate and oxygen saturation) in adults using hearing devices (103 hearing aid and 37 cochlear implant users). This project represents a paradigm shift as it will advance understanding of the impact of hearing interventions on human health.

In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 120 men aged 40 to 65 years experiencing self-reported stress and fatigue will be randomly assigned to receive Shatavari extract 300 mg plus BioPerine 5 mg, Shatavari extract 500 mg, or placebo once daily for 8 weeks. Changes in self-reported stress, fatigue, mood, sleep, and interest in sexual activity will be assessed over time. Changes in hand grip strength, heart rate variability, bioimpedance phase angle, testosterone, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein will also be examined.

The purposes of this study are to clinically screening for developing Alzheimer’s disease in ageing populations using recently validated macrostructural biomarker of entorhinal cortex to test if human milk supplements, Lactoferrin, could slow down the process of developing Alzheimer’s disease, and to test if macrostructural changes are correlated with microstructural changes within the entorhinal cortex.