Year: 2007-11 (current)

Staff:

NARI: Jacques Joubert, David Ames, Debra O’Connor, David Jackson

Royal Melbourne Hospital: Melissa Ugalde

Royal Perth Hospital: Anne Claxton

Hunter New England Area Health Service: Andrea Moore

St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne: TBA

Investigators: Jacques Joubert, Stephen Davis, Geoffrey Donnan, Helen Dewey, Dominique Cadilhac, Graeme Hankey, Chris Levi, Mark Cook, Chris Reid, Lynette Joubert, David Jackson.

Summary:The ICARUSS RCT is a multidisciplinary study, addressing risk factor management and post-stroke depression in stroke survivors returning to the care of their primary care physicians (GPs). It is an integrated care model, with a shared care component, employing telephone tracking and a web-based data base, linking specialist stroke units, nursing coordinators, stroke survivors, carers and primary care physicians in a dynamic, interactive continuum of care. It allows for data interchange, data accruement and reaction to either risk factor aberrations and/or post-stroke depression.  The model is an innovative telemedicine concept, employing health system appropriate interventions to fill the recognized recommendation – treatment – implementation gap in the management of stroke survivors. It has significant potential to reduce the global burden of stroke.

Funding source: Health Care Fund (HCF)- Health and Medical Research Foundation

Year: 2006-09 (current)

Staff: Keith Hill, Cathy Said (University of Melbourne), Shylie Mackintosh (University of South Australia), Craig Whitehead (Flinders University), Frances Batchelor, Sue Hunt

Summary: This multi-centre study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a targeted falls intervention program in reducing falls following stroke.  It has been shown that individuals who have suffered stroke have a higher rate of falls than in the general population.  To date there has been little research into this area and no randomised controlled trials evaluating the effectiveness of a falls prevention program in this “at risk” group.  The study, which has NH & MRC funding, will recruit participants who have been discharged from hospital (rehabilitation) following stroke.  Participants will be recruited from 4 sites in Melbourne and 3 sites in Adelaide, and followed up for 12 months.  In addition to the main study, two sub-studies will be undertaken: the first a longitudinal study of falls, fear of falling and activity restriction; and secondly a study which will examine residual impairments in stability, and the effects of the falls prevention program on gait stability and obstacle negotiation.

Funding source: NH & MRC Grant