ORCID Profile
0000-0002-9767-4153
Current Organisations
University of Technology Sydney
,
UNSW Sydney
,
University of Technology Sydney Faculty of Health
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Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Date: 30-09-2022
Abstract: The Perseverance rover landed in Jezero crater, Mars, to investigate ancient lake and river deposits. We report observations of the crater floor, below the crater's sedimentary delta, finding that the floor consists of igneous rocks altered by water. The lowest exposed unit, informally named Séítah, is a coarsely crystalline olivine-rich rock, which accumulated at the base of a magma body. Magnesium-iron carbonates along grain boundaries indicate reactions with carbon dioxide-rich water under water-poor conditions. Overlying Séítah is a unit informally named Máaz, which we interpret as lava flows or the chemical complement to Séítah in a layered igneous body. Voids in these rocks contain sulfates and perchlorates, likely introduced by later near-surface brine evaporation. Core s les of these rocks have been stored aboard Perseverance for potential return to Earth.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 18-05-2020
DOI: 10.1136/BJSPORTS-2019-101242
Abstract: To assess whether physically active yoga is superior to waitlist control, treatment as usual and attention control in alleviating depressive symptoms in people with a diagnosed mental disorder recognised by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Systematic review and meta-analysis following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Data were obtained from online databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychINFO, CENTRAL, EMCARE, PEDro). The search and collection of eligible studies was conducted up to 14 May 2019 (PROSPERO registration No CRD42018090441). We included randomised controlled trials with a yoga intervention comprising ≥50% physical activity in adults with a recognised diagnosed mental disorder according to DSM-3, 4 or 5. 19 studies were included in the review (1080 participants) and 13 studies were included in the meta-analysis (632 participants). Disorders of depression, post-traumatic stress, schizophrenia, anxiety, alcohol dependence and bipolar were included. Yoga showed greater reductions in depressive symptoms than waitlist, treatment as usual and attention control (standardised mean difference=0.41 95% CI −0.65 to −0.17 p .001). Greater reductions in depressive symptoms were associated with higher frequency of yoga sessions per week (β=−0.44, p .01).
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 15-10-2020
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 07-2020
DOI: 10.1136/BMJSEM-2020-000761
Abstract: People with mental illness die on average 15 years less than the general population, primarily to cardiometabolic disease. Lifestyle interventions are effective in reducing cardiometabolic risk but are not routinely provided to mental health consumers. Lifestyle interventions targeting mental health staff may be beneficial in changing culture surrounding physical health and subsequently improving consumer outcomes. This study examines exercise and fitness outcomes of a targeted lifestyle intervention directed at Australian mental health staff. A pragmatic single-arm intervention study was conducted within an Australian public mental health service. Mental health staff were provided a five-session in idualised lifestyle intervention (incorporating exercise and nutritional counselling) over 5 weeks. Two waves of the programme were delivered between 2015 and 2016. This paper examines the exercise and fitness outcomes of the second wave of the study. Participants were assessed at baseline and at a 16-week follow-up. The primary exercise outcome was a measurement of cardiorespiratory fitness. Secondary outcomes included self-reported physical activity and a measurement of handgrip strength. A total of 106 staff participated in this component of the study. Cardiorespiratory fitness increased significantly from baseline to follow-up (p .001). Significant improvements to physical activity occurred with decreases in sedentary time (p .0005) and increases in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (p .005). Lifestyle interventions incorporating exercise counselling may improve the physical health of mental health staff. Such strategies may be effective in improving culture surrounding physical health and/or increasing the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions targeting mental health consumers.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.SCHRES.2018.02.035
