Research & Clinical Trials
Chronic Pain Australia is dedicated to improving the quality of life of those Australian’s who live with chronic pain. Chronic Pain Australia typically promotes research studies that have ethics approval from a university or other recognised authority’s Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC), to ensure that the research we facilitate is ethical and in the best interests of our members.
If your research survey, clinical trial, or other research study has received ethics approval, and you are keen to have it promoted through Chronic Pain Australia, please complete the below form, and email your request (along with all relevant attachments) to national.office@chronicpainaustralia.org.au. We always aim to respond at our earliest convenience (usually within 14 working days).
a) Ethics application
b). Patient information sheets
Include:- Social media tile (to be gif , QR code /or image for Instagram)
Current Research Collaborations
Charity Pain UK
Chronic Pain Australia is collaborating with the charity Pain UK on, “The Lived Experience of Pain”. This includes a systematic literature review of existing qualitative studies regarding the lived experience of chronic pain (conducted 2021). This will inform questions for a national UK survey. This data will further be analysed and will culminate in a publication and report, that will highlight the impact that those people living with chronic pain experience.
Australian Pain Solutions Alliance
Chronic Pain Australia is a Steering Committee member, representing consumers in the development of the Australian Pain Solutions Alliance.
Proposed Vision: All Australians shall live unburdened by pain
Proposed Mission: To unite consumers, researchers, health professionals, industry and government to propel the discovery and delivery of effective pain solutions
Curtain University Collaboration
Chronic Pain Australia supported dissemination of a national survey for a Curtin University-led project on what people living with pain and carers in Australia considered were most important pain care priorities when seeking care from a health professional. This project was undertaken as part of a broader Commonwealth 4 year funded consortium program, led by Professor Michael Nicholas (University of Sydney), on shaping future Health Professional Education and Training.
Web-based self-management program
Chronic Pain Australia is working in collaboration with researchers at the University of Queensland to develop a web-based pain self-management program with the aim to overcome barriers such as accessibility and affordability.
E-hypnotherapy for chronic pelvic pain
Chronic Pain Australia is working in collaboration with researchers at Deakin University to develop an online hypnotherapy treatment to assist people experiencing chronic pelvic pain.
Opportunities to Participate in Research
Research Study: Pain with vaginal sex or menstrual product use
What is the study about?
Researchers at Western Sydney University are seeking people who experience recurrent pain with vaginal sex or menstrual product use to help evaluate a new healthcare resource developed for clinician use. The resource aims to support more holistic assessment, reduce misdiagnosis and promote person-centred care.
Who can participate?
Adults aged 18 or over who live in Australia and experience recurrent pain with vaginal sex or menstrual product use may be eligible. This can include pain associated with conditions such as vaginismus, vulvodynia, endometriosis or adenomyosis, as well as other diagnosed or undiagnosed chronic pain conditions.
What does participation involve?
Participation involves completing an anonymous online survey about your experiences. Your feedback will help researchers evaluate and improve a new healthcare resource designed to support clinicians working with people experiencing chronic pain with vaginal penetration.
When do applications close?
TBA
How to Apply
Complete the online survey here
Contact:
Rashmi Pithavadian
r.pithavadian3@westernsydney.edu.au
Extra information
Participation is voluntary and anonymous. The study has received Western Sydney University Ethics Approval No. H15587.
Further information on the study and the previous published work that led to the development of the new clinician tool can be found at
https://www.instagram.com/pelvicare_research
Blended pain care: A novel hybrid service model for chronic pain and mental health support
What is the study about?
Who can participate?
Adults in Australia who’ve had pain most days for at least 3 months and feel it has affected their mental health.
What does participation involve?
A short, anonymous online survey (about 20-30 minutes) about your experiences with pain, mental health, and what you would want from a blended care program.
When do applications close?
31 December 2026
How to Apply
To apply click here
Contact details
Robert.schutze@health.wa.gov.au
Ethics approval
South Metropolitan Health Service Human Research Ethics Committee (SMHS HREC)
Protocol Reference Number: RGS0000006295
Approved 29 August 2023; valid until 29 August 2028.
Perth Children’s Hospital -ACORN Pain Project
What is the study about?
Who can participate?
This study is open to children and young people aged 6–24 years living with chronic pain, as well as their parents and carers. Clinicians who support paediatric chronic pain are also invited to participate.
What does participation involve?
Participation involves a brief online survey taking approximately 2–3 minutes.
