Improving School Transition By Improving Child Sleep: A Translational Randomised Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$745,827.00
Summary
A successful transition to school sets a child on a path for life. A poor transition can lead to early drop out, poor peer relationships and poor emotional skills. In 2008/09, we found that a brief sleep intervention for children improved key determinants of a successful transition including social-emotional functioning and parent mental health. We now plan to see if the same intervention, delivered by school nurses, can have a similar effect.
Improved Support For Regional And Remote Paediatric Oncology Families: A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Videotelephony
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$304,843.00
Summary
Childhood cancer presents a major life stressor for the entire family. Significant changes to the everyday lives of families, practically, socially and emotionally cause major disruption. There is evidence that this disruption results in isolation and poor communication between family members, anxiety, low self-esteem and school problems for siblings and anxiety, post-traumatic stress symptoms and risk of depression for parents. Providing ongoing support to these families is an essential part of ....Childhood cancer presents a major life stressor for the entire family. Significant changes to the everyday lives of families, practically, socially and emotionally cause major disruption. There is evidence that this disruption results in isolation and poor communication between family members, anxiety, low self-esteem and school problems for siblings and anxiety, post-traumatic stress symptoms and risk of depression for parents. Providing ongoing support to these families is an essential part of care. The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) Paediatric Oncology Service in Brisbane is the major tertiary paediatric referral centre for Queensland, northern New South Wales and the southwest Pacific. A multidisciplinary team of medical, nursing, and allied health professionals provides care and support to children with cancer, as well as their families. Each year around 100 newly diagnosed patients are cared for. Around 60% of the families cared for by the service live in regional and remote areas. There are a number of challenges which inhibit the equitable provision of specialist health services to these areas including availability of health care professionals and accessibility due to distance, time, cost and transport. For paediatric oncology families, opportunities to receive support are limited. One possible solution is the use of online support mechanisms, such as videotelephony, to facilitate the provision of much needed support to patients, parents, siblings and the family as a whole. The objective of this research is to see if videotelephony can be used to support regional and remote families of the Royal Children's Hospital Paediatric Oncology Service providing indizidualised communication, education, counselling and monitoring. This will present a new and innovative use of videophone technology as well as a new method for supporting regional and remote oncology patients and their families.Read moreRead less
Gene Expression Profiling In Critically Ill Patients With Septic Shock: The ADRENAL-GEPS Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$863,304.00
Summary
Sepsis refers to a whole body inflammation caused by severe infection. Approximately one in three adults admitted with septic shock die within 28 days and it is unclear whether treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs is beneficial in terms of patient survival. The aim of this study is to develop a clinical test based on gene activity that can be used to predict patient survival and also determine what the best treatment might be for individual patients.
Improving Skin Cancer Prevention: Motivating Preventive Behaviours Using Knowledge Of Personalised Genomic Risk Of Melanoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,041,720.00
Summary
The aim of our study is to evaluate whether we can improve the Australian public’s skin cancer prevention behaviours, particularly reducing exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, by giving personalised information about melanoma genetic risk. We will also explore the psycho-social, ethical, and economic implications of receiving this information. The results of our study are likely to influence the future of skin cancer prevention in Australia.
The Central Australian Heart Protection Study: A Randomised Trial Of Nurse-Led, Family Based Secondary Prevention Of Acute Coronary Syndromes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,923,630.00
Summary
Despite the high burden of cardiovascular diseases among Indigenous Australians, few intervention trials have sought to evaluate novel approaches to reducing differential outcomes in this vulnerable group. The Central Australian Heart Protection Study seeks to test the effectiveness of a nurse-led, family based education and assessment program in reducing the incidence of poor outcomes in indigenous and non-indigenous patient’s following an Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS).
Treatment Of Invasively Ventilated Adults With Early Activity And Mobilisation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,467,137.00
Summary
The sickest patients in intensive care units (ICUs) receive prolonged, invasive support for their breathing. This is currently managed with complete bed rest, and results in severe muscle weakness, increased duration of hospital stay and poor recovery. We have found that early activity and mobilisation during invasive breathing support is safe and may improve survival and recovery. We will test early activity and mobilisation in a large randomised controlled trial of 750 ICU patients.
N-Acetyl Cysteine In Schizophrenia Resistant To Clozapine: A Double-Blind Randomised Placebo-Controlled Trial Targeting Negative Symptoms
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$981,789.00
Summary
Many patients with schizophrenia remain treatment resistant even after “last resort” medications like clozapine. This proposal will conduct a novel multi-site randomised placebo controlled trial of adjunctive N-acetyl cysteine in patients with clozapine resistant schizophrenia. Treatment efficacy will be examined at 8, 26 and 52 weeks.
Helping Women Meet Their Activity Goals: Randomised Trial Of A Personalised Program Delivered By Mobile Telephone
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$493,346.00
Summary
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Australian women, but is less likely among women who are active. Because women are less active than men, and women with young children are the least active of all, we developed a program to increase postnatal women's physical activity. Women in the pilot study reported high program satisfaction and more physical activity, because the program focused on them (not their kids) and helped them prioritise time for physical activity.
A Solution Based Approach Developing Child Health Research With A Focus On Preventive Interventions For Common Childhood
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,599,538.00
Summary
There is an increasing recognition that research into child health should focus not only on disease but also on common childhood disorders such as obesity, depression and poor literacy. In addition, such research should include solution-based activity. That is, child health research should have an active program of testing new interventions to prevent the onset of disorders, or to allow optimal early management. The Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, the largest Australian child health resear ....There is an increasing recognition that research into child health should focus not only on disease but also on common childhood disorders such as obesity, depression and poor literacy. In addition, such research should include solution-based activity. That is, child health research should have an active program of testing new interventions to prevent the onset of disorders, or to allow optimal early management. The Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, the largest Australian child health research institute, is in a very good position to develop Australia's capacity further with regard to a coordinated research program into preventative interventions in child health. This is because of: - the Institute's location at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, the largest paediatric health service provider in Australia - the many individual relevant research projects that are already occurring in MCRI - the strong existing teams of researchers with skills in many different fields of child health such as psychology, speech pathology, clinical-medical care, epidemiology and biostatistics, and laboratory science including genetics. This capacity building program will coordinate population health work to develop the knowledge and skills of eight population health researchers. This development will occur within the context of an internationally competitive research program with structured continuing education and training to promote public health leadership. The capacity building program will develop skills not only in study design, conduct and analysis, but also in collaboration and the translation of research findings into better health services, government policy and parental knowledge to prevent problems and improve the health and well being of children and their families. To care for children in the best way, parents, families, schools, health care providers, and government need the best evidence base possible on the prevention of common child disorders.Read moreRead less
Improving Access To Psychological Services For People With Cancer: A Randomised Control Trial Of An Interactive Web-Based Intervention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$612,715.00
Summary
Approximately 35% of people diagnosed with cancer will experience persistent significant distress, and unmet psychological supportive care needs in Australian cancer patients are highly prevalent. The web presents a unique method of delivery of supportive care. However, to our knowledge this type of intervention has not been examined. This two-phased study will develop and test a novel web-based intervention to improve psychological outcomes in cancer patients experiencing distress.