Assessment And Management Of People With Cervical Spine Disorders At High Risk Of Non Recovery.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$155,932.00
Summary
A high percentage of people with neck pain and whiplash do not recover. This research aims to understand more about how these people differ from the rest of the population, and to see if clinicians can determine which people are at high risk of non recovery. It will also test whether a co-ordinated process of care utilising primary clinicians and specialists improves recovery. Expected outcomes are greater understanding about these people, better management and improved recovery.
The fundamental problem with pain is that it cannot be seen. We can see injury, but pain and injury are quite often not related. Brain imaging has demonstrated consistent patterns of activity when we feel pain, and long-term changes that happen in chronic, i.e. persistent, painful disorders. This project will use the best technology available to investigate the basics of how our brains perceive pain, and to shed light on some of the brain mechanisms that underpin chronic pain.
Synaesthesia For Pain: Incidence And Manifestation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$332,001.00
Summary
I am a researcher interested in how we process pain in ourselves and others. I have identified a novel phenomenon whereby some individuals not only have empathy for others in pain, but experience pain in their own bodies when they see others in pain. I will further investigate these experiences to understand and highlight whether there are any distinct emotional, empathic, attentional or brain processes in people who experience empathic pain with a view to establishing appropriate treatment.
Targeting The Brain To Treat Chronic Pain Of Whiplash Associated Disorder
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$322,952.00
Summary
Chronic neck pain is the equal leading cause of disability worldwide. Guided by largely disproven structural pathology paradigms, treatment resources are directed to ‘fix’ musculoskeletal abnormalities, with at best small effects. Brain-imaging studies suggest that brain (rather than neck tissue) changes, may instead maintain pain. My research will test new brain-based treatments: The Tactile Training Device, and MoOVi Illusory Exercise Program and their effects on pain, disability and brain.
Fibromyalgia: Investigating The Prefrontal Cortex And Its Role In Novel Treatment Approaches
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$338,110.00
Summary
Fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition, is experienced by 1-3% of Australians. Despite this high number, the cause of fibromyalgia is still unknown with no effective treatment options. In the proposed investigations I will use state of the art neuroscientific paradigms to explore the brain basis of fibromyalgia and utilise novel brain stimulation protocols to provide long-lasting pain relief.
Mechanisms Of Mindfulness Meditation, Cognitive Therapy, And Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy For Low Back Pain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,891.00
Summary
Up to 80% of Australians experience back pain and 10% have significant disability as a result. There is a critical need for the development and evaluation of innovative treatments that have the capacity to target the multidimensional nature of CLBP. This study will compare the effects and mechanisms of Mindfulness Meditation, Cognitive Therapy, and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for CLBP. Results will ultimately lead to streamlined interventions designed to efficiently maximise benefit.
The Association Of Distorted Central Processing, Small Axon Dysfunction And Inflammation In Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$406,431.00
Summary
The mechanisms underlying pain in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), which results from compression of a nerve at the wrist, are not well understood. In a combination of human and animal studies, we will examine whether the pain involves abnormalities of skin and brain function and whether inflammation in the nervous system may be responsible for such abnormalities. We will test whether surgical outcome can be predicted by these variables. Accurate predictive tests would avoid unnecessary surgery.
The Role Of Expectation On Outcome In Patients With Musculoskeletal Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$388,334.00
Summary
What a patient expects from their health condition has an important influence on how well they do. These expectations are also thought to underpin placebo effects and several studies show that clinicians often make use of this in their daily practice. This research aims to explain how peoples' expectations influence the way they respond to different treatments. This information will help health professionals improve the the way they treat people with a range of different health problems.