Assessment To Service Outcomes - Care Pathways For Older Australians With Dementia, CVD And Arthritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$656,029.00
Summary
The project aims to use existing data source to answer questions similar to �What happens to people after they have been assessed and recommended for aged care? in respect of service delivery for people with one of the three chronic conditions dementia, arthritis or cardiovascular disease. The project is to provide information about issues such as �bed blockers� and determine if the outcomes are different for people who have been assessed for aged care while they are in hospital. It is to chart ....The project aims to use existing data source to answer questions similar to �What happens to people after they have been assessed and recommended for aged care? in respect of service delivery for people with one of the three chronic conditions dementia, arthritis or cardiovascular disease. The project is to provide information about issues such as �bed blockers� and determine if the outcomes are different for people who have been assessed for aged care while they are in hospital. It is to chart changes in service use over time and examine factors that affect the type of care used by older people.Read moreRead less
The Role Of Metabolic And Inflammatory Factors In Cognitive Decline And Cerebrovascular Pathology In The Elderly
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$945,987.00
Summary
Metabolic factors and measures of inflammation in the body have recently been shown to influence mental function and increase the risk of developing age-related disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. The influence metabolic factors and inflammation have on function of the ageing brain is likely to be determined by complex interplay between many factors, such as physical health, lifestyle, nutrition and our genes. By studying these factors and how they relate to one another in large groups of eld ....Metabolic factors and measures of inflammation in the body have recently been shown to influence mental function and increase the risk of developing age-related disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. The influence metabolic factors and inflammation have on function of the ageing brain is likely to be determined by complex interplay between many factors, such as physical health, lifestyle, nutrition and our genes. By studying these factors and how they relate to one another in large groups of elderly individuals, we will be able to determine the role these factors play in brain ageing. In addition we will be able to determine an ‘at risk’ profile for elderly individuals for accelerated ageing effects. Identification of this profile is important as it will allow the development of interventions which may prevent or delay the onset of cognitive decline in late life. We plan to study the impact of metabolic and inflammatory factors on brain ageing and in two groups of elderly individuals both of which are currently being studied in detail by our research team. By using these existing groups we will minimize the costs associated with our research, but maximize the research benefit and the benefit to society. Our groups include a large community sample of elderly individuals aged 70-90 years and a large group of elderly twins aged over 65 years. Our use of twins for the study is particularly important as it will help us separate genetic and environmental influences on the measures. We will measure multiple metabolic and inflammatory factors in the body and determine their relationship to detailed tests of cognitive function and to cerebrovascular pathology on brain magnetic resonance imaging. We will look at how these factors relate to one another and which factors are most strongly associated with accelerated ageing. We will be able to follow subjects in each group over a 2 year interval to see which factors most strongly predict change in cognitive function and cerebrovascular pathology over time. Our research is unique in its inclusion of multiple factors which may affect brain ageing, its ability to look in detail at the contribution of genetic influences on metabolic and inflammatory factors, and in our planned follow-up of these individuals.Read moreRead less
Understanding Factors Contributing To Nausea: Clinical And Patient Perspectives
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$100,000.00
Summary
This study aims to develop and validate indicators that can be used to more effectively identify nausea and its contributing factors in patients with advanced cancer receiving palliative care. Stage one involves a systematic review of the literature and qualitative interviews with patients and clinicians to identify clinical and psychosocial factors associated with nausea in the end stages of life. Stage 2 involves a study to evaluate the validity of the identified indicators in predicting patie ....This study aims to develop and validate indicators that can be used to more effectively identify nausea and its contributing factors in patients with advanced cancer receiving palliative care. Stage one involves a systematic review of the literature and qualitative interviews with patients and clinicians to identify clinical and psychosocial factors associated with nausea in the end stages of life. Stage 2 involves a study to evaluate the validity of the identified indicators in predicting patients’ experiences of nausea.Read moreRead less
Assessment Of The Effectiveness Of Australian Models Of Palliative Care Delivery In Four Neurodegenerative Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$150,000.00
Summary
This study will be conducted in three Australian states (Queensland, Victoria and West Australia), to assess the effectiveness of existing palliative care service delivery to people with motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, Huntington’s disease or Parkinson’s disease, and to their families. In phase I, interviews will be conducted with people who have these diseases, their families, and health professionals to discover the needs for palliative care services. In phase II, a survey will dete ....This study will be conducted in three Australian states (Queensland, Victoria and West Australia), to assess the effectiveness of existing palliative care service delivery to people with motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, Huntington’s disease or Parkinson’s disease, and to their families. In phase I, interviews will be conducted with people who have these diseases, their families, and health professionals to discover the needs for palliative care services. In phase II, a survey will determine the extent to which these needs are met. The findings will be used to recommend improved palliative care delivery models.Read moreRead less
A Randomised Clinical Trial Of Cognitive Activity For Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$490,127.00
Summary
