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It is well established that with normal ageing come reductions in mobility, physical ability and associated functional performance. It has been identified that a mismatch between actual physical abilities and perceived physical ability are associated with increased falls risk and risk-taking behavior in older adults. This mismatch between physical and perceived abilities may be partly due to impairments in motor planning which commonly deteriorates with ageing. A simple way to measure the association between actual and perceived abilities is to compare the difference (error) in time or distance between actual and imagined (or perceived) performance. Motor imagery is the imagining of an action without its physical execution and can effectively improve motor skill and promote motor leaning as it activates areas of the brain that are normally activated during actual physical performance. Motor imagery has been shown to improve muscle strength and mobility, but it is not known whether motor imagery can influence the relationship between actual and perceived ability. The aim of this study is to identify whether four weeks of motor imagery training can improve physical abilities together with perception of motor abilities in older adults.

Approximately 30% of the world’s population suffer from anaemia, a condition characterised by decreased levels of red blood cells in the blood, resulting in a reduced capacity to carry oxygen. Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is the most common type of anaemia and is often overlooked, especially in people with chronic conditions. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of anaemia, iron deficiency without anaemia and IDA in patients with chronic pain. Patients with chronic pain can present with chronic inflammatory conditions and often experience a reduced health-related quality of life which is an important target of therapeutic interventions. Iron deficiency, even in the absence of anaemia, can be debilitating, and may exacerbate any underlying chronic disease, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. The most common symptoms of IDA are fatigue, weakness, dizziness, headache, lethargy, but it is hypothesised that IDA can also lead to pain. Treatment for this form of anaemia is simple, effective and safe. We hypothesise that chronic pain patients may contribute to a higher prevalence of IDA.

The study aims to evaluate the real-word effects of the Partners in Parenting program (PiP), an individually-tailored web-based parenting program that aims to teach parents strategies that are believed to reduce their adolescent's risk of developing depression and anxiety disorders, PiP provides parents with personalised feedback about their current parenting, including strengths and areas for improvement, and parents can choose up to 9 interactive online modules designed to support them in making changes to their parenting practices. We aim to find out whether providing PiP to parents in the community can help them to improve parenting behaviours associated with adolescent depression and anxiety, and in turn reduce risk of depression and anxiety in their adolescents.

Peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) are small plastic tubes inserted into veins to deliver essential fluids, medications and blood products. Cancer care patients are ‘high end users’ of PIVCs and other vascular devices necessary to receive both anti-cancer and adjunct therapy, including repeated scans using injectable contrast dye for diagnosis and staging. However, current failure rates of PIVCs are unacceptably high (40-50%). Preservation of vessel integrity and reduction of infection risk is a high priority in this vulnerable patient population. This study aims to test the feasibility of evaluating perforated versus non-perforated peripheral catheter design on PIVC complications and failure. Sixty patients (30 per treatment group) requiring injection of contrast via PIVC for a Computerised Tomography (CT) scan for diagnosis or staging of malignant oncology or haematology conditions, will be enrolled. In addition to feasibility outcomes, the impact on device failure and vessel integrity will be evaluated. The results will lay the foundation for follow on trial work and grant applications to support this. Preventing hospital acquired complications is a priority area in modern healthcare.

People with PWS and severe behaviour disturbance had significantly lower brain gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels than typically developing controls. GABA is the major inhibiting neurotransmitter in the brain, meaning it helps turn brain activity off. Unfortunately, there are currently no effective treatments for the core behaviours associated with PWS. We aim to address this issue by examining whether people with PWS show an increase in brain GABA levels in response to the medication acamprosate (a GABA modulator). If we find that they do, then this then this will help identify a new potential target for treatment in PWS.

Cognitive decline including delirium is known to follow anaesthesia and surgery in the elderly and may have long term consequences including increased risk of dementia. There is evidence that lifestyle interventions may reduce the risk of delirium and slow the progression of cognitive decline. This study will implement a care program to reduce the incidence of perioperative delirium and in turn, reduce postoperative neurocognitive disorder. To achieve these aims participants randomised to our specialised care group will receive perioperative optimisation strategies (e.g. medications, pain management) in accordance with the expert opinion for delirium prevention in Australia (ACSQHC, 2016). In addition, these patients will receive lifestyle interventions targeting modifiable cardiovascular risk factors (e.g. diabetes, inactivity, smoking). Our control group will receive current standard of care. Primary outcomes include mild or major neurocognitive disorder at 3 and 12 months, assessed with a battery of neuropsychological tests. Secondary outcomes include days alive and out of hospital, QoL and functional independence.

Stillbirth directly affects over 2,000 families in Australia each year. Stillbirth is a personal tragedy for the families involved and a serious public health problem with far reaching social, emotional and financial burdens on all involved. In many cases stillbirth is preventable and research shows 20-30% of late gestation stillbirths could be avoided with better care. The Safer Baby Bundle (SBB) was developed to address priority evidence practice gaps in stillbirth prevention. This before and after study evaluates the impact of this healthcare improvement initiative across maternity services in three states; Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales. By implementing the SBB elements of care, the goal is to reduce stillbirth in Australia by 20% for women from 28 weeks’ gestation and beyond.

A randomised controlled proof of concept and feasibility study will investigate whether virtually embodying hyper-muscular and hyper-capable avatars in virtual reality (VR) can augment body image as it relates to the perception of bodily integrity and vulnerability, and whether these changes relate to short-term improvements in clinical outcomes. Thirty adults with chronic low back pain will be recruited from the Metro South Health Persistent Pain Management Service and randomised to receive a single session VR intervention targeting body image ‘Body Image-VR’ (n=20), or single session of general virtual reality ‘General-VR’ (n=10). Primary outcome measures of body image, pain, and strength, will be assessed: (1) Immediately pre- and post-intervention, and (2) At one week follow-up to assess carry-over effects. A qualitative interview will be conducted with Intervention participants to investigate VR experience, acceptability, feasibility, and tolerability. We hypothesise that embodying hyper-capable avatars in VR will improve body image, pain and strength. We expect outcomes to inform future research and clinical implementation.

As a person ages there is a gradual decline in bone health and an increased risk of falling which, when combined, increases the risk of fractures. Weight gain is common after menopause, however weight loss leads to even greater bone loss and greater risk of fractures. This study will help to determine whether the high-load resistance training or home-based exercise are effective strategies for maintaining bone strength and physical function during weight loss.

A multi-armed randomised control trial to assess the effectiveness of sleep education and wrist-activity monitors that provide daily feedback on sleep . These interventions were selected as they are frequently used by shiftwork organisations as part of a systematic approach to manage fatigue risk. However, the effectiveness of these interventions is somewhat unknown. An assessment of sleep quality, quantity, and cognitive performance will follow these interventions using both subjective and objective measures.