Current Research Studies

Have you ever had shoulder pain that has impacted your activities of daily living?

Monash University is seeking people with lived experience of shoulder pain to help prioritise questions that are most important to address in the development of a ‘living’ clinical practice guideline.

This means the guideline will be continually updated as new information emerges.

Taking part involves completing two short online surveys.

For more information, please see click here or contact Dr Romi Haas- [email protected]

We’re seeking 2-3 rheumatoid arthritis patients to help develop an (Medical Research Future Fund) MRFF grant application. Ideally you will have recent onset RA (in the last 10 years) and have had previous experience on a research or clinical guidelines project, or a relevant qualification in health or science.

Involvement includes three one-hour meetings pre-submission and will be remunerated. A consumer with relevant skills may be considered as a grant investigator. Further involvement is possible if the grant succeeds.

The research will compare two methotrexate treatment approaches for newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis patients. The 12-month study will assess disease activity, side effects, and long-term impacts to determine if higher initial doses improve outcomes compared to conventional treatment.

To find out more and register your interest, please email [email protected] with some information about your relevant skills and experience.

Do you want to improve the lives of people with shoulder osteoarthritis? Would you like to make a difference by helping prioritise research about the condition? Are you someone with shoulder osteoarthritis or a relative or close friend caring for or supporting someone with the condition?

The SOAR Project seeks to identify the top 10 research priorities for shoulder osteoarthritis. We’re recruiting two people with shoulder OA and one carer to join our Steering Group, which will meet online 9 times over 18 months. Members will also spend about an hour between meetings on project-related tasks.

We encourage applications from diverse backgrounds, especially Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Communication skills and connections to shoulder OA networks are valuable. Experience with research involvement is preferred, and online meeting capability is required. Consumer support and training are available.

Participants will be compensated at $50 per hour for approximately 18-23 hours of involvement over the project duration.

For more information and to check eligibility click on the link below or contact Dr Jonathan Quicke on [email protected]

SOAR OA consumer involvement request

Massey University seeks parents of children aged 5-12 with Juvenile Dermatomyositis in New Zealand, Australia, and the UK for a study on treatment experiences. The research aims to identify areas needing additional support.

Eligibility:
– Parent of a child 5-12 years old with JDM
– Residing in NZ, Australia, or UK
– Over 18 years old
– Access to strong internet connection
– English-speaking

Participation involves completing a 20-minute online survey about healthcare experiences, with entrants eligible for a draw to win a $20 gift card as a thank you. Additionally, select participants may take part in an optional 1-hour interview via Zoom or phone, for which they will receive a $40 voucher.

The study includes a question for children to answer through writing or drawing.

Click on the below to learn more and apply.

Exploring the experience of children and their parents undergoing long term treatment for juvenile dermatomyositis in the public health care system.

Advertisement JDM Research

You are invited to participate in a research project being conducted at The Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine at The University of Melbourne.

”What future research on osteoarthritis do you think is most needed?”

For more information and to check eligibility click on the link below.

Research priorities to reduce the individual and societal burden of osteoarthritis in Australia: a research priority setting study (unimelb.edu.au)

A research team from The University of Sydney is conducting a study about the resource needs and support registered healthcare professionals require to deprescribe (reduce) opioid analgesics at transitions of care (the movement between different care settings or providers).

You must be currently practicing in Australia to participate and the research involves the completion of a short survey which will take up to 15 minutes.

Further information and the survey links are below.

Participant Information

Survey Information

Survey of Australian healthcare professionals’ needs and support required to deprescribe opioids at transitions of care (sydney.edu.au)

In partnership with the Queensland University of Technology and Western Sydney University, with funding from Arthritis Australia, patients are invited to participate in a research study which aims to optimise pain relief in knee osteoarthritis.

For more information click on the below.

Eligibility

About the trial

Researchers at The University of Sydney are interviewing patients to learn about their experience of persistent pain following total knee replacement.

In Australia, 70,000 Total Knee Replacements (TKR) are performed every year. While TKR improves overall pain and function, 1 in 4 patients experience persistent pain after TKR.

Led by University of Sydney and University of New South Wales researchers are developing a model of care for people who have persistent pain after knee replacement surgery – the EPIK model of care. EPIK will identify and treat patients, primarily via telehealth for scalability and accessibility across Australia.

For more information click on the links below-

Patient Information #1

Patient Information #3

Macquarie University will be conducting focus groups with consumers to identify possible factors that may impact chronic disease outcomes, social isolation and loneliness from a consumers’ perspective.
The end goal of this research stream is to develop an intervention for adults living with chronic disease that targets social isolation and loneliness.

Click on the link below to learn more.

