The Ecstasy Check-Up: A Multi-site Trial Of A Brief Intervention For Ecstasy Use Among Regular Ecstasy Users
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$458,432.00
Summary
Rates of ecstasy use have continued to rise rapidly over the past 10-15 years, particularly among young people. This is of concern, as several studies indicate that ecstasy is associated with a range of short- and long-term harms. Although many users acknowledge risks associated with ecstasy use, few users seek treatment. Therefore, the current project will aim to reduce ecstasy use and harm by providing non-treatment seeking ecstasy users with a brief motivational intervention.
The Feasibility And Effectiveness Of A Family-based Intervention For Indigenous Australians With Alcohol Dependence.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$218,291.00
Summary
This study aims to determine the feasibility of implementing a family-based intervention in an Indigenous community-controlled health service in rural NSW and it's level of acceptability to Indigenous patients. The expected main benefits of implementing the family-based intervention are increases in the percentage of Indigenous individuals with alcohol dependence entering and engaging in evidence-based treatment.
A Randomised Trial Assessing A Shade Development Intervention In Secondary Schools For Adolescent Skin Cancer Prevention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$709,615.00
Summary
Skin cancer is a significant burden to health costs, and morbidity and mortality in Australia. Reduction of exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) in sunlight, particularly during childhood and adolescence is an important strategy for preventing skin cancer in later life. Adolescents have been particularly resistant to skin cancer prevention messages. Despite a high knowledge of skin cancer, the majority of Australian adolescents report a reliance on sunscreen, a resistance to hat wearing, and ....Skin cancer is a significant burden to health costs, and morbidity and mortality in Australia. Reduction of exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) in sunlight, particularly during childhood and adolescence is an important strategy for preventing skin cancer in later life. Adolescents have been particularly resistant to skin cancer prevention messages. Despite a high knowledge of skin cancer, the majority of Australian adolescents report a reliance on sunscreen, a resistance to hat wearing, and commonly experience sunburn, an important indicator of increased risk of skin cancer. Psycho-social interventions have shown limited influence on adolescents' sun protective behaviours to date. The current research proposal explores an alternative approach to psycho-social interventions for adolescents. The study will assess the effect of increasing available shade at secondary schools. In a randomised control trial study design, the change in the number of students using certain outdoor areas at intervention schools will be observed 'before' and 'after' the installation of built shade sail structures. Our main hypothesis states that the number of students using these newly shaded areas in intervention schools will increase compared with use of equivalent unshaded areas in control schools. Shade development is increasingly becoming an issue for secondary schools and given both the high cost of providing shade structures and adolescents' resistance to other forms of sun protection it is important to establish that adolescents will use this form of sun protection. This study will determine whether adolescents actively avoid or seek shade and so provide evidence for informing decisions about further investment in shade provision in schools.Read moreRead less
Evaluation Of An Instrument For Management Of Behavioural And Psychological Symptoms Of Dementia.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$598,468.00
Summary
Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) distress the patient and others. The behaviours, and not the underlying causes, are often treated with antipsychotics, despite side effects and low efficacy. An assessment instrument for care staff to determine and address causes of BPSD will be implemented. We predict training will reduce inappropriate prescribing and other reasons for distress. Where medication is required, detailed information will assist more targeted prescribing.
Comorbid Affective Disturbance In A Model Of Absence Epilepsy - Shared Causation Linked To Morphological Abnormality?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$502,650.00
Summary
People with epilepsy commonly suffer from severe mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety. These disturbances are underdiagnosed and undertreated, and are often more debilitating than the epilepsy. This project will investigate whether treatment of psychiatric disturbance with antidepressants also results in reduced seizure incidence in an animal model of epilepsy. Results generated from the study will provide clinicians strong rationale for aggressive treatment of such mood complaints.
Associations Between Periodontal Disease And Cardiovascular Surrogate Endpoints In An Adult Indigenous Population
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,346,328.00
Summary
The relationship between periodontal disease and cardiovascular surrogate endpoints, both of which are high among the Indigenous Australian population, is established. This study seeks to explore the prevalence of cardiovascular surrogate endpoints among this population with periodontal disease, and to determine if implementation of a periodontal intervention leads to improved cardiovascular risk outcomes. There may be benefit in applying this model to other areas of Indigenous health research.
Randomized Controlled Trial Of A Video-delivered Intervention For The Early Detection Of Melanoma In Men 50+ Years
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$511,694.00
Summary
Unfortunately, men over 50 years are most at risk to die from melanoma. Skin self-examination, where a man inspects the skin of his whole body with the help of a mirror or another person, and rapid presentation to a doctor without delay if he detects a suspicious lesion has the potential to increase awareness for the skin and to improve early diagnosis. We want to assess if we can increase the rate of skin self-examination in men 50 years and over through a video-delivered intervention.
Behavioural Management Of The Triggers Of Recurrent Headache: Avoidance Versus Coping
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$503,233.00
Summary
The traditional approach to headache management is to advise that the best way to prevent headaches is to avoid the trigger factors. This approach has never been systematically evaluated, however, and it may lead to headache sufferers losing tolerance for the factors that could precipitate a headache. This study will be the first to evaluate the traditional approach, and will also evaluate an innovative approach that includes techniques designed to desensitise people to headache triggers.