Abstract: To comprehensively assess cardio-metabolic risk factors and their management in a large s le of outpatients treated with clozapine. Observational cross-sectional study of all clozapine users attending specialized clozapine monitoring outpatient clinics in three public hospitals in Sydney, Australia were approached to participate over the one-year period 01/10/2015-30/09/2016. Cardio-metabolic risk factors including metabolic syndrome, risk for future development of diabetes, smoking, physical activity, nutrition, and prescribed medications were assessed at face-to-face interview and through medical record review. Among patients who had cardio-metabolic risk factors, the proportion receiving appropriate management was assessed. Of 451 registered clozapine clinic attenders, 92.2% completed questionnaires and anthropometric measurements. 58.3% met criteria for metabolic syndrome. 79.6% were overweight or obese. 55.9% had blood pressure meeting metabolic syndrome criteria. 46.6% had elevated fasting blood glucose and 55.2% had elevated blood triglycerides. 43.6% were current smokers. Only 10% achieved recommended weekly physical activity levels. Unhealthy food categories were highly consumed. 32.1% were on additional antipsychotics. In the majority of in iduals, cardio-metabolic risk factors were untreated or under-treated. Clozapine use was associated with very high rates of cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors, which were frequently under-treated. Management of both physical and mental health should be prioritized. Polypharmacy should be rationalized. Future research should investigate the effectiveness of smoking cessation and lifestyle interventions in this high-risk population.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 15-07-2022
DOI: 10.1002/HPJA.633
Abstract: People with severe mental illness have adverse health outcomes compared to the general population. Lifestyle interventions are effective in improving health outcomes in this population. Current cultural processes in mental health services do not generally incorporate physical health care practices. Innovative education is required to improve knowledge and confidence of staff in the delivery of preventative health measures. The Keeping our Staff in Mind (KoSiM) program delivered a brief lifestyle intervention to mental health staff. A qualitative analysis following the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research was undertaken. Semi‐structured interviews designed to elicit information about the acceptability of the program and the impact of the intervention on participants' personal and professional lives. The interviews were analysed using thematic analysis, with coding independently developed and reviewed by three authors. Of the 103 eligible participants, 75 were interviewed. Responses revealed four main themes: (i) positive changes in clinician's approach to physical health care, (ii) improvements in attitudes to self‐care and family wellbeing, (iii) positive changes in workplace culture associated with physical health care delivery and (iv) high levels of acceptability of the program. The KoSiM model may be useful in other settings as a means of changing the culture of mental health services to better integrate physical health care as a core part of mental health service provision. A novel approach using staff focussed lifestyle interventions model may cut through the resistance that is encountered when implementing proven methods of clinical intervention where cultural barriers exist.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 23-01-2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.PSYCHRES.2017.08.034
Abstract: Young people experiencing psychotic illness engage in low amounts of physical activity have poor fitness levels and poor sleep quality. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of these modifiable cardiometabolic risk factors among in iduals with at-risk mental states (ARMS), who are at increased risk of developing psychosis. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a community-based youth mental health service. Thirty participants (23%♀, 21.3 ± 1.7 years old) were recruited, 10 with ARMS, 10 with first-episode psychosis (FEP) and 10 healthy volunteers. Physical activity levels were assessed using self-report and objective measures. Aerobic capacity, upper body strength, hamstring flexibility, forearm grip strength and core endurance were assessed. Sleep quality, depression and anxiety were measured by self-report questionnaire. The ARMS group did not differ significantly on anthropometric measures from FEP or healthy volunteers. They engaged in significantly less physical activity (p < 0.05) and had poorer sleep quality (p < 0.05) than healthy volunteers. Our results are consistent with other studies that found that youth with ARMS are at greater cardiometabolic risk. Interventions aimed at improving these modifiable risk factors may assist with preventing the decline in physical health associated with the development of psychiatric illness.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 28-01-2020
DOI: 10.1002/HPJA.320
