Randomised Controlled Trial Of Virtual Reality Therapy After Stroke
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$452,264.00
Summary
Stroke is the second largest cause of disability in Australia. There is no cure, so patients must rely on therapy to restore movement. We want to make rehabilitation more effective. This study compares virtual reality game therapy (using the Nintendo Wii) to current best practice (constraint therapy). We anticipate patients will improve more with Wii therapy. Because it is fun, patients will enjoy therapy and spend longer training resulting in a greater recovery and better movement ability.
A Network Of Sites And ‘up-skilled’ Therapists To Deliver Best Practice Stroke Rehabilitation Of The Upper Limb.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$955,910.00
Summary
We aim, through our partnership, to bring better therapy to more stroke survivors. Effective therapies are available to improve hand function but survivors are not currently receiving these. We will systematically address this evidence-practice gap using knowledge-transfer methods to up-skill therapists and change practice behaviours. A network of sites and up-skilled therapists will deliver this therapy and sustain change. A template will guide future translational activities.
Promoting Upper Limb Recovery After Stroke In People With Severe Paresis.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$348,948.00
Summary
Stroke survivors with severe arm disability have poor potential for functional recovery. Yet, an incomplete understanding of indicators of good potential currently dictate clinical decisions concerning referral to rehabilitation and therapy provision. The proposed research aims to characterise the dynamic capacity of the severely damaged brain to recover. This research will provide the foundations for more personalized health care options and extend our understanding of this growing cohort.
InTOUCH: Tactile Assessment In Children With Cerebral Palsy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$176,571.00
Summary
Recent research finds that over 70% of children with unilateral cerebral palsy have impairments in touch function that affect how well they can use their hands. Until now, the severity and extent of this deficit has been unknown, and so children with cerebral palsy have not been receiving touch assessments. This project aims to increase awareness of touch impairments and achieve integration of touch assessment into routine examaination.
Efficacy Of A Group Block Versus Individualised Distributed Upper Limb Rehabilitation In Congenital Hemiplegia: Motivation And Mastery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$85,027.00
Summary
I am an occupational therapist investigating the contribution of motivation on activity and participation outcomes with children with congenital hemiplegia. This study will compare an intensive block of group based upper limb rehabilitation delivered in such a way as to enhance self-determination with an individualised distributed model of standard care. My research aims to help improve rehabilitation programs for children with hemiplegia, and facilitate effective allocation of resources.
How Does Fampridine Affect Upper Limb Function In Multiple Sclerosis?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$113,237.00
Summary
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common and disabling neurological disease affecting thousands of young Australians. In 2011 Fampridine received TGA approval for walking impairment in MS, but its mechanism of action is unknown and its effects on domains other than lower limb function remain untested. Our study will test whether Fampridine improves upper limb impairment in MS patients and will use electrophysiological measures of central nervous system conduction to uncover its mechanism of action.
A Randomised Controlled Study Of An Upper Limb And Cognitive Intervention In Friedreich Ataxia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$307,946.00
Summary
Friedreich ataxia is a progressive, life shortening neurological condition. The main study in this Fellowship will examine the effect of movement and cognitive training on improving arm function and cognitive skills in people with Friedreich ataxia. Four groups of 10 people with Friedreich ataxia will each be exposed to different interventions and the outcomes will be assessed by a series of tests of upper limb function and cognition as well as magnetic resonance imaging.
Cerebral palsy is the most common physical disability in children. Rehabilitation focuses on improving hand use to enhance daily care, access to education and vocational aspirations. This research aims to change the type of rehabilitation therapists use to treat hand and arm problems and use more current training approaches which have been shown to improve hand and arm skills.
Portable Motor Rehab Device To Improve Arm Movement After Stroke
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$241,064.00
Summary
One in six people have a stroke at some time in their life. Half the people with upper limb problems after stroke do not recover useful function. New technologies are needed to improve outcomes. This project develops the portable Arm Movement Measurement device, which measures motor control of the arm and hand for clinicians and patients, to improve rehabilitation outcomes, and for researchers to use to measure motor control in clinical studies.