The Role Of Expectation On Outcome In Patients With Musculoskeletal Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$388,334.00
Summary
What a patient expects from their health condition has an important influence on how well they do. These expectations are also thought to underpin placebo effects and several studies show that clinicians often make use of this in their daily practice. This research aims to explain how peoples' expectations influence the way they respond to different treatments. This information will help health professionals improve the the way they treat people with a range of different health problems.
Why Do People Develop Chronic Low Back Pain? An Investigation Of Brain Function As A Predictor Of Chronic Low Back Pain.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$96,631.00
Summary
Chronic low back pain is the most disabling condition worldwide. Two objective measures of brain function, electrical signals of brain activity (electroencephalography), and attentional bias observed with eye tracking technology will be measured in a group of participants with acute back pain. These measurements will provide objective markers of brain function that may be predictive of the transition from acute to chronic low back pain, providing new opportunities for treatment.
Understanding Persistent Low Back Pain Where It Resides, In The Brain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$848,972.00
Summary
Low back pain is a leading cause of disability amongst Australians. A critical question is why some people get better after hurting their back while others do not. This project examines whether changes in the brain predict low back pain outcome. This information will rapidly advance our understanding of low back pain and has the potential to facilitate the development of novel therapies.
An Integrated, Multi-system Approach To Understanding Persistent Pain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,180.00
Summary
Musculoskeletal pain is a major health problem in Australia, with an economic burden second only to cancer. Despite the scale of the problem, there are few effective treatments. This project examines a range of biological mechanisms that could explain why some people get better over time while others experiencing pain do not. The findings of this research will contribute to the development of new treatments that can be targeted to each individual to improve pain and disability.
Implementation Of A Novel Clinical Pathway Of Care For Common Musculoskeletal Disorders In Primary Care.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,525,730.00
Summary
This project provides a solution to the burden musculoskeletal disorders in Australia. We will implement a novel clinical pathway of care that uses simple questionnaires to determine whether people will recover simply or require complex care. If simple, we provide people and their healthcare practitioner with guideline-based information developed by our expert team. If complex, we refer them to an expert physiotherapist who can undertake more complex assessments and direct care appropriately.
The Association Of Distorted Central Processing, Small Axon Dysfunction And Inflammation In Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$406,431.00
Summary
The mechanisms underlying pain in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), which results from compression of a nerve at the wrist, are not well understood. In a combination of human and animal studies, we will examine whether the pain involves abnormalities of skin and brain function and whether inflammation in the nervous system may be responsible for such abnormalities. We will test whether surgical outcome can be predicted by these variables. Accurate predictive tests would avoid unnecessary surgery.
Is Physiotherapy Beneficial For People With Hip Osteoarthritis?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$629,508.00
Summary
Hip osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic joint disease that causes pain and reduced function. There is currently no cure so safe, effective treatments are needed. Physiotherapy plays a role in the management of hip OA but there is little evidence of its effectiveness. This project will determine the effects of a 12 week physiotherapy program on pain and function in 148 people with hip OA. The results will help with recommendations as to the best ways to treat this chronic condition.
Improving Clinical Understanding And Management Of Tendinopathy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$487,621.00
Summary
Painful tendons occur in people of all ages. Treatment outcomes are variable and many people are left with chronic pain and limited capacity to be active. This research will investigate the development of tendinopathy, the cause of tendon pain and examine imaging methods to improve management. This research expects to demonstrate that tendon injury develops during puberty, that the brain has a central role in tendon pain, and that regular monitoring of tendon structure can improve outcomes.
Whiplash Injury: Mechanisms, Prediction And Directives For Improved Management Strategies.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$772,359.00
Summary
Whiplash is a costly condition with many people developing chronic symptoms. This research aims to improve the understating of involved mechanisms, diagnosis and classification of the condition from the time of injury until either recovery or the development of persistent pain. This will facilitate the early identification of those at risk of poor recovery and will lay the foundations for the development of improved early management, particularly in primary care.
Physiotherapist Led Stress Inoculation Intervention Integrated With Exercise For Acute Whiplash Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$518,960.00
Summary
Physical and mental health outcomes following whiplash injury due to a road traffic crash are poor. Early stress system responses are associated with poor recovery. This study will investigate the effectiveness of a physiotherapist led stress inoculation intervention integrated with currently recommended exercise rehabilitation to improve health outcomes after whiplash injury.