Surveys & Trials
Chronic pain is widely misunderstood and there is still a lot we need to learn about why it exists, why certain people are affected and not others, and how to treat it.
By participating in surveys and trials conducted by leading research institutions, you will help improve our body of knowledge about pain and help develop new and better treatments and management strategies.
Many research requests are online surveys and will require only a few minutes of your time. Others are clinical trials that offer the opportunity to receive treatments at no cost, which may lead to improvement in your symptoms.
While we aim to ensure that all of the surveys and trials we list are up-to-date, some may have closed early due to reaching sufficient numbers.
To be advertised on the Painaustralia website, a survey must meet the following criteria:
- Non-commercial research purposes
- Topic clearly relates to pain and its prevention, management or impact in either a discipline specific or multidisciplinary manner
- Valid ethics certificate from a university or other recognised authority
- Defined end date
- A short summary of the survey result is to be provided to be posted on the Painaustralia website.
MEDICINE USE FOLLOWING A ROAD TRAFFIC CRASH
Have you recently experienced neck or back pain following a road traffic crash?
We need your input for a research study about people’s experiences of using medicines after a road traffic crash. Participate by telephone from home!
Aim:
To explore people’s experiences of medicine use for a neck or lower back soft tissue injury incurred following a road traffic crash.
Type of volunteers needed:
- Over 18 years old
- Experienced neck or back pain as a result of a road traffic crash within the past 12 weeks
- Visited a GP OR attended an Emergency Department, but not admitted
- Used a prescription or over-the-counter medicine for this neck or back injury, and
- Fluent in English
Individuals are not eligible to participate if another, more serious, injury such as a broken bone was experienced in the road traffic crash; or if you have had neck or back pain for longer than three months.
What is involved?
A phone interview for up to 40 minutes, at a time convenient to you. Everything you say will be completely confidential and anonymous.
What’s in it for me?
While you may not personally benefit from participating in this research, your time, experience, and feedback will likely benefit others who experience neck or back pain from a road traffic crash. Gaining a more in-depth understanding of people’s experiences will help guide development of the better treatment options to improve recovery.
An offering a $20 gift voucher to each participant.
How can I volunteer or find out more?
People interested in participating or learning more about the study can contact Ms Sarah Robins, Research Assistant, on email whiplashresearch@uq.edu.au or call 07 3346 4812 or Dr Jane Nikles on email uqjnikle@uq.edu.au or 0408 599 033
How long will Medicinal Cannabis Products be detectable in Oral Fluid?
Psychological factors and chronic pain
Researchers at the University of Queensland are recruiting people who experience chronic pain to investigate the shared psychological factors linked to chronic pain and pain management. They are looking for people to complete a short online questionnaire that will take approximately 20-30 minutes.
You are eligible if you are over 18 years old and experience chronic pain that has been diagnosed by a health practitioner. You can also go into the draw to win 1 of 2 $100 gift vouchers for participating.
If you are interested in participating in this research you can access the survey link here:
https://redcap.link/UQpainsurvey
Do you have back pain?
Researchers from the University of Sydney are conducting an innovative study using text messages to support recovery of people suffering from low back pain.
The study is named TEXT4myBACK and will provide information about back pain via SMS to help people to better manage their pain.
If interested, please follow the link to find out more! http://bit.ly/TEXT4myBACK
CRPS research
Do you have complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) of the upper limb? You may be eligible for our experiment.
We are investigating how the brain processes sensory information. We are reading the brain’s responses to brief electrical stimulation to the hands, using electrodes on the scalp. You will also be given some questionnaires to complete.
This experiment involves a 2-hour (approx.) lab visit to the University of South Australia.
We will reimburse you $20/session for your time and will cover your transport expenses.
Please contact Flavia at flavia.dipietro@sydney.edu.au if you are interested.
Understanding the Relationship between Brain Blood Flow and Menstrual Migraine
The Clinical Nutrition Research Centre located at the University of Newcastle is inviting premenopausal women aged 18 years and over to participate in a study examining links between blood flow in the brain and menstrual migraine. For the study, they are looking for two types of volunteers:
- Women who suffer from migraine lasting for at least 4 hours around their period or during mid-cycle but were free from migraine at other times
- Women who are non – migraine sufferers
For more information, including eligibility to participate, please contact Jemima Dzator at the Clinical Nutrition Research Centre.
Link to our study is: https://www.newcastle.edu.au/research-and-innovation/centre/cnrc/volunteer
Phone: (02) 4921 8616
Email: cnrc@newcastle.edu.au
A research project exploring their experiences of the physical environment and design features in pain clinics.
