Current research studies

The Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine – CHESM at UniMelb is seeking volunteers around Victoria and Queensland with knee pain to participate in a new study comparing two different ways of delivering physiotherapy! Eligible volunteers will be provided with 5 free physio consultations, educational resources, exercise programs and an activity tracker!

Apply at www.peakstudy.com.au.

You can email [email protected] for more information.

The Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine – CHESM at UniMelb is seeking volunteers to test the effects of different types of shoes on knee pain symptoms. Volunteers will be provided with a good quality pair of walking shoes to wear for six months, for free! Participants must be 50 or over, have had knee pain on most days of the past month and be able to attend an assessment in Carlton, VIC. Volunteers must not be currently wearing custom orthotics or insoles prescribed by a health professional.

Apply at www.folkstudy.com.au.

You can email [email protected] for more information.

Have you been diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) within the last 3 months?

If so, you may be eligible to participate in a study at Austin Health (Victoria). This study aims to assess the changes that occur, especially to muscle and bone health, in the first ~12 months after diagnosis with PMR.

Participants will have assessments performed including questionnaires, physical examination, blood tests, imaging tests, and tests of physical function in a dedicated exercise laboratory. The total time commitment is around 10 hours, divided into 6 visits over one year.

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

Dr Jessica Leung, Rheumatologist and PhD candidate

Phone: (03) 9496 4045

Email: [email protected]

The WalkBack trial is a large-scale research study funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council and conducted in Sydney Australia.  Researchers at Macquarie University want to determine if an home-based walking program prescribed by a physiotherapist can prevent the recurrence of low back pain.

To be eligible, you must:

–          Be aged 18 or over and live in Sydney

–          Have had an episode of low back pain in the last 6 months

For more information and to register your interest, please contact us through:

website: https://www.walkbacktrial.com/

email: [email protected]

mobile: 0434 833 542

This study is approved by the Macquarie University Human Research Ethics Committee No. 5201949218164.

Health researchers at the University of Sydney want to determine if an exercise-based intervention by an experienced physiotherapist can reduce non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use and increase physical activity levels amongst people with knee osteoarthritis. The therapy will be delivered online using an app called Physitrack, and will include 6 video-conference style sessions over 12 weeks.
You can have a physiotherapist session in the comfort of your own home!

To be eligible, you must:

• Be aged 45 years or older
• Have pain in your knee that is related to activity
• Have no morning stiffness or morning stiffness that lasts LESS than 30 minutes
• Regularly use medication (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to relieve or manage your knee pain (these may include ibuprofen, voltaren, celebrex)
• Have internet access

If you would like more information on this study or to see if you are eligible, please follow this link: https://redcap.sydney.edu.au/surveys/?s=HXKXLY4MLN

Do you have knee pain from osteoarthritis? Could a natural treatment help?

Researchers from NICM Health Research Institute are conducting a clinical study investigating if a herbal medicine is effective at reducing knee pain from osteoarthritis of the knee.

To take part, you should:

• Be aged 40 to 75 years
• Have osteoarthritis of the knee and experience mild to moderate pain
• Live in Sydney or the Southern Highlands, NSW

For more information and to register your interest, please contact:

Christine Murray, NICM Principal Investigator 

e. [email protected]

or visit www.nicm.edu.au/kneepainstudy

This study is approved by the Western Sydney University Human Research Ethics Committee (Approval number H13062).

The University of Melbourne is conducting a research study to see if a new information video is a helpful way for people to learn about knee osteoarthritis. 

Participants will be asked to complete a questionnaire, watch the short 9-minute information video and then provide feedback. You can do the study entirely online from your home.  It will take about 1.5 hours to complete the whole study. 

If you are aged over 45, have had pain in one or both knees for more than 3 months, and have a home computer with internet, you may be eligible. 

For further information and to check your eligibility, please go to http://go.unimelb.edu.au/2crr.

