A Behavioural Intervention For The Adoption & Maintenance Of Physical Activity In Type 2 Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$334,955.00
Summary
For people with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) it is essential that blood glucose levels are managed well to reduce the risk of developing complications. Physical activity is essential for maintaining glucose levels because it helps make the muscles use glucose more effectively. In particular, being active through strength training not only improves blood glucose levels, but can be very effective for maintaining good physical functioning, which is known to be reduced by having T2DM. This study builds on ....For people with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) it is essential that blood glucose levels are managed well to reduce the risk of developing complications. Physical activity is essential for maintaining glucose levels because it helps make the muscles use glucose more effectively. In particular, being active through strength training not only improves blood glucose levels, but can be very effective for maintaining good physical functioning, which is known to be reduced by having T2DM. This study builds on our earlier research which demonstrated significantly improved blood glucose levels from a strength training program for older adults with T2DM. The strength training program is to be administered nationally in a research to practice trial (Lift for Life); however, the original research found that those who did not complete the program as it was intended (ie, poor adherence) did not show significant improvements in blood glucose levels. Furthermore, maintenance of strength training exercises after completion of the program was poor and resulted in return of blood glucose levels back to pre-starting levels. In people without diabetes, we have collected pilot data that shows that the use of behavioural strategies based on behavioural theories whereby each person's motivations and barriers are taken into consideration is more effective than the traditional one-treatment-fits-all approach. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of using behavioural strategies for improving adherence and maintenance to the Lift for Life strength training program (Enhanced L4L) for older adults with T2DM compared with the Standard L4L program. It will also follow-up participants 6 months later to determine the extent to which the changes in behaviour can be maintained. The study will provide information that will assist in the design, delivery and uptake of programs to improve treatment strategies in older adults with T2DM through the maintenance of healthier behaviours and lifestyles.Read moreRead less
A framework for adapting child interview protocols in complex cases. This project aims to develop–in collaboration with Aboriginal and other industry co-researchers–a ‘how to’ framework for effectively adapting standard child abuse interview protocols to accommodate the complexities that create barriers to disclosure. Complex cases necessitate interview adaption, but it requires systematic guidance and an interdisciplinary, practitioner-driven approach to be effective. This innovative framework ....A framework for adapting child interview protocols in complex cases. This project aims to develop–in collaboration with Aboriginal and other industry co-researchers–a ‘how to’ framework for effectively adapting standard child abuse interview protocols to accommodate the complexities that create barriers to disclosure. Complex cases necessitate interview adaption, but it requires systematic guidance and an interdisciplinary, practitioner-driven approach to be effective. This innovative framework is expected to have long-term benefits for services that support children’s well-being, through improvements in the quality of evidence underpinning decisions. By enhancing interviewer capability, there will also be fewer cases prematurely exiting the justice system before forensic interview or investigation.Read moreRead less
Strategies to reduce risk of heat induced illness during intermittent, high intensity activity in a tropical environment. Regular intermittent, high intensity physical activity (IHIA) affords protection against modern life-style diseases (type II diabetes, coronary heart disease and some cancers) but when conducted in the tropics, exposes persons to the risk of dehydration, heat cramps, hypotension, heat syncope, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Australia has rapid population growth in the tropi ....Strategies to reduce risk of heat induced illness during intermittent, high intensity activity in a tropical environment. Regular intermittent, high intensity physical activity (IHIA) affords protection against modern life-style diseases (type II diabetes, coronary heart disease and some cancers) but when conducted in the tropics, exposes persons to the risk of dehydration, heat cramps, hypotension, heat syncope, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Australia has rapid population growth in the tropics and key sporting fixtures have moved to the region. We have set up the research capability and must now move on a range of IHIA in sport, workplaces, armed and emergency services to provide strategies to reduce the risk of heat induced illness in a tropical environment.Read moreRead less
Deadly Start: Enabling Preschoolers’ Literacy, Numeracy and Wellbeing. This project aims to test the effectiveness of a new preschool oral language, literacy, numeracy and wellbeing intervention for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian students using powerful interdisciplinary approaches.
The project generates new knowledge about enabling preschool children to have a deadly start to literacy, numeracy and wellbeing, capitalising on research-derived interventions.
Expected outcomes include ....Deadly Start: Enabling Preschoolers’ Literacy, Numeracy and Wellbeing. This project aims to test the effectiveness of a new preschool oral language, literacy, numeracy and wellbeing intervention for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian students using powerful interdisciplinary approaches.
The project generates new knowledge about enabling preschool children to have a deadly start to literacy, numeracy and wellbeing, capitalising on research-derived interventions.
Expected outcomes include salient intervention and measures and advances in preschool education that enable a deadly start.
