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.
Fibromyalgia: Investigating The Prefrontal Cortex And Its Role In Novel Treatment Approaches
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$338,110.00
Summary
Fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition, is experienced by 1-3% of Australians. Despite this high number, the cause of fibromyalgia is still unknown with no effective treatment options. In the proposed investigations I will use state of the art neuroscientific paradigms to explore the brain basis of fibromyalgia and utilise novel brain stimulation protocols to provide long-lasting pain relief.
“Taking Control Again”: Better Care For Aboriginal People With Persistent Musculoskeletal Pain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$322,982.00
Summary
Persistent disabling musculoskeletal pain (PDMP) e.g. from the spine, shoulder, knee, is an unmet priority in Aboriginal health care. We will investigate Aboriginal peoples’ experiences of PDMP, develop and utilise an audit tool to ascertain current health care practices, and develop, implement and evaluate a model of PDMP care. This project is in three rural West Australian sites and underpinned by cultural security. The anticipated outcome is better PDMP care and an implementation-ready model.
Pharmaceutical Opioid Analgesic (POA) Dependence And Treatment Responses
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$390,628.00
Summary
Dependence on opioid based pain medication is a rapidly growing health concern in Australia. In the United States more people die each year from misusing pain medication than from using illicit drugs like heroin. Dr Suzanne Nielsen, an emerging expert in pharmaceutical misuse, will undertake essential research to understand the dependence to opioid pain medication in Australia and to develop appropriate treatment responses.
The fundamental problem with pain is that it cannot be seen. We can see injury, but pain and injury are quite often not related. Brain imaging has demonstrated consistent patterns of activity when we feel pain, and long-term changes that happen in chronic, i.e. persistent, painful disorders. This project will use the best technology available to investigate the basics of how our brains perceive pain, and to shed light on some of the brain mechanisms that underpin chronic pain.
Synaesthesia For Pain: Incidence And Manifestation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$332,001.00
Summary
I am a researcher interested in how we process pain in ourselves and others. I have identified a novel phenomenon whereby some individuals not only have empathy for others in pain, but experience pain in their own bodies when they see others in pain. I will further investigate these experiences to understand and highlight whether there are any distinct emotional, empathic, attentional or brain processes in people who experience empathic pain with a view to establishing appropriate treatment.