ORCID Profile
0000-0002-8246-0363
Current Organisation
University of South Australia
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Publisher: Wiley
Date: 17-04-2020
DOI: 10.1111/GGI.13923
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 28-05-2022
DOI: 10.1111/HSC.13449
Abstract: Carers of veterans tend to put their own physical and psychological well-being needs behind the needs of the person they are caring for and often do not seek assistance for their own physical and psychological well-being. Combined, these factors lead to increased risk of acute and chronic illness and mental health issues. It is acknowledged that physical activity independently contributes to improved physical and mental health and may be a driver for mental well-being in carers. The aim of this pilot research was to understand how movement behaviour and health behaviours of carers of veterans in Australia relate to carers' physical and psychological well-being. Assessment occurred between February and July 2019 and included objective, validated measures to examine physical and psychological well-being. To assess the association between physical and psychological factors, correlational analyses were performed. Twenty-eight carers participated in the pilot study (96% female, mean age 61.6 years). Exercise capacity varied, and 84% of carers met the recommended 150 min of physical activity per week, with carers spending 8.6% of their time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and 37.9% of the day sedentary. Psychological health outcomes reflect a population with high distress levels and lower than average mental well-being, but with normal resilience scores. Carers with higher levels of resilience had greater exercise capacity, covering further distance in the 6-min walk test, and as resilience increased, number of sedentary bouts decreased. This research demonstrates that there is a relationship between health behaviours and psychological well-being in carers of veterans and serving personnel. Based on the findings of this pilot study, programmes to support family carers should include information about physical activity, reducing sedentary time, and increasing resilience. Interventions designed to improve physical and psychological well-being should be trialled and evaluated for effectiveness.
Publisher: PeerJ
Date: 24-07-2020
DOI: 10.7717/PEERJ.9605
Abstract: Medications with anticholinergic or sedative effects are frequently used by older people but can increase risk of falls and adverse events however, less is known about their effect on movement behaviour. Here we examine the cross-sectional association between medication use and movement behaviour in older adults living in residential aged care. Twenty-eight older adults living in residential aged care in metropolitan Australia participated. Medication data were collected from participants’ medical charts and sedative load and anticholinergic burden were determined. Seven-day movement behaviour was objectively assessed by a wrist-worn triaxial accelerometer. Raw accelerations were converted to sleep, sedentary time, and time in light, moderate, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. To explore the relationship between medication and movement behaviour, Spearman’s Rho correlations were conducted, as the data were not normally distributed. Analyses indicated that while anticholinergic burden was not associated with movement behaviour, sedative load was negatively correlated with a number of variables, accounting for 14% variance in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and 17% in the bout length of MVPA ( p .02). The findings of this study showed a negative association between sedative load, due to medicines, and an in idual’s movement behaviour. The impact of this could be a reduction in the ability of this population to maintain or improve their functional mobility, which may overshadow any benefits of the medicine in some circumstances.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 29-11-2018
Abstract: As we age, maintaining physical functionality is important with respect to wellbeing and healthy ageing. For older adults with dementia this may be difficult, particularly in the residential aged care environment. This article reports the qualitative examination of an Exercise Physiologist-delivered exercise programme for residents with dementia. Perspectives related to the perceived impact and acceptability of the programme, as well as barriers to implementation, and delivery of exercise to residents, were sought from family members and care staff through semi-structured interviews. Benefits related to physical and social factors were identified, and perceptions related to who might benefit from exercise were changed as a result of observing residents participate in the programme. These findings support the notion that an Exercise Physiologist-delivered exercise programme, with a person-centred approach, can contribute to improved functionality for residents with dementia
