Plasma Exchange And Glucocorticoids In ANCA Associated Vasculitis: A Randomised Controlled Trial (PEXIVAS Australia)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$635,243.00
Summary
Vasculitis is a life-threatening disease, and the current treatment for this condition is not satisfactory. This clinical trial aims to determine 1) if plasma exchange can lower mortality and the development of severe kidney failure due to this disease, and 2) if the use of lower doses of corticosteroids can lessen the infectious complications of treatment. This trial is part of a major international effort which will involve a total of 500 patients from Australia, UK, Europe, USA and NZ.
Multi-centre RDBC Trial Of Oxygen Vs Air For Relief Of Breathlessness In Terminally-ill Patients With Intractable Dyspno
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$149,701.00
Summary
This study will compare the effects of oxygen and air in the relief of breathlessness in patients at the end of life who do not currently qualify for home oxygen. This landmark study will provide accurate information about any benefits that oxygen offers for breathlessness in this setting. This international multi-site study will ask 226 people to participate using either oxygen or air for 7 days while keeping a diary. We will measure breathlessness, quality of life, anxiety and side effects exp ....This study will compare the effects of oxygen and air in the relief of breathlessness in patients at the end of life who do not currently qualify for home oxygen. This landmark study will provide accurate information about any benefits that oxygen offers for breathlessness in this setting. This international multi-site study will ask 226 people to participate using either oxygen or air for 7 days while keeping a diary. We will measure breathlessness, quality of life, anxiety and side effects experienced.Read moreRead less
Ketamine Therapy Among Patients With Treatment-resistant Depression: A Randomised, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,069,382.00
Summary
In the last decade, there have been reports of powerful antidepressant effects after a single injection of anaesthetic ketamine, with dramatic (though shortlasting) effects within 24 hours. This will be the first controlled study to test whether a course of repeated ketamine treatments, given over 4 weeks, is effective and safe in treating depression.
The Trans Tasman Radiation Oncology Group is an experienced research group conducting cancer clinical trials involving radiotherapy (RT) in order to improve cure rates, quality of life and to reduce side-effects of treatment. Fifty per cent of all cancer patients need RT as part of their treatment. The aim of the proposal is to strengthen the quality and safety of RT trials by (a) enabling rapid review and checking of treatment by electronic means and (b) improve trial design.
The Effectiveness Of A Comprehensive ‘universal’ And ‘targeted’ Intervention To Prevent Substance Use And Related Harms In Adolescents: The CAP Project
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$755,906.00
Summary
Alcohol and other drug use are common amongst Australian adolescents and the disability associated with this use is considerable. Prevention is clearly needed, yet we have few models of well implemented prevention programs that are effective in maximisising prevention outcomes.The current proposal addresses this gap by evaluating a novel approach to preventing substance use and related harms in adolescents by combining effective 'universal' and 'targeted' school-based prevention programs in a su ....Alcohol and other drug use are common amongst Australian adolescents and the disability associated with this use is considerable. Prevention is clearly needed, yet we have few models of well implemented prevention programs that are effective in maximisising prevention outcomes.The current proposal addresses this gap by evaluating a novel approach to preventing substance use and related harms in adolescents by combining effective 'universal' and 'targeted' school-based prevention programs in a sustainable delivery platform.Read moreRead less
Early Intervention For Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment : A Randomised Trial Of Memory Management
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$577,556.00
Summary
It is increasingly recognised that Alzheimer’s disease can emerge slowly over years and persons presenting with memory impairment, or mild cognitive impairment (MCI), are at increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Following diagnosis of MCI, active management through symptomatic drug treatment remains equivocal, therefore, memory impairment continues to be troublesome and patients and families are seeking interventions that offer improvement in quality of life. Cognitive interventions ....It is increasingly recognised that Alzheimer’s disease can emerge slowly over years and persons presenting with memory impairment, or mild cognitive impairment (MCI), are at increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Following diagnosis of MCI, active management through symptomatic drug treatment remains equivocal, therefore, memory impairment continues to be troublesome and patients and families are seeking interventions that offer improvement in quality of life. Cognitive interventions are low cost and, where effective, can provide a stand-alone intervention or add value to the pharmacological approach. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate whether an early intervention program of memory training is effective in improving use of memory strategies in everyday life, and whether this has psychological and emotional benefits for individuals with MCI and their families. We will evaluate through a randomised controlled trial the efficacy of a memory-group program which will involve the family and patient, rather than just the person with MCI, in developing increased awareness of memory issues and specific strategies to prevent memory failures. Over successive cohorts recruited from memory clinics, families will be randomly assigned to either an immediate intervention or a delayed intervention (waiting-list control) group. We will also recruit a sample of healthy older adults who will be similarly randomised into early and late intervention groups. Healthy older adults will provide a means of establishing whether any improvements in the MCI groups are (i) to the same extent as healthy older adults and (ii) to normative levels. Evaluation will be at pre- and post-intervention and at six months follow-up on tests of memory, questionnaires of knowledge and use of memory strategies in everyday life, and appraisal of level of wellbeing. Information about memory and systematic training in compensatory memory skills are expected to significantly improve the capacity of patients and families to cope with everyday memory difficulties. Through active participation in the management of memory impairment, it is expected that the level of wellbeing will increase, for both patient and families.Read moreRead less
Intravascular Device Administration Sets: Replacement After Standard Versus Prolonged Use (The RSVP Trial)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,611,239.00
Summary
Most hospital patients need an IV drip, a small plastic tube in a vein, often the hand/arm. 14 million/yr are used in Australia. IV drips are connected to plastic tubing through which fluid & medicine is given. IV tubing is needed for a week or more, but is only used for 3-4 days as it was thought this might prevent infection. It is now thought that IV tubing can be used for a week. This would save $1 billion/year & reduce nurses workload. The research will test the safety of this approach.
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Alternative Treatments To Intramuscular Penicillin For Impetigo In Aboriginal Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,326,182.00
Summary
We will conduct clinical trials to find an effective, simple and cheap oral alternative to injected penicillin for skin sores which could become the universal standard of care whether the patient is in Melbourne or Milingimbi. It would also likely be adopted by the World Health Organization as a standard of care for developing countries. This would lead directly to a reduced burden of skin sores and their complications. It would also open the way for studies to explore even simpler regimens.
Do Additional Allied Health Services For Rehabilitation Reduce Length Of Stay Without Compromising Patient Outcomes?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$238,424.00
Summary
This project will examine whether the provision of additional therapy services on a Saturday reduces health care costs, and improves the health of hospital inpatients receiving rehabilitation when compared to the usual Monday to Friday service. Preliminary information suggests additional Saturday rehabilitation services could reduce the time a patient stays in hospital by 3 days. This large clinical trial will investigate the cost effectiveness and patients outcomes of such a service.
Plasma Exchange And Glucocorticoids In Anti-neutrophil Cytoplasm Antibody Associated Systemic Vasculitis: A Randomised Controlled Trial (PEXIVAS Australia)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$420,110.00
Summary
ANCA-associated vasculitis is a life-threatening disease. The PEXIVAS trial will investigate whether plasma exchange, in addition to immunosuppressive therapy and glucocorticoids, will reduce death and the development of severe kidney failure due to this disease. Additionally, the project will also look at whether using a reduced dose of glucocorticoids is just as effective as larger doses in lessening the infectious complications of treatment.