Improving Doctor-Patient Relationships
Understand elbow pain
Researchers at Western Sydney University are recruiting for a study to better understand elbow pain. The study will explore whether brain function alters due to elbow pain. The test session will take approximately 2 hours and you will be reimbursed for your time and travel. The session will be held at Western Sydney University, Campbelltown campus.
You are eligible to participant if you are between 18-65 and:
- Have pain around one or both elbows (i.e. tennis elbow, lateral epicondylalgia) lasting at least 6 weeks
- No history of epilepsy or other neurological conditions
- Not taking any central nervous system acting medications
If you are interested in participating please email Ghufran Alhassani on g.alhassani@westernsydney.edu.au or call (02) 4620 3965 to receive further information or confirm eligibility.
Sleep-related behaviours and headaches
Griffith University researchers invite you to participate in a study examining thoughts and behaviours about sleep, and how these may relate to headaches.
We need participants who suffer from headaches (such as migraine and tension-type headache), as well as those who don’t experience regular headaches to complete a short online survey.
To find out more and to participate in the anonymous survey, please visit our website by clicking the link below.
https://prodsurvey.rcs.griffith.edu.au/prodls200/index.php/926337?lang=en
This research is currently in recruitment and will finish by September 2019.
Role of the brain in CRPS, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
The University of Sydney is investigating the role of the brain in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CPRS) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). They are interested in brain activity and the concentration of certain chemicals in the brain, and how these relate to sensation. To aid this research they are looking for participants with CPRS of the hands, wrist or arm.
Participation in the study will involve analysing the brain’s responses to brief electrical stimulation to the hands, using electrodes on the scalp. Participants will also be given some questionnaires to complete.
This study will involve a visit of approximately 2 hours, in Randwick, Sydney. As well as the MRI and the sensation experiment, you will also be given some questionnaires to complete.
University of Sydney will reimburse participants for their time and effort.
For more information contact Flavia Di Pietro: flavia.dipietro@sydney.edu.au
Opinions of people with chronic pain
Queensland University of Technology (QUT) is running a survey to investigate the general public’s pain experience, specifically how you communicate about pain with your doctor, how your pain is managed and your pain medicines generally. To participate in this research, please click here.
What a pain! How much do people know about migraines?
The School of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT) is undertaking a project on migraines. The purpose of this project is to investigate the general public’s experience with migraine pain, specifically your understanding and knowledge of migraine pain, how your migraine pain is managed and migraine pain medicines generally. To participate in this research, please click here.
Survey on bodily changes, sensations, and mood in people with chronic pain
People with and without pain invited to take part in a study to investigate body changes and sensations in people with chronic pain. The online survey takes approximately 20 minutes and the responses are anonymous. To thank you for taking part, you will have the option of submitting your email address for entry into a prize draw for a £50 Amazon.co.uk voucher at the end of the study. This email address will be stored separately to your survey answers. Participants must be aged 16 and over, with or without pain, and people with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome are encouraged to take part. To go to the survey and for more information, click on the link below, or copy the link and paste it into your internet browser. The study is being conducted by the University of Bath UK and if you have any questions please email j.bultitude@bath.ac.uk. Survey: https://bathpsychology.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eEfHGWrceV52HPf
Medication use and pain management
Individuals with chronic pain are invited to complete a short online questionnaire about medication use and pain management.
Everyone who completes this survey will go into the draw to win one of two $100 gift cards.
To get involved, go to https://uqpsych.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bszjrpcL1Eyn7KZ
SleepBack Study
Do you have back pain? Many people with sleep/insomnia symptoms unfortunately do, and having both seems to make things worse. We at the University of Sydney are looking for participants in our study. Here you can have FREE ONLINE treatment for sleep, and we propose it can improve your back pain as well!
What we need: People with back pain living anywhere in Australia
What we offer: An online study with free sleep treatment.
If you can't participate, please at least like and share this page so that we can reach others all across Australia!