The researchers can be contacted at [email protected] 

Griffith University is conducting research on improving doctor-patient relationships for those who have a chronic illness. This study aims to inform future skills training programs by understanding what behaviours patients with a chronic illness think are important for doctors to have in order to form strong relationships with their patients. To be eligible for this study you must

• Be diagnosed with a chronic illness
• Have seen your doctor within the last year
• Have had more than 3 appointments with this doctor over the course of your illness
• Believe you and your doctor have a good relationship

The study involves the following phases which can be done in person in Brisbane or via video-chat/phone

• Brief screening questions (5 minutes)
• Interview (1-hour)
• Card sorting task (30 minutes)

To participate register please email [email protected] or call 0422492318

Your insights will support future skills training programs aimed at doctors and will also benefit others in the future.

Centre for Community-Driven Research (CCDR) invites those diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis to take part in a research study. The study aims to help them understand the experience of being diagnosed, as well as your expectations of the health system, including your opinion on access to affordable treatments and holistic care.

The study involves:

• a online questionnaire (approximately 15 minutes)
• interview by telephone (approximately 30 – 45 minutes)

To participate register at www.cc-dr.org/au/peek/recruiting/ or email [email protected]

Your insights will support advocacy efforts and provide services that address your needs and will also benefit others in the future.

There is considerable scope for improvement in the employment outcomes of people with disability in Australia – rates of employment here well behind other OECD countries. Keeping people at work after the onset of disability is just as important as finding new opportunities in the first place if this situation is to be improved.

This research, being conducted by Mr Paul Williamson and Associate Professor Jennifer Smith-Merry, will examine the workplace experiences of those who develop a physical disability in the mid-stage of their career. With the right supports and workplace accommodations, people have the opportunity to be able to stay at work and this research will seek to identify what is working and where there might be gaps. Paul has a deep understanding of the issue, living with a physical disability himself.

Speaking to the people most affected – those who have been able to continue working, and those who have not – provides essential first hand perspectives on the issues facing people with disability at work. These first hand perspectives must be better incorporated into the narrative if real change is to be achieved – change that will see more people with disability do what many take for granted.

To learn more about the study please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aff6sM6wKkw&feature=youtu.be

Wanting to participate in the survey:  https://redcap.sydney.edu.au/surveys/?s=4YPC9TJWDX

CSIRO is recruiting people to research whether krill oil supplementation will improve knee pain in people with osteoarthritis (OA).

Since there is no cure for OA and many painkillers (analgesics) can have serious risks, there is a need for alternate therapies that safely and effectively reduce pain and inflammation and improve function in people with knee OA. 

By participating in this study you will advance the research on this important topic and potentially help millions of people around the world who have OA.

Testing for this study is in 3 Australian cities: Adelaide, Melbourne and the Sunshine Coast so you will need to live in these cities to participate.

You also need to be aged 40 to 65, have osteoarthritis knee pain and meet certain other criteria.

Learn more here.

Have you had at least two gout attacks in the past year and have access to a smartphone or tablet with internet?

If so, you may be eligible to participate in a UNSW Sydney research study to test a mobile app designed for people with gout.

By taking part, you will be asked to:

• Use a mobile app for one year
• See your GP and have blood tests at least 3 times in a year
• Fill out 3 surveys, and
• Complete a short interview at the end of the study

You will receive a $30 gift voucher at 3 points of the study ($90 total).

Interested in joining? Go to our website mygoutapp.com or contact:

Jacob Bechara
Phone: 1800 931 544
Email: [email protected]

Originally posted 24/11/2017

CaPPRe, an independent research company, is carrying out market research on behalf of a pharmaceutical company into people living with certain types of arthritis.

We are looking for people who have been diagnosed by a healthcare professional with one of the following types of arthritis:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Psoriatic arthritis

You are invited to participate in a 15-20 min online survey. The survey will ask about your treatment experiences and preferences. Your participation is valuable in exploring the issues facing people with arthritis. This information helps improve the understanding of what is important to you in the care and treatment of arthritis, which will better inform the treatment options available in the future. You will receive payment for your time and contribution to the research.

Please go to the following link to register your interest:

http://survey.confirmit.com.au/wix/7/p2630867.aspx

Are you a person aged 50 years or older who has been diagnosed with hip or knee osteoarthritis? Do you know someone who is aged 50 years or older who has been diagnosed with hip or knee osteoarthritis?

