Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Who Cares For The Bereaved? A National Survey Of Family Caregivers Of People With Motor Neurone Disease, Samar M. Aoun, Paul A. Cafarella, Bruce Rumbold, Geoff Thomas, Anne Hogden, Leanne Jiang, Sonia Gregory, David W. Kissane

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Background: Although Motor Neurone Disease (MND) caregivers are most challenged physically and psychologically, there is a paucity of population-based research to investigate the impact of bereavement, unmet needs, range of supports, and their helpfulness as perceived by bereaved MND caregivers.

Methods: An anonymous national population-based cross-sectional postal and online survey of bereavement experiences of family caregivers who lost a relative/friend to MND in 2016, 2017, and 2018. Recruitment was through all MND Associations in Australia.

Results: 393 valid responses were received (31% response rate). Bereaved caregiver deterioration in physical (31%) and mental health (42%) were common. Approximately 40% did not …

Depression In Parkinson's Disease: Perspectives From An Australian Cohort, Michal Lubomski, Ryan L. Davis, Carolyn M. Sue

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Introduction: Depression is often an under-recognised feature of Parkinson's disease (PD). It is detrimental to physical and interpersonal functioning, negatively impacting a patient's clinical management, quality of life and well-being. We aimed to identify clinical predictors and management implications of depression in Australian PD patients.

Methods: 103 PD and 81 Healthy Control (HC) subjects were evaluated using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and other validated PD motor and non-motor symptom (NMS) tools.

Results: Nearly twice as many PD patients were depressed, (38.9% vs 20.1%, p = 0.009), with a corresponding increase in depression severity on the BDI (11.9; standard deviation …

Parents' Ability To Access Community Health Occupational Therapy Services In A Disadvantaged Area: A Proof Of Concept Study, Rachel Smith, Gisselle Gallego

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Introduction: In New South Wales children from disadvantaged backgrounds have poorer health outcomes and reduced access to health services than their more advantaged counterparts. This study aimed to identify barriers and enablers to accessing child and family occupational therapy services in a disadvantaged area.

Methods: This was a mixed methods study that included: 1) a retrospective analysis of de-identified routinely collected Community Health service utilisation data from 2016-2017, and a 2) face to face interview guided survey with parents and carers.

Results: The retrospective data analysis showed outreach at the targeted suburbs’ Early Childhood Health Centres (ECHC) improved attendance for …

Exploring The Efficacy Of The Expiratory Muscle Strength Trainer To Improve Swallowing In Inclusion Body Myositis: A Pilot Study, Nika Mohannak, Gemma Pattison, Bronwyn Radich, Kathryn Hird, Erin Godecke, Frank L. Mastaglia, Merrilee Needham

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM) is the most common acquired myopathy in older individuals with more than two thirds of patients experiencing impaired swallowing. There are currently no standardized exercise therapies to improve or sustain swallowing despite good evidence for exercise therapy in limb muscles. Reduced upper esophageal sphincter (UES) opening is a common abnormality associated with dysphagia in IBM. This pilot study recruited IBM patients with abnormal UES function and dysphagia into an exercise program. It was hypothesised that regular practice using the Expiratory Muscle Strength Trainer (EMST) device would improve hyolaryngeal movement by strengthening suprahyoid musculature and facilitate opening …