Right Care, Right Time, Right Place: Improving Outcomes For People With Spinal Cord Injury Through Early Intervention And Improved Access To Specialised Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,095,436.00
Summary
This novel study’s purpose is to improve the care and quality of life of people afflicted by spinal cord injury. The study will map the early clinical journey from injury to specialized spinal care, identifying factors which impact on health and quality of life up to a year after injury. The focus will be on whether a delay of more than 24 hours to specialized care worsens the outcomes. This will be the first Australian study examining the early care of patients with a spinal cord injury.
Developing A Just-In-Time-Adaptive-Intervention For Problem Anger
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$690,124.00
Summary
Problems controlling anger and aggression are very common and highly destructive in individuals who have experienced trauma. Current treatment approaches are limited. This project will first use technology to measure and predict when problem anger is occurring, and then develop a smart-phone delivered intervention designed to reduce problem anger in individuals who have experienced trauma, by providing support when and where an individual needs it most.
Improving Outcomes For People With Depression In Community Settings: A Cluster RCT
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$803,554.00
Summary
Depression affects 350 million people worldwide. Given the pivotal role of primary care in the management of depression, effective strategies are needed to assist GPs in the delivery of patient-centred depression care. This study will test the effectiveness of providing GPs with education; as well as feedback about patients’ self-reported depressive scores using a standardised instrument and perceived need and preferences for help. This cluster RCT will be the first Australian trial of its kind.
Trauma And Recovery: Understanding And Treating Posttraumatic Stress Disorder In Refugees
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$431,000.00
Summary
Refugees report high rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), however, a lack of understanding of the processes underlying refugee mental health has limited the effective treatment of this disabling disorder. My research program will overcome these barriers by uncovering core mechanisms and developing a targeted intervention to reduce PTSD symptoms in refugees. My research will advance knowledge about refugee mental health, and inform best-practice clinical care of refugees.
Step Up: A Technology-enhanced Stepped Psychological Intervention For Strengthening Adaptive Capacity And Treating Post-traumatic Comorbidities In Refugees
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
There is a major translational gap in rolling out psychotherapeutic treatments into readily accessible public health interventions for refugees. This project examines the feasibility and effectiveness of a technology-enhanced stepped psychological intervention designed to build resilience (Step 1) and manage traumatic stress symptoms and related comorbidities in traumatized refugees to ensure they have an enhanced capacity to adapt to the new environment post trauma.
A Comparative Clinical Efficacy Trial Of Treatments For Melancholia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$309,711.00
Summary
This study seeks to improve treatment of melancholic depression by comparing three treatments, i) a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), ii) cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and, iii) a broad-spectrum antidepressant sequencing treatment approach. We hypothesize that the latter will be superior to both i) SSRI monotherapy, and ii) CBT monotherapy, over a 12-week trial period. Comparisons will be made with the US-based Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression trial.
A Cluster RCT Of A Novel Psychological Intervention To Reduce Depression Among At-risk Older Adults Transitioning To Residential Aged Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$893,152.00
Summary
Depression is common in aged care facilities, with many older adults finding the transition extremely difficult. We have developed a simple intervention to help new residents, including those with dementia, to adjust to life in aged care. This program focuses on key aspects of psychological wellbeing, and is designed for widespread use in aged care. We will evaluate the intervention to determine if it is superior to current care approaches in reducing depression and improving quality of life.
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.
Optimising Mental Health And Quality Of Life For Australia’s Military Personnel And Veterans With PTSD
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$728,958.00
Summary
Military personnel can experience a range of traumatic events throughout their careers, and many develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result. Effective treatments for PTSD are available but involve seeing a mental health professional weekly for several months, which can be a difficult commitment for many military personnel and veterans to make. This project investigates whether standard treatment for PTSD is as effective when it’s delivered intensively in a shorter period of time.
Phase-Based Treatment For Posttraumatic Stress Disorder In Traumatized Refugees
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,003,340.00
Summary
Refugees report high rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Low response rates to psychological interventions for PTSD in refugees may be explained by their failure to target co-morbid emotion regulation difficulties. In this project, we will test the efficacy of a phase-based intervention that first targets emotion regulation difficulties before implementing trauma-focused therapy to reduce PTSD in refugees. Findings will advance knowledge and inform clinical interventions for refugees.