Digital Commons Network^™

Exercise Medicine In The Management Of Pancreatic Cancer: A Systematic Review, Hao Luo, Daniel A. Galvão, Robert U. Newton, Pedro Lopez Da Cruz, Colin Tang, Ciaran M. Fairman, Nigel Spry, Dennis R. Taaffe

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The aim of this study was to examine the health-related effects of exercise in patients with pancreatic cancer (PanCa) through a systematic review of current evidence. Studies were obtained through searching PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Embase, CINAHL Plus, and Cochrane Library databases with additional hand searches. All intervention-based studies were included if it involved (1) adult patients with PanCa, (2) exercise training, and (3) findings in quality of life, cancer-related fatigue, psychological distress, and physical function. The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO: CRD42020154684. Seven trials described in 9 publications were included consisting of 201 patients with early-stage and …

A Narrative Review Of The Pharmacological, Cultural And Psychological Literature On Ibogaine, Martie S. Underwood, Stephen J. Bright, B. Les Lancaster

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Ibogaine is a psychoactive alkaloid contained in the West African plant Tabernanthe iboga. Although preliminary, evidence suggests that ibogaine could be effective in the treatment of certain substance use disorders, specifically opioid use disorder. This narrative review concentrated on the pharmacological, cultural and psychological aspects of ibogaine that contribute to its reputed effectiveness with a specific focus on the ibogaine state of consciousness. Although the exact pharmacological mechanisms for ibogaine are still speculative, the literature highlighted its role as an NMDA antagonist in the effective treatment of substance use disorders. The cultural aspects associated with the use of ibogaine pose …

Communication Surrounding Initiation And Withdrawal Of Non-Invasive Ventilation In Adults With Motor Neuron(E) Disease: Clinicians’ And Family Members’ Perspectives, Charlotte Chapman, Sara Bayes, Moira Sim

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Introduction: International guidelines recommend that health care clinicians communicate with people with MND and their family members about non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and percutaneous gastrostomy tube (PEG) prior to or at the onset of respiratory symptoms. This study sought to discover the degree to which these recommendations are followed in practice.

Methods: Interpretive Description methodology was employed. Nineteen clinicians experienced in caring for people with MND, six relatives of recently deceased people with MND and one person with MND participated in semi-structured in-depth interviews. Clinicians’ accounts of NIV and PEG related communications were compared to family member participants’ recollections of their …

Contact, Moral Foundations Or Knowledge? What Predicts Attitudes Towards Women Who Undergo Ivf, Alicja Malina, Marta Roczniewska, Julie Ann Pooley

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background: The willingness to try in vitro fertilization (IVF) as an infertility treatment, as well as its psychosocial consequences for couples, may be influenced by how they perceive the attitudes of general public towards this procedure. The focus of the current study was to identify predictors of attitudes towards mothers who underwent IVF to conceive a child. Three predictors were derived from attitude components: contact with someone who had undergone IVF (behavior), moral foundations (emotions), and the level of knowledge (cognition) about IVF. Method: In total, 817 participants (118 male and 692 female, 7 unreported) from Poland took part in …

Spon1 Is Associated With Amyloid-Β And Apoe Ε4-Related Cognitive Decline In Cognitively Normal Adults, Shane Fernandez, Samantha C. Burnham, Lidija Milicic, Greg Savage, Paul Maruff, Madeline Peretti, Hamid R. Sohrabi, Yen Ying Lim, Michael Weinborn, David Ames, Colin L. Masters, Ralph N. Martins, Stephanie Rainey-Smith, Christopher C. Rowe, Olivier Salvado, David Groth, Giuseppe Verdile, Victor L. Villemagne, Tenielle Porter, Simon M. Laws

