Understanding Persistent Low Back Pain Where It Resides, In The Brain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$848,972.00
Summary
Low back pain is a leading cause of disability amongst Australians. A critical question is why some people get better after hurting their back while others do not. This project examines whether changes in the brain predict low back pain outcome. This information will rapidly advance our understanding of low back pain and has the potential to facilitate the development of novel therapies.
Refining And Testing A Promising New Treatment For Chronic Pain.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$743,947.00
Summary
Chronic pain costs Australia about 35 billion dollars a year. Recent scientific discoveries show that treatment aimed at correcting problems in how the brain processes sensory input can reduce pain and disability. This project will clarify some key aspects of these problems and use that information to make final adjustments to an already very promising treatment. We will then test the treatment in a definitive and comprehensive clinical trial.
Motor problems, ranging from clumsiness to cerebral palsy, are one of the most common adverse outcomes in children born early. This study will investigate the motor development of children born <30 weeks’ gestation compared with peers born at term from birth to 5 years. We will determine whether early clinical evaluations or neuroimaging in the newborn period can predict later motor impairment at 5 years to be able to identify those who will benefit most from early intervention.
Resolve: A New Treatment - Sensorimotor Retaining With Explaining Pain - For Chronic Low Back Pain.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,005,534.00
Summary
Most treatments for low back pain that are provided by a GP, physiotherapist or chiropractor are only moderately effective. A new approach is needed. We have developed a new treatment, sensorimotor retraining, based on principles from neuroscience, education, psychology and physiotherapy that we are testing in a randomized controlled trial. If successful this new treatment will provide relief for the millions of Australians who suffer from this debilitating condition.