Current Research Studies

What is this study about?
The SCUlpTOR trial is a research study aiming to see if stem cells injected into the knees of people with knee osteoarthritis (OA) can improve their symptoms compared with placebo. The medical opinion about stem cell therapy for treating osteoarthritis is mixed due to limited research evidence and considerable costs. So our aim is to find out whether or not stem cell injections into the knee improve symptoms and slow disease progression in people with mild to moderate knee OA. The stem cells we use originally came from a healthy donor/master cell bank and are made following standard manufacturing process to make sure they are safe and standardised.
If the study is suitable for you, you will have a 50% chance of being allocated to either group and receive:
Active group: three knee intra-articular injections of allogeneic MSCs (stem cells) performed at baseline, week 3 and 52.
Placebo group: three knee intra-articular injections of saline performed at baseline, week 3 and 52.
As a participant, you will be asked to attend seven study visits and complete online surveys regularly over 24 months.

The study is suitable for people who:
• Are aged 40 years or older and living in Australia (and have a Medicare number)
• Have knee OA and moderate pain assessed by the visual analogue pain intensity scale from 0 (no pain) to 100 (worst pain possible)
• Have internet access and an active email account
• Are willing to stop or maintain knee OA treatments (e.g. supplements, physiotherapy) for the duration of the study
• Are willing to stop or minimise the use of anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. Aspirin, Nurofen, Ibuprofen, Mobic, Voltaren, etc.) and other analgesics (e.g. opioids), except for paracetamol (only for rescue pain relief) for the duration of the study. This includes stopping all pain medications for one week before each study assessment.
• Able to speak and read English sufficiently to understand study procedures, complete questionnaires and provide informed consent.
• Are willing and able to travel for the study required physical visits.

Study Safety
This study has been approved by the University of Sydney (2020/119) and the University of Tasmania’s (21868) Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC).

Am I eligible?
If you have knee pain due to osteoarthritis and live in Sydney or Hobart, please complete the online screening survey available at www.tinyurl.com/sculptor-trial to assess your eligibility.

Contact us:

If you have any further queries, please contact the SCUlptor team via email: [email protected]

EVER HAD LOW BACK PAIN?

We want to hear from you!

If you are over 18 years old and have or ever had low back pain, you may be able participate!

The purpose of this research is to gain insights into how to improve uncertainty management in low back pain care

For more information, please contact: [email protected]

ARE YOU A CLINICIAN WHO WORKS WITH PEOPLE WITH LOW BACK PAIN?

We want to hear from you!

We want to investigate your experiences of navigating uncertainty with patients.

The aim is to gain insights into how clinicians communicate with patients about uncertainty.

Please contact: [email protected]

This study is approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee from The University of Queensland, ethics ID: 001723.

The QUality of life Evaluation STudy (QUEST Initiative), conducted by researchers at the University of Sydney, aims to be the world’s largest longitudinal clinical study investigating the quality of life and health economic impact of medicinal cannabis on patients with chronic disease.

Patients accessing medicinal cannabis generally have a range of conditions and symptoms that impact their quality of life. This clinical study sets out to better understand and measure how these conditions and symptoms affect patients’ quality of life over time while they are accessing medicinal cannabis as a treatment option.

The QUEST Initiative has commenced recruitment of eligible patients.

The QUEST Initiative will measure quality of life through a series of online questionnaires. Participants complete questionnaires before starting medicinal cannabis treatment, 2 weeks after starting treatment, then every 1 – 2 months for up to 1 year. Each questionnaire takes about 30 minutes and can be completed from home, or anywhere with internet connection. As part of standard care, patients will need to consult their doctor periodically to discuss their results, receive additional scripts, and to ensure continuity of care.

Understanding some patients may have mobility issues, there are options for patient telehealth consultations with their doctor. Furthermore, medications will be couriered directly to all patients who participate in the study.

To read more about this study: www.thequestinitiative.com

The University of Sydney is currently conducting a research study called ‘TANGO’. The study aims to develop leaflets to help older people with musculoskeletal pain reduce their use of opioid medications. We are looking for participants to provide their feedback on the design and content of the two leaflets.

We are looking for people aged 65+ who currently experience low back pain, or hip or knee osteoarthritis, and have current internet access.

We are also looking for people who provide unpaid (non-professional) care for someone who meets the criteria above. For example, family members, friends, neighbours etc.

For further information about the study please visit the study website: https://ibjr.sydney.edu.au/volunteer/tango/

If you’re interested in participating, or would like more information, please contact: [email protected]