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background: Genetic variation in Spondin-1, specifically rs11023139, has been associated with reduced rates of cognitive decline in individuals with Alzheimer's disease. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess whether the association was present in cognitively normal older adults. Methods: Longitudinal cognitive decline was investigated using linear mixed modelling in a cohort of 590 cognitively normal older adults enrolled in the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle Study. Results: No independent effect of Spondin-1 rs11023139 on cognitive decline was observed. However, significant associations were observed for the interaction between Apolipoprotein E (APOE) ϵ4 and rs11023139 in individuals with high amyloid-β …

Impact Of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Outbreak Quarantine, Isolation, And Lockdown Policies On Mental Health And Suicide, Balasankar Ganesan, Adel Al-Jumaily, Kenneth N. K. Fong, Palak Prasad, Surendra Kumar Meena, Raymond Kai-Yu Tong

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has made a huge impact on people's physical and mental health, and it remains a cause of death for many all over the world. To prevent the spread of coronavirus infection, different types of public health measures (social isolation, quarantine, lockdowns, and curfews) have been imposed by governments. However, mental health experts warn that the prolonged lockdown, quarantine, or isolation will create a “second pandemic” with severe mental health issues and suicides. The quarantined or isolated people may suffer from various issues such as physical inactivity, mental health, economic and social problems. As with …

Australian Postgraduate Student Experiences And Anticipated Employability: A National Study From The Students’ Perspective, Elizabeth J. Cook, Linda Crane, Shelley Kinash, Amy Bannatyne, Joseph Crawford, Gary Hamlin, Madelaine-Marie Judd, Jo-Anne Kelder, Helen Partridge, Sarah Richardson

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Postgraduate students are navigating a rapidly evolving landscape for their future careers. In this context, higher education providers are responsible for supporting and monitoring postgraduate (masters and doctoral) students’ development for both education and employability contexts. This empirical research provides a rich analysis of feedback breakfasts, focus groups and interviews with 319 postgraduate student participants from 26 universities. Emergent themes highlight widespread lack of confidence in university-mediated student experiences, particularly in the context of employability, and pessimism regarding career outcomes. Students expressed a view that higher education providers need to direct further attention and relevant supports toward postgraduate education. Future …

Revealing Meaning From Story: The Application Of Narrative Inquiry To Explore The Factors That Influence Decision Making In Relation To The Withdrawal Of Life-Sustaining Treatment In The Intensive Care Unit, Fiona Foxall, Deborah Sundin, Amanda Towell-Barnard Phd, Mnursing, Beverly Ewens, Vivien Kemp, Davina Porock

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

This paper considers the effectiveness of narrative inquiry as a research method in collecting and analyzing stories from a purposive sample of intensive care nurses and doctors, regarding their perceptions of the factors that influence decision-making in relation to the withdrawal of life sustaining treatment. Delaying the withdrawal of treatment when it is clearly indicated, may result in unnecessary patient suffering at the end of life, distress for the family as well as moral distress for staff. In narrative inquiry participants’ first-hand accounts of their experiences are told through story; the focus of analysis is the story, with the story …

Digital Labour And Temporal Priorities Within A Secondary School, Nicola F. Johnson

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Digital devices and ubiquitous online access contribute to the nature and amount of digital labour conducted by school staff. Drawing on more than 40 interviews with staff at one Australian secondary school, the general nature of this digital labour is presented, then Clancy’s notion of temporal autonomous spaces is introduced and applied to theorise why some teachers used digital technologies constantly in their teaching. The article highlights how some teachers invested their time in learning about and using digital technologies because it enhanced their sense of autonomy and increased their sense of freed time. It theorises how teachers who invest …

Learning Deficit In Cognitively Normal Apoe Ε4 Carriers With Low Β-Amyloid, Yen Ying Lim, Jenalle E. Baker, Andrea Mills, Loren Bruns, Christopher Fowler, Jurgen Fripp, Stephanie R. Rainey-Smith, David Ames, Colin L. Masters, Paul Maruff