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 11-2020
DOI: 10.1111/AJAG.12875
Abstract: To evaluate the cost‐effectiveness of a 12‐week Exercise Physiology (EP) program for people living in a residential aged care facility. A within‐study pre‐ and postintervention design to calculate incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios per quality‐adjusted life years gained. A health service provider perspective was used. Fifty‐nine participants enrolled in a 12‐week program. The program cost was A$514.30 per resident. At a willingness‐to‐pay threshold of A$64 000, the likelihood of being cost‐effective of the program is approximately 60%, due to a small increase in participants’ quality of life, as reported by care staff. The model showed great variance, depending on who rated the participants’ quality of life outcomes. It is uncertain that a 12‐week EP program is cost‐effective based on the evidence of the current trial. However, it appears that a low‐cost program can produce small improvements for residents in care facilities.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 19-07-2022
DOI: 10.1002/HPJA.634
Abstract: Public health advocacy is a fundamental part of health promotion practice. Advocacy efforts can lead to healthier public policies and positive impacts on society. Public health educators are responsible for equipping graduates with cross-cutting advocacy competencies to address current and future public health challenges. Knowledge of the extent to which students are taught public health advocacy is limited. To determine whether advocacy teaching within public health degrees matches industry needs, knowledge of pedagogical approaches to advocacy curricula is required. This study sought to understand the extent to which advocacy is taught and assessed within Australian public health degrees. Australian public health Bachelor's and Master's degrees were identified using the CRICOS database. Open-source online unit guides were reviewed to determine where and how advocacy was included within core and elective units (in title, unit description or learning outcomes). Degree directors and convenors of identified units were surveyed to further garner information about advocacy in the curriculum. Of 65 identified degrees, 17 of 26 (65%) undergraduate degrees and 24 of 39 (62%) postgraduate degrees included advocacy within the core curriculum, while 6 of 26 (23%) undergraduate and 8 of 39 (21%) postgraduate offered no advocacy curriculum. Australian and international public health competency frameworks indicate advocacy curriculum should be included in all degrees. This research suggests advocacy competencies are not ubiquitous within Australian public health curricula. The findings support the need to advance public health advocacy teaching efforts further.
Publisher: PeerJ
Date: 29-09-2021
DOI: 10.7717/PEERJ.12078
Abstract: The impacts of COVID-19 have been felt on a global scale, with associated physical distancing restrictions and economic downturn having flow-on effects for mental health and wellbeing across the community, and for university students in particular. First-year pharmaceutical and medical science students completing a common introductory population health course at an Australian university are routinely surveyed at the beginning of the semester as part of the course. Survey data inform teaching approaches based on understanding the ‘real life’ commitments and health profiles of students, and deidentified data form part of the teaching material. The 2020 student cohort was invited to complete a second follow-up survey during COVID-19 physical distancing restrictions. A total of n = 126 students completed both the initial and follow-up surveys (50.6% response rate), and n = 99 (39.8% of the total cohort) consented for their data to be included in research. There was a non-significant decrease in student employment however, 22% of all students reported loss of work due to COVID-19. There was a statistically significant decrease in the proportion of students undertaking sufficient levels of physical activity, and a statistically significant increase in reported family stressors associated with loss of employment or an inability to gain employment between March and May 2020. Two-thirds of respondents reported increased stress as an impact of the transition to online learning. Implementation of holistic strategies, incorporating attention to additional factors influencing students’ capacity to engage in study, and which may have long-term impacts across the life of the degree program, should be considered.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2023
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 30-10-2023
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 30-09-2020
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 15-01-2021
DOI: 10.3389/FSPOR.2020.579278
