Physical, Lifestyle And Psychosocial Determinants Of Spinal Pain Development In Adolescents
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$682,800.00
Summary
This project aims to understand the development of back and neck pain in adolescence. By the age of 16 around half of all adolescents have suffered back pain and one third have suffered neck pain. For many adolescents this pain is disabling and over a third of sufferers miss school, miss recreation and seek medical help. The current understanding of back and neck pain in adolescence is quite limited - restricting the effectiveness of initiatives to prevent adolescents having to suffer spinal pai ....This project aims to understand the development of back and neck pain in adolescence. By the age of 16 around half of all adolescents have suffered back pain and one third have suffered neck pain. For many adolescents this pain is disabling and over a third of sufferers miss school, miss recreation and seek medical help. The current understanding of back and neck pain in adolescence is quite limited - restricting the effectiveness of initiatives to prevent adolescents having to suffer spinal pain and of treatment of those adolescents unlucky enough to have an episode. Better understanding and interventions for adolescent spinal pain will also have longer term implications by reducing adult spinal pain. Four out of 5 adults will experience spinal pain. In the USA treating adult back pain is the 4th largest health care cost. Many adults with chronic back pain had their first episode during adolescence. A better understanding of spinal pain in adolescence may help prevent it developing into a lifelong disability. We will collect information from 2,000 adolescents on their experience of back and neck pain and on potential physical, lifestyle and psychosocial risk factors. We believe factors such as their posture, muscle capacity, TV and computer use, mental health and social situation all combine to influence whether a person develops back or neck pain. The project is unique as it will not only collect a broad range of information during adolescence, but will also make use of a large database of health, developmental and psychosocial information already collected from these children since birth. With a better understanding of the development of spinal pain we will be able to develop guidelines to help prevent these problems. We will also be able to develop better treatment plans for sub-groups of adolescents with a particular combination of risk factors. Together these initiatives will assist in understanding and breaking the pathway to chronic spinal pain.Read moreRead less
The Association Of Distorted Central Processing, Small Axon Dysfunction And Inflammation In Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$406,431.00
Summary
The mechanisms underlying pain in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), which results from compression of a nerve at the wrist, are not well understood. In a combination of human and animal studies, we will examine whether the pain involves abnormalities of skin and brain function and whether inflammation in the nervous system may be responsible for such abnormalities. We will test whether surgical outcome can be predicted by these variables. Accurate predictive tests would avoid unnecessary surgery.
Deregulation Of DNA Hydroxymethylases Tet1/ Tet2 Compromises Skeletal Integrity During Ageing And Bone Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$850,229.00
Summary
Epigenetic modifications of DNA and associated proteins regulate gene expression. A greater understanding of the molecular pathways and associated epigenetic changes that regulate bone cell commitment under normal and pathological conditions will help enhance our ability to diagnose and treat disorders/ diseases that effect skeletal tissues through the pharmacological manipulation of epigenetic modifiers and their gene targets.
The principle objective of the proposed project is to determine the molecular, cellular extracellular matrix pathology of chondrodysplasia phenotypes which result from mutations in a variety of different gene products that are important for normal bone development. To achieve our objective the Eurogrow consortium has developed an extensive series of mouse models of chondrodysplasias that closely mimic the relevant human phenotype. The consortium will use a multidisciplinary systems biology appro ....The principle objective of the proposed project is to determine the molecular, cellular extracellular matrix pathology of chondrodysplasia phenotypes which result from mutations in a variety of different gene products that are important for normal bone development. To achieve our objective the Eurogrow consortium has developed an extensive series of mouse models of chondrodysplasias that closely mimic the relevant human phenotype. The consortium will use a multidisciplinary systems biology approach to determine the molecular mechanisms that underpin the pathophysiology of these distinct chondrodysplasias. From this approach we can expect to identify common disease mechanisms and learn general principles about genotype-phenotype correlations in chondrodysplasia phenotypes. The NHMRC-EU grant is to fund a consortium (Eurogrow) of 10 EU research groups (led by the University of Manchester) along with my research group at the MCRI to conduct these integrated studies.Read moreRead less
Clinical Efficacy And Physiological Mechanisms Of Nerve And Tendon Gliding Exercises For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$370,068.00
Summary
Compression of one of the major nerves at the wrist (carpal tunnel syndrome) is a very common condition that significantly impacts on the well-being of the patient. To date, there is no good evidence that traditionally advocated interventions are effective in the long term. This project will evaluate the effects of a novel, active treatment strategy and will investigate the underlying mechanisms that may be associated with exercises that aim to mobilise the nerve and tendons at the wrist.
