Academic Services and Registrar - Research Publications
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ItemA single-blind, randomised controlled trial of a physical health nurse intervention to prevent weight gain and metabolic complications in first-episode psychosis: the Physical Health Assistance in Early Psychosis (PHAstER) study(CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS, 2022-10-18)BACKGROUND: Factors that contribute to the early mortality observed in psychotic disorders, specifically obesity, smoking and sedentary behaviour, occur early in the disorder. AIMS: We aimed to determine whether the integration of a physical health nurse in the care of young people with first-episode psychosis could prevent clinically significant weight gain (≥7% body weight). Secondary outcomes included rates of smoking, metabolic syndrome and sedentary behaviour. METHOD: In this single-blind, randomised controlled trial, participants who had received under 4 weeks of antipsychotic medication were randomly allocated to either the intervention (addition of a physical health nurse to their care) or treatment as usual (TAU) for 12 weeks. RESULTS: Of the 77 participants, there were follow-up data for 86.8% (n = 33) of the intervention group and 82.1% (n = 32) of the TAU group. After 12 weeks, 27.3% of the intervention group experienced clinically significant weight gain compared with 34.4% of the TAU group (odds ratio 0.72, 95% CI 0.25-2.06, P = 0.54). After 6 months, 40.7% of the intervention group gained clinically significant weight compared with 44.1% of the TAU group (P = 0.79). There was no difference in mean change in weight between groups after 12 weeks (2.6 kg v. 2.9 kg, P = 0.87) or 6 months (3.6 kg v. 4.3 kg, P = 0.64). There were no differences in the rates of tobacco smoking cessation, prevalence of metabolic syndrome or physical activity levels. CONCLUSIONS: This intervention failed to prevent the metabolic complications that are highly prevalent in psychotic disorders in the short to medium term, indicating that more intensive interventions are required.
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ItemExpression of muscarinic receptor subtypes in tree shrew ocular tissues and their regulation during the development of myopia(MOLECULAR VISION, 2009-03-02)PURPOSE: Muscarinic receptors are known to regulate several important physiologic processes in the eye. Antagonists to these receptors such as atropine and pirenzepine are effective at stopping the excessive ocular growth that results in myopia. However, their site of action is unknown. This study details ocular muscarinic subtype expression within a well documented model of eye growth and investigates their expression during early stages of myopia induction. METHODS: Total RNA was isolated from tree shrew corneal, iris/ciliary body, retinal, choroidal, and scleral tissue samples and was reverse transcribed. Using tree shrew-specific primers to the five muscarinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes (CHRM1-CHRM5), products were amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and their identity confirmed using automated sequencing. The expression of the receptor proteins (M1-M5) were also explored in the retina, choroid, and sclera using immunohistochemistry. Myopia was induced in the tree shrew for one or five days using monocular deprivation of pattern vision, and the expression of the receptor subtypes was assessed in the retina, choroid, and sclera using real-time PCR. RESULTS: All five muscarinic receptor subtypes were expressed in the iris/ciliary body, retina, choroid, and sclera while gene products corresponding to CHRM1, CHRM3, CHRM4, and CHRM5 were present in the corneal samples. The gene expression data were confirmed by immunohistochemistry with the M1-M5 proteins detected in the retina, choroid, and sclera. After one or five days of myopia development, muscarinic receptor gene expression remained unaltered in the retinal, choroidal, and scleral tissue samples. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a comprehensive profile of muscarinic receptor gene and protein expression in tree shrew ocular tissues with all receptor subtypes found in tissues implicated in the control of eye growth. Despite the efficacy of muscarinic antagonists at inhibiting myopia development, the genes of the muscarinic receptor subtypes are neither regulated early in myopia (before measurable axial elongation) nor after significant structural change.
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ItemDesigning online orientations for higher education music students: A proposed framework(ASCILITE, 2018)Online orientations can provide university students with helpful introductions to relevant knowledge and skills they will need over the course of their studies. While traditional models of university orientation focus on face-to-face lecture delivery and often depend on individual, time-specified events, the online environment can be used for more interactive and discipline-specific orientation. The adoption of an online orientation approach can further provide students with information accessible in manageable time frames and supportive practical applications. Aligned to research literature, this paper proposes a framework for developing an online orientation program for higher education undergraduate and graduate music students. The framework brings together the design benefits of the online environment in conjunction with literature on effective practices of orientation programs. As such, the framework identifies four components of influence when designing an online orientation: Purpose; Audience; Design construction; and Content topic considerations. Areas for future research are also highlighted.
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ItemVolunteers in Australian archives(ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD, 2017-01-01)Why do volunteers choose to contribute thousands of unpaid hours per week to Australian archives? This paper presents the results of a nationwide web survey that provides insight into the demographics, motivations and experiences of volunteers in Australian archives. The findings provide a representative overview of formal volunteers in Australian archives, determining ‘who’ they are, the value of the contributions they provide and the level of training and support offered to them. This study is a continuation of existing discussions about volunteers in Australian archives and represents an opportunity for the development of stronger relationships with Australian archival volunteers and, through them, the communities our archives serve.
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Item‘It’s not so scary anymore. It’s actually exhilarating’: A proof-of-concept study using virtual reality technology for music performance training under pressure(ASCILITE Publications, 2022-11-18)Extended lockdowns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic severely ruptured the capacity of performing artists to connect with peers and colleagues in professional and educational contexts. In this study we test a protocol for the use of immersive performance technologies in tertiary institutions to provide developing and early career musicians to connect with pedagogues and access safe, realistic spaces within which to practice performing under varying degrees of pressure. We investigated the affordances of a VR environment to trigger performance anxiety, and the effectiveness of a synchronous digitally mediated environment for tertiary educators to train a key performance psychology skill. Heart rate, self-reported anxiety and confidence measurements were taken over four levels of situational stress and performance demands. Results revealed that the technology enabled a pre-performance routine to be effectively taught online by an instructor to a musician wearing a VR headset. Notably, this was achieved by both participants being in separate locations without detriment to the teacher-student relationship. This study provides encouraging insight into the capacity for immersive technologies to help students effectively manage the stresses of live performance in both virtual and real worlds.
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ItemNo turning back on global open access.(BMJ, 2022-10-05)
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ItemNo Preview AvailableReimagining the performance experience through the establishment of a virtual performance hall.( 2021-10-27)Paper presented as part of the symposium "Reimagining Performance with Immersive Reality Technologies" at ISPS 2021, 27-30 October, Montreal, Canada.
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ItemDesign principles for immersive reality to enhance creativity and performance through transdisciplinary collaboration.( 2021-10-27)Paper presented as part of the symposium "Reimagining Performance with Immersive Reality Technologies" at ISPS 2021, 27-30 October, Montreal, Canada.
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ItemReimagining music performance with immersive reality technologies.( 2021-11-05)NowNet Arts Conference 2021 Network Arts: Transformation of Distance.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableExploring opportunities for musician’s health and performance enhancement using VR simulation training.( 2021-10-07)Paper presented at Games for Change Asia-Pacific Festival 2021, 5-7 October, online conference.