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Understanding The Brain In The Transition From Acute To Chronic Low Back Pain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$107,049.00
Summary
A critical question in treating low back pain (LBP) is why some people get better after hurting their back while others do not. Physiological mechanisms, such as brain plasticity and central sensitisation, are believed to underpin the transition to persistent pain. This is the first study to evaluate these mechanisms longitudinally and their relationship with LBP outcomes. The result of this research will provide better understanding of pain mechanisms of LBP and assist to develop novel therapy.
Optimising The Motor Outcomes Of Infants With Cerebral Palsy Using Environmental And Goal Oriented Interventions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$116,563.00
Summary
Cerebral palsy is the most common physical disability in childhood. Early diagnosis enables intervention when the brain is developing. Current early intervention has little impact on movement. This research tests the effectiveness of “goal-directed training” and enriched environments by: systematically reviewing literature, piloting the intervention, conducting a clinical trial and interviewing parents. Findings have the potential to improve the outcomes of the 700 new cases diagnosed each year.
Infant Motor Development Between 0-4 Months: A New Look At The Effect Of The ‘back To Sleep’ Program
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$107,182.00
Summary
An unexpected consequence of the Back to Sleep program is an increased incidence of deformational plagiocephaly (DP), or “flat head syndrome”, and concern about delayed development. It is not clear whether the current recommendation to provide ‘tummy-time’ play for infants when awake is the best way to prevent DP. Development of typical infants 0-4 months and infants with DP will be investigated and parents surveyed as a basis for development and trialling of a new DP prevention initiative.
Lung Volume Recruitment In Neuromuscular Disease: Can Breath-stacking Improve Lung Function, Respiratory Symptoms And Quality Of Life In People With Neuromuscular Disorders?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$108,845.00
Summary
Difficulty taking deep breaths or coughing are two of the breathing complications people with a neuromuscular disease can face. Lung volume recruitment, also known as breath-stacking, is a simple and inexpensive therapy that may help. This research will look at the short and medium-term effects of breath-stacking exercises on the breathing system. If lung volume, chest stiffness and cough effectiveness improve then symptoms, quality of life and potentially survival are likely to be better.
Electrophysiological And Neuroanatomical Determination Of Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis With The C9ORF72 Mutation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$77,490.00
Summary
Motor Neuron Disease (MND) is a rapidly progressive neurological illness. A new genetic mutation C9ORF72 has recently been identified as a cause of MND. Little is known about the neurophysiological properties in these patients. We wish to better characterise the nerve function in these patients, using a new technique; 'Threshold tracking transcranial magnetic stimulation' and other existing neurophysiological techniques.
Accelerated Longterm Forgetting In Children With Genetic Generalised Epilepsy: An Investigation Of The Temporal Trajectory And Contribution Of Executive Skills.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$107,204.00
Summary
The aim of this study is to determine which factors influence forgetting in typically developing children and in children with epilepsy. Specifically, we want to establish how forgetting occurs over time and whether it is influenced by other cognitive/thinking skills, such as strategies used to remember information, attention or resistance to interference. Moreover, we are interested in whether retention rates are affected by different types of learning materials (i.e. visual versus verbal).
Individual Differences In Coping With A Diagnosis Of ALS: Psychosocial Adjustment And Implications For Psychological Treatment Planning
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$101,523.00
Summary
A high proportion of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis develop subtle personality and behavioural changes similar to those with behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia. Apathetic symptoms are the most commonly observed personality change. This project aims to establish the contribution of premorbid personality traits on the development and expression of apathy, and in turn, it’s implications for ALS patients’ psychological wellbeing and response to psychological intervention.
Relationship Between Oral Motor Skills, Gross Motor Attainment And Nutrition In Preschool Children With Cerebral Palsy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$116,563.00
Summary
Cerebral Palsy (CP) is the most common cause of physical disability in childhood, present in approximately 2/1000 live births. Just as movement of the larger muscles may be altered, the brain lesion can also affect the oral muscles associated with eating. This study will explore oral motor and feeding skills in a population-based sample of children with CP at two ages, 18-24 and 30-36 months (corrected ages) and relationships with gross motor skills (movement and posture) and nutrition.
Hand Splinting And Motor Training In Cerebral Palsy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$80,952.00
Summary
As many as 1 in 500 children have cerebral palsy or a brain injury. 1 in 3 cannot walk, 1 in 4 cannot talk, 3 in 4 are in pain. These conditions impact on a child's ability to use their hands to touch, play, draw and explore. Hand use is the single most important factor for determining a child's long term independence into adulthood. This project explores the most effective treatment approach to enable children to use their hands to reach the goals they want to achieve and live meaningful lives.
Communication, Quality Of Life And Advance Care Planning For People With Motor Neurone Disease And Their Caregiver.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$108,902.00
Summary
People with motor neurone disease experience devastating deterioration in movement, communication, swallowing and ultimately breathing. Research is required to determine if the advance care planning (ACP) process for people with MND is impacted by communication impairment. This study will build evidence to improve the ACP process for this vulnerable patient group. It also aims to investigate the impact communication impairment has on caregivers’ quality of life in order to improve carer support.