Evaluation And Improvement Of The Implementation Of The Intention To Treat Model In Controlled Trials Of Psychotherapies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$409,000.00
Summary
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are the best way to determine whether patients benefit from a new treatment. In these trials patients are randomly assigned to the new, active treatment, or to a placebo or existing treatment. The groups are compared at the end of the trial. RCTs may be mounted for psychotherapy and educational programs as well as for new drugs and other medical procedures. A major problem for RCTs concerns their statistical analysis when some participants drop out before the ....Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are the best way to determine whether patients benefit from a new treatment. In these trials patients are randomly assigned to the new, active treatment, or to a placebo or existing treatment. The groups are compared at the end of the trial. RCTs may be mounted for psychotherapy and educational programs as well as for new drugs and other medical procedures. A major problem for RCTs concerns their statistical analysis when some participants drop out before the end of the trial. Dropout is common in trials. Participants may drop out because they feel no benefit from the treatment, dislike side effects, or even because they have recovered quickly. Thus, to compare the groups remaining at the end of trial may introduce serious bias. The Intention to Treat (ITT) principle which has been widely adopted states that outcomes from all patients who enter a trial should be compared at its end. To achieve this, the last available observation for a participant who withdraws is often 'carried forward' to the end of the trial. While currently believed to be conservative, there is evidence that this approach is not always optimal. This project will examine the way in which dropout is treated in trials of two common psychiatric conditions: depression and anxiety disorders. The project will also undertake simulation research to investigate which of a number of modern methods of data analysis yield the most accurate results when participants drop out, and how changes in the design of trials might improve accuracy. The project is important because it will enable researchers to improve the conduct of trials in the future. Erroneous conclusions drawn from RCTs stand to condemn those suffering from disorders to ineffective treatment and to lead to the premature abandonment of potentially useful interventions which are falsely claimed to lack efficacy.Read moreRead less
In Australia, over 2000 families suffer the tragedy of stillbirth each year. By building on our achievements of the first Stillbirth CRE rapidly translating new research into maternity care, we will reduce stillbirth rates by 20%, and reduce inequities in stillbirth rates by Australia by 2025. We also anticipate a reduction in adverse neonatal outcomes. When stillbirth or neonatal death does occur, our research aims to ensure that all women and families receive optimal care.
Staying Connected: Personalising Stroke Recovery And Rehabilitation Through New Technologies For People With Stroke Living At Home.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,730,999.00
Summary
One in 4 people experience a stroke. On return home the person with stroke is challenged to sense, move, think, and engage in valued activities with an altered brain and body. Yet the current approach to ongoing recovery is limited. We propose to: monitor for markers of recovery using personalised sensors and artificial intelligence; deliver bursts of therapy at point of need, at home; and provide feedback through new technologies and a central hub...to stay connected, and to recover at home.
Prediction Of Fracture By Clinico-genetic Profiling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,339,215.00
Summary
The loss of bone with advancing age is the main cause of osteoporosis and bone fracture. Bone loss is highly variable between individuals, and we are not sure why. I want to find out factors that contribute to bone loss, and then use this knowledge to identify individuals at high risk of excessive bone loss for early prevention. My goal over the next 5 years is to create a new clinico-genetic model for assessing the rate of bone loss, and predicting the risk of fracture for an individual.
The Landscape Of Cancer Genes And Associations With Prognosis In Breast Cancer Diagnosed In Premenopausal Women
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$700,512.00
Summary
Using state of the art technology, the purpose of this project is understand the implications of known cancer mutations in breast cancer diagnosed in premenopausal ER-positive breast cancer. Mutations are abnormalities in the DNA of genes that can provide a signal for uncontrolled growth, a hallmark of cancer. The unique aspect of this project is use of tissue samples from patients who were diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age. This information will help us develop new treatments.
A Risk Stratification Tool For The Prevention Of Avoidable Perinatal Mortality And Morbidity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,205.00
Summary
Stillbirth is more common in Australia than in some high-income countries. Babies born early may experience lung or other problems. Many current stillbirths and preterm birth can be prevented. Using a cohort of >4.5 million births from WA, NSW, SA and NT (N >4.5 million), this project will develop a strategy to predict the risk of stillbirth, preterm birth, and low birth weight. Better identification of risk in pregnancy will improve antenatal care to reduce stillbirth and neonatal morbidi ....Stillbirth is more common in Australia than in some high-income countries. Babies born early may experience lung or other problems. Many current stillbirths and preterm birth can be prevented. Using a cohort of >4.5 million births from WA, NSW, SA and NT (N >4.5 million), this project will develop a strategy to predict the risk of stillbirth, preterm birth, and low birth weight. Better identification of risk in pregnancy will improve antenatal care to reduce stillbirth and neonatal morbidity.Read moreRead less