A5083329462- Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
- Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Health disparities and outcomes
- Alzheimer's disease research and treatments
- COVID-19 and Mental Health
- Health, psychology, and well-being
- Epilepsy research and treatment
- Digital Mental Health Interventions
- Employment and Welfare Studies
- Workplace Health and Well-being
- Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Health Policy Implementation Science
- Neurobiology of Language and Bilingualism
- Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
- Parkinson's Disease Mechanisms and Treatments
- Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues
- Resilience and Mental Health
- Restless Legs Syndrome Research
- Migration, Health and Trauma
- Chronic Disease Management Strategies
- Cardiovascular Health and Risk Factors
- Nutritional Studies and Diet
- Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery
- Frailty in Older Adults
- Psychological Treatments and Assessments
University of Tasmania
2016-2025
University of East Anglia
2019
Norwich Research Park
2019
Menzies School of Health Research
2017-2019
Southampton Hospital
1985
Objective: This study aimed to understand the associations between mindfulness, perceived stress, and work engagement in a very large sample of English-speaking adults, from 130 different countries. It also assess participants' self-reported changes following 6-week mindfulness massive open online course (MOOC). Methods: Participants MOOC were invited complete pre-post surveys. Cross-sectional assessed using univariate linear models, followed by structural equation models test mediation...
Abstract Background The worldwide prevalence of dementia is rapidly rising. Alzheimer’s disease (AD), accounts for 70% cases and has a 10–20-year preclinical period, when brain pathology covertly progresses before cognitive symptoms appear. 2020 Lancet Commission estimates that 40% could be prevented by modifying lifestyle/medical risk factors. To optimise prevention effectiveness, there urgent need to identify individuals with AD targeted reduction. Current tests are too invasive,...
Abstract Background Dementia prevalence is predicted to triple 152 million globally by 2050. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) constitutes 70% of cases. There an urgent need identify individuals with preclinical AD, a 10–20-year period progressive brain pathology without noticeable cognitive symptoms, for targeted risk reduction. Current tests AD are either too invasive, specialised or expensive population-level assessments. Cognitive normal in AD. Emerging evidence demonstrates that movement...
Up to 40% of incident dementia is considered attributable behavioral and lifestyle factors. Given the current lack medical treatments projected increase in prevalence, a focus on prevention through risk reduction needed.
Abstract INTRODUCTION Finding low‐cost methods to detect early‐stage Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a research priority for neuroprotective drug development. Presymptomatic associated with gait impairment but hand motor tests, which are more accessible, have hardly been investigated. This study evaluated how home‐based Tasmanian (TAS) Test keyboard tapping tests predict episodic memory performance. METHODS 1169 community participants (65.8 ± 7.4 years old; 73% female) without cognitive symptoms...
Abstract Background Unmanaged cardiometabolic health, low physical and cognitive activity, poor diet, obesity, smoking excessive alcohol consumption are modifiable health risk factors for dementia public approaches to prevention have been called for. The Island Study Linking Ageing Neurodegenerative Disease (ISLAND) is a study examining whether improving knowledge about supports behaviour changes that reduce future risk. Methods Residents of Tasmania, Australia, aged 50 + years who joined...
<title>Abstract</title> <italic><bold>Objective</bold></italic>. To offer another lens to study mindfulness, particularly how mindfulness influences behaviours and social relationships, this paper reports the creation of Observed Mindful Behaviours (OMB) scale. The OMB responds limitations in current evidence including reliance on self-report data. <italic><bold>Methods</bold></italic>. A 9-item observer-report scale was refined tested two samples (N=200) using item response theory...
Abstract Introduction Containment measures implemented to minimize the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) are reported be negatively affecting mental health, diet, and alcohol consumption. These factors, as well poor cardiometabolic health insufficient physical cognitive activity, known increase risk developing dementia. COVID‐19 “lockdown” may have exacerbated these dementia factors among people in mid‐to‐later life. Methods We compared longitudinal data from before (October...
Workplace-based mindfulness programs have good evidence for improving employee stress and mental health outcomes, but less is known about their effects on productivity citizenship behaviors. Most of the available derived from studies that use class-based approaches. Mindfulness apps can increase access to training, whether self-directed app sufficient realize benefits equivalent unknown.We assessed effectiveness a app, both with without supporting classes, reducing employees' perceived...
Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, is preceded by years silent pathological change. Our objective was to examine associations between modifiable dementia risk factors, cognition, and plasma phosphorylated p-tau 181, a hallmark biomarker AD in large-scale community cohort. Participants (n = 738, mean age 65.41 years) from Island Study Linking Ageing Neurodegenerative Disease responded online assessments collecting demographics, adherence factors cognitive function,...
Abstract INTRODUCTION Low‐cost simple tests for preclinical Alzheimer's disease are a research priority. We evaluated whether remote unsupervised webcam recordings of finger‐tapping were associated with cognitive performance in older adults. METHODS A total 404 cognitively‐asymptomatic participants (64.6 [6.77] years; 70.8% female) completed 10‐second (Tasmanian [TAS] Test) and (Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery [CANTAB]) online at home. Regression models including hand...
Abstract Objectives Online mindfulness programs have become popular due to their increased accessibility compared face-to-face programs. Although research has demonstrated that can increase trait mindfulness, self-compassion, and prosocial attitudes, fewer studies explored these outcomes in online This study aimed test whether an program improved improvements related self-reported quality quantity of practice. Method Repeated-measures ANOVAs measures attitudes between 209 pre- post-program...
Acquired hearing loss (HL) in adult life is one of the most prevalent health conditions and associated with several chronic diseases. Hearing can lead to reduced social activity individuals' perceptions supportiveness within networks. This study explored effects corrected vs. uncorrected on support, isolation, anxiety depression.
Abstract Background There is urgent need to develop population‐level digital biomarkers that can detect Alzheimer’s disease (AD) across the continuum, including preclinical phase. This would allow risk stratification for specialist tests and early recruitment clinical trials. Motor function declines in phase but there has been little exploration of motor biomarkers. We have developed ‘TasTest’, an online test assesses multiple cognitive domains, movement. The aim this study was compare...
Abstract Background The Island Study Linking Ageing and Neurodegenerative Disease (ISLAND) is a large, online, prospective public health cohort study with nested interventions targeting modifiable dementia risk. objective of ISLAND to investigate the effectiveness strategies aimed at increasing knowledge about behavioral lifestyle factors associated dementia, encourage behavior change reduce future risk profiles individual population level. Method Commencing October 2019, Tasmanian residents...
Abstract Issue Addressed Gender and bilingualism are reported to influence the risk of dementia. This study examined prevalence self‐reported modifiable dementia factors by gender in two samples: one that speaks at least language other than English (LoE) only English. Methods A descriptive cross‐sectional was conducted on a sample Australian residents aged 50 years or over ( n = 4339). Participant characteristics behaviours were inspected using statistics data collected via online surveys...