Falls are a leading cause of injury and hospitalisation among older people. While effective falls prevention programs do exist, falls prevention has not traditionally been a common component of osteoarthritis care.

Monash University researchers are seeking your help with new research into osteoarthritis and falls prevention. This research is funded by Arthritis Australia.

The study is conducting telephone interviews (30 – 45 minutes) to better understand the falls risk and falls prevention beliefs and experiences of people with hip or knee osteoarthritis.

To express an interest in participating in this research, please contact Chief Investigator Dr Darshini Ayton, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine:

Phone: 03 9903 1660

Email: [email protected].

Are you interested in how the government makes decisions about your medicines?

This study is looking for participants from the general public, patients, and health-related consumer groups to take part in focus group interviews about optimal regulatory and funding systems to provide access to medicines.

Focus groups will last for approximately 2 hours and will be held at various locations in Sydney at a time that suits you. All focus group participants will receive a $50 supermarket gift card as a token of our appreciation. 

For more information, please contact PhD student Jessica Pace:

Email: [email protected] 

Phone: 02 9036 3213

Are you a young person living with arthritis? Help researchers understand your experiences.

The project’s goal is to explore the impacts of living with arthritis, and the effect that it has on your work, your recreational activities, your family roles, your body function and your finances. Anyone aged 18 – 50 diagnosed with arthritis can participate. The research involves completing a brief online questionnaire (5 minutes), followed by a telephone interview (~45 minutes).

For further information or to participate in the project please contact:

Danielle Berkovic, PhD Candidate

Phone: 03 9903 0052

Email: [email protected]

Individuals with chronic pain are invited to complete a short online questionnaire about medication use and pain management. 

Participants with chronic pain will be asked to fill out a short online questionnaire about their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours related to pain management and medication use. The study will take approximately 10-15 minutes.

Everyone who completes this survey will go into the draw to win 1 of 2 $100 gift cards.

To get involved, visit: https://uqpsych.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/PainMedicationUse

Do you have low back pain? Are you 18+ years? Please help researchers at Cabrini to better understand low back pain.

The aim of the project is to investigate how low back pain affects the wellbeing and day-to-day living of people who have the condition. If you choose to take part in this project, please complete the survey by clicking on this link: www.surveymonkey.com/r/backpainquest . Please answer all the questions. We anticipate that this will take up to 20 minutes.

Participation in this research is voluntary. Should you wish to withdraw at any stage, or to withdraw any unprocessed data you have supplied, you are free to do so without prejudice. If you have questions about this please contact Melanie Hawkins on [email protected], or leave a message with Cathy at 03 9508 3499 and Melanie will call you back. Thank you for taking the time to help us with this important research.

The ethical aspects of this study have been reviewed by the Cabrini Human Research Ethics Committee (CHREC 02-21-08-17) and the study complies with the NHMRC’s National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research.

If you are over 18 years old and have (or have had) low back pain you may be able to participate!

The aim of this study is to evaluate a website which provides information about low back pain.

You can participate from your home. It will only take about 2 hours (over a month).

It is not expected that participating in this study will result in any risk or discomfort for you!

For more information, please contact:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 0435 125 094

painHEALTH is a web-based resource for people with musculoskeletal pain, providing evidence-based practical tips and guidance about how to manage pain.

Based on Google analytics, the website is widely used by consumers, health professionals, Government and non-government organisations.

Curtin University, WA, is undertaking a review of the painHEALTH website to understand what works well for end users, what’s missing or not working well. The objective is to improve the resource and make sure it is meeting its purpose so people get the right information, at the right time. The evaluation is being led by Professor Helen Slater.

Consumers, health professionals and health service organisations that use painHEALTH are invited to participate in the review by completing an online survey (10 minutes) – click here to access the survey or go to painhealth.csse.uwa.edu.au.

Complete the survey by 1 April 2018 and be entered into a prize draw to win $500

Help us find out if a website can help you.

Requirements:

• You currently have back pain (recent or long term)
• You are you 18 years or older
• You have regular access to the internet

Those who complete the study will go into a draw to win one of 10 iPad minis.

Trial participants will access the internet in different ways and need to complete some online questionnaires over a 12-month period.