Abstract: People living with mental illness die on average 15 years earlier than the general population, primarily due to preventable and premature cardiovascular disease. Lifestyle interventions can be effective in reducing cardiovascular risk, yet mental health services do not routinely provide targeted lifestyle interventions. Exposing mental health staff to lifestyle interventions prior to targeting patients may be critical to changing culture and improving patient outcomes. This study aimed to improve the physical health of mental health staff through a targeted lifestyle intervention. A pragmatic single-arm intervention study was conducted in a public mental health service, including inpatient and community settings, in Sydney, Australia. Participants in this study were n = 212 clinical and non-clinical staff. A five-session in idualised lifestyle intervention (delivered over 5 weeks) incorporating physical activity and nutritional counselling was delivered by multidisciplinary teams. Participants were assessed at baseline, following the intervention, and at follow-up (mean = 16.7 weeks). The primary outcome was the barriers, attitudes, knowledge and confidence regarding screening, promoting and intervening to improve physical health outcomes of patients (M-BACK questionnaire). Secondary outcomes included anthropometric measures, cardiorespiratory fitness, sedentary time and nutritional intake. Repeated measures ANCOVAs were performed. A total of 212 staff (79% female) participated in this study. M-BACK total score significantly increased from baseline to follow-up (P < .001). Waist circumference, sedentary time and total energy intake all significantly decreased (all P's < .001) and cardiorespiratory fitness significantly increased (P < .001). A brief lifestyle intervention for staff of a public mental health service may increase the capability of the participants to improve their own physical health. SO WHAT?: Improving staff health may be an important strategy in improving the uptake and/or the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions targeting mental health service users.
Publisher: American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Date: 10-2023
DOI: 10.1029/2022JE007433
Abstract: Martian soils are critically important for understanding the history of Mars, past potentially habitable environments, returned s les, and future human exploration. This paper examines soil crusts on the floor of Jezero crater encountered during initial phases of the Mars 2020 mission. Soil surface crusts have been observed on Mars at other locations, starting with the two Viking Lander missions. Rover observations show that soil crusts are also common across the floor of Jezero crater, revealed in 45 of 101 locations where rover wheels disturbed the soil surface, 2 out of 7 helicopter flights that crossed the wheel tracks, and 4 of 8 abrasion/drilling sites. Most soils measured by the SuperCam laser‐induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) instrument show high hydrogen content at the surface, and fine‐grained soils also show a visible/near infrared (VISIR) 1.9 µm H 2 O absorption feature. The Planetary Instrument for X‐ray Lithochemistry (PIXL) and SuperCam observations suggest the presence of salts at the surface of rocks and soils. The correlation of S and Cl contents with H contents in SuperCam LIBS measurements suggests that the salts present are likely hydrated. On the “Naltsos” target, magnesium and sulfur are correlated in PIXL measurements, and Mg is tightly correlated with H at the SuperCam points, suggesting hydrated Mg‐sulfates. Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer (MEDA) observations indicate possible frost events and potential changes in the hydration of Mg‐sulfate salts. Jezero crater soil crusts may therefore form by salts that are hydrated by changes in relative humidity and frost events, cementing the soil surface together.
Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Date: 26-08-2022
Abstract: Before Perseverance, Jezero crater’s floor was variably hypothesized to have a lacustrine, lava, volcanic airfall, or aeolian origin. SuperCam observations in the first 286 Mars days on Mars revealed a volcanic and intrusive terrain with compositional and density stratification. The dominant lithology along the traverse is basaltic, with plagioclase enrichment in stratigraphically higher locations. Stratigraphically lower, layered rocks are richer in normative pyroxene. The lowest observed unit has the highest inferred density and is olivine-rich with coarse (1.5 millimeters) euhedral, relatively unweathered grains, suggesting a cumulate origin. This is the first martian cumulate and shows similarities to martian meteorites, which also express olivine disequilibrium. Alteration materials including carbonates, sulfates, perchlorates, hydrated silicates, and iron oxides are pervasive but low in abundance, suggesting relatively brief lacustrine conditions. Orbital observations link the Jezero floor lithology to the broader Nili-Syrtis region, suggesting that density-driven compositional stratification is a regional characteristic.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.ORCP.2019.02.003
Abstract: Severe mental illness is characterised by a 15-year mortality gap driven by cardiometabolic disease. Antipsychotic treatment leads to increased appetite and rapid weight gain. The 12-week lifestyle pilot intervention improved dietary intake and prevented antipsychotic-induced weight gain. Here we report two-year outcomes. Participants were exposed to an extended program. Weight and waist circumference were measured, and food frequency questionnaire completed. Diet quality was higher, and discretionary food intake was 40% lower, at two-years compared to baseline. Weight and waist-circumference did not increase. This pilot study demonstrated sustained effectiveness of a dietetic intervention in youth with first-episode psychosis with improvements in diet quality and no increase in weight secondary to antipsychotic medication initiation.
