Evaluation Of An Instrument For Management Of Behavioural And Psychological Symptoms Of Dementia.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$598,468.00
Summary
Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) distress the patient and others. The behaviours, and not the underlying causes, are often treated with antipsychotics, despite side effects and low efficacy. An assessment instrument for care staff to determine and address causes of BPSD will be implemented. We predict training will reduce inappropriate prescribing and other reasons for distress. Where medication is required, detailed information will assist more targeted prescribing.
Assessing Sustainability Of Positive Outcomes In A Successful Child Obesity Prevention Intervention: Follow-up Of The Melbourne InFANT Program
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$882,700.00
Summary
Early intervention may be the most sustainable and effective means of preventing obesity and promoting healthy lifestyle behaviours (obesity preventive behaviours) including diet, physical activity and reduced sedentary behaviours. This project aims to assess whether differences observed between intervention and control groups at the conclusion of a successful obesity prevention program, the Melbourne InFANT Program, (child aged 18-months) are maintained across the important early childhood year ....Early intervention may be the most sustainable and effective means of preventing obesity and promoting healthy lifestyle behaviours (obesity preventive behaviours) including diet, physical activity and reduced sedentary behaviours. This project aims to assess whether differences observed between intervention and control groups at the conclusion of a successful obesity prevention program, the Melbourne InFANT Program, (child aged 18-months) are maintained across the important early childhood years, to 3.5 and 5 years of age.Read moreRead less
The Effect Of Foot Massage On Agitation In People Living With Dementia In Residential Care Settings: An RCT
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$286,301.00
Summary
This study investigates the effect of a 10-minute foot massage on agitated behaviours of older people living with dementia in residential care settings. The study builds on previous complementary research and provides further evidence to help assess whether foot massage is, indeed, a low cost, low risk, non-pharmacological and easily applied procedure that produces tangible positive psychological and physiological effects.
Follow-up Of Healthy Lifestyles Intervention For Cardivascular Disease Among People With A Psychotic Disorder
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$451,536.00
Summary
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the largest single natural cause of death among people with severe mental disorders. The majority of people with severe mental disorders smoke and obesity, related to inactivity and unhealthy diets, is common. The proposed study is seeking funding for long term follow-up of people recruited into a 2009 NHMRC funded trial of a healthy lifestyle intervention to promote smoking cessation and reduce CVD risk behaviours among people with severe mental disorders.
RCT Of A Client-centred, Caseworker-delivered Smoking Cessation Intervention For A Socially Disadvantated Population
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$440,217.00
Summary
Smoking among the socially disadvantaged is unacceptably high. Little is known about the best way to reduce smoking among the disadvantaged. This study aims to lower smoking rates among clients attending community social services. Given smoking is the leading preventable cause of death and illness, the study has the potential to impact on the health and well-being of a particularly vulnerable sector of the community.
Early Intervention For Borderline Personality Disorder In Youth: A Randomised Controlled Trial.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$709,932.00
Summary
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a severe mental disorder involving instability of emotions, impulse control, self-concept and interpersonal relationships. BPD arises during adolescence and has a suicide rate of 10%. This study investigates the most effective form of early intervention for BPD that improves the daily lives of individuals and reduces poor outcomes, such as deliberate self-harm. The findings will inform the dissemination of early intervention for BPD in the health system.