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Introduction: In cognitively normal (CN) adults, increased rates of amyloid beta (Aβ) accumulation can be detected in low Aβ (Aβ–) apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 carriers. We aimed to determine the effect of ε4 on the ability to benefit from experience (ie, learn) in Aβ–CNs. Methods: Aβ– CNs(n= 333) underwent episodic memory assessments every 18 months for 108 months. A subset (n = 48) completed the Online Repeatable Cognitive Assessment-Language Learning Test (ORCA-LLT) over 6 days. Results: Aβ– ε4 carriers showed significantly lower rates of improvement on episodic memory over 108 months compared to non-carriers (d = 0.3). Rates of learning …

Examining The Average Scores Of Nursing Teamwork Subscales In An Acute Private Medical Ward, Martina Costello, Kylie Rusell, Tracey Coventry

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background: Healthcare is delivered by multidisciplinary healthcare teams who rely on communication and effective teamwork to ensure safe patient care. Teamwork builds on employee cohesion and reduces medical and nursing errors, resulting in greater patient satisfaction and improved healthcare. Effective teamwork not only improves efficiency and patient safety but leads to a healthier and happier workplace, reducing burnout among healthcare professionals. The purpose of this paper is to describe the findings of a pilot project on an acute medical ward in Western Australia. The aim was to understand the participants perceived level of teamwork to support future work practices and …

Students Pay The Price: Doctoral Candidates Are Targeted By Contract Cheating Websites, Andrew Kelly, Kylie J. Stevenson

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Aim/Purpose This paper analyses the textual features of contract cheating websites that offer thesis writing services for doctoral students and considers implications for practice. Background Contract cheating is an increasing challenge for higher education institutions, governments and societies worldwide. However, relatively little is known about the prevalence of online thesis writing services and the ways in which these companies attract doctoral students as customers. Methodology This study has a three-step textual analysis methodological approach: firstly, identifying contract cheating websites that target doctoral students; secondly, applying a top-down thematic approach to the literature to identify potential vulnerabilities; and, thirdly, using these …

Foveal Avascular Zone And Choroidal Thickness Are Decreased In Subjects With Hard Drusen And Without High Genetic Risk Of Developing Alzheimer’S Disease, Inés López-Cuenca, Rosa De Hoz, Celia Alcantara-Rey, Elena Salobrar-García, Lorena Elvira-Hurtado, José A. Fernández-Albarral, Ana Barabash, Federico Ramírez-Toraño, Jaisalmer De Frutos-Lucas, Juan J. Salazar, Ana I. Ramírez, José M. Ramírez

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

A family history (FH+) of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and ɛ4 allele of the ApoE gene are the main genetic risk factors for developing AD, whereas ɛ4 allele plays a protective role in age-related macular degeneration. Ocular vascular changes have been reported in both pathologies. We analyzed the choroidal thickness using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) using OCT-angiography and compared the results with ApoE gene expression, AD FH+, and the presence or absence of hard drusen (HD) in 184 cognitively healthy subjects. Choroidal thickness was statistically significantly different in the (FH−, ɛ4−, HD+) group compared with …

An Early Collaborative Intervention Focusing On Parent-Infant Interaction In The Neonatal Period. A Descriptive Study Of The Developmental Framework, Charlotte Sahlén Helmer, Ulrika Birberg Thornberg, Evalotte Mörelius

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Moderate to late preterm infants are at risk of developing problems later in life. To support attachment and infants’ development, high quality parent-infant interaction is important. Parent-infant interaction is known to improve through intervention programs but since no such intervention program is addressed directly to moderate to late preterm infants, a tailor-made intervention was developed. The aim was to describe the rationale, development, framework and practical provision of a new early collaborative intervention program. This study has a descriptive design and the intervention is described using the Template for Intervention Description and Replication. During an intervention-session, the preterm infant’s cues …

