A Multi Centre, Randomised, Blinded, Placebo Controlled Trial Comparing Intravenous Hydrocortisone With Placebo In Critically Ill Patients With Septic Shock.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$317,997.00
Summary
This study performed across Australia and New Zealand will evaluate whether hydrocortisone, a cheap drug when administered to critically ill patients with severe infection, will save lives.
Pregabalin In Addition To Usual Care For Sciatica (PRECISE): A Randomised, Placebo-controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$638,663.00
Summary
Sciatica is a severe and disabling form of back pain that is characterised by radiating pain down the leg. However there is little evidence on how best to treat it conservatively. We propose to investigate the effectiveness of pregabalin, a medication that specifically targets sciatic pain, in addition to usual care in 204 patients with sciatica. We hypothesise that adding pregabalin will be more effective in reducing the severity of leg pain.
Targeted LOWering Of Central Blood Pressure In Patients With Hypertension: A Randomised Controlled Trial (LOW CBP Study)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,442,405.00
Summary
For over 100 years doctors have measured blood pressure (BP) using a cuff at the upper arm. However, this method has many drawbacks that can result in inappropriate treatment decisions. New technology has emerged to measure central BP, which allows a more accurate BP assessment and may improve patient care. This study will test the clinical value of this new measure of central BP. Findings are expected to lead to a change in the way that people with high BP are diagnosed and managed by doctors.
Acupuncture To Improve Live Birth Rates For Women Undergoing IVF: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$636,285.00
Summary
We will undertake a randomised controlled of acupuncture as an adjunct to IVF treatment. Acupuncture will be compared to a placebo group and standard care group to examine the clinical effect on live births. We will also examine if the cost effectiveness of IVF can be improved with acupuncture. We will undertake in-depth interviews with the participants to understand the personal and social context of acupuncture, illuminate reasons why the acupuncture may or may not have worked, and identify ot ....We will undertake a randomised controlled of acupuncture as an adjunct to IVF treatment. Acupuncture will be compared to a placebo group and standard care group to examine the clinical effect on live births. We will also examine if the cost effectiveness of IVF can be improved with acupuncture. We will undertake in-depth interviews with the participants to understand the personal and social context of acupuncture, illuminate reasons why the acupuncture may or may not have worked, and identify other effects of acupuncture.Read moreRead less
A Randomized, Double-blinded Controlled Trial (RCT) Of A New Whole IgG, Equine Antivenom Compared To The Currently Used F(ab’)2 CSL Taipan Antivenom, For The Treatment Of Papuan Taipan (Oxyuranus Scutellatus) Envenoming In Papua New Guinea.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,453,073.00
Summary
Snakebite is very common in Papua New Guinea (PNG), and many bites are caused by the Papuan taipan, a highly venomous snake found in the southern PNG savannah's. Current antivenom is expensive (US$1500) and many patients do not receive optimal treatment. We will conduct a randomised controlled trial of a new, low cost taipan antivenom developed specifically for PNG. The safety and efficacy of the new antivenom is compared to the existing product to determine if it is a suitable alternative.
Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) As A New Standard Of Care For Spinal Metastases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$200,148.00
Summary
Secondary spread of cancer to the spine affects about 40% of all cancer patients. The current standard of care, radiotherapy, does not provide durable control of cancer pain. Breakthrough technology in stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is showing considerable promise for improved patient outcomes. This study is a multi-national collaboration between Australia and Canada directly comparing conventional radiotherapy to spinal SBRT in order to establish spinal SBRT as the new standard of care.
A Multi-Centre Double-Blind Randomised Placebo-Controlled Trial Of Oral Anticoagulation In Systemic Sclerosis-Related Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,190,521.00
Summary
Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease that shortens life span by over 30 years. The main cause of death is pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a condition of increased pressure in the lung vessels. Even in the era of 'advanced' PAH therapy, only 50% of patients are alive beyond 5 years. Formation of clots in the small blood vessels of the lung plays a major role in the development of PAH. In this clinical trial we aim to determine whether anticoagulation (treatment to prevent clotting) improve ....Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease that shortens life span by over 30 years. The main cause of death is pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a condition of increased pressure in the lung vessels. Even in the era of 'advanced' PAH therapy, only 50% of patients are alive beyond 5 years. Formation of clots in the small blood vessels of the lung plays a major role in the development of PAH. In this clinical trial we aim to determine whether anticoagulation (treatment to prevent clotting) improves survival in scleroderma PAH.Read moreRead less
Sedation Practice In Intensive Care Evaluation (SPICE) Randomised Controlled Trial.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,752,725.00
Summary
Almost every patient in intensive care needs sedating drugs for comfort and provision of life-saving treatment. However, sedation causes side effects including coma, delirium and agitation. There is no high-level evidence to help doctors decide which sedatives to choose and the best way to administer them. The SPICE trial will test a new approach called Early Goal-Directed Sedation based on an alternative sedative agent to see whether it delivers safer, targeted light sedation with less delirium ....Almost every patient in intensive care needs sedating drugs for comfort and provision of life-saving treatment. However, sedation causes side effects including coma, delirium and agitation. There is no high-level evidence to help doctors decide which sedatives to choose and the best way to administer them. The SPICE trial will test a new approach called Early Goal-Directed Sedation based on an alternative sedative agent to see whether it delivers safer, targeted light sedation with less delirium.Read moreRead less
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of The Effect Of Hydrocortisone On Mortality In Critically Ill Patients With Septic Shock
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,432,452.00
Summary
This study performed across Australia and New Zealand will evaluate whether hydrocortisone, a cheap drug when administered to critically ill patients with severe infection, will save lives.
A Brief Couple-focussed Psychoeducational Intervention To Prevent Postnatal Mental Health Problems In Women: A Cluster Randomised Trial.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$703,437.00
Summary
Mental health problems in women after childbirth are of national concern. Interventions to prevent these have had little success. What Were We Thinking (WWWT) is a promising new program for mothers, fathers and newborns. It provides knowledge and skills about soothing and settling babies and enhancing parents’ understanding of their changed needs and how to share the workload fairly. This trial will test whether WWWT improves women’s mental health in the first six months of motherhood.