First Line Treatments For Common Musculoskeletal Conditions: Establishing Effectiveness And Cost-effectiveness
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$452,583.00
Summary
Dr Christine Lin is an outstanding young researcher whose research focuses on investigating the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness (value-for-money) of treatments for common musculoskeletal conditions. These conditions, such as back pain and fracture, are a major cause of disability in Australia and abroad. Dr Lin will lead a series of large clinical studies with an aim to improve patient outcomes while minimising the economic burden on the individual, health system and society.
The Meniscal Transplant Surgery Or Optimised Rehabilitation Full Randomised Trial (MeTeOR2)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,025,882.00
Summary
It can be hard to decide what treatment to use for people with pain and disability who have had the meniscus cartilage removed from the knee. Some surgeons try to improve pain and function by replacing the lost meniscus with a transplant from a donor who has died. The alternatives include exercises, physiotherapy, and bracing. This study will help us understand if the results for people who have the transplant are better or worse than for exercise and physiotherapy.
Pregabalin In Addition To Usual Care For Sciatica (PRECISE): A Randomised, Placebo-controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$638,663.00
Summary
Sciatica is a severe and disabling form of back pain that is characterised by radiating pain down the leg. However there is little evidence on how best to treat it conservatively. We propose to investigate the effectiveness of pregabalin, a medication that specifically targets sciatic pain, in addition to usual care in 204 patients with sciatica. We hypothesise that adding pregabalin will be more effective in reducing the severity of leg pain.
Acupuncture To Improve Live Birth Rates For Women Undergoing IVF: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$636,285.00
Summary
We will undertake a randomised controlled of acupuncture as an adjunct to IVF treatment. Acupuncture will be compared to a placebo group and standard care group to examine the clinical effect on live births. We will also examine if the cost effectiveness of IVF can be improved with acupuncture. We will undertake in-depth interviews with the participants to understand the personal and social context of acupuncture, illuminate reasons why the acupuncture may or may not have worked, and identify ot ....We will undertake a randomised controlled of acupuncture as an adjunct to IVF treatment. Acupuncture will be compared to a placebo group and standard care group to examine the clinical effect on live births. We will also examine if the cost effectiveness of IVF can be improved with acupuncture. We will undertake in-depth interviews with the participants to understand the personal and social context of acupuncture, illuminate reasons why the acupuncture may or may not have worked, and identify other effects of acupuncture.Read moreRead less
A Randomized Placebo-controlled Trial Of A Herbal Preparation In Functional Dyspepsia:
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$643,680.00
Summary
Functional dyspepsia is characterisd by relapsing upper abdominal symptoms (pain, early satietation, fullness, bloating) without identifiable cause if routine diagnostic measures are utilised. This condition is highly prevalent affecting between 10 and 25 % of the population and causes substantial costs to the society due to medical consultations, diagnostic work-up and treatment. So far, treatments with chemically defined medication are disappointing with only a small proportion of patients exp ....Functional dyspepsia is characterisd by relapsing upper abdominal symptoms (pain, early satietation, fullness, bloating) without identifiable cause if routine diagnostic measures are utilised. This condition is highly prevalent affecting between 10 and 25 % of the population and causes substantial costs to the society due to medical consultations, diagnostic work-up and treatment. So far, treatments with chemically defined medication are disappointing with only a small proportion of patients experiencing sufficient relief. More recently, some herbal preparations have been tested in Europe in clinical trials and found to be effective, but comparisons with chemically defined treatments. However, data from Australia are lacking. In addition no study has been conducted so far that assessed and compared the cost-efficacy of a herbal preparations and a chemically defined treatment. Thus this project aims to assess and compare the effects of a standardised herbal preparation (STW-9) and-or a proton pump inhibitor on the relief of symptoms and the cost-efficacy in patients suffering from functional dyspepsia. In addition, we will assess whether there is an association between the clinical response (complete or substantial improvement of symptoms) and the symptom pattern, the changes of the sensitivity of the stomach (as assessed with a standardised nutrient challenge) and we will elucidate the role of specific receptor channels called Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels that are involved in the manifestation of abdominal sysmptoms such as pain or discomfort. This study will establish the cost-efficacy of a standardised herbal preparation (as compared to the stablshed treatment standard), allows to identify subgroups of patients who will most likely respond to therapy and gain insights into the underlying mechanisms. Thus, this study bears the potential to substantially improve the quality of care and cost efficacy of treatment of patients with this highly prevalent disease.Read moreRead less
Effectiveness, Cost-effectiveness And Equity Of Strategies To Reduce The Burden Of Obesity-related Conditions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$46,900.00
Summary
Decision-makers need a systematic, coordinated approach to the targeting and prioritisation of preventive strategies. But the evidence base for obesity interventions is for the most part small, narrow in approach, limited in impact, and lacking in cost-effectiveness and equity information. This thesis will add to the evidence base regarding the nature of the obesity epidemic in Australia and internationally and the relative cost-effectiveness of strategies to reduce the obesity burden.
A Multi-Centre Double-Blind Randomised Placebo-Controlled Trial Of Oral Anticoagulation In Systemic Sclerosis-Related Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,190,521.00
Summary
Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease that shortens life span by over 30 years. The main cause of death is pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a condition of increased pressure in the lung vessels. Even in the era of 'advanced' PAH therapy, only 50% of patients are alive beyond 5 years. Formation of clots in the small blood vessels of the lung plays a major role in the development of PAH. In this clinical trial we aim to determine whether anticoagulation (treatment to prevent clotting) improve ....Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease that shortens life span by over 30 years. The main cause of death is pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a condition of increased pressure in the lung vessels. Even in the era of 'advanced' PAH therapy, only 50% of patients are alive beyond 5 years. Formation of clots in the small blood vessels of the lung plays a major role in the development of PAH. In this clinical trial we aim to determine whether anticoagulation (treatment to prevent clotting) improves survival in scleroderma PAH.Read moreRead less
The Effectiveness Of Rehabilitation And The Efficiency Of Health Service Delivery In Musculoskeletal Conditions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$292,639.00
Summary
Musculoskeletal conditions, such as arthritis and back pain, present a huge burden to the Australian society. The purpose of this research is to establish rehabilitation programs that are effective in reducing disability and the overall health costs, and examine factors that may affect the use of health services. The findings will be used to establish effective strategies, and ensure efficiency (value-for-money) and equity (access to care) in musculoskeletal rehabilitation.
Sedation Practice In Intensive Care Evaluation (SPICE) Randomised Controlled Trial.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,752,725.00
Summary
Almost every patient in intensive care needs sedating drugs for comfort and provision of life-saving treatment. However, sedation causes side effects including coma, delirium and agitation. There is no high-level evidence to help doctors decide which sedatives to choose and the best way to administer them. The SPICE trial will test a new approach called Early Goal-Directed Sedation based on an alternative sedative agent to see whether it delivers safer, targeted light sedation with less delirium ....Almost every patient in intensive care needs sedating drugs for comfort and provision of life-saving treatment. However, sedation causes side effects including coma, delirium and agitation. There is no high-level evidence to help doctors decide which sedatives to choose and the best way to administer them. The SPICE trial will test a new approach called Early Goal-Directed Sedation based on an alternative sedative agent to see whether it delivers safer, targeted light sedation with less delirium.Read moreRead less