Is Hip Fracture Rehabilitation Cost Effective In Residential Care? A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Rehabilitation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$137,970.00
Summary
Some of the frailest members of our community live in nursing homes and a hip fracture can be devastating to a person with dementia as it can leave them permanently unable to walk. We don't know how best to promote recovery when they break their hips. At present there is an assumption that rehabilitation at this stage of life is not worthwhile but this study will test whether the benefits outweigh the costs. We will test whether an assessment by a geriatrician and rehabilitation improves walking ....Some of the frailest members of our community live in nursing homes and a hip fracture can be devastating to a person with dementia as it can leave them permanently unable to walk. We don't know how best to promote recovery when they break their hips. At present there is an assumption that rehabilitation at this stage of life is not worthwhile but this study will test whether the benefits outweigh the costs. We will test whether an assessment by a geriatrician and rehabilitation improves walking, independence and quality of life.Read moreRead less
Completion Of A Study To Determine If Vitamin D Supplementation Prevents Fractures In Older Women In Residential Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$140,285.00
Summary
Vitamin D deficiency is a common and easily reversible nutritional problem in older people in residential care. Publication of benefits from vitamin D and calcium supplementation in older women in residential care in France has made the evaluation of population based interventions in Australia a priority. The French study demonstrated substantial reductions in the incidence of hip fractures, the most serious of osteoporotic fractures in terms of morbidity, mortality and financial costs. As yet, ....Vitamin D deficiency is a common and easily reversible nutritional problem in older people in residential care. Publication of benefits from vitamin D and calcium supplementation in older women in residential care in France has made the evaluation of population based interventions in Australia a priority. The French study demonstrated substantial reductions in the incidence of hip fractures, the most serious of osteoporotic fractures in terms of morbidity, mortality and financial costs. As yet, there are no data to inform rational policy in the Australian context, where 10% of women over the age of 70 reside in residential care and where the availability of sunlight and differing diets may alter the effects seen with vitamin D supplementation. Also, we do not understand the mechanism by which this effect occurs, either by strengthening bone or decreasing the rates of falls. Our general aim is to evaluate a simple, cost effective and immediately available intervention, vitamin D supplementation, in the prevention of osteoporotic fractures, especially hip fracture. The specific targeted population will be the high risk population of elderly female nursing home and hostel residents. This study will address whether it is justified to treat all women in these settings with vitamin D supplementation or alternatively to screen and supplement those women with demonstrable vitamin D deficiency.Read moreRead less
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Progressive Resistance Training In Older Type 2 Diabetics At Cardiovascular Risk.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$848,659.00
Summary
Australia has one of the highest rates of type 2 diabetes in the world, especially in older adults. A weight-lifting intervention could simultaneously improve glucose metabolism, physical fitness, blood pressure, cardiovascular disease risk, lipid levels, muscle mass, and fat mass, even without an overall change in body weight. We hypothesise that a high intensity weight-lifting exercise regimen will be associated with significant improvements compared to a low intensity regimen.
The South Australian Dental Longitudinal Study has been the first comprehensive dental longitudinal study of older adults to be conducted in Australia. Participants were aged 60+ years at the 1991 baseline data collection, and were a random sample of community-dwelling older adults in urban Adelaide and rural Mount Gambier. The 11-year follow-up data collection will build upon the previous study findings to provide important and new information about the onset and progression of oral diseases in ....The South Australian Dental Longitudinal Study has been the first comprehensive dental longitudinal study of older adults to be conducted in Australia. Participants were aged 60+ years at the 1991 baseline data collection, and were a random sample of community-dwelling older adults in urban Adelaide and rural Mount Gambier. The 11-year follow-up data collection will build upon the previous study findings to provide important and new information about the onset and progression of oral diseases in older Australians. It will also assist with the identification of general health and other characteristics (socio-demographic, medical, functional, cognitive, nutritional, swallowing, dental history, oral hygiene care, financial, social support and oral disorder social impact characteristics) that are associated with oral diseases in various groups of older adults. Groups of older adults within the study include those who are healthy and living in the community, those who are frail and use support services, and those who have moved into residential care. This information will assist both private and public health sectors, dental professionals and other health professionals with the identification of those older adults who are at high risk for developing oral diseases, such as those with dementia, those with physical disabilities, and those living in residential care. This 11-year data collection will be one of only 4 similar international studies currently being conducted, and will provide important comparison data for future studies of older Australians.Read moreRead less
A Clinical And Experimental Study Of The Biomechanical Factors Associated With Tooth Destruction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$241,527.00
Summary
This project investigates the influence of biting force on the development of non-carious and carious defects of teeth. Strain gauges will be cemented to the neck region of extracted teeth and teeth in the mouth, forces applied to the biting surfaces of the teeth, and the stress which results will be measured by the strain gauge. A profiling technique and high-power microscopy will be used to determine the amount of tooth structure lost as a result of applying the forces in the presence of acid. ....This project investigates the influence of biting force on the development of non-carious and carious defects of teeth. Strain gauges will be cemented to the neck region of extracted teeth and teeth in the mouth, forces applied to the biting surfaces of the teeth, and the stress which results will be measured by the strain gauge. A profiling technique and high-power microscopy will be used to determine the amount of tooth structure lost as a result of applying the forces in the presence of acid. In addition, a computer model will be generated, to determine whether it can be used to predict the stresses. In a clinical study, patients with and without non-carious defects will be followed for three years in order to assess the morphological changes and measure the volume loss of tooth structure which occurs.Read moreRead less
A Clinical Trial Of The Effect Of Neuropsychological Treatments In Increasing Community Participation After Brain Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$365,700.00
Summary
Traumatic brain injury is very common, with more than 2,000 people surviving serious brain injury in NSW each year. The survivors are most commonly young adult males and many are left with permanent brain damage, invariably affecting cognitive abilities. The impact of cognitive impairments on the person's capacity to resume their premorbid lifestyle is enormous. In one of our studies we found that 40% did not work but nor did they have any meaningful occupational activity to replace work. The cu ....Traumatic brain injury is very common, with more than 2,000 people surviving serious brain injury in NSW each year. The survivors are most commonly young adult males and many are left with permanent brain damage, invariably affecting cognitive abilities. The impact of cognitive impairments on the person's capacity to resume their premorbid lifestyle is enormous. In one of our studies we found that 40% did not work but nor did they have any meaningful occupational activity to replace work. The current project targets this large group of people in particular. The study aims to develop and test two alternative, intensive cognitive treatment programs that are geared to increasing community participation, everyday activities and psychological well-being. To date, no such therapies have been evaluated using powerful methodological designs. As a result of the study we will be able to incorporate the standardised interventions into a format that can be easily applied to Brain Injury Rehabilitation Services in Australia. The programs will not only improve the functioning of the individuals with brain injury, but will have a flow-on effect for their families and the community at large.Read moreRead less