Social outcomes, behaviour and emotional well-being of adults with autism. It is recognised that autism results in substantial life-long disability. Severe emotional and behavioural problems are likely to be a key factor in precluding adults with autism from work, independent living, social contact, and undermine their quality of life, thus increasing support needs. This project aims to address a major gap in our current knowledge - the association between severe emotional and behavioural proble ....Social outcomes, behaviour and emotional well-being of adults with autism. It is recognised that autism results in substantial life-long disability. Severe emotional and behavioural problems are likely to be a key factor in precluding adults with autism from work, independent living, social contact, and undermine their quality of life, thus increasing support needs. This project aims to address a major gap in our current knowledge - the association between severe emotional and behavioural problems in adults with autism and social outcomes. Identification of markers of adult outcomes aims to lead to an improved understanding of the pathways to better social outcomes, facilitating the development of specific interventions to provide much needed improvements in outcomes for adults with autism.Read moreRead less
Tai Chi For Independent Living: RCT Of Efficacy Of Tai Chi In Delaying Disability Among Older People.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,157,574.00
Summary
This study addresses the issue of disability among our ageing population. Preservation of function among our older citizens, and their capacity to live independently, is of significant social, public health and economic benefit. The aims of this study are to (1) test the efficacy of Tai Chi in delaying disability among older people, prior to its onset, (2) investigate the mechanisms by which Tai Chi intervenes in the disability pathway, (3) determine the cost-benefits of Tai Chi for older people ....This study addresses the issue of disability among our ageing population. Preservation of function among our older citizens, and their capacity to live independently, is of significant social, public health and economic benefit. The aims of this study are to (1) test the efficacy of Tai Chi in delaying disability among older people, prior to its onset, (2) investigate the mechanisms by which Tai Chi intervenes in the disability pathway, (3) determine the cost-benefits of Tai Chi for older people. The study will recruit 670 people over 70 years of age and randomly assign them to receive either Tai Chi, or a stretching and relaxation program, for a period of 48 weeks. The groups will then be compared to determine if there is any difference in the development of disability as well as a range of functional outcomes such as strength, balance, depression, arthritic symptoms, life satisfaction, and falls. This will be the first study world-wide to test the impact of any exercise program on delaying the manifestation of disability among older people. Robust evidence that Tai Chi can in fact delay disability will have immediate and significant implications for the maintenance of independence among older people at a critical time for our ageing population. Translation of these research results to practice will decrease demand for support services for community dwelling older people, and for places in supported accommodation facilities. Older people will have improved quality of life, and government and non-government agencies will experience reduced demand for limited resources. This internationally significant study will also contribute to understanding the mechanisms by which disability develops, and create the valuable opportunity for continuing research on attrition of effect and long term adherence to exercise programs.Read moreRead less
Using 3D printing to improve access to graphics by vision-impaired people. This project aims to investigate the possible benefits of 3D printing for production of accessible materials for vision-impaired people. Currently tactile graphics are used to provide severely vision-impaired adults and children with access to graphical content used in education and in orientation and mobility training. This project is expected to clarify the kinds of graphics for which 3D prints are better suited than ta ....Using 3D printing to improve access to graphics by vision-impaired people. This project aims to investigate the possible benefits of 3D printing for production of accessible materials for vision-impaired people. Currently tactile graphics are used to provide severely vision-impaired adults and children with access to graphical content used in education and in orientation and mobility training. This project is expected to clarify the kinds of graphics for which 3D prints are better suited than tactile graphics, and to build capacity within the national accessible format provision sector for the production and use of 3D prints. Benefits will include increased educational opportunities and quality of life for Australians with severe vision impairment, through improved access to graphic materials used in education and orientation and mobility training.
