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Improving Functional Capacity In Patients With Chronic Lung Disease With High Intensity Respiratory Muscle Training
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$340,880.00
Summary
Patients with chronic respiratory disease have limited exercise capacity, which severely impairs their quality of life. The mechanisms responsible for this impairment may relate to their lung disease, or to the long-term effects that inactivity has on the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems. Pulmonary rehabilitation programs involving whole-body exercise are now widely used as an addition to standard medical therapy as a way of decreasing symptoms and optimising function. While these gene ....Patients with chronic respiratory disease have limited exercise capacity, which severely impairs their quality of life. The mechanisms responsible for this impairment may relate to their lung disease, or to the long-term effects that inactivity has on the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems. Pulmonary rehabilitation programs involving whole-body exercise are now widely used as an addition to standard medical therapy as a way of decreasing symptoms and optimising function. While these generalised, broad-based programs result in modest improvements in peripheral muscle function, cardiovascular function, functional exercise capacity and quality of life, it is now apparent they have little or no effect on respiratory muscle function, which is also greatly impaired in COPD. The aims of this study are to answer two longstanding questions that are fundamental to rehabilitation programs in patients with COPD (i) does a program of specific respiratory muscle training alone improve whole-body exercise capacity, dyspnoea, and-or quality of life? and (ii) does the addition of a program of specific respiratory muscle training to a standard whole-body exercise rehabilitation program result in improvemed exercise capacity, dyspnoea and-or quality of life to a greater degree than a program of whole-body exercise training alone? The study is of importance to patients with COPD by investigating the mechanisms underlying the improvement in exercise capacity following a rehabilitation program and the role of respiratory muscle training in such a program. By more accurately defining the mechanisms of exercise limitation we may be able to maximise the benefits obtained during a rehabilitation program, including improved work capacity, reduction in the degree of breathlessness and improved quality of life.Read moreRead less
Developing A Standard Dyspnea Challenge To Explore Mechanisms And Therapies In Clinical Populations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$454,383.00
Summary
COPD is Australia's most burdensome respiratory disease with over 200,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Shortness of breath is a cardinal feature of this disease.This project will examine the mechanisms of this symptom in patients with chronic lung disease. Four studies will be completed in total, each exploring different factors that may contribute to shortness of breath observed in patients. This research is likely to lead to improved management of this distressing condition into the future.
Assessment Of Physical Therapies To Improve Secretion Clearance In Patients With Cystic Fibrosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$302,310.00
Summary
People with cystic fibrosis (CF) produce thick mucus that is not cleared normally from the lungs. This retained mucus often becomes infected, which progressively damages the lungs. Various physical therapies which may help clear secretions are being used in CF. These include several types of devices which provide positive pressure to the airways. However, it is not known to what extent these devices, or other interventions such as manual chest physiotherapy and exercise, enhance mucus clearance. ....People with cystic fibrosis (CF) produce thick mucus that is not cleared normally from the lungs. This retained mucus often becomes infected, which progressively damages the lungs. Various physical therapies which may help clear secretions are being used in CF. These include several types of devices which provide positive pressure to the airways. However, it is not known to what extent these devices, or other interventions such as manual chest physiotherapy and exercise, enhance mucus clearance. As a result, it is not currently possible to scientifically prescribe intervention(s) to enhance mucus clearance in CF. This is partly because much of the research that has been performed in this area has been poorly-designed or has used inaccurate measures. Also, recent research has shown that these therapies may have significant effects beside their effect on mucus clearance. For instance, bacterial infection and the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the blood supply and air in the lung may all be affected by these interventions. Notably, the extent of benefit or detriment seen in these parameters does not always correlate with the effect on mucus clearance. We therefore believe a series of experiments is necessary to provide evidence upon which the scientific selection of mucus clearance therapies may be based. We have developed a new technique which allows clearance of mucus from the airways to be objectively measured in three-dimensions (3D). We intend to use the 3D technique to examine the effects of three different positive pressure devices, exercise, and manual chest physiotherapy on mucus clearance. Based on the outcomes of this research, we intend to compare the most appropriate therapy to performing no mucus clearance therapy in a short term trial. This trial will assess changes in the following: bacterial infection, mucus plugging in the airways, how well the lungs move air and exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide, and the patient's quality of life.Read moreRead less
Predicting The Long Term Lung Health Outcomes In Young Adults Born Very Preterm
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$854,201.00
Summary
Preterm birth and its resulting lung problems can lead to breathing problems during childhood and into adult life. There are very few lung health studies that have tracked preterm individuals from childhood and into early adult life. This study will conduct a detailed lung health assessment in a follow-up of a group of preterm individuals at 19 years of age. We aim to identify if information we obtained in the group at 6 and 11 years can predict how the lungs look and behave at 19 years of age.
Immune Recognition Of Upper Airway Microbiota In Early Life As A Determinant Of Respiratory Health In Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,135,837.00
Summary
The study will investigate the impact of respiratory infections during infancy on lung & immune function & respiratory health between 3-7 years of age. Children were previously enrolled in a population based birth cohort study (ORChID study) which collected detailed information about the respiratory health during the first 2 years of life with daily respiratory diary & weekly nasal swab collection. In this study lung function & immune function will be assessed annually in the same children (3-7)
The health effects of electronic cigarette use are virtually unknown. They have only recently been introduced into widespread use, and as such their effects on human health will not be known for many years. We will use our expertise in exposure models and health outcome measurement to provide timely hard-data on their potential to impact health – data that are urgently required to guide policy makers in this area.
A Novel Optical Stimulation Method For Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$510,913.00
Summary
This project aims to develop and characterize a novel optogenetic pharyngeal stimulation system to dilate the upper airway using a light stimulus. This will provide proof-of-concept for a new minimally invasive treatment option for obstructive sleep apnoea.
The Role Of Oxygen Therapy As Second-line Treatment For Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Who Are Intolerant Of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy, And Characterising Ventilatory Loop Gain As A Predictor Of The Success Of Therapy.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$87,198.00
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is an increasingly common condition in Australia. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is the _gold-standard� in OSA treatment, but a majority of sufferers are unable to tolerate this for the period required to treat their condition. We will be conducting a large Australian multi-centre, randomised, placebo controlled trial to investigate the utility of nocturnal oxygen therapy alone, in those people with OSA who are unable to tolerate CPAP.