Venesection Or Expectant Management For Moderate Iron Overload In HFE Related Hereditary Haemochromatosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$853,109.00
Summary
Haemochromatosis is a preventable genetic iron overload disorder. Untreated, it can shorten life due mainly to liver cirrhosis and cancer. It can be prevented by blood donation to maintain normal iron levels. It is unclear, however, whether treatment is necessary when individuals have moderate elevation of iron in the body. This research project will study the effects of treatment in this group by assessing a number of scans, questionnaires and blood tests in treated and untreated individuals.
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.
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
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.
Evaluation Of A Tailored Online Hospital And Post-discharge Smoking Cessation Program For Orthopaedic Trauma Surgery Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$370,818.00
Summary
Smoking causes serious post-surgery complications and may lengthen recovery time. Hospitalisation is an ideal opportunity to encourage quitting to patients who smoke. We have found high rates of smoking among trauma surgery patients, and high interest to quit, yet few reported receiving advice to quit. We have designed an online quit support program for patients. The program is expected to help patients to quit smoking, leading to improvements in their recovery and general health.
Periodontal Disease And Chronic Kidney Disease Among Aboriginal Adults; An RCT
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,035,550.00
Summary
Chronic Kidney Disease is a growing public health concern in Australia, especially among Aboriginal populations. It is associated with progression to end stage kidney disease requiring dialysis, cardiovascular disease burden and high mortality. This study will use a randomised controlled trial design to determine if comprehensive periodontal therapy reduces progression of kidney disease among Aboriginal adults with chronic kidney disease residing in Central Australia.
Treatment Of Invasively Ventilated Adults With Early Activity And Mobilisation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,467,137.00
Summary
The sickest patients in intensive care units (ICUs) receive prolonged, invasive support for their breathing. This is currently managed with complete bed rest, and results in severe muscle weakness, increased duration of hospital stay and poor recovery. We have found that early activity and mobilisation during invasive breathing support is safe and may improve survival and recovery. We will test early activity and mobilisation in a large randomised controlled trial of 750 ICU patients.
The N-ICE Trial: A Randomised Controlled Trial Of The Safety And Efficacy Of N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) As A Pharmacotherapy For Methamphetamine (“ice”) Dependence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,551,368.00
Summary
Crystalline methamphetamine (aka ‘ice’) is a significant public health concern in Australia and globally. Currently there are no approved medications to treat methamphetamine dependence. We will trial tN-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) as a medications for methamphetamine dependence.
A Randomised Trial Of A Clinical Prediction Tool For Targeting Depression Care (Target-D)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$944,774.00
Summary
The Target-D Study uses a novel clinical prediction tool to test a new approach to depression care in general practice based upon sub-grouping patients into low, medium and high risk of ongoing depression. Participants will be randomly allocated to targeted treatments based upon their risk profile or to usual general practice care. We will measure whether the new approach results in greater improvements in depressive symptoms, quality of life and functioning and whether there are cost benefits.