How Consumers Negotiate Between Complementary And Conventional Health Systems - A Qualitative Study Of Depression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$251,645.00
Summary
This project explores how people with depression negotiate their health care between the complementary and conventional health systems. We will interview consumers about their experiences and present these findings to focus groups of general practitioners, naturopaths and educators. Our findings will be used to assist in getting the best possible education and health policy for doctors, naturopaths and the community to ensure safe use of medicines.
Interactions Between Herbal Medicines And The Anticoagulant Warfarin
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$440,250.00
Summary
Complementary medicines are used widely in our community. Products are advertised as safe despite the fact that many have never been systematically tested for either efficacy or safety. Little is known about the potential for herbal medicines to interact with conventional medicines which may lead to potentially serious consequences. Clinical reports suggest that there is potential for an interaction between warfarin and herbal medicines. Interactions with warfarin in patients receiving the drug ....Complementary medicines are used widely in our community. Products are advertised as safe despite the fact that many have never been systematically tested for either efficacy or safety. Little is known about the potential for herbal medicines to interact with conventional medicines which may lead to potentially serious consequences. Clinical reports suggest that there is potential for an interaction between warfarin and herbal medicines. Interactions with warfarin in patients receiving the drug as part of their therapy can be life threatening. Identifying and avoiding significant drug interactions with warfarin can reduce patient problems caused by excessive bleeding, reduce length of hospital stay and decrease the need for frequent blood monitoring. The present study design will also provide a valuable insight into possible interactions with other medicines by understanding the mechanism of possible herb-drug interactions.Read moreRead less
A Controlled Trial Of Topical Lavender Oil As A Treatment Of Behavioural Symptoms Of Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$211,179.00
Summary
Many nursing home residents with dementia have challenging behavioural symptoms. This study will test if pure lavender oil, when massaged onto the forearms of confused nursing home residents, relieves their agitation better than a placebo oil. Researchers will measure residents' behaviour directly and will not be aware which oil is being applied.
The Influence Of Acupuncture On Reducing Women's Pain From Primary Dysmenorrhoea: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$310,875.00
Summary
Dysmenorrhoea refers to painful uterine cramps during menstruation. It is a common condition that affects as many as 50 percent of women. Severe menstrual pain can lead to an absence from work, or attending school, or interference with day to day lives. This condition is commonly treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or the oral contraceptive pill. Studies suggest that between 30-50 percent of the adult population use some form of complementary medicine. Acupuncture, the insertion o ....Dysmenorrhoea refers to painful uterine cramps during menstruation. It is a common condition that affects as many as 50 percent of women. Severe menstrual pain can lead to an absence from work, or attending school, or interference with day to day lives. This condition is commonly treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or the oral contraceptive pill. Studies suggest that between 30-50 percent of the adult population use some form of complementary medicine. Acupuncture, the insertion of fine needles, into specific areas of the body is increasingly being used to treat a number of conditions. It has been indicated in several non-clinical studies and two small clinical trials to be effective with treating dysmenorrhoea. Evidence from the Cochrane systematic review of acupuncture to treat primary dysmenorrhoea concluded acupuncture may be helpful. This study assesses whether women with dysmenorrhoea can be successfully treated using acupuncture. Women experiencing dysmenorrhoea with no underlying pelvic pathology will be offered the opportunity to take part in the trial. Women interested in taking part will be randomly allocated into one of two groups. One group of women will receive acupuncture, a second group will receive control (sham) acupuncture. The second study group involves the insertion of needles away from acupuncture points. Women will receive the treatment intervention for three menstrual cycles and then followed up for a further six months. Women will be asked to report on the pain they experience during menses and to report any time taken off from work or school, disruption with day to day activities, or the need for additional pain relief. In 2005 we expect to report on the effectiveness of this treatment on dysmenorrhoea and whether this treatment is acceptable to women. If the results are positive, it is hoped this will become an option available to women for the management of their dysmenorrhoea.Read moreRead less