Variations In The Physical Performance Of Olympic Boxers Over A Four-Day National Qualifying Tournament, Irineu Loturco, Michael R. Mcguigan, Tomás T. Freitas, Chris Bishop, Pedro E. Alcaraz, Felipe Romano, Mateus Alves, Valter P. Reis, Lucas A. Pereira, Emerson Franchini

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The aim of this study was to examine changes in body mass (BM) and power-related measures in Olympic boxers during an official qualifying boxing tournament. Fourteen elite amateur boxers from the Brazilian National Team (eight men and six women) participated in this study. Athletes performed three fights in four days against the same opponent of the same weight-category. Before and immediately after every fight, BM, countermovement jump (CMJ) height, and power production in the bench-press and half-squat exercises were assessed in the same order and on the same time of the day. A two-way repeated-measures ANOVA with the Bonferroni post-hoc …

Forensic Experts’ Perspectives On Australian Indigenous Sexual Offenders And Factors Important In Evaluating The Risk Of Recidivism, Alfred Allan, Cate L. Parry, Hilde Tubex, Caroline Spiranovic, Frank Morgan

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Law and ethics require that risk assessment should be cross-culturally valid and fair, but Australian research in this regard is underdeveloped. A logical first step in progressing the work required to build a strong evidence base on culturally sensitive risk assessment in Australia is to determine the expert views of those in the field. We interviewed 13 Australian evaluators who assess Indigenous sexual offenders’ recidivism risk to determine their perceptions of the risk assessment instruments they use and the attributes they believe evaluators doing cross-cultural assessments should have. Our central findings are that evaluators use the available instruments because they …

Awareness And Knowledge Of Developmental Coordination Disorder: A Survey Of Caregivers, Teachers, Allied Health Professionals And Medical Professionals In Australia, Jacqui Hunt, Jill G. Zwicker, Erin Godecke, Annette Raynor

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background:

To allow for accurate and timely diagnosis of developmental coordination disorder (DCD) key stakeholders must be familiar with and be able to identify features of this disorder. No studies to date have investigated the awareness of DCD among key stakeholders in Australia.

Methods:

An online survey was complete by 494 Australian participants: primary caregivers (n = 153), teachers (n = 149), allied health professionals (n = 165) and medical professionals (n = 27).

Results:

DCD and related terms were among the least known childhood disorders. Approximately half of the sample were familiar with the term …

Breaking The Silence: Insights Into The Lived Experiences Of Wa Aboriginal/Lgbtiq+ People: Community Summary Report 2021, Braden Hill, Bep Uink, Jenny Dodd, Dameyon Bonson, Anne-Marie Eades, Sian Bennett

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The ‘Breaking the Silence’ research project is one of the first to focus on the unique experiences of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander LGBTIQ+ people living in Western Australia. Research focusing on the intersection of Indigeneity and gender/sexual diversity is severely lacking in Australia. This is the first survey to comprehensively capture the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTIQ+ Western Australians. Previously, major research pertaining to LGBTIQ+ Australians rarely just focused on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander same sex attracted or gender variant individuals (Bonson, 2017; Dudgeon, et. al., 2017; Growing Up Queer, 2014; Hill, et. al., 2021; …

Breaking The Silence: Insights From Wa Services Working With Aboriginal/ Lgbtiq+ People: Organisations Summary Report 2021, Braden Hill, Bep Uink, Jenny Dodd, Dameyon Bronson, Anne-Marie Eades, Sian Bennett

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The ‘Breaking the Silence’ research project is one of the first to focus on the unique experiences of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander LGBTIQ+ people living in Western Australia. The report presents the first phase of a twopart research project that explores how a range of health, social support and education organisations respond to the needs of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, living in Western Australia and identifying as LGBTIQ+. This report presents the findings of focus groups, interviews and surveys with staff employed within a range of organisations that work closely with Aboriginal and/or LGBTIQ+ individuals. The discussion …

Overview Of Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Health Status, 2020, Australian Indigenous Healthinfonet

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The Overview of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health status (the Overview) aims to provide a comprehensive outline of the most recent indicators of the health and current health status of Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The initial sections of the Overview provide information about the context of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, social determinants, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population and measures of population health status including births, mortality and hospitalisation...