Sign up here.

Need more info? Contact the Project Manager, Leanne Hall [email protected]

Researchers at The University of Queensland are inviting people with known diagnosis of ankle osteoarthritis to fill an online survey.

Participation involves completing online questionnaire about symptoms and disability associated with ankle osteoarthritis. This study can be completed by individuals living anywhere in Australia.

Completing the survey takes approximately 20-30 minutes, and will help us to better understand the problems experienced by people with ankle osteoarthritis. To complete the online survey, please click here.

This is an international collaborative research project, focusing on Australia and Japan, that explores how patients who travel abroad for medical care may be better supported upon their return home. Monash University is taking part in conducting research in Australian contexts.

As medical tourism has grown around the world, so have the number of the reports highlighting the adverse outcomes from undertaking medical care abroad. Health and safety risks associated with medical tourism have become a major concern to researchers, medical professionals and policy makers worldwide. Due to a scarcity of empirical research on medical tourism, your participation is invaluable in highlighting what patients have experienced following travel to another country or jurisdiction.

Participation in this study involves taking part in one interview with Dr Omori. It can be conducted through face-to-face, by phone or via Skype (or other forms of electronic communication tools). An interview date and time can be arranged based on your preference.

For further information contact Dr Maho Omori
Phone: 0415140838
Email: [email protected]

Specialists from Royal North Shore Hospital (Sydney, Australia) are conducting a 12-week research study to compare two different treatments for people with osteoarthritis at the base of the thumb.

You may be eligible if you: are aged 40 years and over, have moderate to severe pain at the base of the thumb due to osteoarthritis and are able to travel to RNSH in order to attend the study visits.

The participants will be assigned to one of two treatment groups. Interventions will consist of conservative therapies and will not involve surgery, oral medications or injections.

To see if you are eligible fill out the online screening here.

For more information contact Vicky Duong
Phone: 02 9463 1896
Email: [email protected]

The Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre (MAPrc) at the Alfred Hospital is currently seeking volunteers for a clinical trial of a non-medication investigational treatment for fibromyalgia.

Theta Burst Stimulation (TBS) is a painless, safe, and non-invasive means of stimulating nerve cells in the brain. They are conducting this study to see whether they can reduce the symptoms of fibromyalgia.

To be involved, participants must:

• be aged between 18 and 75 years
• have a diagnosis of fibromyalgia

Participation will involve attending the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne for an initial 2 week period of daily (Monday-Friday) treatments followed by a 2 week period of 3 treatments per week. Each treatment appointment takes approximately 30 minutes.

For further information contact Freya Stockman
Phone: (03) 9076 9896
Email: [email protected]

Using Digital health technology to optimise older people’s Pain self-management capabilities: a mixed-methods ‘DigiTech’ Pain Project

You are invited to take part in the DigiTech Pain project if you experience ongoing osteoarthritic pain, are over 65 years of age and use a smartphone or tablet computer.

For further information contact Ms Priyanka Bhattarai
Phone: 0452 518 525
Email: [email protected]

Do you have gout? This research is being done to learn more about the cost of chronic gout to Australian households.

We are looking for people who want to take part in this research and who:

• Had gout at least once
• Are 18 years or over
• Live in Australia

If you decide to take part in the research you would complete a survey (either online or paper based depending on your preference), which will take approximately 15-20 minutes.

You will be entered into a lottery to win 1 x $200 gift card as reimbursement for your participation in the study.

You can access the survey and more information via this link: www.costofgout.com

If you are 50 years or older, and have pain around your kneecap (pain at the front of your knee), during sitting, squatting, or stair climbing, you may be eligible to participate in a government (NHMRC) funded clinical trial.

What will you be asked to do?

• Attend La Trobe University (Bundoora campus) for a knee examination
• Have a FREE x-ray of your painful knee
• Wear a specific footwear intervention for 12 months
• Complete questionnaires about your knee pain

For further information, please visit:

Website: http://semrc.blogs.latrobe.edu.au/kneecap-pain

Facebook: www.facebook.com/FootpathStudy

Or contact Jade on:

Phone: 03 9479 2768

Email:  [email protected]