Selective Attention And Fear Avoidance In The Maintenance And Management Of Pain Associated With Rheumatoid Arthritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$195,660.00
Summary
Despite advances in the treatment of RA, the condition continues to have a chronic course for the majority of patients. Research has established that the way in which people think about pain and illness influences their responses to symptoms. In turn, these factors can impinge on quality of life and disability. For people with chronic pain problems, those who are fearful of pain and concentrate on symptoms have a poorer outcome in the long-term. In RA, striking a balance between rest and exercis ....Despite advances in the treatment of RA, the condition continues to have a chronic course for the majority of patients. Research has established that the way in which people think about pain and illness influences their responses to symptoms. In turn, these factors can impinge on quality of life and disability. For people with chronic pain problems, those who are fearful of pain and concentrate on symptoms have a poorer outcome in the long-term. In RA, striking a balance between rest and exercise is thought to be crucial. As such, ignoring the pain can lead to overactivity and subsequent joint damage and may be as unhelpful as underactivity. This project aims to investigate the relationship between people's fear of pain and the degree to which they attend to pain. It is suggested that those with very high or very low levels of fear towards the pain will either over-attend or under-attend to pain in comparison to healthy controls and patients with a moderate level of fear. Optimum levels of fear avoidance are expected to be associated with less disability and improved joint function. These findings have implications for the management of RA. Psychological treatments for patients with RA have been found to be effective in reducing pain, disability and improving mood. Treatments usually focus on a combination of changing people's attitudes and behaviours. However, whether strategies that aim to change attitudes or those targeting behaviour are more successful or have specific treatment effects is unknown. The present project will compare a treatment targeting behaviours associated with RA and encouraging a balanace between rest and exercise, with a treatment targeting patient's beliefs about the illness. It is expected that the treatments will have specific effects, which may better allow tailoring of psychological management to patient's individual needs.Read moreRead less
The Ecstasy Check-Up: A Multi-site Trial Of A Brief Intervention For Ecstasy Use Among Regular Ecstasy Users
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$458,432.00
Summary
Rates of ecstasy use have continued to rise rapidly over the past 10-15 years, particularly among young people. This is of concern, as several studies indicate that ecstasy is associated with a range of short- and long-term harms. Although many users acknowledge risks associated with ecstasy use, few users seek treatment. Therefore, the current project will aim to reduce ecstasy use and harm by providing non-treatment seeking ecstasy users with a brief motivational intervention.
Behavioural Management Of The Triggers Of Recurrent Headache: Avoidance Versus Coping
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$503,233.00
Summary
The traditional approach to headache management is to advise that the best way to prevent headaches is to avoid the trigger factors. This approach has never been systematically evaluated, however, and it may lead to headache sufferers losing tolerance for the factors that could precipitate a headache. This study will be the first to evaluate the traditional approach, and will also evaluate an innovative approach that includes techniques designed to desensitise people to headache triggers.
Development And Psychometric Evaluation Of 2 Measures Of Perceived Needs: 1 For Young Persons With Cancer; 1 For Parents
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$253,500.00
Summary
It is increasingly acknowledged that there is a need to develop measures which allow patients to reflect their needs, so that the health-care system can respond effectively. Cancer patients represent some of the more poignant and in need groups. Of this patient cohort, young persons with cancer represent a group with potentially, and understandably, a wide range of high unmet needs. The stress and demands imposed upon parents who have children with cancer is acknowledged as being considerable. D ....It is increasingly acknowledged that there is a need to develop measures which allow patients to reflect their needs, so that the health-care system can respond effectively. Cancer patients represent some of the more poignant and in need groups. Of this patient cohort, young persons with cancer represent a group with potentially, and understandably, a wide range of high unmet needs. The stress and demands imposed upon parents who have children with cancer is acknowledged as being considerable. Despite the development of measures to identify unmet needs of various cancer patients including advanced, incurable cancer, breast cancer and cervical cancer, there has been no work to date on developing an accurate measure of unmet needs among parents of young persons who have cancer, as well as the unmet needs of young persons themselves who have cancer. This study will develop such a measure, as a first step in identifying the most cost-effective ways to address the unmet needs of children with cancer and their families. These measures will have a clinical application, in enabling accurate estimates of the prevalence of unmet needs, and a research application, in providing reliable and valid outcome measures for evaluating the effectiveness of interventions.Read moreRead less
Advanced Paternal Age: Behavioural, Neuroanatomical And Genomic Correlates In The Offspring Of Older Fathers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$501,565.00
Summary
The offspring of older fathers have an increased risk of developing disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. This is thought to be due to mutations in the developing sperm. Our group has shown in a mouse model that the offspring of older fathers have changes in brain shape and in behaviour, similar to some findings in autism. In this grant we will refine this animal model and explore the brain, behavioural and genetic correlates of advanced paternal age.
Effectiveness Of A Skill-building And Price Reduction Intervention For Promoting Healthy Eating
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$489,989.00
Summary
Many Australians consume diets that place them at risk of obesity and ill health. Research is required to identify effective ways of helping people improve their diets. This study will investigate two approaches to doing so: firstly, by providing people with increased skills in budgeting, selecting and preparing healthy foods; and secondly, by reducing the prices of healthier foods.