Evaluation Of Internet-based, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy For The Treatment Of Anxiety Disorders In Adolescents
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$570,750.00
Summary
Anxiety disorders affect around 5-10% of adolescents and are associated with a range of adverse consequences if left untreated. The majority of young people with anxiety disorders do not seek nor receive treatment. This may be due partly to the perceived stigma of attending a mental health clinic and logistic problems of attending therapy. A challenge is to identify ways in which treatment can be made more accessible to adolescents in need, particularly those in rural and remote areas. Contrary ....Anxiety disorders affect around 5-10% of adolescents and are associated with a range of adverse consequences if left untreated. The majority of young people with anxiety disorders do not seek nor receive treatment. This may be due partly to the perceived stigma of attending a mental health clinic and logistic problems of attending therapy. A challenge is to identify ways in which treatment can be made more accessible to adolescents in need, particularly those in rural and remote areas. Contrary to original beliefs, evidence shows that the internet can be used to deliver effective psychological therapies for a range of mental health problems, including anxiety disorders. So far this research has focused on adults, but adolescents may be in a particularly strong position to benefit from these forms of therapy, being experienced users of internet resources. This research investigates the effectiveness of internet-based cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT) in the treatment for anxiety disorders in adolescents. Recently we have piloted CBT for anxious children that combines clinic and internet therapy, with half the therapy sessions in the clinic and half over the internet. Pilot data show that clinic + internet therapy produced significant reductions in anxiety and is almost as effective full clinic-based therapy. The proposed research builds on our pilot work by evaluating the effectiveness of a more extensive internet-based therapy in which all sessions are completed using the internet and with an older age group. The research also examines the factors that predict which young people will respond most positively to the intervention so that the treatment can be matched to those most likely to benefit from it in the future. The aim is to develop an effective internet-based treatment for adolescents with anxiety disorders that is easily accessed and suitable for use in rural and remote populations, requiring minimal face-to-face therapist contact.Read moreRead less
Transdiagnostic Internet Therapy For Internalizing Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$687,348.00
Summary
Anxiety and depressive disorders account for 58% of the burden of mental disorders, or 7.5% of the burden of human disease. Internet treatments for the individual disorders are effective but require careful diagnosis. We intend to develop and prove the effectiveness of a transdiagnostic Internet treatment program that will be easily used by primary care clinicians. We will disseminate and evaluate the developed and proven program to general practitioners and psychologists.
The N-ICE Trial: A Randomised Controlled Trial Of The Safety And Efficacy Of N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) As A Pharmacotherapy For Methamphetamine (“ice”) Dependence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,551,368.00
Summary
Crystalline methamphetamine (aka ‘ice’) is a significant public health concern in Australia and globally. Currently there are no approved medications to treat methamphetamine dependence. We will trial tN-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) as a medications for methamphetamine dependence.
Preventing Child Internalising Problems: Follow Up Of A Population-based Randomised Trial Through Middle Childhood.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$472,604.00
Summary
Many Australians suffer with internalising problems (anxiety, depression). They affect 1 in 7 school age children, impacting peer relations, school engagement and later mental health. Inhibited temperament (fearfulness, withdrawal) places children at risk. In 2010-14 we conducted a randomised prevention trial, screening preschoolers for inhibition and offering the Cool Little Kids parenting group program to those affected. We are now following families in this trial in mid-childhood (age 7-10).
Taking A LEAP Forward In The Treatment Of Anorexia Nervosa: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$578,818.00
Summary
Extreme levels of exercise to reduce weight and improve mood are common in people with anorexia nevosa and are associated with poorer outcomes. Our study aims to test a novel therapy help people reduce their use of exercise andfind healthier and safer ways of managing weight and low mood. The therapy will be compared with a widely used control therapy - that however has only limited efficacy. We hope the exercise therapy will result in improved outcomes for this debilitating illness.
Multi-site Randomised Controlled Trial Of Fluoxetine In Children And Adolescents With Autism.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$499,482.00
Summary
Fluoxetine is a medication that is increasingly used in children with autism in an attempt to control repetitive behaviours, which substantially interfere with daily functioning and quality of life. However clinicians working in the field of autism and goverment regulatory bodies (such as the TGA) require evidence of the efficacy of fluoxetine for this indication. This study aims to determine this, thereby addressing an important gap in clinical knowledge.
Assertive Care: A Randomised Trial To Reduce Cardiovascular Risk For People With Severe Mental Illness
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,487,357.00
Summary
The physical health of people with severe mental illness is at crisis point. People die 15-20 years earlier than the general population from cardiovascular diseases that are preventable. Treatments do exist but routine identification is not happening and people with severe mental illness are missing out. Our assertive care intervention will identify, assess, treat, and follow up to reduce cardiovascular risk in severe mental illness and improve health outcomes.
Improving Outcomes For Children With ADHD: Mapping Developmental Trajectories And Developing Targeted Interventions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,180.00
Summary
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental health disorders affecting young people in Australia. My research program aims to generate new knowledge to inform clinical practice for children with ADHD including: 1) long-term outcomes and key predictors of outcomes; and 2) novel treatments to improve the lives of children and families. Growth of my research program is feasible and underpinned by existing platforms including numerous NHMRC-funded studies.
Does Inpatient Weight Restoration Prior To Outpatient Family Therapy Improve Outcomes In Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$552,283.00
Summary
This study examines the effect of length of hospital admission for refeeding, prior to manualised outpatient family therapy on outcomes for patients with anorexia nervosa. Subjects will include sixty children and adolescents aged 10 to 18 years admitted to the Children's Hospital at Westmead for medical management of anorexia nervosa. This study aims to randomly allocate and compare outcomes between adolescents with anorexia nervosa admitted for medical stabilisation followed by outpatient famil ....This study examines the effect of length of hospital admission for refeeding, prior to manualised outpatient family therapy on outcomes for patients with anorexia nervosa. Subjects will include sixty children and adolescents aged 10 to 18 years admitted to the Children's Hospital at Westmead for medical management of anorexia nervosa. This study aims to randomly allocate and compare outcomes between adolescents with anorexia nervosa admitted for medical stabilisation followed by outpatient family therapy versus adolescents admitted for full weight restoration followed by outpatient family therapy. Physical and psychological outcomes will be measured at admission to hospital, at the end of the hospital treatment and at the completion of outpatient family therapy and 6 and 12 months after the completion of treatment.Read moreRead less
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a common and frequently undiagnosed neurological disease due to thiamine deficiency. The condition leads to cognitive and neurological disability and mostly affects people with alcohol dependence. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is eminently treatable with thiamine, although we have insufficient knowledge regarding the best dose of thiamine to treat the condition. This project proposes two controlled trials to evaluate treatment effectiveness of thiamine for Wernicke-K ....Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a common and frequently undiagnosed neurological disease due to thiamine deficiency. The condition leads to cognitive and neurological disability and mostly affects people with alcohol dependence. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is eminently treatable with thiamine, although we have insufficient knowledge regarding the best dose of thiamine to treat the condition. This project proposes two controlled trials to evaluate treatment effectiveness of thiamine for Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.Read moreRead less