A Randomized Controlled Trial Of Effects Of Early Life Exposure To General Anaesthesia On Neurobehavioural Outcomes In Children With Cystic Fibrosis (CF)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$587,240.00
Summary
Anaesthesia permits surgeries and other interventional procedures that benefit the health of children to be performed painlessly and non-traumatically. This study will provide critical information about whether the drugs used commonly for general anaesthesia represents a risk to very young children in terms of their neurobehavioural development.
Invasive Staphylococcus Aureus Disease In Children; Epidemiology, Treatment And Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$124,676.00
Summary
This project will involve a systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCT) on the treatment Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAB) as well as a local WA retrospective review to quantify disease burden, trends and outcome. A prospective 2-year multicentre Australian review will then identify variables that can predict complicated and uncomplicated SAB. This information will then be used to design a RCT protocol on risk-stratified treatment approaches for SAB in paediatrics.
The Femoroacetabular Impingement Rehabilitation STudy (FIRST): A Participant And Assessor-blinded Randomised Controlled Trial Of Physiotherapy For Hip Impingement.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$255,014.00
Summary
Hip impingement is a common cause of hip and groin pain in adults. It is a risk factor for the development of hip arthritis and hip replacement surgery in later life. People with hip impingement have more pain and poorer quality of life (QoL) compared to population norms. This study will determine if physiotherapy can improve pain/QoL in people with hip impingement.
Effective Strength Training For Walking In Neurological Rehabilitation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$175,303.00
Summary
Muscle weakness is the cause of walking problems following neurological problems such as stroke and brain injury. Many studies have used strengthening exercises but few have benefitted. It appears that clinicians have been strengthening the wrong muscle groups and have not used exercises that stimulate the muscles to work the way they do when walking. The aim of this project is to use well established biomechanical and strengthening guidelines to improve walking after neurological injury.
Task-specific Strength Training For Mobility Following Traumatic Brain Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$184,768.00
Summary
I am a senior physiotherapist working in the traumatic brain injury (TBI) unit at Epworth Rehabilitation. We have identified and described the nature and extent of walking problems following TBI. Previous researchers focused on the impact of balance disorders on walking. Our research found that balance disorders are prevalent; the main cause of walking problems is muscle weakness. We will compare balance and muscle strengthening exercises to determine which has a greater impact on walking.
Toward An Evidence-based Approach For Treating End-stage Knee Arthritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,048.00
Summary
World-wide more than one million total knee replacements (TKR) will be performed for end-stage knee osteoarthritis in 2016 alone. With an ageing population, demand for this procedure will increase dramatically, placing burden on a constrained health system. Up to 25% of TKR recipients experience on going pain after surgery and are dissatisfied with TKR. My research seeks to improve efficiencies and equitability of this important surgical procedure and in doing so optimise patient outcomes
The Validity Of ‘8 Instruments’ Used To Include Quality Of Life In Economic Evaluation In 8 Disease Areas And 6 Countries
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$856,212.00
Summary
The Quality of Life is incorporated in the economic evaluation of health services using different ‘utility instruments’. Small scale comparative studies reveal large discrepancies between measurements. Very few studies combine multiple utility and disease specific instruments and to date no studies have compared utility instruments with scales measuring subjective wellbeing (happiness) or human capabilities. This project will mount the largest cross national survey to date of these questions.