Chronic Diseases Focus Groups Flyer Dates

The TOPAZ Study is evaluating the safety and efficacy of an investigational medicine, compared to a placebo (an inactive substance that looks like and is administered in the same way as the investigational medicine) in people with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) while taking their prescribed lupus treatment.

For those still experiencing symptoms, even with medication participating in the TOPAZ study may be an option.

The TOPAZ study is for people who are 18 years or older, have been diagnosed with moderate to severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) for at least 6 months, and are currently receiving non-biologic SLE treatment.

Locations to participate in this study:

1. Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown NSW 2050

2. Box Hill Hospital, Box Hill VIC 3128

3. Fiona Stanley Hospital, Murdoch WA 6150

If you reside in NSW and are interested in the TOPAZ study, please complete a short survey to check if you might be eligible:

We are looking for people with well-controlled Rheumatoid and Psoriatic Arthritis (RA and PsA) on biologic or targeted-synthetic medications. The trial aims to evaluate the efficacy and cost-saving of safely reducing and stopping these drugs, and through biobank samples for lab analysis you can help us predict a success or failure of drug reduction in the future.

Who can participate?

You may be eligible to participate in this study if you:

• are aged 18 years or over
• first started any biologic or targeted synthetic Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (b/tsDMARDs) at least 18 months ago
• are in remission or low disease activity and have been stable on DMARD for at least 6 months, and
• if you are on oral corticosteroids, the dose is 5mg or less daily of prednisone or equivalent and has been stable for at least 6 months
• are not on an ineligible DMARD medication (e.g. rituximab, ustekinumab)
• have not had any intravenous (into the blood) or intra-articular (into the joint) corticosteroid injections in the last 6 months
• don’t have concurrent medical conditions that are likely to impact your safety
• are not pregnant
• have not had an investigational new drug within the last 12 weeks

What will you have to do in this study?

You will attend clinic visits in person at a maximum of 8 times in one of our study sites. The dosage will be reduced gradually if you are randomised to a TAPER arm. It will be awesome if you could help with blood and microbiome collections and questionnaires. Travel expenses associated with the visits will be reimbursed, in the form of a gift card with $15 each visit.

Contact us

Do you have rheumatoid arthritis, and have you ever wondered what the best course of treatment is? What medications should you be taking, when should they be reviewed, when should you try something new? Monash University researchers are seeking your health with new research that aims to create consumer-friendly resources that are based on new guidelines.

We are conducting interviews (60 minutes) to gauge people’s understanding of the guidelines, what you like about them, how you would improve them, and how we can best implement them in practice.

This research has been approved by the Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee.

To express interest, please contact Dr Danielle Berkovic ([email protected]) at the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Monash University.

Online wellbeing program for young people living with chronic conditions

What is it?

The program has three online modules that teach specific skills to help you cope with everyday challenges. Each module takes 60-90 minutes to complete and can be done at your own pace.

Who can take part? 

You are eligible to participate if you are:

• Aged 16-25
• Live in Australia
• Diagnosed with a long-term health condition

What’s involved?

If you decide to take part, you will choose one of the three modules to complete and provide feedback on, along with completing four short online surveys over one month. Participants may receive a voucher as reimbursement for their time.

For more information, scan the QR code to read the Participant Information Sheet or email [email protected]

Curtin University Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) has approved this study (HREC number 2023-0213). The results of this study will be used by Asha Parkinson to obtain a Doctor of Philosophy.

Pain medicines after total hip or knee replacement

We are interested in understanding what people are considering when deciding what to ask for pain medicine when are they discharged from hospital after a total hip or knee replacement.

Who are we looking for?

We would like to engage with men currently scheduled for or on the waiting list for a total hip or knee replacement surgery.

What will you need to do? 

Complete a brief online survey asking for your consent to join the study and to collect some basic details about you.

One video or telephone interview (20min to 1 hour) at a time convenient to you (with the possibility of a request for a follow up interview, which you are not obliged to accept).

Link to the survey: https://redcap.sydney.edu.au/surveys/?s=PACCHJMHPY3L7HLX

Contact us

Email us at [email protected] if you have any questions or if you would like a copy of the participation statement.

Consumers in Basic Science Research Project

This research project aims to explore consumer involvement in pre-clinical research (research before testing the interventions in people), specifically in the field of musculoskeletal conditions. Consumers, such as people with lived-experience of a musculoskeletal condition and their carers are invited to participate by completing an anonymous online questionnaire. The findings of this study will help understand the current level of consumer involvement and identify opportunities to increase their participation in research.

If you would like to participate in this research, please click on the link below:

https://uniofqueensland.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0d0xIWpPgxUZfsW

The development of an educational resource for people with bunions

What is the study about? 

You are invited to participate in a study which is designed to develop a patient information leaflet for people with hallux valgus (also known as a bunion). We hope to learn about your beliefs and expectations about what a patient information leaflet should include for people with this condition.