Abstract: Purpose: This study aims to (1) establish GENEActiv intensity cutpoints in older adults and (2) compare the classification accuracy between dominant (D) or non-dominant (ND) wrist, using both laboratory and free-living data. Methods: Thirty-one older adults participated in the study. They wore a GENEActiv Original on each wrist and performed nine activities of daily living. A portable gas analyzer was used to measure energy expenditure for each task. Testing was performed on two occasions separated by at least 8 days. Some of the same participants ( n = 13) also wore one device on each wrist during 3 days of free-living. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to establish the optimal cutpoints. Results: For sedentary time, both dominant and non-dominant wrist had excellent classification accuracy (sensitivity 0.99 and 0.97, respectively specificity 0.91 and 0.86, respectively). For Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA), the non-dominant wrist device had better accuracy (ND sensitivity: 0.90, specificity 0.79 D sensitivity: 0.90, specificity 0.64). The corresponding cutpoints for sedentary-to-light were 255 and 375 g · min (epoch independent: 42.5 and 62.5 mg), and those for the light-to-moderate were 588 and 555 g · min (epoch-independent: 98.0 and 92.5 mg) for the non-dominant and dominant wrist, respectively. For free-living data, the dominant wrist device resulted in significantly more sedentary time and significantly less light and MVPA time compared to the non-dominant wrist.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 09-05-2023
DOI: 10.1002/HPJA.740
Abstract: Due to the nature of their jobs, frontline aged care workers may be a population at risk of poor health and lifestyle habits. Support of their well‐being through the workplace is likely to be complex. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a need‐supportive program for changing physical activity and psychological well‐being via the motivational processes of behavioural regulations and perceived need satisfaction. Frontline aged care workers ( n = 25) participated in a single cohort, pre–post pilot trial. The program included a Motivational Interviewing style appointment, education on goal setting and self‐management, the use of affect, exertion and self‐pacing for regulating physical activity intensity and practical support activities. Outcomes (7‐day accelerometery, 6‐min walk, K10 and AQoL‐8D), and motivational processes (BREQ‐3 and PNSE) were measured at baseline, 3 and 9 months, and analysed using linear mixed models for repeated measures. There were significant increases in perceived autonomy at 3 months (Δ .43 ± SE: .20 p = .03) and 6‐min walk distance at 9 months (Δ 29.11 m ± SE: 13.75 p = .04), which appeared to be driven by the relative autonomy index (behavioural regulations in exercise questionnaire [BREQ‐3]). Amotivation increased at 3 months (Δ .23 ± SE:.12 p = .05) which may have been due to low scores at baseline. No other changes were demonstrated at any timepoint. Participants demonstrated positive changes in motivational processes and physical function, however, due to the low levels of participation in the program, the program had a negligible impact at the organisational level. Future researchers and aged care organisations should aim to address factors impacting participation in well‐being initiatives.
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 26-11-2018
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 04-2022
Abstract: To assess the effectiveness of a pharmacist-led intervention using validated tools to reduce medicine-induced deterioration and adverse reactions. Multicenter, open-label parallel randomised controlled trial involving 39 Australian aged-care facilities. Residents on ≥4 medicines or ≥1 anticholinergic or sedative medicine. Pharmacist-led intervention using validated tools to detect signs and symptoms of medicine-induced deterioration which occurred every 8 weeks over 12 months. Usual care (Residential Medication Management Review) provided by accredited pharmacists. Primary outcome was change in Frailty Index at 12 months. Secondary outcomes included changes in cognition, 24-hour movement behaviour by accelerometry, grip strength, weight, adverse events and quality of life. 248 persons (median age 87 years) completed the study 120 in the interventionand, 128 in control arms. In total 575 pharmacist, sessions were undertaken in the intervention arm. There was no statistically significant difference for change in frailty between groups (mean difference: 0.009, 95% CI: −0.028, 0.009, P = 0.320). A significant difference for cognition was observed, with a mean difference of 1.36 point change at 12 months (95% CI: 0.01, 2.72, P = 0.048). Changes in 24-hour movement behaviour, grip strength, adverse events and quality of life were not significantly different between groups. Point estimates favoured the intervention arm at 12 months for frailty, 24-hour movement behaviour and grip strength. The use of validated tools by pharmacists to detect signs of medicine-induced deterioration is a model of practice that requires further research, with promising results from this trial, particularly with regards to improved cognition.