It has become increasingly evident that damage to the genetic material in cells (DNA) is a fundamental initiating cause of cancer and accelerated ageing. Furthermore it has been shown recently that moderate deficiencies of certain vitamins and minerals can cause damage to DNA at a level that is observed for carcinogenic doses of radiation and toxic chemicals. In addition studies have shown that supplementation with certain vitamins resulted in a reduction of damage to DNA. The aims of this resea ....It has become increasingly evident that damage to the genetic material in cells (DNA) is a fundamental initiating cause of cancer and accelerated ageing. Furthermore it has been shown recently that moderate deficiencies of certain vitamins and minerals can cause damage to DNA at a level that is observed for carcinogenic doses of radiation and toxic chemicals. In addition studies have shown that supplementation with certain vitamins resulted in a reduction of damage to DNA. The aims of this research is to determine whether daily intake of a pill containing certain vitamins and minerals causes a reduction in DNA damage in blood cells. The expected ultimate outcome is a cancer prevention strategy based on reducing the risk of damage to DNA.Read moreRead less
A TriaL Assessing N-3 As Treatment For Injury-induced Cachexia (ATLANTIC Trial)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$480,245.00
Summary
The anti-inflammatory properties of fish oil are well documented. Hip fracture is common and patients suffer significant inflammation, unintentional weight and muscle loss leading to poor outcomes. This study aims to reduce the weight loss suffered by hip fracture patients by prescribing an intervention of individualised nutrition support and high dose fish oil.
Drug Interactions Involving Complementary Medicines: Effects Of Phytoestrogenic Isoflavones.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$196,018.00
Summary
Isoflavones are naturally occurring chemicals that have become widely recognised as 'phytoestrogens'. These are plant-derived compounds with a biological activity that resembles that of the human hormone, estrogen. Pharmaceutical preparations containing isoflavones, as herbal extracts, are currently available over-the-counter from pharmacies and health-food outlets and are being heavily promoted in the lay press. For example, Promensil, which contains 40mg of isoflavones per tablet, is being pro ....Isoflavones are naturally occurring chemicals that have become widely recognised as 'phytoestrogens'. These are plant-derived compounds with a biological activity that resembles that of the human hormone, estrogen. Pharmaceutical preparations containing isoflavones, as herbal extracts, are currently available over-the-counter from pharmacies and health-food outlets and are being heavily promoted in the lay press. For example, Promensil, which contains 40mg of isoflavones per tablet, is being promoted for use in women over the age of 45 years and Trinovin is being promoted for men over 50. It is well recognised that patients taking more than one drug may experience an adverse event as a consequence of one drug altering the way in which the body handles another. Therefore, a new 'conventional' drug cannot be marketed unless information on its ability to alter the handling of other drugs is provided to the relevant regulatory body. In stark contrast, there is comparatively little information required for the marketing of herbal products such as isoflavones, despite the fact that these products will be made available over-the-counter for self-medication. We hypothesise that isoflavones will be capable of interacting with conventional drugs and we will be conducting a range of experiments to address this hypothesis. At present little or no consideration is given to the safety issues that arise from the use of herbal remedies in general, not only the isoflavones. Therefore a patient taking a range of conventional drugs is able to purchase a herbal remedy, over-the-counter, with no consultation with a health professional. If we discover that isoflavones can alter the handling of conventional drugs by the body, then certain precautions will need to be taken in defining their safety in humans. The result may also have implications for the use of other complementary medicines.Read moreRead less
How well people perform in everyday situations is often determined by memory function. When required to perform under stress memory performance is often affected. The effect of a psychological stress test on memory function in healthy volunteers and the ability of a dietary supplement, tyrosine, to prevent the effects will be studied. The data may suggest that depletion amino acids is responsible for the decrements in performance that are evident after an acute stressor.
Randomised Controlled Trial Of Yoga For Improving Sleep And Quality Of Life In An Elderly Population
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$249,377.00
Summary
Insomnia is very common in the elderly and is associated with increased morbidity and reduced quality of life. Yoga is purported to assist with sleep and stress management but there is little rigorous research to confirm this and no research to determine if yoga can be adapted to an elderly population in Australia. This study aims to rigourously examine the effectiveness of yoga as an intervention for geriatric insomnia and to determine the ability of yoga to enhance quality of life.