Influence Of Cortical Stroke And Experimental Brain Stimulation On Excitability Of Human Corticobulbar Motor Projections And Swallowing Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$130,183.00
Summary
Swallowing disorders often result from damage to the brain. They have profound consequences on patient health and quality of life and result in significant medical and socioeconomic costs. This project firstly investigates how motor networks in the brain control the muscles involved in swallowing and how this control is affected by stroke. Secondly, it evaluates the potential of novel interventions to improve impaired swallowing function following stroke by reorganising motor networks.
Identifying Strategies To Reduce The Risk Of Kneecap Arthritis After Serious Knee Ligament Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,768.00
Summary
Early-onset kneecap arthritis, and associated pain and disability, affects younger adults at an alarming rate after serious knee ligament injury – “young people, old knees”. This research aims to identify modifiable risk factors for early-onset kneecap arthritis (reconstruction surgery, knee biomechanics and functional deficits) which will aid the development of interventions to minimise onset and progression of kneecap arthritis, and reduce the burden of this important public health problem.
The Femoroacetabular Impingement Rehabilitation STudy (FIRST): A Participant And Assessor-blinded Randomised Controlled Trial Of Physiotherapy For Hip Impingement.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$255,014.00
Summary
Hip impingement is a common cause of hip and groin pain in adults. It is a risk factor for the development of hip arthritis and hip replacement surgery in later life. People with hip impingement have more pain and poorer quality of life (QoL) compared to population norms. This study will determine if physiotherapy can improve pain/QoL in people with hip impingement.
Chronic Knee Pain: Neuroscience Meets Exercise For Pain Relief
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$286,891.00
Summary
Chronic knee pain impacts negatively on health, finances and quality of life. Exercise is the most efficacious intervention yet can be painful or uninteresting. Current rehabilitation methods fail to address the dysfunctional way the brain controls muscles in people with pain that may contribute to ongoing disability. This study uses novel, innovative techniques in the form of virtual reality combined with exercise to reduce pain, boredom, and critically, target dysfunctional movement control.
Investigating Implementation Of 2017 Stroke Clinical Guidelines In Inpatient Stroke Rehabilitation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
There are major problems in Australia and overseas of patients not receiving evidence-based care. In the first 3 months after a stroke, receiving more therapy helps people improve. People in stroke rehabilitation should receive 3 hours therapy/day, but this does not usually happen. This project will use rigorous research methods to work with stroke survivors, their carers and staff in rehabilitation hospitals to find the best way to ensure that each stroke survivor does 3 hours of practice/day.
Post-discharge Care And Recovery Of Seriously Injured Patients In A Regionalised Trauma System
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,644.00
Summary
The establishment of hospital trauma centres has improved survival for seriously-injured patients. However, there is still potential to improve the care of trauma patients following their discharge from hospital, particularly when they live outside big cities. This research will investigate the challenges faced by trauma patients in accessing follow-up care after they leave hospital, whether this influences their long-term recovery and what can be done to improve their care.
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.
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.