Stroke affects 1 in 6 Australians and often leads to lifelong disability. This Fellowship will support A/Prof Bernhardt to: 1) complete the world first, international clinical trial of very early rehabilitation for people with stroke (AVERT), which has the potential to reduce the global disability burden of this disease; 2) in a new acute exercise laboratory, complete studies that help refine existing early exercise interventions and 3) test new models of rehabilitation care that take advantage ....Stroke affects 1 in 6 Australians and often leads to lifelong disability. This Fellowship will support A/Prof Bernhardt to: 1) complete the world first, international clinical trial of very early rehabilitation for people with stroke (AVERT), which has the potential to reduce the global disability burden of this disease; 2) in a new acute exercise laboratory, complete studies that help refine existing early exercise interventions and 3) test new models of rehabilitation care that take advantage of advanced e-health capability.Read moreRead less
Improving Conservative Management Of Knee Osteoarthritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$763,409.00
Summary
Osteoarthritis (OA), commonly involving the knee joint, is a major public health problem worldwide. This Fellowship aims to reduce the burden of knee OA by research to improve patient outcomes through more effective and accessible conservative non-drug care that takes a biopsychosocial approach and emphasises patient self-management. It will also build research capacity in the field through training and mentoring early career researchers.
I conduct research in physiotherapy, especially physiotherapy treatments for muscle contracture. Over the next 5 years I will investigate mechanisms of normal muscle growth and muscle contracture in adults with stroke and children with cerebral palsy. I will also conduct clinical studies investigating prophylaxis for haemophilia, prevention of complications after spinal cord injury, and multi-level surgery for contracture in children with cerebral palsy.
Physiology And Pathophysiology Of Disorders Of The Musculoskelatal System
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$926,980.00
Summary
This application for a Senior Principal Research Fellowship is to enable me to address the enormous burden of musculoskeletal conditions - an important, but understudied and underfunded area of health/medical research. My focus is the most costly and prevalent musculoskeletal conditions of low back pain and osteoarthritis, and other neuromuscular conditions such as incontinence. My aim is to improve outcomes by discovering how to apply the right treatment to the right person at the right time.
Chronic pain afflicts 1 in 5 Australians; it is one of our most expensive health care problems. Prof Moseley's research asks: (1) Why do some people get chronic pain but others don't? (ii) How can we treat chronic pain so sufferers can return to a meaningful, productive and comfortable life? (iii) How can we stop chronic pain from developing in the first place? His research involves behavioural and physiological experiments in humans, that lead to new treatments, which are tested in clinical tri ....Chronic pain afflicts 1 in 5 Australians; it is one of our most expensive health care problems. Prof Moseley's research asks: (1) Why do some people get chronic pain but others don't? (ii) How can we treat chronic pain so sufferers can return to a meaningful, productive and comfortable life? (iii) How can we stop chronic pain from developing in the first place? His research involves behavioural and physiological experiments in humans, that lead to new treatments, which are tested in clinical trials.Read moreRead less
Advancing Life Participation Outcomes Following Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) By Improving Communication Skills: From The Bedside To The Barbeque
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$782,370.00
Summary
Brain injury is the leading cause of disability in young Australians with sudden and devastating life consequences. One of the most common problems arising from the injury itself is communication difficulties, which leads to relationship breakdowns, unemployability, and crippling social isolation. This Fellowship will deliver pioneering communication treatments using socially innovative eHealth solutions to achieve real improvements for people with brain injury, their families and the community
Physical Activity Interventions To Enhance Mobility And Prevent Falls.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$570,813.00
Summary
My research has established that exercise programs can prevent falls and enhance mobility in older people and those affected by a range of conditions. There remain important unanswered questions about the design and delivery of optimally effective and cost-effective physical activity programs. My proposed research program will address these with studies targeting the design and evaluation of novel interventions, implementation of proven interventions and population health approaches.
I am a neurophysiologist who examines the neural control of movement and the interaction of sensation and movement in human subjects. I study cortical and motoneuronal events during exercise and muscle fatigue, how cortical connections to the motoneurones change with practice of motor tasks, and whether they can be changed artificially. I also study proprioception i.e. the sensations related to relative position and movement of parts of the body and the production of muscle force.
Cerebral Palsy is most common childhood physical disability. While the brain injury is static, disability can be progressive and lifelong. This fellowship aims to develop and test novel interventions to optimise neuroplasticity by improving early detection and physical, cognitive, psychological and health outcomes in children with CP. Earlier accurate detection of CP will ensure effective treatments utilise critical periods of brain development and are translated into evidence based guidelines.
As part of this fellowship, A/Prof Hylton Menz will undertake a comprehensive program of research to improve the health-related quality of life of older people with foot disorders. The research will help further our understanding of the causes and impact of foot disorders, assist in the development of new treatments, and evaluate the effectiveness of these treatments through the conduct of clinical trials.