Application No.:

T10-JN011

Title:

Respiratory function in patients with newly-diagnosed early-onset type 2 diabetes

Chief Investigator:

Alison Harmer

Co-investigators:

Associate Professor Jenny Alison - Discipline of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney
Dr Lyndal Maxwell - Discipline of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney
Dr Jencia Wong- The Diabetes Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital

Project Summary:

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity are now pandemics that increasingly affect younger people. Early-onset T2D (diagnosis before age 45) appears to be a more aggressive form than later-onset diabetes; and thus these patients present for treatment of more severe complications at a younger age. One such complication may be impaired lung function. Impairment may be subclinical in T2D until unmasked by co-morbid conditions, e.g. obesity or an acute lung infection, and by physiological stressors such as exercise. However, little is known about the respiratory function of patients with newly-diagnosed early-onset T2D or the impact that exercise and/or obesity may have on their lung function.

This cross-sectional pilot study will thus measure respiratory function at rest and during submaximal and peak exercise in patients with newly-diagnosed early-onset T2D, with and without the presence of obesity. These patients will be compared to age- and gender-matched control participants who do not have diabetes or obesity. Evidence provided by this study will facilitate more targeted design of a larger intervention trial.

Funding of $9,992 is requested for medically-supervised peak exercise tests; patient travel to the laboratory; a subset of blood analyses; and consumables needed for submaximal exercise and respiratory testing.

Amount Requested:

$9,992.00

Application No.:

T10-MPA/SPA012

Title:

Dose Optimisation for Spinal treatment Effectiveness (The DOSE Study): A randomised controlled pilot trial investigating the effects of high and low mobilisation forces in patients with neck pain

Chief Investigator:

Suzanne Snodgrass

Co-investigators:

Prof Darren Rivett - School of Health Sciences, University of Newcastle
Prof Bill Vicenzino - Division of Physiotherapy and NHMRC CCRE Spine, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Queensland
A/Prof Michele Sterling - Centre for National Research on Disability and Rehabilitation Medicine (CONROD), University of Queensland

Project Summary:

Around 30-50% of adults will experience neck pain over a 12 month period, and many are treated with manual therapy. Although evidence supports manual therapy treatment when combined with exercise, the dose is not defined. Up until now, there were few methods for objectively quantifying a manual technique to establish its optimal dose. This pilot randomised controlled trial will investigate two specific doses of posterior-to-anterior (PA) mobilisation, the most common manual technique therapists use when treating the cervical spine. Sixty patients will be randomised to receive either a high force or low force PA mobilisation, or sham treatment, with patients’ pressure pain threshold, resting pain, cervical range and stiffness measured before, immediately after anddays post-treatment. We will utilise innovative equipment we developed to standardise the manually applied forces, conducting the trial using demonstrable methods from our previous research. Determining dose-response relationships for manual therapy is essential for establishing optimal treatment strategies for patients with neck pain. The cost of neck pain is increasing, and many patients do not achieve symptom resolution. Therefore there is an urgent need for physiotherapists to provide effective treatment dosages with demonstrated patient outcomes, impacting spinal pain and advancing physiotherapy as the preferred treatment choice.

Amount Requested:

$9,999.00

Application No.:

T10-PRB001

Title:

Clinical skills and knowledge in rheumatoid arthritis: facilitating an effective private-public partnership in Western Australia

Chief Investigator:

Andrew Briggs

Co-investigators:

Dr Peter Bragge - Senior Research Fellow, Knowledge Translation & Quality Improvement Group, National Trauma Research Institute & Monash University, VIC
Dr Helen Slater - Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist, Curtin University, WA; Musculoskeletal Health Network, Department of Health, WA
Mr Lindsay Dutton - Senior Physiotherapist (Rheumatology), Royal Perth Hospital, WA; Musculoskeletal Health Network, Department of Health, WA
Dr Madelynn Chan - Consultant Rheumatologist, Royal Perth Hospital, WA; Musculoskeletal Health Network, Department of Health, WA
A/Prof Helen Keen - University Department of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia.
Consultant Rheumatologist, Royal Perth Hospital, WA

Project Summary:

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) imposes a significant burden on the individual as well as the limited, centrally-located, state-funded rheumatology services in Western Australia. Individuals with RA who reside in the outer metropolitan areas of Perth and require access to state-funded care rarely have access to local rheumatology services. In order to optimise the delivery of rheumatology services in WA, a Model of Care was developed for Inflammatory Arthritis. The Model emphasises the importance of providing timely, inter-disciplinary, community-based care. Physiotherapists working in private practice are in an ideal position to contribute to the rheumatology clinical workforce by delivering local care to patients with RA, in partnership with other health providers. However, it is unclear what constitutes the minimum disease-specific knowledge and core set of clinical skills required by physiotherapists to effectively and safety treat patients with RA, and whether there is a need for professional development in this clinical area. Therefore, the aims of this partnership project between researchers, clinicians and the Department of Health (WA) are to:

1. Identify the knowledge base and clinical skill set required by physiotherapists to effectively and safety manage patients with RA
2. Undertake a needs analysis for professional development in the clinical management of RA

Amount Requested:

$25,000.00