A Phase III Trial Comparing Adjuvant Versus Salvage Radiotherapy For High Risk Patients Post Radical Prostatectomy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$819,138.00
Summary
About half of all patients Treated with an operation to remove their prostate cancer have a high chance of the cancer coming back. Giving immediate radiotherapy to all patients will improve cure rates but does not benefit all men and can cause significant side effects. This study explores whether it is safe to wait and only give radiotherapy when there is a rising PSA after surgery indicating active cancer. A total of 470 men from Australasia will enter this study comparing the two approaches.
Reducing The Greatest Uncertainty In Radiotherapy.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$594,197.00
Summary
The weakest link in radiotherapy is defining treatment volumes (contouring). Lack of accuracy and consistency in clinical trial contouring has been shown to result in reduced patient outcomes. Manual review of contouring is resource intensive, expensive and for advanced treatments unachievable in a timely fashion. We will assess an automated approach to contouring assessment using 4 clinical trial datasets, changing practice for future studies and enabling consistent assessment in the clinic.
Benefits Of Home-based Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation In Non Small Cell Lung Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$581,039.00
Summary
Lung cancer is the third leading cause of death in Australia. People with lung cancer experience a complex mix of symptoms that can provoke significant distress and impair physical function. This study aims to develop and test a home based exercise and self-management support program to increase function and physical activity levels, reduce levels of depression and improve quality of life of people with lung cancer.
Improving Quality Of Life In Late Stage Bipolar Disorder: RCT Of A Novel Psychological Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,083,620.00
Summary
Hundreds of thousands of Australians have bipolar disorder and receive minimal benefit from existing drug and psychological treatments. ORBIT 2.0 is a new low-intensity online treatment using mindfulness strategies to improve quality of life in this poorly served ‘late stage’ group. Pilot testing suggests ORBIT is effective. This project will refine the intervention and is expected to confirm its clinical and cost effectiveness prior to international roll-out.
Benefits And Safety Of IRon Supplementation With MAlaria Chemoprevention To Children In Malawi (IRMA) - A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,064,309.00
Summary
Anaemia and malaria frequently coexist in low income settings e.g. sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Iron interventions aim to reduce anaemia but exacerbate malaria. We aim to test whether iron is made safe by coadministering malaria prevention, and whether these interventions improve child health outcomes especially cognitive development, while ensuring malaria resistance does not emerge.
Impact Of A Sleep Intervention In ADHD: Translational Randomised Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,020,595.00
Summary
Up to 50% of children with ADHD experience sleep problems which worsen their ADHD symptoms, behaviour, quality of life and day to day functioning. In a previous trial, we showed that treating sleep problems in children with ADHD improves these outcomes. We now want to know if these benefits can be replicated when general paediatrcians and psychologists deliver the same sleep intervention in community settings.
In 2013 there were ~200 million clinical cases of malaria, causing ~600,000 deaths. All antimalarial drugs are now associated with malaria parasite resistance. Thus, new therapies are urgently needed, including new drugs to prevent this disease. We have made the exciting discovery that an existing antimalarial drug can kill malaria parasites in a unique, previously unknown, manner. Here, we will investigate how this occurs and develop new drug candidates for malaria prevention.
Improving Vision And Quality Of Life: An Innovative And Comprehensive Eye Care Model For Individuals In Residential Care Facilities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$896,953.00
Summary
Elderly people living in residential care facilities have high levels of vision loss which can impact on emotional health, falls, daily functioning, and quality of life. Appropriate correction and cataract surgery can improve vision and, with low vision rehabilitation, can enhance quality of life. This project will assess the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a new model of eye care targeting vision impairment to improve residents’ daily functioning, enhance their emotional well-being and quali ....Elderly people living in residential care facilities have high levels of vision loss which can impact on emotional health, falls, daily functioning, and quality of life. Appropriate correction and cataract surgery can improve vision and, with low vision rehabilitation, can enhance quality of life. This project will assess the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a new model of eye care targeting vision impairment to improve residents’ daily functioning, enhance their emotional well-being and quality of life; and reduce falls.Read moreRead less
A Longitudinal Neuroimaging Study Investigating Reorganisation Of Cerebellar-cerebral Networks In Friedreich Ataxia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$816,908.00
Summary
Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) causes debilitating motor and cognitive deficits. We propose a longitudinal multi-modal magnetic resonance (MR) imaging study to measure different types of tissue in the brain in this disease. We seek to understand how the brain reorganises itself due to cell loss in the spinal cord, cerebellum and cerebral cortex. This study will establish sensitivity of a range of MR imaging measures as potential biomarkers for use in large multi-centre drug trials in this disease.
Evaluating Cancer Screening: Context, Evidence, Values And Ethics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$572,460.00
Summary
The research and clinical communities are divided over whether certain forms of cancer screening do more harm than good. This project asks: What is the right thing to do about cancer screening now? Using robust qualitative methodologies, we will study real cases of cancer screening and analyse their ethical implications. Drawing on this data and analysis, we will produce tools to help policy-makers, consumers and professionals make good decisions about cancer screening in future.