Laser Acupuncture In Patients With Chronic Knee Pain: A Randomised Placebo-controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$701,120.00
Summary
Chronic knee pain is a common and disabling musculoskeletal condition that causes a loss of functional independence and results in significant health care costs. In the majority of patients the most common cause is osteoarthritis. Acupuncture is a form of non-surgical treatment commonly sought by patients and often recommended by GP's. The main outcomes from our project are to establish the role, clinical effectiveness and cost benefit of laser and needle acupuncture in knee pain patients.
Management Of Burn Injury: Fluid Dynamics And Antibiotic Pharmacokinetics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$342,375.00
Summary
It is well known that major burns, as well as being relatively common injuries, are notoriously difficult to manage. Patients exhibit significant variability due to a combination of anatomic, physiologic, hormonal and immunologic alterations occurring both at the wound site and, more importantly, in other body compartments and vital organ systems. Skin burn injury results in the release of multiple inflammatory mediators in addition to significant fluid loss. The distribution of inflammatory med ....It is well known that major burns, as well as being relatively common injuries, are notoriously difficult to manage. Patients exhibit significant variability due to a combination of anatomic, physiologic, hormonal and immunologic alterations occurring both at the wound site and, more importantly, in other body compartments and vital organ systems. Skin burn injury results in the release of multiple inflammatory mediators in addition to significant fluid loss. The distribution of inflammatory mediators and wound bacteria to central organs can cause complex physiological changes that may lead to multiple organ failure, with serious infections occurring in around 50% of patients with serious burns. Antibiotic distribution kinetics, such as bioavailability, clearance, volume of distribution, elimination half-life and unbound fraction in plasma can be significantly altered in burn patients. Without detailed knowledge of changes and relationships between factors such as wound pH, tissue oxygenation, protein concentrations of fluid leaked from the local wound microvasculature, tissue binding, oedema and changes in burned and non-burned tissue induced by resuscitation therapies, the optimisation of both local and systemic infection contriol therapies can hardly be expected to advance. This project aims to determine how changes the physiology of burn patients, in particular in the burn wound environment, affect antibiotic penetration and distribution into tissues. We also believe that these changes will vary between patients and are aiming to determine whether certain parameters can be used to give an indication of the best antibiotic dosing regimens for individual patients.Read moreRead less
A Prospective Study Of Concussion In Children And Adolescents: Diagnosis, Recovery And Risk Factors For Poor Outcome.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$277,000.00
Summary
Concussion is one of the most common neurological injuries and represents a significant public health issue in Australia. The most common consequences of concussive injuries are reduced attention, slowed response speeds and memory impairment. These cognitive processes are critical for performing common day-to-day activities in childhood and adolescence (e.g. acquiring new knowledge and skills, attending to school work). Approximately 20% of concussive injuries occur during participation in organ ....Concussion is one of the most common neurological injuries and represents a significant public health issue in Australia. The most common consequences of concussive injuries are reduced attention, slowed response speeds and memory impairment. These cognitive processes are critical for performing common day-to-day activities in childhood and adolescence (e.g. acquiring new knowledge and skills, attending to school work). Approximately 20% of concussive injuries occur during participation in organised sport. In adult populations, there are now evidence-based guidelines for the diagnosis and management of concussion in sport. Few well-controlled studies exist to identify the frequency and outcome of such injuries in child and adolescent populations, and there are currently no guidelines for diagnosis and management of concussion in children. Further, the academic and social consequence of concussion for the child remains unknown. This study will investigate the cognitive and behavioural outcomes of concussion in young children and adolescents and will use this information to modify and validate currently available adult concussion diagnosis and management paradigms for application with this population. This study will also investigate risk factors for poor outcome following concussion in children and adolescents, and provide age-appropriate data for use in the medical, behavioural and educational management of concussed children and adolescents. A total of 3000 children aged between 10 and 18 years will be recruited to participate in this study. All participants will undergo a baseline evaluation consisting of memory and attention tests, a behavioural rating scale, and measures of educational ability. Participants parents will also provide general health and demographic information. Children who are concussed during the year will be re-assessed within 48 hours of injury and again at 5 days, 10 days and 30 days post-injury to track recovery.Read moreRead less