Randomised Controlled Trial Of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy To Prevent Psychosis Among People With At-risk Mental States.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$619,604.00
Summary
Recent advances in the accurate identification of individuals at high risk of developing a psychotic disorder, such as schizophrenia, have inspired the development of interventions designed to delay, ameliorate or even prevent the onset of such disorders. To date, the results of only three randomised controlled trials of such interventions have been published. Although these results have shown that interventions are able to delay the onset of psychosis, and may even prevent psychosis in some cas ....Recent advances in the accurate identification of individuals at high risk of developing a psychotic disorder, such as schizophrenia, have inspired the development of interventions designed to delay, ameliorate or even prevent the onset of such disorders. To date, the results of only three randomised controlled trials of such interventions have been published. Although these results have shown that interventions are able to delay the onset of psychosis, and may even prevent psychosis in some cases, it is unclear which treatment should be preferred for this population because the three trials have assessed, respectively, a combination of anti-psychotic medication and cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), CBT alone, and anti-psychotic medication alone. Since the trial of CBT alone produced results that were at least as favourable as the two other trials, and since ethical and clinical objections have been raised concerning the use of anti-psychotic medications with young people who may never develop a psychotic disorder, CBT may be the preferred treatment. Far from posing unnecessary risks, CBT has the potential to provide important therapeutic benefits even to those not destined to develop a psychosis. The current study is significant in that it proposes a controlled trial of a form of CBT which has been specially adapted for preventing transition to psychosis among young high-risk individuals, to test whether the previous favourable results for CBT can be independently replicated. It will be compared with a control treatment. Since cannabis abuse is common among young people who are at risk, and is a known risk factor for psychosis, CBT will include elements of treatment for cannabis abuse. The trial will be run in both Newcastle and Orange, NSW, enabling us to compare the effectiveness of CBT in urban and rural settings. This study has the potential to have large impacts on the quality of life of young people at risk of psychosis.Read moreRead less
A Behavioural Intervention For The Adoption & Maintenance Of Physical Activity In Type 2 Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$334,955.00
Summary
For people with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) it is essential that blood glucose levels are managed well to reduce the risk of developing complications. Physical activity is essential for maintaining glucose levels because it helps make the muscles use glucose more effectively. In particular, being active through strength training not only improves blood glucose levels, but can be very effective for maintaining good physical functioning, which is known to be reduced by having T2DM. This study builds on ....For people with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) it is essential that blood glucose levels are managed well to reduce the risk of developing complications. Physical activity is essential for maintaining glucose levels because it helps make the muscles use glucose more effectively. In particular, being active through strength training not only improves blood glucose levels, but can be very effective for maintaining good physical functioning, which is known to be reduced by having T2DM. This study builds on our earlier research which demonstrated significantly improved blood glucose levels from a strength training program for older adults with T2DM. The strength training program is to be administered nationally in a research to practice trial (Lift for Life); however, the original research found that those who did not complete the program as it was intended (ie, poor adherence) did not show significant improvements in blood glucose levels. Furthermore, maintenance of strength training exercises after completion of the program was poor and resulted in return of blood glucose levels back to pre-starting levels. In people without diabetes, we have collected pilot data that shows that the use of behavioural strategies based on behavioural theories whereby each person's motivations and barriers are taken into consideration is more effective than the traditional one-treatment-fits-all approach. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of using behavioural strategies for improving adherence and maintenance to the Lift for Life strength training program (Enhanced L4L) for older adults with T2DM compared with the Standard L4L program. It will also follow-up participants 6 months later to determine the extent to which the changes in behaviour can be maintained. The study will provide information that will assist in the design, delivery and uptake of programs to improve treatment strategies in older adults with T2DM through the maintenance of healthier behaviours and lifestyles.Read moreRead less
A Controlled Trial Of An Opportunistic Intervention To Reduce Suicide Risk Among Alcohol And Other Substance Misusers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$361,000.00
Summary
Hopelessness, depression and suicidal ideation are common among people who misuse alcohol and other substances. A general relationship between alcohol-substance abuse and self-harming - suicidal behaviour has been recognised for decades. From the point of view of diagnosed substance abusers there is a correspondingly high incidence of suicide and self-harm. The lifetime risk for suicide in alcohol dependence is higher than for schizophrenia or affective disorder. Despite the public health and pe ....Hopelessness, depression and suicidal ideation are common among people who misuse alcohol and other substances. A general relationship between alcohol-substance abuse and self-harming - suicidal behaviour has been recognised for decades. From the point of view of diagnosed substance abusers there is a correspondingly high incidence of suicide and self-harm. The lifetime risk for suicide in alcohol dependence is higher than for schizophrenia or affective disorder. Despite the public health and personal burden associated with suicidality, the general lack of skills and focus on management of self-harm in specialised drug and alcohol services is of great concern. In this study, all patients attending drug and alcohol services will be screened for suicide risk, and offered a comprehensive psychological treatment to reduce suicide risk and the use of alcohol and other substances.Read moreRead less
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of A Code Game Alarm Compared With A Standard Alarm For Treating Nocturnal Enuresis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$349,740.00
Summary
Bedwetting affects 10% of school-aged children. It has psychosocial and cognitive effects on sufferers which is reversible with appropriate treatment. First line treatment for bedwetting is alarm therapy. 1-3 fail alarm treatment becaues of not waking to alarm noise. A novel alarm which enhances wakening has been developed and predicts to be 80-95% effective. This study compares the novel alarm to a standard alarm for treating bedwetting.This simple devise can be used in the home setting.