Improving Outcomes For Older People With Musculoskeletal Foot Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$782,370.00
Summary
Foot pain affects one in four older Australians and leads to difficulty walking, loss of independence and reduced quality of life. The research outlined in this application will address this common but largely ignored health problem by improving our knowledge of the causes of foot pain, developing novel treatments for foot disorders incorporating specialised exercises, footwear and insoles, and testing the effectiveness of these interventions in clinical trials.
Physical Activity Coaching For Adults With Physical Disabilities: A Pragmatic Randomised Controlled Trial.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,371,185.00
Summary
People with impaired mobility can achieve substantial benefits from appropriate physical activities but face many barriers to being active so require targeted interventions and health professional support. This trial (n=600) will test the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of an enhanced physical activity coaching intervention (home-visit from a physiotherapist, phone coaching, technology) with phone coaching alone and with no intervention.
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.
Little evidence supports interventions to improve mobility outcomes in frail older adults hospitalised for movement rehabilitation. This large randomised controlled trial investigates whether increasing the amount of physical activity during inpatient rehabilitation improves mobility and is cost effective. Frail older Australians are very high users of health services. This study will provide evidence for intensive physical therapy that is easily delivered, with significant benefits to older adu ....Little evidence supports interventions to improve mobility outcomes in frail older adults hospitalised for movement rehabilitation. This large randomised controlled trial investigates whether increasing the amount of physical activity during inpatient rehabilitation improves mobility and is cost effective. Frail older Australians are very high users of health services. This study will provide evidence for intensive physical therapy that is easily delivered, with significant benefits to older adults and the aged care health system.Read moreRead less
PlaTFORM: PrevenTing Falls In A High Risk, Vision Impaired Population Through Specialist ORientation And Mobility Services: A Randomised Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$773,768.00
Summary
While many older people fall causing injury and loss of confidence, people with vision impairment and blindness have a dramatically increased risk of falls. In the PlaTFORM study we will deliver and comprehensively evaluate a falls prevention program through instructors with specialised training in orientation and mobility. This fills a gap in services and if effective will prevent injury in this vulnerable population and promote mobility.
Prevention Of Falls To Promote Healthy Ageing: New Approaches And Enhanced Implementation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,180.00
Summary
This research focuses on fall prevention to promote healthy ageing. It involves the conduct of: 2 trials of exercise-based fall prevention interventions for older community-dwellers aged 60+; 3 studies to identify older people's barriers to participation and program preferences in relation to exercise-based fall prevention programs; and 2 trials of an educational program for health professionals.
Effective Strength Training For Walking In Neurological Rehabilitation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$175,303.00
Summary
Muscle weakness is the cause of walking problems following neurological problems such as stroke and brain injury. Many studies have used strengthening exercises but few have benefitted. It appears that clinicians have been strengthening the wrong muscle groups and have not used exercises that stimulate the muscles to work the way they do when walking. The aim of this project is to use well established biomechanical and strengthening guidelines to improve walking after neurological injury.
ACTIVE STRIDES-CP: Randomised Trial Of Intensive Rehabilitation (Combined Intensive Gait And Cycling Training) For Children With Moderate To Severe Bilateral Cerebral Palsy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,401,294.00
Summary
In Australia, 35,000 people have cerebral palsy, and 40% experience moderate to severe difficulties with movement and reduced participation in physical activity. There are currently no effective interventions for children with moderate to severe CP to improve their ability to move, perform daily life tasks and engage in physically active leisure. We have promising data about a new intervention, called Active Strides-CP, which we will test in 150 children with CP and compare to usual care.