CCRE SPINE Current Studies
Participate in our studies!
Have you had a recent whiplash injury? UQ researchers are seeking volunteers who have neck pain resulting from a recent whiplash injury. Whiplash injuries can 1) cause some people to have long-standing pain and 2) affect the size and structure of the neck muscles. This study is investigating whether changes in muscle as seen on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and altered levels of inflammation in the blood can help us better identify those patients who are at risk for having painful symptoms in the long-term. Volunteers will be required to attend four different sessions (within 3 days of their motor vehicle accident, at 14 days, 3 months and 6 months) at the Wesley Hospital to undergo several clinical assessments including 1) a medical screen, 2) a blood sample from their arm 3) a MRI scan of their neck and 4) sensory and physical measures related to their neck pain. This will take approximately one hour each session. There is no cost to the participant and there are no side effects from the MRI. Volunteers must be18-50 years and have neck pain from a whiplash injury that occurred within the last 3 days.
Contact: Dr James Elliott on j.elliott2@uq.edu.au or phone (07) 3365 4529.
Which exercise for chronic low back pain?
This study, in collaboration with researchers from the University of Sydney, is a direct comparison of the two most promising exercise approaches used in Australia for chronic back pain: graded activity, and motor control exercises. The study will also identify clinical features that predict a patient’s response to each treatment, a finding that will allow clinicians to identify which type of exercise approach is more likely to be effective for an individual patient. These results will enable us to increase the number of patients benefiting from exercise programs. Given that over 2 million Australians suffer from chronic low back pain even small increases in the number of patients benefiting from exercise has the potential to produce enormous cost savings. This study offers a potential solution to a major health problem with enormous economic and social costs.
For more information please download the Information Statement (PDF 71kb), or contact: Ryan Stafford on r.stafford@uq.edu.au or phone (07) 3346 7751.
Funding: National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
Do you have persistent neck pain from a whiplash injury?
UQ physiotherapy researchers are seeking volunteers who have persistent neck pain resulting from a whiplash injury. Whiplash injuries can affect the size and structure of the neck muscles. This study is investigating whether specific, non-pain provoking exercise can reverse these changes. Volunteers will be required to undertake two supervised 30 minute exercise sessions per week for 12 weeks at the UQ St Lucia campus. They also to be willing to have three separate MRI scans of their neck at The Wesley Hospital over the 12 week study. There is no cost to the participant and there are no side effects from the MRI. Volunteers must be 18-45 years and have ongoing neck pain from a whiplash injury that occurred within the last 3 months – 2 years.
Contact: Dr James Elliott on j.elliott2@uq.edu.au or phone (07) 3365 4529. Training Dual Tasking in Parkinson Disease Difficulty walking while performing another activity such as talking (dual tasking) is a common and disabling problem for people with Parkinson Disease. At present people with PD are simply advised to avoid dual tasking, however we now have funding to extend our previous research, which showed that dual task training is possible in people with Parkinson Disease. We are inviting people diagnosed with PD to be involved. This study aims to determine the best way to train people with PD to walk, and perform other tasks at the same time. It is anticipated that effective training will have major benefits for people with PD as difficulty with dual task performance has been linked with falls and disability. Funding: National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
For more information please contact:
Robyn Lamont - r.lamont@uq.edu.au or phone 0418784464 or
Dr Sandy Brauer - s.brauer@shrsuq.edu.au or phone 07 3365 2317
Are you suffering from persistent neck pain following a whiplash injury?
Our previous research has shown that people with whiplash who are not complaining of any balance problems can still have balance disturbances when tested. Now we want to investigate the effect of neck position on balance responses and investigate functional balance in those with whiplash. Such knowledge could advance and direct appropriate assessment and management of those with a whiplash injury. All testing is non-invasive with minimal discomfort. Have you had your balance tested?
You may be suitable for this study if you are:
· Aged between 18 and 45;
· Continuing to suffer from neck pain due to a whiplash injury which occurred between 3 months and 5 years ago; and
· Currently living in the greater Brisbane area.
If you are interested in having your balance assessed, please contact:
· Raina Stokell – raina.stokell@uqconnect.edu.au
· Annie Yu – liju.yu@uqconnect.edu.au
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