eNACT projects
Our projects aim to create meaningful change for people with acquired brain injury (ABI).
We work with researchers and collaborators and invite you to contact us to find out more or to get involved.
Treatment trials (currently recruiting)
VaLiANT: Valued Living After Neurological Trauma
VaLiANT is an eight-week group program for adults (aged 18 years or over) with an ABI, such as stroke or traumatic brain injury. It is designed to increase your participation in activities that you value and help you learn strategies for dealing with changes in memory/thinking and mood.
How to get involved
For enquiries about this study, please email the VaLiANT Group or phone (03) 9479 1679.
Learn more about the VaLiANT Group
MemoRI: Memory Rehabilitation Initiative
This is a group-based rehabilitation program for adults experiencing memory problems after a stroke or other ABI.
Participation involves attending a six-week Memory Skills Group (two hours per week), designed to teach you about:
- how memory works
- how to use internal memory strategies (e.g. for learning names and directions) and external memory aids (e.g. diaries and smartphones)
- lifestyle adjustments (e.g. improving exercise, nutrition, sleep and mood) to improve your memory in everyday life.
This group program is currently being rolled out across multiple health sites in Victoria.
How to get involved
For enquiries about this study, please contact the eNACT lab by email or phone (03) 9479 1679.
Memory-SuSTAIN: Memory Strategy Skills Training Applied IN the long term
This study investigates ways to maintain the benefits of post-stroke memory rehabilitation over an extended time period.
Participants first complete a FREE 6-week memory skills rehabilitation program at one of several sites across Melbourne OR online through La Trobe University. This group includes information about how memory works, training in strategies to help with common everyday memory difficulties, and lifestyle improvements to enhance memory.
After finishing the memory group, participants receive either:
- Booster sessions with a clinician using Zoom (videoconferencing), OR
- SMS/email reminders of helpful memory strategies, OR
- No further treatment (this is the current usual practice).
There are also a series of assessments to measure the impact of these additional treatments on everyday memory.
Participants must have experienced a stroke at least 3 months before commencing.
How to get involved
For enquiries about this study, please contact Project Coordinator Dr David Lawson by email or phone (03) 9479 1679.
Cognitive behaviour therapy to treat fatigue and sleep disturbance after traumatic brain injury and stroke
In this study, two forms of therapy are being trialed to treat sleep disturbance and fatigue following ABI (traumatic brain injury or stroke).
The current research will compare Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Health Education therapy (INFO). CBT focuses on strategies to improve symptoms, whereas INFO focuses on education for all aspects of health related to sleep and fatigue.
The benefits of engaging in the study may include improved sleep and reduced fatigue, possibly leading to increased performance, energy and mood.
You can participate in the trial in person (face-to-face) or via telehealth (videoconferencing).
Face-to-face participation
You will be asked to attend eight sessions of therapy with a neuropsychologist.
To monitor the effects of the therapy, there will also be four visits with a researcher. This can be completed at:
- Epworth Richmond
- the Monash Psychology Centre in Clayton
- at your home.
The visits will occur:
- prior to therapy
- immediately after therapy
- two months after therapy
- four months after therapy.
Telehealth (videoconferencing) participation
You will be asked to attend eight sessions of therapy with a neuropsychologist via "Zoom", a free videoconferencing tool that can be used with devices with a camera (e.g. laptop, iPad). To monitor the effects of the therapy, there will also be four Zoom sessions with a researcher.
The sessions will occur:
- prior to therapy
- immediately after therapy
- two months after therapy
- four months after therapy.
How to get involved
We invite you to participate in our study if you:
- have had an acquired brain injury
- are currently experiencing problems with sleep and fatigue
- are aged 16 or above.
For enquiries about this study, please contact Lucy Ymer.