The HCF Research Foundation is funding a three-year research project aimed at preventing acute back pain from progressing to chronic back pain.
The project is led by Dr Rocco Cavaleri (pictured), director of the Brain Stimulation and Rehabilitation (BrainStAR) Lab and academic program advisor for the physiotherapy department at Western Sydney University.
This study will investigate a home-based treatment designed to reduce early-stage low back pain. The primary focus will be on assessing the safety, feasibility, and effectiveness of this intervention.
“By bringing neuromodulation technology into the home, we aim to make effective pain prevention accessible and affordable for all Australians,” Cavaleri said.
The research team will recruit 50 participants with acute low back pain (pain onset within the last three months).
Participants will undergo assessments for pain, emotional impact, and functionality. They will be randomly assigned to either an active or placebo home-based neuromodulation protocol for two weeks, with follow-up assessments conducted online and in-person for up to three months post intervention.
The HCF Research Foundation said its investment underscores the importance of finding innovative solutions to health issues – with chronic low back pain being a significant problem in Australia, costing the health system $4.8 billion annually.
For many Australians, chronic low back pain leads to early retirement, which has substantial economic implications, reducing Australia’s GDP by over $10.5 billion each year.
Individuals suffering from chronic low back pain often face prolonged financial challenges. Data indicates that women who retire early due to low back pain accumulate less than 10% of the wealth of their peers by the age of 65.
“This study could pave the way for a new approach to pain management that prevents chronic pain before it takes hold, significantly improving quality of life for many,” said Julue Andrews, HCF chief officer for member health.
The HCF Research Foundation is also supporting a telehealth project led by Professor Andrea Driscoll of Deakin University and Austin Health.
This project, “I-HEART: Implementation of Heart Failure Guidelines in Regional Australia,” is funded through the Translational Research Grants (TRG) scheme.
Heart failure presents significant health challenges in Australia, with higher mortality rates in rural areas compared to urban centres. The I-HEART project aims to improve heart failure care in regional and rural areas using telehealth services and nurse-led clinics.
Since starting in 2022, the I-HEART project has implemented over 30 decision support tools and established two nurse-led heart failure clinics, focusing on integrated care and workforce capacity in collaboration with six regional hospitals.
Telehealth has been especially beneficial in regional and rural areas where access to specialist care is limited. Patients are seen within a week of hospital discharge and then weekly for five weeks to prevent readmission. This structured follow-up, combined with a co-design approach involving hospital executives, clinicians, local health professionals, and patients, ensures the program meets specific community needs.
Dr Chris Pettigrew, head of the HCF Research Foundation, highlighted the broader impact of such initiatives.
“A rising tide lifts all boats,” he said. “Developing care models that get people out of hospital earlier, and keeps them out by reducing readmissions, frees up beds for other patients, and benefits the entire health system. It’s about increasing efficiency, reducing costs, and getting the right care to patients who need it most.
“By leveraging telehealth and local expertise, this project is making a tangible difference in the lives of heart failure patients in regional Australia, offering a model that could benefit communities nationwide.”