Disruption And Restoration Of Motor Control In Musculoskeletal Pathology: Implications For Physiotherapy Management
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$210,990.00
Summary
The way in which the nervous system controls muscles and movement may play a role in the development and progression of common musculoskeletal conditions. One of these conditions is patellofemoral pain syndrome which is associated with pain around the knee cap. This condition may result from an imbalance in the activity of the thigh muscles that control movement of the knee cap as the knee bends and straightens. This imbalance is due in part to problems with the control of the muscles by the ner ....The way in which the nervous system controls muscles and movement may play a role in the development and progression of common musculoskeletal conditions. One of these conditions is patellofemoral pain syndrome which is associated with pain around the knee cap. This condition may result from an imbalance in the activity of the thigh muscles that control movement of the knee cap as the knee bends and straightens. This imbalance is due in part to problems with the control of the muscles by the nervous system. Our previous studies have shown that physiotherapy treatment aimed at restoration of the control of the knee muscles results in clinical improvement of the condition. The first part of this project will investigate possible reasons for this muscle imbalance including the effects of pain, swelling and muscle fatigue. Understanding the reasons for the imbalance in muscle activity will help direct and refine more appropriate treatment strategies for this and other musculoskeletal conditions. The second part will assess whether a specific physiotherapy muscle training program for the thigh muscles is more effective in correcting the muscle imbalance than a more generalised thigh strengthening exercise program. The results will help us to better understand why the condition occurs and how we can best assess and treat the problem.Read moreRead less
Effects Of Jaw Muscle Pain On Jaw Muscle Activity And Jaw Movement In Humans
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$337,770.00
Summary
Chronic facial muscle pain is a significant community health problem that is poorly understood. Current treatments are based on the idea that structural or stress-related factors result in increased jaw muscle activity which then generates pain that in turn leads to more muscle activity - the so-called Vicious Cycle Theory. Treatments therefore aim to break the cycle by focussing on reducing muscle activity and thereby alleviate the pain. There is currently, however, little scientific evidence f ....Chronic facial muscle pain is a significant community health problem that is poorly understood. Current treatments are based on the idea that structural or stress-related factors result in increased jaw muscle activity which then generates pain that in turn leads to more muscle activity - the so-called Vicious Cycle Theory. Treatments therefore aim to break the cycle by focussing on reducing muscle activity and thereby alleviate the pain. There is currently, however, little scientific evidence for this Theory. Another theory has been recently proposed in the Pain Adaptation Model. This model says that changes in muscle activity and movement are protective against further pain rather than the cause of the pain. The evidence, however, for this model is limited and conflicting. The current lack of understanding of facial muscle pain limits advancement in its management. Our long-term goal is to improve the management of patients with facial pain. The present application aims to determine whether muscle pain alters jaw muscle activity and jaw movement. Our preliminary clinical data provide compelling evidence for the Pain Adaptation Model. We are confident of a better understanding of what goes wrong in the jaw muscles in chronic facial pain and this will have implications for muscle pains elsewhere in the body. The outcome may help to refute the Vicious Cycle Theory, and help shift the focus away from signs and symptoms associated with the jaw muscles, and re-direct the focus to the alleviation of pain as the primary management goal. The information obtained should also provide a solid basis on which treatments can be tested for optimal resolution of symptoms, and an evidence-based approach in the management of facial pain.Read moreRead less
The Role Of Expectation On Outcome In Patients With Musculoskeletal Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$388,334.00
Summary
What a patient expects from their health condition has an important influence on how well they do. These expectations are also thought to underpin placebo effects and several studies show that clinicians often make use of this in their daily practice. This research aims to explain how peoples' expectations influence the way they respond to different treatments. This information will help health professionals improve the the way they treat people with a range of different health problems.