Your contact details were obtained from a database of people who have been attending the La Trobe University Podiatry Clinic for foot-related treatment or you might have responded to an advertisement posted at La Trobe University or of the clinic of a health professional.

Do I have to participate?

Being part of this study is voluntary. If you want to be part of the study we ask that you read the information below carefully and ask us any questions.

You can read the information below and decide at the end if you do not want to participate. If you decide not to participate this won’t affect your relationship with La Trobe University or any other listed organisation.

 Who is being asked to participate?

You have been asked to participate because:

• You are over the age of 18 and have had a painful hallux valgus for the past 3 months, or
• You are a health professional that currently manages people with hallux valgus

What will I be asked to do?

If you want to take part in this study, you will be asked to attend two focus groups. The first focus group will involve talking about your preferences for the content and design of a patient information leaflet for people with hallux valgus. The second focus group will involve providing feedback on a leaflet that was designed based on your input from the first focus group.

Each focus group will take approximately 60 minutes to complete.

Observational notes and audio recordings will be collected from the focus groups.

What are the benefits?

All participants will be provided with a $50 shopping voucher for their participation in the study. In addition, information gathered by participants in this study will be used to guide and develop a patient information sheet for people with hallux valgus. It is envisaged that this resource will help people with hallux valgus to make mor informed decisions about the treatment of hallux valgus as well as supporting clinicians who manage this condition.

What are the risks?

With any study there are (1) risks we know about, (2) risks we don’t know about and (3) risks we don’t expect. If you experience something that you aren’t sure about, please contact us immediately so we can discuss the best way to manage your concerns.

We do not foresee any risks associated with this study.

What will happen to information about me?

We will collect information about you in ways that will reveal who you are

We will store information about you in ways that will not reveal who you are.

We will publish information about you in ways that will not be identified in any type of publication from this study.

We will keep your information for 7 years after the project is completed. After this time we will destroy all of your data.

The storage, transfer and destruction of your data will be undertaken in accordance with the Research Data Management Policy https://policies.latrobe.edu.au/document/view.php?id=106/.

The personal information you provide will be handled in accordance with applicable privacy laws, any health information collected will be handled in accordance with the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic). Subject to any exceptions in relevant laws, you have the right to access and correct your personal information by contacting the research team.

Will I hear about the results of the study?

We will let you know about the results of the study on request. This may entail mailing a summary of the results (which will not be identifiable) to your home residence. If you prefer, a discussion with Dr Matthew Cotchett can occur in person”.

What if I change my mind?

You can choose to no longer be part of the study at any time until [four weeks] following the collection of your data. You can let us know by:

1. Completing the ‘Withdrawal of Consent Form’ (provided at the end of this document);
2. Calling us; or
3. Emailing us

Your decision to withdraw at any point will not affect your relationship with La Trobe University or any other organisation listed.

When you withdraw we will stop asking you for information. Any identifiable information about you will be withdrawn from the research study. However, once the results have been analysed we can only withdraw information, such as your name and contact details. If results haven’t been analysed you can choose if we use those results or not.

Who can I contact for questions or want more information?

If you would like to speak to us, please use the contact details below:

What if I have a complaint?

If you have a complaint about any part of this study, please contact:

If you would like to participate this study please fill out the below consent form:

Participant Information Consent Form.docx

Participants needed:

people with knee arthritis considering keyhole surgery

RECRUITING NOW !

Do you have knee arthritis and are considering arthroscopy (also known as a keyhole, cleanout or knee scope procedure)?

Would you like to receive information about osteoarthritis that may help you make better decisions about the care you receive?

If so, you may be eligible to participate in the DECIDE study conducted by Monash University and Cabrini Health. In the DECIDE study, you will be provided with information about osteoarthritis and asked to complete online surveys.

You may eligible if you are:

• 45 years or older
• Diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis
• Considering knee arthroscopy (keyhole surgery)

DECIDE study participants will go into the draw to win a $500 gift voucher. Follow this link to read more and participate in this study: www.decidestudy.com

Alternatively, you can contact the study team using the details below.

Chief Investigator: Dr Denise O’Connor
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 03 9903 8885

Establishing the smallest worthwhile effect of intra-articular Steroid Injections for Knee OA

About this Research

All medical interventions involve benefits and risks – steroid injections are no exception. We want to hear from people experiencing knee osteoarthritis and understand how the expected benefits of a steroid injection are weighed against it’s risks. We want to hear from you!

For more information and questions before deciding if you want to participate in this research project, please do not hesitate to contact Clarence via email: [email protected]

How to Participate

Scan the QR code below which will direct you straight to the survey, fill out the consent form and read the participant information statement.

The survey will take 20 minutes.