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Biodegradable magnesium alloy scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. This project aims to develop a class of porous, biocompatible, biofunctional and biodegradable magnesium alloy scaffolds with designed pore architecture and mechanical properties mimicking those of natural bone for tissue engineering applications. These magnesium alloy scaffolds will be biocompatible, able to bear loads, and will be gradually replaced by natural bone. The outcomes are expected to benefit the ageing population a ....Biodegradable magnesium alloy scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. This project aims to develop a class of porous, biocompatible, biofunctional and biodegradable magnesium alloy scaffolds with designed pore architecture and mechanical properties mimicking those of natural bone for tissue engineering applications. These magnesium alloy scaffolds will be biocompatible, able to bear loads, and will be gradually replaced by natural bone. The outcomes are expected to benefit the ageing population and people with bone abnormalities.Read moreRead less
Bioengineered bioscaffolds for Achilles tendinopathy treatment. The purpose of the project is to improve outcomes following the surgical treatment of Achilles tendinopathy. The expected outcome is the development in animals of new ways to design tissue engineered bioscaffolds for the surgical repair of Achilles tendinopathy.
Consumer value and disability services: The impact of increased autonomy. This project seeks to explore a key question of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS): will service provision improve when service users have the ability to choose? In 2016, the NDIS will start rolling out and nearly half a million people with a disability will be able to choose disability services. The project aims to identify changes in objective and perceived consumer value pre-NDIS and post-NDIS, and differen ....Consumer value and disability services: The impact of increased autonomy. This project seeks to explore a key question of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS): will service provision improve when service users have the ability to choose? In 2016, the NDIS will start rolling out and nearly half a million people with a disability will be able to choose disability services. The project aims to identify changes in objective and perceived consumer value pre-NDIS and post-NDIS, and differences in how market segments use their autonomy and whether this leads to differences in benefits gained from the NDIS. Findings are intended to contribute to a better understanding of when free market mechanisms serve the needs of their citizens better than traditional means of government support.Read moreRead less
The importance of gender and socio-economic disadvantage for the mental health of people living with disabilities. The twenty per cent of Australians reporting a disability are more likely to live in disadvantaged circumstances such as inadequate housing, unemployment, and lower levels of education all of which may contribute to poor mental health. Yet there has not been research on the mental health of people with disabilities. This means that disability services and advocacy groups, which deal ....The importance of gender and socio-economic disadvantage for the mental health of people living with disabilities. The twenty per cent of Australians reporting a disability are more likely to live in disadvantaged circumstances such as inadequate housing, unemployment, and lower levels of education all of which may contribute to poor mental health. Yet there has not been research on the mental health of people with disabilities. This means that disability services and advocacy groups, which deal daily with the lived experiences of disadvantage and poor mental health in people with disabilities, do not have evidence to support policy and service sector reform. This project will provide this critical evidence as well as build research capacity in disability-related research and lead to better monitoring of disability-related health inequities.Read moreRead less
The effect of acquiring a disability in adulthood. This project aims to analyse the effect the acquisition of a disability in adulthood has on subsequent socio-economic circumstances (employment, housing, education, income, social capital, wealth) and wellbeing. Researchers from epidemiology, econometrics and statistics will use longitudinal data to model the patterns of disability and subsequent socio-economic and health circumstances over time. The methods aim to make causal statements and pro ....The effect of acquiring a disability in adulthood. This project aims to analyse the effect the acquisition of a disability in adulthood has on subsequent socio-economic circumstances (employment, housing, education, income, social capital, wealth) and wellbeing. Researchers from epidemiology, econometrics and statistics will use longitudinal data to model the patterns of disability and subsequent socio-economic and health circumstances over time. The methods aim to make causal statements and provide a template for research and evaluation in this field. Outcomes are expected to set priorities for action to improve socio-economic conditions, productivity and health for people with disabilities.Read moreRead less
Left to right is front to back: attentional distortions in near and far space for healthy and clinical populations. We are investigating a perceptual bias that makes people think objects right in front of them are actually slightly to the right but objects far away are slightly to the left. This project will help understand why this happens, to help reduce traffic collisions and help people with brain damage that causes similar perceptual biases.
Developing a disability policy model to target the prevention or reduction of limitations on functioning and wellbeing. With the ageing of Australian society the challenge for public health is shifting from preventing death and disease onset to supporting healthy and productive ageing. The disability policy model will allow cost-effective targeting of interventions to reduce or prevent onset of disability or reduce its severity particularly among older Australians.