Harnessing Neuroplasticity To Improve Motor Performance In Infants With Cerebral Palsy: A Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,736,349.00
Summary
Every 15 hours an Australian baby is born with cerebral palsy. Despite confidence in early intervention, 50% don't receive intervention before their first birthday while awaiting diagnosis, and 8 of 10 previous trials have not produced any physical gains over and above natural development. We have promising data about a new brain training intervention that harnesses neuroplasticity and improves movement. Our trial will treat 300 infants with early training comparing results to Standard Care.
Participate-CP: Optimising Participation In Physically Active Leisure For Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,014,872.00
Summary
In Australia, 35,000 people have cerebral palsy, who compared to able-bodied peers, are less active with a greater risk of chronic, life-limiting health conditions. There are currently no effective interventions for children with cerebral palsy to increase their physical activity and participation in active leisure activities. We have promising data about a new intervention, called Participate-CP, which we will test in 80 children with cerebral palsy and compare results to usual therapy care.
Refining And Testing A Promising New Treatment For Chronic Pain.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$743,947.00
Summary
Chronic pain costs Australia about 35 billion dollars a year. Recent scientific discoveries show that treatment aimed at correcting problems in how the brain processes sensory input can reduce pain and disability. This project will clarify some key aspects of these problems and use that information to make final adjustments to an already very promising treatment. We will then test the treatment in a definitive and comprehensive clinical trial.
Why Do People Keep Hurting Their Back: A Longitudinal Study Of Biological, Psychological And Social Predictors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$739,946.00
Summary
We aim to identify why people continue to suffer episodes of back pain. If we can identify factors that predict the course of back pain we can target treatments to the right people to reduce the burden of this common condition. We will follow people for a year after an acute episode. We will measure novel issues like control of trunk muscles, inflammatory response, and how the nervous system deals with pain. We will also investigate how these factors interact with social and psychological issues
Testing The Imprecision Hypothesis Of Chronic Pain.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$788,984.00
Summary
Pain usually occurs when something triggers activity in danger receptors, which are all over the body. The brain receives a huge amount of other sensory input too, which tells the brain what was happening when the danger arose. The brain imprints this sensory barrage and uses it as an early (painful!) warning system next time. If the imprint is imprecise, then the painful warning occurs in non-dangerous situations. We will test whether imprecise imprinting of the sensory input causes the gradual ....Pain usually occurs when something triggers activity in danger receptors, which are all over the body. The brain receives a huge amount of other sensory input too, which tells the brain what was happening when the danger arose. The brain imprints this sensory barrage and uses it as an early (painful!) warning system next time. If the imprint is imprecise, then the painful warning occurs in non-dangerous situations. We will test whether imprecise imprinting of the sensory input causes the gradual development of chronic debilitating pain.Read moreRead less
Understanding Persistent Low Back Pain Where It Resides, In The Brain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$848,972.00
Summary
Low back pain is a leading cause of disability amongst Australians. A critical question is why some people get better after hurting their back while others do not. This project examines whether changes in the brain predict low back pain outcome. This information will rapidly advance our understanding of low back pain and has the potential to facilitate the development of novel therapies.
Targeting The Brain To Treat Chronic Pain Of Whiplash Associated Disorder
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$322,952.00
Summary
Chronic neck pain is the equal leading cause of disability worldwide. Guided by largely disproven structural pathology paradigms, treatment resources are directed to ‘fix’ musculoskeletal abnormalities, with at best small effects. Brain-imaging studies suggest that brain (rather than neck tissue) changes, may instead maintain pain. My research will test new brain-based treatments: The Tactile Training Device, and MoOVi Illusory Exercise Program and their effects on pain, disability and brain.
An Integrated, Multi-system Approach To Understanding Persistent Pain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,180.00
Summary
Musculoskeletal pain is a major health problem in Australia, with an economic burden second only to cancer. Despite the scale of the problem, there are few effective treatments. This project examines a range of biological mechanisms that could explain why some people get better over time while others experiencing pain do not. The findings of this research will contribute to the development of new treatments that can be targeted to each individual to improve pain and disability.
Physical Activity In Community Dwelling People With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$107,204.00
Summary
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a serious lung condition causing severe breathlessness. Participation in a pulmonary rehabilitation program can reduce symptoms and improve quality of life but is unavailable to most people who only see their local doctor. These studies will look at the effect of a new home-based pulmonary rehabilitation program on how much physical activity people do and the best ways to measure exercise ability at home.