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 24-11-2021
DOI: 10.3389/FPSYT.2021.791125
Abstract: Background: Physical activity significantly improves mental illness symptoms and physical health for people living with mental illness. Mental health services do not routinely provide their consumers with access to exercise professionals for physical activity engagement. Barriers exist to integrating physical activity as part of standard care including staff culture, finance, and resources. This study examines the feasibility of newly established exercise physiology clinic within a mental health service in Sydney, Australia. Methods: A single site, open trial was conducted in a community centre within a large mental health district. A meeting room was converted into a part-time exercise physiology clinic where in idualised physical activity interventions were delivered by an accredited exercise physiologist. Outcome measures including BMI, cardiovascular fitness, and self-reported physical activity were collected. Results: A total of 84 mental health consumers (17% of eligible consumers within the mental health service) participated in the clinic on average for one exercise session weekly. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity significantly increased and sedentary time significantly decreased ( p & 0.001). Conclusions: Exercise physiology clinics are feasible within mental health services and should be incorporated as part of standard care.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 18-09-2020
DOI: 10.1111/EIP.12871
Abstract: Youth with at-risk mental states (ARMS) have low levels of physical activity (PA), reduced fitness levels and experience poor sleep quality. These lifestyle factors exacerbate mental health symptoms and increase cardiometabolic disease risk. PA interventions can help prevent this decline in physical health whilst reducing mental health symptom severity. Whether PA interventions are feasible and acceptable amongst youth with ARMS is unclear. This study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of headspace Active, a pragmatic PA program offered to 14 to 25 year olds with ARMS. The 12-week exercise physiologist-led intervention was conducted in adjunct to usual care. Feasibility was determined by number of referrals, attendance, engagement in exercise sessions and dropout from the intervention. Acceptability was assessed by a 10-item questionnaire. Secondary outcomes included anthropometry, cardiorespiratory fitness and strength. Subjective PA levels, symptoms of depression and anxiety, sleep, motivation and quality of life were also assessed. Within 12 months, 77% of referrals completed the 12-week intervention (n = 20), with six dropouts. Of the 20 "completers", 95% attended at least five sessions over the 12-week intervention. Participants found the program highly acceptable (mean = 41.2/50 on the 10-item acceptability questionnaire) and experienced significant improvements in PA, strength, motivation, depressive symptoms and sleep quality post-intervention. No changes in anthropometry were observed. Results suggest headspace Active was feasible and acceptable and was associated with improvements in physical and mental health outcomes among ARMS youth. Given the potential scalability of this real-world PA program to other youth mental health settings, these data have implications for best practice implementation of PA interventions for in iduals with emerging mental illness.
Publisher: American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Date: 08-2018
DOI: 10.1029/2017JE005483
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 06-06-2020
DOI: 10.1093/TBM/IBZ067
Abstract: The scandal of premature mortality in people with serious mental illness is well established. Despite an increase in studies evaluating the efficacy of lifestyle interventions, translating this evidence into routine clinical care and policies is challenging, in part due to limited effectiveness or implementation research. We highlight the challenge of implementation that is increasingly recognized in clinical practice, advocate for adopting implementation science to study the implementation and systematic update of effective interventions in practice and policy, and provide directions for future research.
Location: Australia
No related grants have been discovered for travis gabriel.