Publisher: Emerald
Date: 14-09-2015
DOI: 10.1108/IJWHM-08-2014-0028
Abstract: – Workplace health promotion enables the dissemination of health-related information to a large portion of society and provides a vehicle for translating results of efficacy studies to effective lifestyle interventions under less controlled real-world conditions. To achieve effectiveness there needs to be a systematic approach to the design, implementation, and evaluation of workplace health promotion interventions. The purpose of this paper is to describe the development of a workplace programme in a mining and steel making town in regional South Australia. – The Precede-Proceed model (PPM) was used as a framework to design the development, implementation, and evaluation of the programme. – Quality of life issues and antecedents of modifiable behavioural and environmental factors to be targeted by interventions were identified. Relevant socio-behavioural theories were used to guide intervention development and evaluation. An intervention programme was planned to enable the delivery of educational and skills-development strategies by peers within structured organisational work units. – This research utilises the PPM to develop, implement, and evaluate intervention strategies targeting the development of diabetes and cardiometabolic risk in a remotely located workplace population. Novel to this approach is the utilisation of the entire PPM in the research the multiple baseline, interrupted time series design of the study and its application in a workplace environment noted for increased health risk factors, within a community at high risk of development of type 2 diabetes.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 03-06-2022
DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0269012
Abstract: Family carers of veterans have a tendency not to seek support for their own wellbeing concerns. Understanding the barriers and enablers that family carers face in attending to their own wellbeing and in their caring role generally, is key to supporting family carers of veterans. This qualitative study sought to explore family carers’ experiences and perceptions of their caring role, using semi-structured interviews. Questions were designed to capture concepts related to the barriers and enablers family carers face in attending to their own wellbeing. Twenty-two family carers participated in interviews. Thematic analysis facilitated the identification of key themes including the impact of the caring role a perceived lack of recognition or appreciation of the caring role expressed preferences for support and consideration of the family unit. Findings suggest a need for accessible and multi-faceted support services for family carers of veterans, that target the drivers of physical and psychological wellbeing.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 29-01-2020
DOI: 10.1080/17437199.2020.1718528
Abstract: This review aimed to assess the efficacy of workplace physical activity interventions compare the efficacy of those that were and were not informed by behaviour change theory, and outline the effectiveness of different intervention components. A search was undertaken in Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, Ovid Emcare (previously CINAHL) and SportDiscus. Randomised, non-randomised and cluster-controlled trials with objectively measured physical activity and/or measured or predicted maximal oxygen uptake (VO
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 2020
Abstract: Regular physical activity for older adults as they age is important for maintaining not only physical function but also independence and self-worth. To be able to monitor changes in physical function, appropriate validated measures are required. Reliability of measures such as the timed-up-and-go, five-repetition sit-to-stand, handgrip strength, two-minute walk, 30-second sit-to-stand, and four-metre walk has been demonstrated however, the appropriateness of such measures in a population of adults living with dementia, who may be unable to follow instructions or have diminished physical capacity, is not as well quantified. This study sought to test modified standard protocols for these measures. Modification to the standard protocols of the timed-up-and-go, five-repetition sit-to-stand, handgrip strength, two-minute walk, 30-second sit-to-stand, and four-metre walk was trialled. This occurred through modification of procedural components of the assessment, such as encouraging participants to use their hands to raise themselves from a seated position, or the incorporation of staged verbal cueing, demonstration, or physical guidance where required. The test–retest reliability of the modified protocols was assessed using Pearson’s correlation, and performance variances were assessed using the %coefficient of variation. Intraclass correlations were included for comparisons to previous research and to examine measurement consistency within three trials. At least 64% of the population were able to complete all measures. Good test–retest reliability was indicated for the modified measures (timed-up-and-go = 0.87 five-repetition sit-to-stand = 0.75 handgrip strength = 0.94 two-minute walk = 0.87 the 30-second sit-to-stand = 0.93 and the four-metre walk = 0.83), and the %coefficient of variation (7.2%–14.8%) and intraclass correlation (0.77–0.98) were acceptable to good. This article describes the methodology of the modified assessments, presents the test–retest statistics, and reports how modification of the current protocols for common measures of physical function enabled more older adults living with dementia in a residential aged care facility to participate in assessments, with high reliability demonstrated for the measures.
No related grants have been discovered for Dannielle Post.