Investigations Into The Onset And Persistence Of Severe Health Anxiety (hypochondriasis), And The Development Of Innovative Psychological Interventions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$313,096.00
Summary
This program of research will investigate the cognitive, emotional, and behavioural factors that are involved in the onset and persistence of severe health anxiety (hypochondriasis). It will also test the effectiveness of innovative psychological interventions for the disorder.
Understanding Relapse In Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: An Investigation Of Return Of Fear.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$255,014.00
Summary
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is common and results in significant impairment. There are effective psychological treatments for PTSD, yet relapse following treatment remains high. The proposed research will involve a series of experiments and observational studies to better understand the process that lead to relapse in patients receiving treatment for PTSD. The findings of these studies will assist in modifying treatment to ensure that symptom gains are maintained following treatment.
Language Deficits And Cognitive Dysfunction In Motor Neuron Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$263,513.00
Summary
Motor neuron disease (MND) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are fatal degenerative brain diseases that overlap clinically and pathologically. Patients with either disease can develop a combination of motor and cognitive deficits (known as FTD-MND). Recent studies suggest that FTD-MND is more common in familial MND. This project will investigate language disturbance – a prominent feature of FTD – in MND patients to establish whether such impairment predicts the development of FTD-MND.
Sleep And Motherhood: Towards A Sustainable Cognitive Behavioural Program For Better Sleep And Wellbeing During Pregnancy And Postpartum Periods.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$286,891.00
Summary
Sleep problems are common during pregnancy and postpartum periods, and are linked to poor maternal mental health and wellbeing. Cognitive behavioural sleep interventions are effective, but not currently available in routine perinatal care. This study examines the efficacy of an innovative evidence-based non-pharmacological intervention for better sleep and wellbeing, with high potential for sustainable integration with routine perinatal care.
Following bereavement, 10%-15% of people suffer prolonged grief (PG) that can cause mental and physical problems for many years. This project will study community and treatment-seeking samples of bereaved people to identify trajectories of grieving, predictors of responding across time, and identify mechanisms of change in treatment of PG. This project represents a significant advance in our understanding of PG and will help reduce the burden of this condition.
Mechanisms Of Mindfulness Meditation, Cognitive Therapy, And Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy For Low Back Pain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,891.00
Summary
Up to 80% of Australians experience back pain and 10% have significant disability as a result. There is a critical need for the development and evaluation of innovative treatments that have the capacity to target the multidimensional nature of CLBP. This study will compare the effects and mechanisms of Mindfulness Meditation, Cognitive Therapy, and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for CLBP. Results will ultimately lead to streamlined interventions designed to efficiently maximise benefit.
Simple Cognitive Behavioural Treatment Of The Symptoms Of Trauma In First Episode Psychosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$173,898.00
Summary
Psychotic disorders (such as schizophrenia) are some of the most severe forms for mental disorder. Many people with psychosis have experienced trauma in childhood or as a result of their psychosis, and have developed post-traumatic stress disorder as a result. The aim of the proposed study is to test whether a simple psychological intervention is effective in reducing trauma symptoms in FEP. This has the potential to significantly improve outcomes in FEP.
Treating Insomnia In Patients With Co-existing Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$260,046.00
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and insomnia commonly coexist in the same patient, and can affect how patients adhere to treatment for their OSA. Insomnia can be effectively treated by a clinical psychologist using a technique known as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), but it is currently unclear whether this is effective in patients who also have OSA. This research project will investigate whether treatment of insomnia using CBT in patients who have OSA will improve health outcomes.
The Mental Health Of School-Age Children Who Stutter
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$154,781.00
Summary
Children who stutter face considerable social disadvantages and negative consequences. Adults who stutter have been found to report a significant rate of mental health disorders, yet virtually nothing is known about the presence of such problems in children who stutter. This study will evaluate the prevalence and impact of mental disorders among school-age children who stutter. This research is essential for the provision of adequate speech and psychological treatments for children who stutter.
Next-generation Glioblastoma Multiforme Therapies Based On Multistage Delivery Nanovectors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,644.00
Summary
Nanomedicine provides novel therapies with enhanced treatment success and reduced side effects, which improve the patient’s quality of life. Drug delivery systems that are able to treat highly drug-resistant tumours such as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) are a key target for nanomedicine-based therapies. We will investigate a new GBM treatment by developing a multistage delivery nanovector to selectively carry and release a combination of chemical and physical therapeutics.