Australia’s population is ageing rapidly and so is the frequency of age-related disorders. Dementia is one of the most frequent mental health disorders of older people and one of the leading causes of years of life lost due to disability in Australia. Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in old age is considered an important clinical state potentially predictive of future cognitive decline. There is increasing evidence that the onset of dementia can be delayed with targeting potentially modifiable ri ....Australia’s population is ageing rapidly and so is the frequency of age-related disorders. Dementia is one of the most frequent mental health disorders of older people and one of the leading causes of years of life lost due to disability in Australia. Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in old age is considered an important clinical state potentially predictive of future cognitive decline. There is increasing evidence that the onset of dementia can be delayed with targeting potentially modifiable risk factors. In older adults, frequent participation in mentally stimulating leisure activities has been associated with stronger cognitive (abilities such as memory) performances and reduced risk of dementia. Further, the rate of cognitive and functional decline can be influenced by cognitive intervention strategies, though few randomised control studies have explored these findings with individuals who have a diagnosis of MCI. The primary focus of this research is to determine whether a structured program of cognitive activity (CA) can delay progression of cognitive decline amongst older adults with MCI. 160 older adults will be randomised (by chance, like the flip of a coin) to either a 10 week CA intervention with a focus on cognitive training and rehabilitation techniques or a 10 week control educational intervention providing information on aging and retirement. Their cognitive performance, quality of life and functional level will be monitored during follow-up. The proposed study will improve the understanding of possible modifying factors of cognition and highlight the potential of intervention in an older age population. The obtained results will have implications for policy recommendations regarding health care resources and facilitate changes in the approach and management of individuals with MCI.Read moreRead less
Does Vitamin D Supplementation Reduce Cognitive Decline?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$646,601.00
Summary
Australia's population is ageing rapidly and so is the frequency of age-related disorders. Dementia is one of the most frequent mental health disorders of older people and one of the leading causes of years of life lost due to disability in Australia. Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in old age is considered an important clinical state predictive of future cognitive decline. There is increasing evidence that the onset of dementia can be delayed with targeting potentially modifiable risk factors. ....Australia's population is ageing rapidly and so is the frequency of age-related disorders. Dementia is one of the most frequent mental health disorders of older people and one of the leading causes of years of life lost due to disability in Australia. Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in old age is considered an important clinical state predictive of future cognitive decline. There is increasing evidence that the onset of dementia can be delayed with targeting potentially modifiable risk factors. Vitamin D is important for healthy bones and muscle function, but is now also discussed as being important for healthy brain function. The purpose of this randomised placebo-controlled clinical trial is to investigate whether supplementation with vitamin D for 18 months in older adults with MCI who have low vitamin D levels, can help to reduce cognitive decline. 110 older adults with MCI will be randomised (by chance, like the flip of a coin) to either active treatment or placebo. Their cognition (such as memory) performance, quality of life and functional level will be compared at 6, 12, and 18 months. If our hypothesis is confirmed, vitamin D supplementation might prove to be a simple, effective and inexpensive way of delaying cognitive decline in people at risk for dementia. This could lead to the reconsideration of current sun exposure policies in Australia and the more widespread use of food fortification and supplementation.Read moreRead less
Does Regular Tai Chi Practice Delay Ageing Of Cells And Improve Cellular Energy Functions?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$417,873.00
Summary
Tai Chi is a popular traditional health exercise that has been shown to be effective in improving health-related quality of life in aged populations and patients with acute and chronic conditions. However, the scientific evidence and mechanisms of Tai Chi at the level of the cells in the body is not clear. This project aims to investigate the mechanisms of Tai Chi to provide a better understanding of the scientific basis and offering greater confidence in using Tai Chi to promote health. We prop ....Tai Chi is a popular traditional health exercise that has been shown to be effective in improving health-related quality of life in aged populations and patients with acute and chronic conditions. However, the scientific evidence and mechanisms of Tai Chi at the level of the cells in the body is not clear. This project aims to investigate the mechanisms of Tai Chi to provide a better understanding of the scientific basis and offering greater confidence in using Tai Chi to promote health. We propose to do a study to compare cellular measures in a group of established Tai Chi practitioners with a group who have not practised Tai Chi. It will include at least 400 members of the general public aged 30 years and over. One group will comprise long-term Tai Chi practitioners (3 years or more) and the comparison group will be those who are just starting to learn Tai Chi. The participants will come from many Tai Chi centres around Melbourne. Our collaborators (2 renowned Tai Chi teachers) will facilitate recruitment. We will collect mouth wash samples from participants and measure two major biomarkers (telomere and mitochondria). The end sections of a chromosome are called the telomere and there is evidence that telomeres get shorter as we age and when we get sick with conditions such as heart problems. Mitochondria are the powerhouse within cells that convert energy from food into a form that cells can use. The mitochondria and its function can be affected by stress in a person’s life and this might be helped by Tai Chi. Since this study aims at analysing the much-claimed benefits of Tai Chi using a scientific evidence-based approach, the two biomarkers we are planning to measure will tell us whether such benefits are reflected in the improvement of the function of cells. Using the biomarkers and some questionnaire information, we will analyse the data to see whether Tai Chi practitioners have longer telomere and better mitochondrial function than those who have not practiced Tai Chi.Read moreRead less