Complicated grief represents a major demand on health services, productivity levels, and adversely influences mental and physical health. Despite the enormous social and economic costs of complicated grief, there are currently no controlled trials of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for complicated grief. This study addresses this gap in our knowledge by testing the efficacy of CBT in reducing grief reactions. Participants (120) will be randomly allocated to either 10 sessions of CBT or 10 sess ....Complicated grief represents a major demand on health services, productivity levels, and adversely influences mental and physical health. Despite the enormous social and economic costs of complicated grief, there are currently no controlled trials of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for complicated grief. This study addresses this gap in our knowledge by testing the efficacy of CBT in reducing grief reactions. Participants (120) will be randomly allocated to either 10 sessions of CBT or 10 sessions of supportive counselling. Participants will be assessed before and after treatment, as well as 6 months after treatment. Overall, this project will provide an evidence base to guide clinicians in Australia and internationally in regards to treating people suffering the effects of persistent complicated grief.Read moreRead less
Effectiveness Of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy For Preventing Depressive Relapse In Subjects At Very High Risk
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$643,317.00
Summary
More than one in twenty Australians experience depression in a single year and it is commonly a relapsing disorder. At least 60% of people who have had a depressive episode will have another, the vast majority within two years of the index episode, 70% of those who have had two episodes will have a third, and 90% of those with three episodes will have a fourth. The economic burden of depression in Australia has been estimated as perhaps $2.8 billion annually. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy ....More than one in twenty Australians experience depression in a single year and it is commonly a relapsing disorder. At least 60% of people who have had a depressive episode will have another, the vast majority within two years of the index episode, 70% of those who have had two episodes will have a third, and 90% of those with three episodes will have a fourth. The economic burden of depression in Australia has been estimated as perhaps $2.8 billion annually. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is an innovative psychological treatment, combining principles of cognitive therapy and mindfulness meditation. It is designed to prevent depressive relapse in people who have recovered from depressive episodes. MBCT aims to teach people to become more aware of, and to relate differently to, their thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations; in particular, to view these thoughts and feelings as passing events in the mind rather than identifying with them. Through gaining these skills in increased awareness of thoughts and feelings, participants in the treatment learn to avoid negative ruminations, which have a powerful role in triggering relapses of depression. Primarily this study aims to examine the effectiveness of MBCT for the first time in Australians with a history of recurring depression. As a large multi-site investigation it will establish the feasibility of bringing MBCT into routine practice in both urban and rural areas of Australia. The study also aims to establish whether the mechanisms by which MBCT is proposed to work - by decreasing rumination, increasing levels of mindfulness and self-awareness - do in fact operate. We also hope to establish whether MBCT also has any impact on anxiety, another disabling condition that commonly occurs with depression. This study will enhance evidence as to whether the treatment of MBCT should be recommended routinely to sufferers with repeated episodes of major depression.Read moreRead less
A Comparative Cognitive And Neuroimaging Study Of Pre-diagnosis And Symptomatic Individuals With Huntingtons Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$585,557.00
Summary
Huntington's disease (HD) is characterized by motor, cognitive and psychiatric disturbance. Neuroimaging techniques provide a range of measures that can characterize underlying brain changes. This study will use a range of clinical, behavioural, and brain imaging techniques to uncover the most sensitive and reliable marker of change in both pre diagnostic and early symptomatic HD. Therapeutic interventions can only be tested once markers have been identified.
Evaluation Of Cognitive-behaviour Therapy For Alcohol And Other Drug Problems Among People With A Psychotic Illness
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$217,465.00
Summary
Abuse of alcohol and other drugs among people with a major psychiatric illness is a serious public health problem and cost-effective treatments need to be developed and assessed. The aim of this project is to evaluate the effectiveness of a counselling intervention. 180 individuals with a psychotic illness and concurrent alcohol and other drug (AOD) problems will be randomly assigned to counselling or usual treatment and followed up for a period of 12 months. The indicators of interest include: ....Abuse of alcohol and other drugs among people with a major psychiatric illness is a serious public health problem and cost-effective treatments need to be developed and assessed. The aim of this project is to evaluate the effectiveness of a counselling intervention. 180 individuals with a psychotic illness and concurrent alcohol and other drug (AOD) problems will be randomly assigned to counselling or usual treatment and followed up for a period of 12 months. The indicators of interest include: current drug use; psychiatric symptoms; self-harm; social functioning; and use of health services. Findings from the proposed study will assist in the selection of particular treatment strategies and will aid the overall development of services for people with both major mental illness and substance abuse.Read moreRead less