Supraspinal Neural Adaptations In The Transition From Acute Injury To Chronic Pain And Disability
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$429,360.00
Summary
Although there have been significant clinical advances in the management of injury and the control of acute pain following tauma, many people still develop disabling conditions of chronic pain. Chronic pain and disability occurs even though the acute signs of trauma have subsided and injuries have healed. People with chronic pain conditions not only experience ongoing changes in sensation (ie., most commonly lowered thresholds for pain, touch evoked pain and spontaneous pain), they also endure a ....Although there have been significant clinical advances in the management of injury and the control of acute pain following tauma, many people still develop disabling conditions of chronic pain. Chronic pain and disability occurs even though the acute signs of trauma have subsided and injuries have healed. People with chronic pain conditions not only experience ongoing changes in sensation (ie., most commonly lowered thresholds for pain, touch evoked pain and spontaneous pain), they also endure a number of disabilities for example disrupted family and social relations, disturbed sleep, loss of appetite, weight changes, loss of sex drive, changes in menstrual cycle, the inability to cope with stressors, and often moderate to severe anxiety and depression. The proposed research aims to (i) identify changes in brain circuits which are responsible for producing these patterns of pain and disability following injury and (ii) attempts to selectively reverse some of these disabilities by reversing the brain changes. The results of this study will offer for the first time a rational basis for improving the outcomes of injury and pain management in the acute phase of trauma, by identifying and reversing the critical changes which predict the advent of the state state of chronic pain and disability.Read moreRead less
Evaluation Of Family Well Being Empowerment Program: A Participatory Action Research Initiative
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$487,920.00
Summary
We have shown that family well being empowerment training in Indigenous communities can significantly enhance program participants' sense of control and responsibility for the conditions affecting their health and well being (Tsey and Every, 2000a;Tsey and Every, 2000b). Following this, there has been a great deal of interest and demand for the family well being program not only in Indigenous Australia, but also among Maori people in New Zealand. Presently, we are involved in four collaborative ....We have shown that family well being empowerment training in Indigenous communities can significantly enhance program participants' sense of control and responsibility for the conditions affecting their health and well being (Tsey and Every, 2000a;Tsey and Every, 2000b). Following this, there has been a great deal of interest and demand for the family well being program not only in Indigenous Australia, but also among Maori people in New Zealand. Presently, we are involved in four collaborative initiatives with indigenous communities in response to growing interest and demand for the program. The current proposal is a joint initiative between University of Queensland, Apunipima Cape York Health Council and Gurriny Yealamucka Health Services which aims to: a. Consolidate and extend the existing family well being initiatives in Hopevale and Yarrabah to two other north Queensland communities (yet to be selected from several that have expressed an interest), using a participatory action research process b. Undertake a meta evaluation of outcomes across all four sites This proposal aims to increase our understanding about ways in which individuals and groups of people can be better supported in their efforts to bring about changes in personal and social life.Read moreRead less
Evaluation Of Family WellBeing Empowerment Program: A Follow-up Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$82,940.00
Summary
Although relative powerlessnes resulting from colonisation has long been recognised as a major factor shaping Indigenous health, it is difficult to find tested and validated empowerment programs in the Indigenous health literature. The current project will follow-up a previous evaluation of a Family WellBeing empowerment training course which was implemented in Alice Springs in 1998-9. The aim is to find out the extent to which course participants have been able to sustain the high levels of per ....Although relative powerlessnes resulting from colonisation has long been recognised as a major factor shaping Indigenous health, it is difficult to find tested and validated empowerment programs in the Indigenous health literature. The current project will follow-up a previous evaluation of a Family WellBeing empowerment training course which was implemented in Alice Springs in 1998-9. The aim is to find out the extent to which course participants have been able to sustain the high levels of personal empowerment demonstrated at the time of the original evaluation on the medium-long term basis. Among other things, this study will provide valuable insights and understandings about the pathways and conditions under which individuals and groups of people might use personal empowerment skills, especially better analytical and problem-solving skills to achieve greater control in life.Read moreRead less
Evaluation Of Cognitive-behaviour Therapy For Alcohol And Other Drug Problems Among People With A Psychotic Illness
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$217,465.00
Summary
Abuse of alcohol and other drugs among people with a major psychiatric illness is a serious public health problem and cost-effective treatments need to be developed and assessed. The aim of this project is to evaluate the effectiveness of a counselling intervention. 180 individuals with a psychotic illness and concurrent alcohol and other drug (AOD) problems will be randomly assigned to counselling or usual treatment and followed up for a period of 12 months. The indicators of interest include: ....Abuse of alcohol and other drugs among people with a major psychiatric illness is a serious public health problem and cost-effective treatments need to be developed and assessed. The aim of this project is to evaluate the effectiveness of a counselling intervention. 180 individuals with a psychotic illness and concurrent alcohol and other drug (AOD) problems will be randomly assigned to counselling or usual treatment and followed up for a period of 12 months. The indicators of interest include: current drug use; psychiatric symptoms; self-harm; social functioning; and use of health services. Findings from the proposed study will assist in the selection of particular treatment strategies and will aid the overall development of services for people with both major mental illness and substance abuse.Read moreRead less