Efficacy Of Prism Adaptation For Recovery Of Brain Function In Unilateral Spatial Neglect
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$531,690.00
Summary
Damage to the brain’s attention network causes profound impairments of visual and sensory perception. These deficits are frequently long-lasting, and are a major factor in preventing patients from regaining functional independence. This project will use a combination of behavioural and brain imaging techniques to determine whether a promising new treatment involving visual retraining can improve function and reduce perceptual impairments after unilateral brain lesions.
An Efficacy Study Of A Cognitive-communicative Intervention To Improve Transition To Residential Care In Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$681,083.00
Summary
The transition from home to a residential aged care facility (RACF) is a potentially traumatic process that has a negative impact on the health and well-being of both people with dementia and their caregivers. This project will develop an intervention program for people with dementia that maximizes their ability to learn and retain functional skills and that enhances the communicative competence of both people with dementia and their carergivers. This will serve to minimize the stress and disori ....The transition from home to a residential aged care facility (RACF) is a potentially traumatic process that has a negative impact on the health and well-being of both people with dementia and their caregivers. This project will develop an intervention program for people with dementia that maximizes their ability to learn and retain functional skills and that enhances the communicative competence of both people with dementia and their carergivers. This will serve to minimize the stress and disorientation, as well as accompanying increased risk of illness, of entering residential care. We will investigate whether this intervention program has good outcomes both for the people with dementia as well as their caregivers. The research will develop guidelines for the development of best-practice policies for service providers and the government, which will assist both health workers and homebased caregivers to better manage the transition of people with dementia from home to the RACF environment.Read moreRead less
The Effect Of Chronic Intermittent Alcohol Consumption On The Precipitation Of Dementia.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$604,644.00
Summary
This proposal examines the relationship between chronic alcohol intake and alcohol-related dementia, and potential interventions for the treatment of alcohol related dementia.
Challenging Behaviours In Dementia: Mechanisms, Assessment And Interventions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,205.00
Summary
This research program focuses on the behavioural symptoms of dementia. These symptoms are common, and can range from reduced motivation and empathy to overeating, gambling and socially-inappropriate or repetitive behaviour. Notably, these behaviours are challenging for carers and families to cope with, and often lead to patients being placed into aged care facilities. My research aims to understand why these symptoms develop and how we can manage these behaviours effectively.
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
Assessing The Impact Of A Multi-component Intervention To Improve Dietary Intake Of Indigenous Australian Children And Their Families Living In Remote Communities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,455,043.00
Summary
Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption seems to contribute to obesity and diabetes. We aim to test the impact of multi-component intervention including a school-based nutrition education program combining high levels of parental involvement plus a supportive environment to reduce sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and improve healthy eating among Indigenous Australian children and their families living in remote communities.
Association Of Retinal Vascular Calibre With Physical Activity And Sedentary Behaviour In Adults
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$104,664.00
Summary
The back of the eye provides a unique window to the health of the body's veins and arteries. The diameter of its blood vessels can be measured using photographs. Studies have shown that these measurements can help identify a person's risk of high blood pressure, diabetes or stroke. This project aims to see if the state of health of these blood vessels are related to a person's level of physical activity and television viewing time using data from a large-scale Australian study.
Implementing Population-specific Psychosocial Interventions To Optimise Treatment, Care And Support Among Men Who Have Sex With Men Who Use Methamphetamine
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,068,044.00
Summary
Methamphetamine dependence is a key public health priority and men who have sex with men are identified as a priority population. Our partnership will develop interventions which will be linked to the cohort data to permit us to monitor the impact on health outcomes and access to care and support over time. The findings will support the process of creating and evaluating innovations with the ultimate goal of improving access to care and support and reducing dependence and its harmful outcomes.
A Family-centred Intervention To Reduce Challenging Behaviours In Children With Acquired Brain Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$87,926.00
Summary
Children with acquired brain injury (ABI) are at risk of behavioural and social difficulties. Parental distress compromises parenting abilities, with adverse effects for the child with ABI. This project investigates the applicability of a family-centred program for parents to manage the difficult behaviour of their children. It is expected that parents of children with ABI will benefit from the parenting skills taught in the program, and prevent difficult behaviour occurring in the future.
Sitting Less And Moving More: Population Health Research To Understand And Influence Sedentary Behaviour
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$6,367,518.00
Summary
The majority of Australian adults spend most of their waking hours sitting: at home, at work, and in their cars; most do not participate in exercise or sport. This leads to weight gain and to diseases of inactivity (particularly diabetes, heart disease, cancer and depression). New research will measure sitting time and the physical activity in people's daily lives, what factors encourage inactivity, and how to increase activity levels, especially among the ageing 'baby boomer' population.