The Communication Of Acute Postoperative Pain (CAPP):the Clinically Significant Meanings Behind Numerical Pain Ratings
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$93,742.00
Summary
Between 45% – 80% of patients still have moderate to severe pain after surgery and receive less than 50% of the pain medications available. Using a 0 – 10 pain rating can contribute to this problem because there is no consistent understanding about what the numbers mean or how they should guide pain management decisions. The project aim is to develop a standard approach to using a numerical pain rating to assist patients to report the severity of their pain in ways that assists clinicians to dec ....Between 45% – 80% of patients still have moderate to severe pain after surgery and receive less than 50% of the pain medications available. Using a 0 – 10 pain rating can contribute to this problem because there is no consistent understanding about what the numbers mean or how they should guide pain management decisions. The project aim is to develop a standard approach to using a numerical pain rating to assist patients to report the severity of their pain in ways that assists clinicians to decide the best pain management.Read moreRead less
Low back pain is a major global health problem and the leading cause of disability worldwide . This project will trial a new treatment for back pain that is specifically aimed at risk factors for developing ongoing back problems. Previously shown to be successful in patients suffering persistent back problems, this promising new treatment will be trialled in patients soon after they develop lower back pain as a preventative approach.
Why Do People Develop Chronic Low Back Pain? An Investigation Of Brain Function As A Predictor Of Chronic Low Back Pain.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$96,631.00
Summary
Chronic low back pain is the most disabling condition worldwide. Two objective measures of brain function, electrical signals of brain activity (electroencephalography), and attentional bias observed with eye tracking technology will be measured in a group of participants with acute back pain. These measurements will provide objective markers of brain function that may be predictive of the transition from acute to chronic low back pain, providing new opportunities for treatment.
An Exploration Of The Mechanisms Underlying A Novel Pain Biology Education Intervention (Explain Pain) In Reducing The Development Of Chronic Low Back Pain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$106,057.00
Summary
Chronic low back pain is a massive health problem in Australia. This research will investigate the underlying mechanisms of modulating one’s thoughts and beliefs about their pain via a psychoeducative intervention after an acute episode of low back pain. Exploring the mechanisms of this intervention is a crucial step towards understanding how explaining pain could reduce the development of chronic low back pain from an acute episode of low back pain.
The PRECISE study is a double blind, randomised, placebo controlled trial comparing pregabalin in addition to usual care, to placebo in addition to usual care for the treatment of sciatica.
The First Randomised Placebo Controlled Trial Of Paracetamol For Acute Low Back Pain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$73,852.00
Summary
Low back pain is a considerable burden for individuals and society. While clinical guidelines recommend simple treatments such as paracetamol for new low back pain, most people receive costly and potentially harmful treatments. This may be due to limited direct evidence supporting the recommended treatments. A placebo controlled clinical trial of 1650 patients with recent onset low back pain will be conducted to determine the effect that paracetamol has on improving the time to recovery.
Understanding The Brain In The Transition From Acute To Chronic Low Back Pain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$107,049.00
Summary
A critical question in treating low back pain (LBP) is why some people get better after hurting their back while others do not. Physiological mechanisms, such as brain plasticity and central sensitisation, are believed to underpin the transition to persistent pain. This is the first study to evaluate these mechanisms longitudinally and their relationship with LBP outcomes. The result of this research will provide better understanding of pain mechanisms of LBP and assist to develop novel therapy.
Big Data To Inform The Impact Of Antibiotics And Proton Pump Inhibitors On Immunotherapies Used To Treat Lung Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$115,883.00
Summary
Antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) affect gut bacteria health. Gut bacteria are involved in the function of the immune system and potentially the effectiveness of immunotherapies. However, the impact of antibiotics and PPIs on the efficacy of immunotherapies is unknown. Newly available big data will be used to determine the impacts of antibiotics and PPIs on immunotherapy efficacy, informing on the best cancer treatments to use in patients who require antibiotics or PPIs.
This project aims to comprehensively evaluate the role of androgen receptor (AR) signalling in breast cancer by identifying changes in AR signalling and its role in an endocrine resistant setting. Understanding the changes in AR signalling in either treatment-naive or treatment-resistant context would better assist in the identification for opportunities to modulate AR signalling as a therapeutic target in breast cancer.
Indwelling Pleural Catheter For Management Of Cancer-related Pleural Effusions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$123,688.00
Summary
Most cancers can be complicated by fluid accumulation (effusion) in the (pleural) cavity between the lung and chest wall, causing significant breathlessness. Indwelling pleural catheter (IPC) is a new method that allows patients to drain the effusion outside the hospital and avoid further invasive interventions. This study aims to provide important information that will help guide use of IPC and manage its complications, especially infection, improve patient outcomes and save healthcare costs.