Pedunculopontine Nucleus Stimulation For Gait Freezing And Postural Instability In Parkinson’s Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$223,118.00
Summary
Over 64,000 Australians have Parkinson’s disease. Most patients with Parkinson’s disease ultimately develop gait ‘freezing’ and poor balance, which impair quality of life and cause falls. Unfortunately, gait freezing and poor balance often don’t improve with conventional treatments. We are therefore developing a new treatment for these symptoms, which involves implanting a pacemaker into a very deep brain region called the “Pedunculopontine Nucleus’.
Sensorimotor Control Of Foot Function: Adapting The Mechanical Function Of The Foot To Optimise Balance And Gait Performance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,644.00
Summary
Walking and running places immense load on our feet, with 20% of adults suffering from foot pain. Recent research has highlighted the important role of the muscles within the foot in facilitating our ability to withstand excessive load and maintain balance. But it remains unknown how the nervous system controls this function. This research will explore how the brain and spinal cord control these muscles, providing a comprehensive understanding of the role of the foot in balance and gait.
Leading Change In Prevention And Management Of Lower Limb And Foot Complications Resulting From Disease Processes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$255,014.00
Summary
These projects are designed to have a large scale impact on the foot health of people who have diabetes and children who have idiopathic toe walking. These projects aim to improve individual’s diabetes related foot health, reduce health system financial impact relating to lower limb amputation and to extend what is known about idiopathic toe walking.
Task-specific Strength Training For Mobility Following Traumatic Brain Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$184,768.00
Summary
I am a senior physiotherapist working in the traumatic brain injury (TBI) unit at Epworth Rehabilitation. We have identified and described the nature and extent of walking problems following TBI. Previous researchers focused on the impact of balance disorders on walking. Our research found that balance disorders are prevalent; the main cause of walking problems is muscle weakness. We will compare balance and muscle strengthening exercises to determine which has a greater impact on walking.
Determining The Pathomechanics Of Muscle Weakness In Older Individuals With Toe Deformities In Order To Develop Evidence-based Intervention Strategies To Restore Foot Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$316,251.00
Summary
Hallux valgus and lesser toe deformities are highly prevalent foot problems in older people that can cause foot disfigurement, physical discomfort, and increase the risk of falling. This study will investigate how toe muscle weakness is affected by these toe deformities as the basis upon which to develop interventions that can restore foot function in older individuals, in order to reduce falls risk, foot pain and, in turn, improve independence and quality of life throughout ageing.
I am a physiologist investigating how the brain controls balance and movement. Many neurological disorders cause unsteady balance and problems with movement, and consequently a poor quality of life. I study people with disorders of the sensory and movement processing areas of the brain to discover how the brain combines different sensory information to control balance. This work will improve understanding of human balance and movement, and lead to new clinical techniques for assessment and treat ....I am a physiologist investigating how the brain controls balance and movement. Many neurological disorders cause unsteady balance and problems with movement, and consequently a poor quality of life. I study people with disorders of the sensory and movement processing areas of the brain to discover how the brain combines different sensory information to control balance. This work will improve understanding of human balance and movement, and lead to new clinical techniques for assessment and treatment.Read moreRead less
Brain Ageing – Understanding The Relationships Between Brain Structure, Gait, Cognition And Falls
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$184,768.00
Summary
This fellowship will support novel population-based research directed at understanding how the ageing brain is associated with cognition and the control of gait in older people, and whether early gait changes are able to predict serious adverse outcomes such as future dementia and falls. A better understanding of the relationship between the brain, cognition and mobility is crucial in the step towards successful ageing of older Australians.