Supporting Older Adults With Dementia With Driving Cessation And Mobility: An Innovative Telehealth Approach
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,868,907.00
Summary
This program addresses dementia and driving cessation, a significant life event for people with dementia and challenge in primary care. We will translate an evidence-based driving cessation intervention into a telehealth model and implement it in a national cRCT. Expectations are that drivers with dementia will make independent decisions about stopping driving, however interventions are urgently needed to support people with dementia, their families and GPs to manage the challenges.
Controlled Clinical Trial Of Desensitization To Chronic Pain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$349,149.00
Summary
An estimated 17.1% of males and 20.0% of females in NSW report having chronic pain. Chronic pain sufferers are major users of health services, with frequent medical consultations and high pharmacological consumption. A recent NSW population-based study found that 78% of pain sufferers had consulted at least one healthcare practitioner in the previous 6 months about their pain, and 71% of those sampled were taking regular oral analgesic medications. Disability due to chronic pain is often associa ....An estimated 17.1% of males and 20.0% of females in NSW report having chronic pain. Chronic pain sufferers are major users of health services, with frequent medical consultations and high pharmacological consumption. A recent NSW population-based study found that 78% of pain sufferers had consulted at least one healthcare practitioner in the previous 6 months about their pain, and 71% of those sampled were taking regular oral analgesic medications. Disability due to chronic pain is often associated with higher levels of distress and use of healthcare services. Unfortunately, at present there are no lasting curative treatments for most chronic pain conditions and most people with these conditions are told they have to learn to live with their ongoing pain. One of the most effective ways of teaching chronic pain sufferers to live with their pain are known as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) interventions. But even though many find these methods helpful, a significant proportion of cases remain distressed by their pain. This places them at higher risk of relapse and further treatment seeking. If this group of pain sufferers could be taught more effective ways of minimising their pain-related distress, their overall functional and long-term quality of life goals could be maximised. The study has the potential to achieve a major improvement in outcomes for distressed patients with disabling chronic pain, traditionally a very intractable group. The study would also have important implications for the prevention of disability associated with persisting pain. If successful, it could alter the ways in which many health professionals advise patients to cope with their chronic pain, especially in relation to the use of the common modalities of relaxation and distraction techniques, as well as the use of pain reducing interventions. The study represents the first major clinical test of an alternative to these traditional modalities.Read moreRead less
Acquiring Severe Communication Disabilities- Interactions, Perceptions And Adjustment Of Friends And The Public
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$104,018.00
Summary
People with severe communication impairments are rarely studied in everyday interactions. It is unclear how these people manage everyday affairs with friends and the community in the absence of intact language, speech, voice, or cognition. This project will inform Speech Pathologists of the range of communication strategies used by these people to function in the community. It will also lead to an urgently needed training program for the community to maximise reintegration for these people.
Randomised Controlled Trial Of Early Intervention To Improve Sexual And Couple Functioning After Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$405,000.00
Summary
Treatment for localised prostate cancer has a long term negative impact on the sexuality, quality of life, and relationship quality of Australian men and their intimate partners. This study will trial a remote access couples based sexuality intervention for this patient and carer group that has potential for broader translation into community and acute health care settings. This approach will also have broader application for chronic disease self management for other health conditions.
Cancer Genomics; Psychosocial, Behavioural And Ethical Issues And Outcomes, Two Inter-related Longitudinal Studies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$506,654.00
Summary
Over 1/3 of patients with cancer will die of their disease. Genomics offers hope of more tailored risk management and treatment, but will only realize its promise if patients understand, cope with, inform relatives about, and make informed decisions based on, genomic results. This study will be the first internationally to explore the knowledge, attitudes, preferences, experiences and outcomes of cancer patients who undergo genomic testing and their relatives, over time.
I am a clinical psychologist by training, with 15 years experience in providing psychological treatment for patients with chronic illness, particularly rheumatoid arthritis and chronic pain. My research interest is primarily involved with understanding th
Randomised Controlled Trial Of The RECOVER Tailored Psychological Intervention For First Episode Bipolar Disorder
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,550,291.00
Summary
Bipolar disorder (BD) is one of the most disabling health conditions experienced by young adults, yet there are currently no psychological treatment options specifically developed for early intervention in BD. This project will test if a new psychological intervention called RECOVER, administered to young people who have experienced a first episode of BD, can help prevent this experience from developing into a chronic disorder.
Cognitive Impairments And Post Traumatic Stress Symptoms In Children With Traumatic Brain Injury: A Longitudinal Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$482,250.00
Summary
Traumatic brain injury in children is common with more than 2000 new cases a year in Queensland and Victoria alone. Many children who experience a brain injury go on to have long-term difficulties such as significant educational and social problems. Post-traumatic stress occurs in children following traumatic physical injury. However it is not clear to what extent this is so for children who have received a traumatic brain injury. Furthermore, when there is a traumatic brain injury and traumatic ....Traumatic brain injury in children is common with more than 2000 new cases a year in Queensland and Victoria alone. Many children who experience a brain injury go on to have long-term difficulties such as significant educational and social problems. Post-traumatic stress occurs in children following traumatic physical injury. However it is not clear to what extent this is so for children who have received a traumatic brain injury. Furthermore, when there is a traumatic brain injury and traumatic stress, it is not clear how these interact, how they influence long-term outcomes, and what factors such as pre-injury functioning and family support and distress mediate outcomes. These issues are very important since effective rehabilitation of children following traumatic brain injury is essential to maximise long-term functioning and minimise disability. To be effective, rehabilitation must be guided by the knowledge about key factors that determine the recovery process. This study aims to provide answers to these questions by following two cohorts of children (aged 6-14) over 18 months after receiving a traumatic brain injury. In total 240 children will be recruited from Brisbane and Melbourne hospitals. They will be assessed at three, six, twelve and eighteen months post-injury using measures of cognitive, psychological and social functioning. Information on parent distress and behaviours will also be obtained. The information obtained will provide the basis for the development of a specific rehabilitation strategy for children with traumatic brain injury, including information on strategies to help prevent any confounding impact of post-traumatic stress on recovery.Read moreRead less