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Identification And Quantification Of Risk Of Falls In Cognitively Impaired Older Adults
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$530,741.00
Summary
This study represents the first systematic approach to understanding the complex interaction of factors that contribute to risk of falling in cognitively impaired older people. The results will provide much needed information on how to intervene to prevent falls and fractures in this high risk population. In the last decade, 25 randomised controlled trials have been published which show it is possible to prevent falls in older people. However, a major disappointing outcome of research in this fi ....This study represents the first systematic approach to understanding the complex interaction of factors that contribute to risk of falling in cognitively impaired older people. The results will provide much needed information on how to intervene to prevent falls and fractures in this high risk population. In the last decade, 25 randomised controlled trials have been published which show it is possible to prevent falls in older people. However, a major disappointing outcome of research in this field is that trials that have included or specifically focused on older people with cognitive impairment have been unsuccessful in preventing falls. Cognitive impairment has long been known to be a major risk factor for falls and fractures but little research has been undertaken to understand the underlying mechanisms as to why this is the case. It is likely that previous falls prevention trials involving people with cognitive impairment were unsuccessful because they did not directly assess mechanisms for falls in this group and simply translated intervention strategies from studies undertaken in cognitively intact older people. This study aims to develop our understanding of the important factors that contribute to risk of falling in older people with cognitive impairment and dementia. Participants will be recruited from a number of sources including hospitals, out-patient clinics, retirement villages, hostels etc. Whilst some participants will be able to consent to take part, all participants must have a nominated person responsible. Consenting participants will undergo a series of assessments, the majority of which can be undertaken in their own home. These will include medical and medication history, measures of gait and balance and tests assessing performance of different regions of the brain. An MRI scan will allow us to determine whether risk of falling relates to any specific pathology in different parts of the brain. We anticipate that we will be able to identify which risk factors and underlying mechanisms are most strongly associated with falling in cognitively impaired older people. We then hope to use the information to design targeted and tailored intervention strategies to reduce falls and fractures in this high risk population.Read moreRead less
SEARCH - Study Of Environment On Aboriginal Resilience And Child Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,114,618.00
Summary
The SEARCH program of research investigates the relationship between environmental determinants of health in a cohort study with five year follow up involving 800 urban NSW Aboriginal families with approximately 2000 children aged 0-17. A subset of 480 families will be recruited to participate in a randomised controlled trial of the impact of a health broker on (i) improving treatment of otitis media, and (ii) a feasibility study of an intervention to improve housing in 50 households. These two ....The SEARCH program of research investigates the relationship between environmental determinants of health in a cohort study with five year follow up involving 800 urban NSW Aboriginal families with approximately 2000 children aged 0-17. A subset of 480 families will be recruited to participate in a randomised controlled trial of the impact of a health broker on (i) improving treatment of otitis media, and (ii) a feasibility study of an intervention to improve housing in 50 households. These two studies will form the basis of an urban Aboriginal cohort study spanning 20 years with funding from alternate sources.Read moreRead less
The aim of this project is to design and implement a broad-ranging research program that produces in-depth knowledge of motorcycle rider behaviour, performance, and safety that can be used to inform and develop a broad, and integrated package of countermeasures and-or public policies to improve the safety of motorcycle riders. A key focus of the research program will be on the identification and characterisation of errors that give rise to incidents and crashes involving motorcycle riders. Austr ....The aim of this project is to design and implement a broad-ranging research program that produces in-depth knowledge of motorcycle rider behaviour, performance, and safety that can be used to inform and develop a broad, and integrated package of countermeasures and-or public policies to improve the safety of motorcycle riders. A key focus of the research program will be on the identification and characterisation of errors that give rise to incidents and crashes involving motorcycle riders. Australian motorcycle riders are three times more likely to be involved in a casualty crash than car drivers, and comprised 14% of the national road toll in 2005. The proposed research program aims to improve motorcycle safety by developing appropriate countermeasures that will be derived from the findings of simulator experiments, on-road studies, focus groups, and surveys. The results of these studies will be used to develop guidelines and recommendations for improving motorcycle safety.Read moreRead less
A link between periodontal disease, inflammation of the gums, and cardiovascular disease has been suggested in recent studies, however the evidence remains uncertain. Supporting the link are data that inflammation predisposes to atherosclerosis and heart attacks. Patients in the PERICAR study will have blood tests before and after periodontal treatment so that researchers can study whether treatment reduces factors in the blood that have previously been shown to indicate the risk of cardiovascul ....A link between periodontal disease, inflammation of the gums, and cardiovascular disease has been suggested in recent studies, however the evidence remains uncertain. Supporting the link are data that inflammation predisposes to atherosclerosis and heart attacks. Patients in the PERICAR study will have blood tests before and after periodontal treatment so that researchers can study whether treatment reduces factors in the blood that have previously been shown to indicate the risk of cardiovascular disease. This study will provide further clues to this potentially very important and treatable relationship.Read moreRead less
Heavy Cannabis Use In Two Remote Aboriginal Communities: Prospects For A Population Based Intervention.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$301,814.00
Summary
The proposed study is a combined intervention and summative evaluation with two parallel strands. We proposed to develop, deliver and evaluate an educational instrument targeting the use of cannabis amongst Aboriginal people living in remote communities in the Northern Territory. Additionally we proposed to describe and model harmful behaviours and effects of substance misuse with a focus on cannabis and to explore in some detail Aboriginal cultural knowledge and attitudes towards harm and harmf ....The proposed study is a combined intervention and summative evaluation with two parallel strands. We proposed to develop, deliver and evaluate an educational instrument targeting the use of cannabis amongst Aboriginal people living in remote communities in the Northern Territory. Additionally we proposed to describe and model harmful behaviours and effects of substance misuse with a focus on cannabis and to explore in some detail Aboriginal cultural knowledge and attitudes towards harm and harmful behaviours related to substance misuse using self-reported estimates and life histories.Read moreRead less
Keeping Kids On Track: An Initiative Developing The Resilience Of Aboriginal Students During A Critical Transition Phase
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,430,435.00
Summary
This initiative aims to build Indigenous children�s capacity to cope with life�s challenges and promote resilience through social and emotional skill development, cognitive development, community engagement and appropriate health provision. This will build children�s capacity as improved educational and employment outcomes accrue in the longer term. A model of the process will be developed. Indigenous researchers and community members will take part in governance and conduct of the study.
An Efficacy Study Of A Cognitive-communicative Intervention To Improve Transition To Residential Care In Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$681,083.00
Summary
The transition from home to a residential aged care facility (RACF) is a potentially traumatic process that has a negative impact on the health and well-being of both people with dementia and their caregivers. This project will develop an intervention program for people with dementia that maximizes their ability to learn and retain functional skills and that enhances the communicative competence of both people with dementia and their carergivers. This will serve to minimize the stress and disori ....The transition from home to a residential aged care facility (RACF) is a potentially traumatic process that has a negative impact on the health and well-being of both people with dementia and their caregivers. This project will develop an intervention program for people with dementia that maximizes their ability to learn and retain functional skills and that enhances the communicative competence of both people with dementia and their carergivers. This will serve to minimize the stress and disorientation, as well as accompanying increased risk of illness, of entering residential care. We will investigate whether this intervention program has good outcomes both for the people with dementia as well as their caregivers. The research will develop guidelines for the development of best-practice policies for service providers and the government, which will assist both health workers and homebased caregivers to better manage the transition of people with dementia from home to the RACF environment.Read moreRead less