Summary Of Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Health Status - Selected Topics 2020, Australian Indigenous Healthinfonet

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The Summary of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health status - selected topics 2020 is a useful source of the most recent national information for health workers and those studying in the field. It provides general information regarding the health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the following topics:

• social and cultural determinants
• births and deaths
• hospitalisations
• chronic conditions (including CVD, cancer, diabetes and kidney health)
• sexually transmitted infections
• environmental health
• social and emotional wellbeing
• alcohol and other drug use.

The Summary is based on the Overview of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health status 2020 and …

Change In Mental Health, Physical Health, And Social Relationships During Highly Restrictive Lockdown In The Covid-19 Pandemic: Evidence From Australia, Shane Rogers, Travis Miles Cruickshank

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background

A novel coronavirus first reported in Wuhan City in China in 2019 (COVID-19) developed into a global pandemic throughout 2020. Many countries around the world implemented strict social distancing policies to curb the spread of the virus. In this study we aimed to examine potential change in mental/physical health and social relationships during a highly restrictive COVID-19 lockdown period in Australia during April 2020.

Methods

Our survey (n = 1, 599) included questions about concerns, social behaviour, perceived change in relationship quality, social media use, frequency of exercise, physical health, and mental health during COVID-19 lockdown (April, 2020). …

Help-Seeking For Mental Health Problems Among Older Adults With Chronic Disease: An Application Of The Theory Of Planned Behaviour, Claire Adams, Eyal Gringart, Natalie Strobel, Paul Masterman

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Objective: Despite high risk for mental health problems, older adults with chronic diseases underutilise mental health services. This study applied the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to understand mental health help-seeking intentions among this population and identified factors which influence help-seeking intentions.

Method: We conducted a cross-sectional study with a non-clinical sample of 108 older adults aged 65 years or over, living with cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and/or type 2 diabetes. TPB variables (attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control), intentions to seek help, and additional factors (past help-seeking behaviour, quality of life, and physical health) were assessed using standardised …

The Prospective Applicability Of The Strengths-Based Approach To Managing And Developing Employees In Small Businesses, Chamila Kumudunee Wijekuruppu, Alan Coetzer, Pattanee Susomrith

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Purpose: The strength-based approach is promulgated as a management practice that improves individual productivity and performance. This study's purpose is to explore the prospective applicability of the strengths-based approach to managing and developing employees in small businesses. The study focuses on four domains of practice: selection, training, performance evaluation and task assignment.

Design/methodology/approach: The study employed semi-structured, face-to-face interviews to obtain data. The units of analysis were managers and employees of small businesses. Eleven managers and 19 employees were interviewed. Data analysis involved thematic analysis with the NVivo 12 software program.

Findings: First, the small businesses used a strengths-based approach …

Effect Of Occupational Therapy Home Visit Discharge Planning On Participation After Stroke: Protocol For The Home Rehab Trial, Natasha A. Lannin, Lindy Clemson, Avril Drummond, Mandy Stanley, Leonid Churilov, Kate Laver, Sophie O'Keefe, Ian Cameron, Maria Crotty, Tim Usherwood, Nadine E. Andrew, Laura Jolliffe, Dominique A. Cadilhac

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Introduction: After first stroke, the transition from rehabilitation to home can be confronting and fraught with challenges. Although stroke clinical practice guidelines recommend predischarge occupational therapy home visits to ensure safe discharge and provision of appropriate equipment, there is currently limited evidence to support this recommendation. Methods and analysis: The HOME Rehab trial is a national, multicentre, phase III randomised controlled trial with concealed allocation, blinded assessment and intention-to-treat analysis being conducted in Australia. The trial aim is to determine the effect and potential cost-effectiveness of an enhanced occupational therapy discharge planning intervention that involves pre and postdischarge home visits, …

