The Impact Of Strength Training On Calf Muscle Structure And Function In Youth And Adolescents With Cerebral Palsy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$89,857.00
Summary
Muscle spasticity is a primary cause of disability in individuals with cerebral palsy; however their muscles also do not develop properly: they are weak and resistant to stretch. Strength training causes muscle adaptations that increase strength and decrease stiffness. This study will examine the impact of a strength training intervention on muscle structure and function using innovative imaging techniques, motion analysis and measures of muscle strength and stretch, translating into better cons ....Muscle spasticity is a primary cause of disability in individuals with cerebral palsy; however their muscles also do not develop properly: they are weak and resistant to stretch. Strength training causes muscle adaptations that increase strength and decrease stiffness. This study will examine the impact of a strength training intervention on muscle structure and function using innovative imaging techniques, motion analysis and measures of muscle strength and stretch, translating into better conservative intervention planning.Read moreRead less
Efficacy Of Interventions For Equinus Gait In Children With Cerebral Palsy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$316,449.00
Summary
Muscle spasticity is a primary cause of disability in children with cerebral palsy; however their muscles also do not develop properly: they are weak and resistant to stretch. This study will examine the precise muscle adaptations that occur due to spasticity using innovative ultrasound techniques and motion analysis. The influence of BOTOX treatment and orthopaedic surgery on muscle structure and function will be evaluated. This research will translate into better intervention planning.
Understanding White Matter Injury In Term-born Children With Cerebral Palsy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$193,863.00
Summary
The type of brain injury in cerebral palsy varies. In some children the brain develops abnormally in early pregnancy; others have a stroke or suffer from lack of oxygen around the time of birth. Little is known about the group of children born at term who have damage to the brain’s white matter, a pattern more typical of premature birth. This project will explore brain imaging, potential risk factors, and clinical outcomes for these children to identify possible causes and prevention pathways.
International Neonatal Immunotherapy Study (INIS): A Randomised Trial Of Intravenous Immunoglobulin For Neonatal Sepsis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,151,250.00
Summary
There is promising evidence that treatment of serious infection in babies with a product naturally occuring in blood, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), may reduce deaths by 40% and reduce brain damage in survivors. This would reduce the social, emotional and financial burden of disability on families, health services and society. In financial terms alone, caring for a severely disabled child costs an extra $50,000 per year. However, more evidence is needed before IVIG can be introduced as routi ....There is promising evidence that treatment of serious infection in babies with a product naturally occuring in blood, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), may reduce deaths by 40% and reduce brain damage in survivors. This would reduce the social, emotional and financial burden of disability on families, health services and society. In financial terms alone, caring for a severely disabled child costs an extra $50,000 per year. However, more evidence is needed before IVIG can be introduced as routine treatment for serious infection in the newborn. The International Neonatal Immunotherapy Study (INIS) is a randomised trial to study the potential benefits of IVIG in 5,000 newborn babies in 150 centres world wide. 26 centres are in Australia and New Zealand, whose expected contribution of 1,500 babies will be vital to the success of the study. INIS is supported by the Commonwealth Government and Australian Red Cross Blood Service, who will oversee the supply and distribution of IVIG, and the NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, who will coordinate the study. Infants will have a detailed specialist assessment at 2 years of age and a parent questionnaire will be completed, to assess their development. An economic evaluation will be performed to estimate the long-term savings to Australian Health Services and families associated with the IVIG therapy. The IVIG product to be used in Australia is Intragam P, manufactured by CSL, who have an unrivalled safety record. CSL has been making IVIG since 1989 and no transmission of HIV or hepatitis viruses has ever been reported. CSL estimate the risk of transmission of these viruses by IVIG is under 1 in 10 million treatments. INIS will provide reliable evidence about IVIG, a treatment with minimum known risk that may benefit thousands of Australian children and millions more worldwide.Read moreRead less
Should Very Premature Babies Receive A Placental Transfusion At Birth? A Randomised Controlled Trial.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,875,774.00
Summary
Premature babies under 30 weeks gestation are up to a hundred times more likely than full term babies to die or survive with major disability, often from brain damage due to poor blood flow after birth. This randomised study will find out if giving them more placental blood at birth, by means of a delay in clamping the umbilical cord, then milking it, reduces anemia, blood transfusions, brain damage, infection, death and disability. The results may benefit millions of premature babies worldwide.
A COMMUNITY BASED STRENGTH TRAINING PROGRAM TO IMPROVE WORK TASK PERFORMANCE IN YOUNG ADULTS WITH DOWN SYNDROME
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$180,649.00
Summary
This study will compare the outcomes of a 10 week twice a week community-based weight training program for young adults with Down syndrome with an art program. It will establish if a student-led exercise program can improve their performance of work tasks and their activity levels. Should the program prove beneficial, we aim to achieve the long-term outcome of exercise being implemented as a sustainable, inclusive recreation option for this group.
A Randomised Trial Of Constraint Induced Movement Therapy And Botulinum Toxin A In Children With Congenital Hemiplegia.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$399,995.00
Summary
Congenital hemiplegia occurs in over 1 million children under 21 years of age in the industrialized world. It is the most common type of cerebral palsy, accounting for 36 percent of children diagnosed with this lifelong condition. We intend to determine if a promising new treatment approach is effective in providing a superior and lasting benefit, compared to conventional techniques. Children with hemiplegia usually have the intellectual capacity to attend normal school; however the impaired arm ....Congenital hemiplegia occurs in over 1 million children under 21 years of age in the industrialized world. It is the most common type of cerebral palsy, accounting for 36 percent of children diagnosed with this lifelong condition. We intend to determine if a promising new treatment approach is effective in providing a superior and lasting benefit, compared to conventional techniques. Children with hemiplegia usually have the intellectual capacity to attend normal school; however the impaired arm reduces independence in activities of daily living and can compromise their ability to participate in educational, leisure and vocational roles. Previously we have shown that a program of upper limb rehabilitation in children with spasticity was effective in improving participation and quality of life. We have also shown that rehabilitation combined with Botulinum toxin A (Botox) can further improve functional activity. We believe that a new method of therapy, that has been used effectively in Adults with stroke, called Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) may also be beneficial in the treatment of children with congenital hemiplegia. In CIMT, the unimpaired arm is constrained in a glove to promote use of the impaired arm (hemiplegic arm). We predict that, combined with the Botox treatment, CIMT will provide a superior and longer lasting benefit compared to standard rehabilitation combined with Botox. The primary aim of our study is to test this hypothesis in a controlled trial. A secondary aim is to further our understanding of the central neurovascular mechanisms underlying changes in upper limb function. To achieve this, we will use Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) to measure central activation in the parts of the brain controlling movement. Improving our understanding of the mechanisms involved in this condition is an essential next step towards providing a more effective and long lasting treatment.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms Contributing To Long-term Neuronal Loss After Hypoxia-ischemia In The Premature Neonate Brain.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$432,535.00
Summary
A lack of oxygen (hypoxia) and blood flow to the brain (ischemia) around the time of birth can cause brain injury that perists into adulthood. The burdens on financial, educational and healthcare resources are enormous. We will improve our understanding of what parts of the brain are injured and the mechanisms contributing to on-going brain injury after hypoxia-ischemia.This is important to devise treatments and to provide a healthy start to life for neonates.