If you are interested, please contact: fhs.sleepstudy@sydney.edu.au | https://www.facebook.com/sleepback/
Codeine Cohort Study
On 1 February 2018 codeine-containing products will no longer be available over-the-counter and instead you will need a prescription. The University of Tasmania would like to know how this change will impact you. Participants will be required to complete an online survey four times over 12 months. You will be entered into a draw for $100 vouchers for the first survey and be given $20 for every completed subsequent survey. For more information and a direct link to the survey visit: https://www.facebook.com/codeinecohortstudy/
Take-home naloxone study
Curtin University and the National Drug Research Institute would like to hear your views on opioid medication, overdose and take-home naloxone. Participants must be 18 or over, live in NSW and have experience with opioid medication. You do not need to have used naloxone to participate. The information will be used to help develop resources about take-home naloxone. Participation involves a confidential audio recorded interview at a location of your choice of about one hour and you will be reimbursed $50 for your time. For more information download the flyer or contact Adrian Farrugia: 03 9079 2205, 0467 633 751 or adrian.farrugia@curtin.edu.au
Pain Medications Study
A psychology PhD candidate at the University of Tasmania is conducting a survey looking at pain, cognitive functioning (e.g. memory) and physical and mental health in people who use prescription-only opioid medications to manage chronic pain. Participants must live in Australia. The survey is online and will take about 15 minutes to complete. At the end of the survey participants can enter a draw to win a $50 Coles Myer voucher. The survey will run until mid 2018 is available at: https://surveys.its.utas.edu.au/index.php/842327?newtest=Y
Study on mindfulness for chronic pain needs participants
UTS Clinical Psychology is conducting a study on the effects of mindfulness on chronic pain. The study, led by Alice Shires, is calling for individuals who have been living with chronic pain for more than three months to participate in the study.
It will find how a short mindfulness-based exposure technique alleviates the discomfort experienced by people with chronic pain in comparison to distraction, a commonly used tool in coping with pain. Please email alice.shires@uts.edu.au for more information
Free Online Course to Manage Chronic Pain, Anxiety and Depression
Macquarie University's Centre for Emotional Health is offering a free online course to help people manage chronic pain, anxiety and depression, as part of a research trial to develop an effective evidence-based online support program. Outcomes of the first trial, , revealed significantly greater improvements in participants' reported disability, anxiety and depression, with more than 95 percent of participants reporting the Pain Course was worth their time, and they would recommend it to others. For further information call 02 9850 9464.
Lower back pain sufferers needed for clinical trial
No cost treatment for chronic low back pain: This program of research is designed to help low back pain sufferers learn non-pharmacological techniques to reduce the disability and intensity of low back pain, as well as the associated distress. Trained professionals provide 8 low back pain management classes, at no cost, with 6-11 other individuals with low back pain.
Contact Dr Melissa Day, MA(Clin), PhD at: Phone: 33 656 421 or Email: m.day@uq.edu.au
Cool Kids and Adolescent Health Program
The most common somatic-health complaints experienced by children and adolescents include recurring abdominal pain, gastro-intestinal symptoms, recurring headaches, chest pains, dizziness and nausea. Participants required: Children and adolescents aged 7-17 years who are experiencing recurring somatic health complaints for a minimum of 3-months. Contact: For more information, please email Associate Professor Maria Kangas maria.kangas@mq.edu.au or telephone Pip Eve or Brita List on (02) 9850 4082.
Clinicians NeuRA Needs 10 Minutes of Your Time
Pain @ Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) is undertaking research into the role of acceptance in chronic pain, and is seeking clinicians who treat people with chronic pain to complete an online questionnaire. Greater acceptance of chronic pain is associated with less distress and disability. Pragmatically, however, the idea that one might want to be more "accepting" of chronic pain runs contrary to common sense. To examine this further, NeuRA needs 200 clinicians to answer a 10-minute questionnaire.
The study has ethics approval. To get involved email m.rabey@neura.edu.au
The Lived Experience of Chronic Pain
Study Description: This study is part of a chronic pain study. Dr Stapleton is leading the study in her role within the Faculty of Society & Design, Bond University.
What you will be asked to do: You will be asked to answer questions online about your chronic pain experience. These are anonymous and the survey is voluntary. No identifying information will be collected. Tel: +61 7 5595 4194 Fax: +61 7 5595 1120 Email: buhrec@bond.edu.au
Injury IMPACT Study Dr Rachel Elphinston
We are interested in your experiences and perspectives of recovery following injury in a motor vehicle crash.
Following a road traffic crash, some individuals might recover without complication, while others will experience more challenges. The Recover Injury IMPACT Study aims to understand why some people experience more challenges than others as they progress along their journey to recovery.
Email: rachelel@uq.edu.au
Do you have a diagnosis of fibromyalgia?
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. We are conducting this study to see whether we can reduce the symptoms of fibromyalgia.
For more information, please contact Ms Laura Knox on (03)90769896, or laura.knox@monash.edu