Christine Roberts’ research program uses the most advanced research methods to address new challenges in maternal and child health in a portfolio that extends from bench-to-bedside-to-policy. Four interrelated themes target: accurate identification of at-risk pregnancies; maternity care requirements to improve outcomes in future pregnancies; clinical trials to provide best evidence for obstetric practice; and an improved ability to respond rapidly to emerging issues in policy and practice.
Methodological Research In Meta-analysis And Evidence Synthesis: An Evidence-based Methods Approach
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$431,000.00
Summary
Systematic reviews synthesize available research to determine whether policy, health service delivery, public health, and clinical interventions are effective. Statistical methods underpin the validity of the findings in systematic reviews. This research will evaluate and develop statistical methods for systematic reviews with the aim of improving the quality of reviews and ensuring healthcare decisions are based on reliable research syntheses.
Venesection Or Expectant Management For Moderate Iron Overload In HFE Related Hereditary Haemochromatosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$853,109.00
Summary
Haemochromatosis is a preventable genetic iron overload disorder. Untreated, it can shorten life due mainly to liver cirrhosis and cancer. It can be prevented by blood donation to maintain normal iron levels. It is unclear, however, whether treatment is necessary when individuals have moderate elevation of iron in the body. This research project will study the effects of treatment in this group by assessing a number of scans, questionnaires and blood tests in treated and untreated individuals.
The Effectiveness Of A Comprehensive ‘universal’ And ‘targeted’ Intervention To Prevent Substance Use And Related Harms In Adolescents: The CAP Project
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$755,906.00
Summary
Alcohol and other drug use are common amongst Australian adolescents and the disability associated with this use is considerable. Prevention is clearly needed, yet we have few models of well implemented prevention programs that are effective in maximisising prevention outcomes.The current proposal addresses this gap by evaluating a novel approach to preventing substance use and related harms in adolescents by combining effective 'universal' and 'targeted' school-based prevention programs in a su ....Alcohol and other drug use are common amongst Australian adolescents and the disability associated with this use is considerable. Prevention is clearly needed, yet we have few models of well implemented prevention programs that are effective in maximisising prevention outcomes.The current proposal addresses this gap by evaluating a novel approach to preventing substance use and related harms in adolescents by combining effective 'universal' and 'targeted' school-based prevention programs in a sustainable delivery platform.Read moreRead less
Efficacy And Cost-effectiveness Of Physiotherapy For Chronic Rotator Cuff Pathology
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$384,675.00
Summary
Shoulder disorders are common, being third only to back and neck complaints as musculoskeletal reasons for medical consultation and accounting for 10% of all physiotherapy referrals. The painful shoulder affects up to 2-5% of the general population, being more common in middle to older age. One of the most common shoulder disorders is chronic rotator cuff pathology. This causes significant pain and disability that restricts activities of daily living as well as work, sleep and leisure. Forty per ....Shoulder disorders are common, being third only to back and neck complaints as musculoskeletal reasons for medical consultation and accounting for 10% of all physiotherapy referrals. The painful shoulder affects up to 2-5% of the general population, being more common in middle to older age. One of the most common shoulder disorders is chronic rotator cuff pathology. This causes significant pain and disability that restricts activities of daily living as well as work, sleep and leisure. Forty percent of sufferers will continue to have symptoms beyond 3 years and 15% will have persistent disability which may require surgical intervention. Because this disorder is prevalent, it imposes a considerable burden on the Australian health care system. Physiotherapy is a common conservative treatment option but its efficacy has not been well established. A recent Cochrane review of the literature revealed several problems with many of the existing studies: (i) the populations have included a mix of shoulder diagnostic categories; (ii) the research designs have major flaws and (iii) a single physiotherapy modality has been evaluated rather than a combined program as is current clinical practice. Thus, this novel research project involving 200 participants will answer important questions about the efficacy of a physiotherapy program for chronic rotator cuff pathology and whether benefits can be maintained. In addition it will determine whether the costs of physiotherapy represent good value for money which is important in today's economic climate. The results of this project can be easily and immediately translated into clinical practice as recommendations can be made about the usefulness of physiotherapy for this patient population. The results will be of major benefit not just to the physiotherapy profession but to the medical profession who must justify patient referral to physiotherapy and to funding and compensable bodies.Read moreRead less
A Multi-centre Double-blind RCT On Community-acquired Pneumonia In Indigenous Children And A Developing Country: Improving Clinical Outcomes And Identifying Systemic Biomarkers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,167,560.00
Summary
Young children of Indigenous communities and developing countries are often hospitalised for pneumonia and have high risk of subsequent chronic disease. Our international study will determine if a longer duration of antibiotics (compared to shorter duration) improves the short and long term clinical outcomes of children hospitalised for pneumonia. We will look for unique markers that may predict those who will develop chronic lung disease. Our study will influence future guidelines on pneumonia.
Efficacy Of Physiotherapy After Hydrodilatation For The Painful Stiff Shoulder: A Randomised Placebo-controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$269,020.00
Summary
Shoulder disorders are common, being third only to back and neck complaints as musculoskeletal reasons for medical consultation and they account for 10% of all physiotherapy referrals. The stiff painful shoulder affects up to 2-5% of the general population, being more common in middle age and diabetes. It causes significant pain and disability that restricts activities of daily living as well as work and leisure. Forty percent of sufferers will continue to have symptoms and restricted movements ....Shoulder disorders are common, being third only to back and neck complaints as musculoskeletal reasons for medical consultation and they account for 10% of all physiotherapy referrals. The stiff painful shoulder affects up to 2-5% of the general population, being more common in middle age and diabetes. It causes significant pain and disability that restricts activities of daily living as well as work and leisure. Forty percent of sufferers will continue to have symptoms and restricted movements beyond 3 years and 15% will have persistent disability. Because this disease is prevalent, it imposes a considerable burden on the Australian health care system. Shoulder hydrodilatation is a common conservative treatment option that has been shown by our research group to have short-term but not long-term benefits. Physiotherapy may be prescribed following hydrodilatation on the basis that it may maintain the initial benefits seen with hydrodilatation. However, there are no studies to either support or refute this hypothesis. Thus, this novel research project will answer important questions about the efficacy of a physiotherapy program in addition to hydrodilatation for the stiff painful shoulder. We will determine whether physiotherapy offers a benefit over hydrodilatation alone and if so, whether this benefit is sustained. In addition we will determine whether the additional costs of physiotherapy represent good value for money. The results of this project can then be easily and immediately translated into clinical practice as recommendations can be made about the usefulness of physiotherapy for this patient population. The results will be of major benefit not just to the physiotherapy profession but to the medical profession who must justify patient referral to physiotherapy.Read moreRead less
M-SAKHI : Mobile Health Solutions To Help Community Providers Promote Maternal And Infant Nutrition And Health - A Community-based Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial In Rural India
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,379,427.00
Summary
The proposed research will examine the impact of the mobile phone counselling on child feeding practices, & undernutrition & cognitive development in a rural setting in India. The study aims to collect high-level evidence of whether mobile phone counselling about nutrition in pregnancy, and child feeding, directed at pregnant women and mothers in rural India will i) reduce low birthweight, ii) improve infant & child feeding, and iii) reduce child undernutrition at 24 months.