Publications by authors named "Melanie S Burkhardt"

Aims: Psychological interventions have had modest effects on HbA1c in adults with Type 1 diabetes (T1D). We evaluated a novel behaviour therapy (BT) group program aiming to improve diabetes self-care and reduce HbA1c and distress. Core features were the application of a functional-analytic model, behavioural self-management training, and personally selected T1D self-care behaviours as treatment targets.

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Article Synopsis
  • This study aimed to investigate if patients with type 2 diabetes and foot ulcers have higher levels of cognitive impairment compared to those without foot ulcers.
  • Researchers compared two groups of patients: 55 attending foot ulcer clinics and 56 attending complex diabetes clinics, using screening tests like MMSE and MOCA to assess cognitive function.
  • The results showed no significant differences in cognitive scores between the two groups, indicating that cognitive impairment levels are similar in patients with diabetes, regardless of foot ulceration.
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Background: Diabetes distress, self-efficacy and health literacy are associated with diabetes self-management and health outcomes. Measures of coping styles and their impact on diabetes self-management and diabetes-related distress might add value in identifying those at risk of poorer health outcomes. Current evidence of associations between psychological flexibility/inflexibility and diabetes-related health outcomes is limited.

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Background: In an innovative event that challenged traditional orientation programs, the Curtin University School of Nursing and Midwifery brought together nursing students, academic and student support staff, and health industry representatives. This unique whole-of-school convention consisted of sessions tailored to each student year group and aimed to promote nursing identity, highlight leadership opportunities, and showcase employer pathways.

Method: To evaluate the event, a survey approach was used to collect quantitative data via questionnaire and qualitative data via open-ended questions from first-year students (n = 113), staff (n = 24), and industry representatives (n = 14).

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Dysregulation of the hypothalamic pituitary gonadal (HPG) axis during aging has been associated with increased risk of cognitive decline and developing dementia. Compared to controls, men with Alzheimer's disease (AD) have been shown to have lower serum testosterone levels and higher serum luteinizing hormone (LH) levels. As serum free testosterone concentration is negatively correlated with LH in older men, the independent contributions of these hormones to the pathogenesis of AD warrants further clarification.

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Context: Reduced testosterone levels have been implicated as a potential causative factor in cognitive decline with older age. Men who possess the apolipoprotein E (APOE) epsilon4 allele have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease; however, no studies have examined whether the influence of testosterone on cognition in healthy older men may be modulated by this genetic predisposition.

Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate the association between serum testosterone concentrations and cognitive performance in healthy older men, taking into account APOE epsilon4 status.

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