Investigations Into The Onset And Persistence Of Severe Health Anxiety (hypochondriasis), And The Development Of Innovative Psychological Interventions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$313,096.00
Summary
This program of research will investigate the cognitive, emotional, and behavioural factors that are involved in the onset and persistence of severe health anxiety (hypochondriasis). It will also test the effectiveness of innovative psychological interventions for the disorder.
Fighting Mental Disorders: Using Mental Imagery To Disarm Symptoms And Enhance Treatment.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$415,218.00
Summary
This proposal will conduct the first pre-clinical and clinical research utilising mental imagery to disarm symptoms and enhance treatment of multiple mental disorders by controlling the strength of mental imagery. This fellowship represents the first attempt to alleviate symptoms by developing a cognitive-neuroscience method to control the strength of traumatic imagery and to show a causative means of enhancing imagery strength to boost the success rate of cognitive therapy involving imagery.
Prevention Of Adverse Child Behavioural Development Following Maternal Depression In Pregnancy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$761,937.00
Summary
There is good evidence that if a woman is depressed while pregnant, her child is substantially more likely to have later emotional or behavioural problems. We will evaluate whether child outcomes following maternal depression in pregnancy can be improved by antenatal depression treatment. Our objective is to protect fetal and child development from the adverse developmental outcomes associated with untreated depression.
A Novel, Technology-based Program Targeting Physical, Cognitive And Mental Well-being To Maximise Fall Prevention In Older People: An Evidence-based Multifactorial Approach
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,475,781.00
Summary
Accidental falling among older people is a significant public health challenge worldwide. This study addresses a key gap in the translation of available evidence to prevent falls in older people more effectively. The proposed trial will provide the first-ever evidence about the cost and effectiveness of a tailored multifactorial fall prevention program using technology and self-management principles.
Innovative Neuroscience To Improve Treatment Of Sleep Disturbances For Prevention Of Depression And Anxiety
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,205.00
Summary
Insomnia patients have disturbed sleep and symptoms similar to people with depression and anxiety. Treatments are far from optimal and have not progressed since the beginning of the century. My pioneering work identified insomnia patients at risk of depression and anxiety and revealed a potential way of targeting disturbed sleep to resolve emotional distress. Now, my mission is to understand why they are at risk and develop innovative treatments that reduce their risk for depression and anxiety.
Evaluation Of A Case Formulation Interview To Guide Treatment Of Anxious Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$153,054.00
Summary
Anxiety disorders are common in childhood. Current treatments result in improvement for 60% of children however they are not widely used in the community. This project will evaluate a treatment planning interview designed to improve the match between a child’s difficulties and the treatment that they are offered. This will increase the number of children who benefit from treatment, encourage widespread and save money by reducing treatment time and decreasing risk of future problems.
A Scalable Insomnia Program During The Pregnancy And Postpartum Periods: An Effectiveness-Implementation Hybrid Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$877,335.00
Summary
Persistent sleep problems are common during pregnancy/postpartum periods and have significant consequences. Cognitive behavioural interventions are efficacious for improving sleep but are not currently available in perinatal care. This study examines the effectiveness, cost- effectiveness, and implementation potential of an innovative nonpharmacological intervention for better maternal sleep and wellbeing, with high potential for sustainable integration with routine perinatal care.
Enhancing The Treatment Of Anxiety: The Role Of Mental Imagery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$246,491.00
Summary
This proposal will conduct the first pre-clinical study augmenting the effectiveness of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) in the treatment of anxiety disorders using mental imagery. There is an urgent need to develop means to increase the success rate of CBT. This study will utilise recent developments in cognitive neuroscience to show that mental imagery plays an important role in the mechanisms of CBT.
Complicated grief represents a major demand on health services, productivity levels, and adversely influences mental and physical health. Despite the enormous social and economic costs of complicated grief, there are currently no controlled trials of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for complicated grief. This study addresses this gap in our knowledge by testing the efficacy of CBT in reducing grief reactions. Participants (120) will be randomly allocated to either 10 sessions of CBT or 10 sess ....Complicated grief represents a major demand on health services, productivity levels, and adversely influences mental and physical health. Despite the enormous social and economic costs of complicated grief, there are currently no controlled trials of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for complicated grief. This study addresses this gap in our knowledge by testing the efficacy of CBT in reducing grief reactions. Participants (120) will be randomly allocated to either 10 sessions of CBT or 10 sessions of supportive counselling. Participants will be assessed before and after treatment, as well as 6 months after treatment. Overall, this project will provide an evidence base to guide clinicians in Australia and internationally in regards to treating people suffering the effects of persistent complicated grief.Read moreRead less