Can Positive Mindsets Be Protective Against Stress And Isolation Experienced During The Covid-19 Pandemic? A Mixed Methods Approach To Understanding Emotional Health And Wellbeing Needs Of Perinatal Women, Jacqueline A. Davis, Lisa Y. Gibson, Natasha L. Bear, Amy L. Finlay-Jones, Jeneva L. Ohan, Desiree T. Silva, Susan L. Prescott

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between emotional health and well-being and support needs of perinatal women during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to understand their experiences and need for support. This is a potentially vulnerable group and a critical developmental phase for women and infants. A mixed methods design was used to collect quantitative and qualitative data that provided a robust insight into their unique needs. A total of 174 women who were either pregnant or post-birth participated. The main findings demonstrated that women in this cohort experienced varying levels of stress and isolation but also …

Supervision In Initial Teacher Education: A Scoping Review, Madlen Griffiths, Mandie Shean, Denise Jackson

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Supervision in initial teacher education is a pivotal component of professional experience, widely considered to be the most valued aspect of preservice teacher learning. Key to these experiences is the work of the university appointed supervisors who mentor the novices during their in-classroom learning. This is a dichotomous and often under-rated role, fraught with challenges, yet remains under-theorised and underresearched. Situated in a framework of readiness for teaching, this literature review provides a synopsis of the challenges facing the provision of quality teacher education programs and the supervision of preservice teachers and details the myriad of tasks undertaken by these …

Co-Creating Visual Representations Of Safe Spaces With Mental Health Service Users Using Photovoice And Zoom, Julie Dare, Helen Seiver, Lesley Andrew, David A. Coall, Shantha Karthigesu, Moira Sim, Kathy Boxall

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

This paper examines methodological issues related to an innovative online qualitative research project that explored ‘safe spaces’ with mental health service users. The project used photovoice and focus groups conducted via Zoom videoconferencing software. Eleven participants shared photographs, discussing their meaning and significance in relation to ‘safe spaces’. The photographs were then synthesised into an artist's impression of a safe space and transcripts of the online photovoice discussion analysed thematically and triangulated with the artist's impression. The paper provides a reflexive discussion of the research process and explores methodological and ethical implications of conducting sensitive qualitative research in online spaces.

Observations Of Children With Disability During Arts-Based Multisensory Story And Rhyme Activities: Is It All Just Chimes And Perfumes?, John O'Rourke, Susan Main, Christina Gray, Christine Lovering

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

It is generally acknowledged that alternative strategies are required to enable children with disability to access storytelling activities. In this study, we sought to analyse the benefits of one such strategy: an arts-based multisensory story and rhyme program delivered to children with Down syndrome and autism spectrum disorder. In order to determine the engagement and impact of the program on the participants, data were collected through a series of multisensory session observations, focus group interviews with parents of participants, and interviews with performing artists delivering the program. The findings of this study revealed multiple benefits of using sensory stimuli to …

Supporting Patient-Clinician Interaction In Chronic Hiv Care: Design And Development Of A Patient-Reported Outcomes Software Application, Susan Herrmann, Brad Power, Amineh Rashidi, Mark Cypher, Frank Mastaglia, Amy Grace, Elizabeth Mckinnon, Pierre Sarrot, Christophe Michau, Matthew Skinner, Renae Desai, Martin Duracinsky

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background: The consideration of health-related quality of life (HRQL) is a hallmark of best practice in HIV care. Information technology offers an opportunity to more closely engage patients with chronic HIV infection in their long-term management and support a focus on HRQL. However, the implementation of patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures, such as HRQL in routine care, is challenged by the need to synthesize data generated by questionnaires, the complexity of collecting data between patient visits, and the integration of results into clinical decision-making processes. Objective: Our aim is to design and pilot-test a multimedia software platform to overcome these challenges …