The benefits encompass identifying effective intervention and drivers that support a deadly start to literacy and numeracy, and having adaptive motivation, new theory and developmentally appropriate measures.Read moreRead less
Predicting the diagnostic performance of individuals and organisations. Predicting the diagnostic performance of individuals and organisations. This project aims to address diagnostic error in advanced technology systems, by providing a mechanism to assess and improve individual diagnosticians’ performance. Organisations that rely on their employees’ diagnostic skills rarely assess them once the operators become qualified, so there is no basis for interventions that might prevent diagnostic erro ....Predicting the diagnostic performance of individuals and organisations. Predicting the diagnostic performance of individuals and organisations. This project aims to address diagnostic error in advanced technology systems, by providing a mechanism to assess and improve individual diagnosticians’ performance. Organisations that rely on their employees’ diagnostic skills rarely assess them once the operators become qualified, so there is no basis for interventions that might prevent diagnostic errors affecting thousands. This research tests a new method of assessing diagnostic skills based on how skilled operators respond to cues. This project will test how employees’ diagnostic skills change and whether this change corresponds to measures of organisational performance. This research is expected to provide organisations with a tool to pre-empt diagnostic errors that could minimise costs to the economy.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR120300015
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$16,000,000.00
Summary
The Science of Learning Research Centre. In this innovative new Centre, researchers in education, neuroscience and cognitive psychology will work together with teachers to understand the learning process. This collaboration will establish new criteria to assess the impact of different types of learning and strategies to inform teaching practices of benefit to all Australians.
Playing for Life: A Case Study in Childhood, Culture and Transition. This study will advance Australian research on identity formation in postcolonial societies; develop child-focused research in academic anthropology; align Australian Aboriginal Studies with recent international progress in the field of children's social imagination; innovate the analysis of transforming Indigenous worldviews; create a perspective for in-depth psychological research with Aboriginal Australians; build a rich res ....Playing for Life: A Case Study in Childhood, Culture and Transition. This study will advance Australian research on identity formation in postcolonial societies; develop child-focused research in academic anthropology; align Australian Aboriginal Studies with recent international progress in the field of children's social imagination; innovate the analysis of transforming Indigenous worldviews; create a perspective for in-depth psychological research with Aboriginal Australians; build a rich resource for comparative research and for teaching. It also offers distinct social benefits: fostering the understanding of Aboriginal children's social and mental needs in processes of cultural transformation; enhancing equality by identifying the positive potentials in children and Aboriginal society.
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Securing the future: Optimising the success of remote Indigenous students at post-secondary education. A cross-cultural study. Supporting remote Indigenous students to complete post-secondary education is a national and international imperative. Remote Indigenous student success in VET and University education is a key to the success of Indigenous families, communities and the nation as a whole. Post-secondary education provides students with 'capstone' skills, abilities and understandings that ....Securing the future: Optimising the success of remote Indigenous students at post-secondary education. A cross-cultural study. Supporting remote Indigenous students to complete post-secondary education is a national and international imperative. Remote Indigenous student success in VET and University education is a key to the success of Indigenous families, communities and the nation as a whole. Post-secondary education provides students with 'capstone' skills, abilities and understandings that enable them to function at a high-level both socially and economically. Effective Indigenous participation in post-secondary education enhances economic and social self-sufficiency, reduces the likelihood of dependency on welfare, and provides powerful role-models for younger Indigenous students to be successful at school, and beyond compulsory school educationRead moreRead less
Building the future for Indigenous students. The relationship of future vision, learning, and motivational profiles to school success. Indigenous students are the most severely disadvantaged group in Australia. Education as currently provided is failing them in the NT. Future Directions for Secondary Education in the NT states that 20% of secondary-aged Indigenous students are not enrolled in school, with only 6% completing the NTCE in 2002. Education is the corner stone of social justice becaus ....Building the future for Indigenous students. The relationship of future vision, learning, and motivational profiles to school success. Indigenous students are the most severely disadvantaged group in Australia. Education as currently provided is failing them in the NT. Future Directions for Secondary Education in the NT states that 20% of secondary-aged Indigenous students are not enrolled in school, with only 6% completing the NTCE in 2002. Education is the corner stone of social justice because it is the basis of opportunity (Burney 03). This research will provide critical hard data on the relationship of Indigenous students' future vision and aspirations, motivation, self-concept and self-regulation, language and culture to school achievement in order to design and provide culturally relevant education to maximise Indigenous opportunities and futures.Read moreRead less
Learning to Talk, Talking to Learn: Effects of an early childhood language program in remote Northern Territory indigenous communities. Both the quality and quantity of language children hear, and adult understandings of child development, drive children's future outcomes. Understanding how to improve both is critical to the lifelong education, employment and social potential of children from low socioeconomic families, especially with hearing loss. This project aims to examine to what extent a ....Learning to Talk, Talking to Learn: Effects of an early childhood language program in remote Northern Territory indigenous communities. Both the quality and quantity of language children hear, and adult understandings of child development, drive children's future outcomes. Understanding how to improve both is critical to the lifelong education, employment and social potential of children from low socioeconomic families, especially with hearing loss. This project aims to examine to what extent a parent-implemented early childhood language program designed to buffer against effects of childhood otitis media can support indigenous children in remote northern Australia. Outcomes aim to be data on effects on children's language, attention, and school readiness, plus uptake of strategies and knowledge by parents and other adults, and evidence regarding best practice in such contexts.Read moreRead less