Benefits For you
Participating in this study provides an opportunity to share experiences and help improve understanding, support, and services for children and young people living with chronic pain. The findings may help shape future care, resources, and outcomes for families and clinicians.
When do applications close?
To Be Decided.
How to Apply
To apply click here
Monash House Research Centre – A Phase 1, Randomized, Double-Blind, Single Dose Escalation Study to Assess the Safety and
Tolerability of Transforaminal Epidural Administration of C-1101 Versus Sterile Saline in
Adults with Chronic Painful Lumbosacral Radiculopathy
What is the study about?
To see if C-1101 is safe and well tolerated when given as a single injection into the lower back (spine), compared to a saltwater (saline) injection.
Who can participate?
If you are an adult living in Australia and have been diagnosed with LSR (Lumbosacral Radiculopathy) and have experienced ongoing pain for at least 3 months but less than 3 years, you can participate in this clinical trial.
What does participation involve?
After an initial screening, you will attend a visit at the study centre 1–14 days before your treatment. At the treatment visit, you will be randomly given either C-1101 or a saline (saltwater) injection. You will be asked to keep a diary to track your pain before and after the treatment. Following the injection, you will return to the study centre for six follow-up visits. The full study will last approximately 30 weeks.
Benefits For you
Participants are renumerated for their travel and for each visit completed.
When do applications close?
12 January 2027
How to Apply
To apply click here
or contact
University of Technology Sydney – Healthcare co-design rooms – a formative intervention supporting relational expertise,
creating common knowledge and applying relational agency – for children experiencing
chronic pain
What is the study about?
A healthcare co-design study bringing together children with chronic pain, their parents, and health professionals to share ideas and find better ways to work together. We don’t know what solutions will come from it yet, but the goal is to have open conversations and improve care for children living with chronic pain.
Who can participate?
We’re looking for children aged 10–14 living with chronic pain, and their parents, across Australia.
What does participation involve?
Participants will attend three 2-hour online Zoom workshops, working alongside other children, parents and health professionals to brainstorm and design new solutions together.
Benefits For you
Children and parents: To recognise their time and contribution, each participating child and parent pair will receive one $150 gift voucher at the end of the study (after the Zoom sessions finish). Families must attend at least 2 of the 3 sessions to be eligible.
Health professionals: To thank them for their time and expertise, health professionals will go into a prize draw to win a $150 gift voucher. They must attend at least 2 of the 3 sessions to be eligible.
When do applications close?
31 May 2026
How to Apply
To apply click here
or contact
Monash University – Pain experiences and outcome priorities of children with growing pains and their caregivers
What is the study about?
This study aims to further understand the pain experiences of children with growing pains and
their families, as well as what outcomes are important to them when receiving healthcare.
Who can participate?
Children aged 6-12 with growing pains and their caregivers.
What does participation involve?
A 30–60 minute interview (in person or via Zoom) where you’ll be asked about your child’s pain, how it affects your family, and what matters to you when working with healthcare professionals.
Benefits For you
You’ll receive $50 AUD after completing the interview.
When do applications close?
31 March 2026
How to Apply
To apply click here
or contact
Macquarie University – Use of social media by young people with hypermobility associated conditions and leg pain
for health-related information study
What is the study about?
Researchers are investigating how young people with hypermobility associated conditions and leg pain use social media to search for health-related information.
Who can participate?
Young people aged 14-24 years with a hypermobility associated condition and lower leg pain who use social media to access health information
What does participation involve?
The study has three parts: an online survey, a potential live TikTok search with a researcher, and a short interview.
Benefits For you
Participants who complete all three sections of the research will be offered a Giftpay voucher to thank them for their participation
When do applications close?
18 February 2026
How to Apply
To apply click here
or contact
University of Sydney – Exploring Bodily Threat Monitoring as a Transdiagnostic Factor in Chronic Illness
What is the study about?
Research on mental imagery in chronic health conditions.
Who can participate?
We are inviting individuals who have been diagnosed with cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or asthma to take part in this research.
What does participation involve?
Participating in a 30 minute online survey assessing information about your health condition, thoughts, feelings, and mental images.
Benefits For you
Contribute to research that could improve understanding and management of chronic health conditions,
When do applications close?
1 May 2029
How to Apply
To apply click here
or contact
The University of Sydney – Predictors of engagement in mindfulness practice and patterns of practice among individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain: A survey study
What is the study about?
This study explores how and why people with chronic musculoskeletal pain choose to engage in health and wellness practices like mindfulness meditation.
Who can participate?
To participate in this study, you must be 18 or older, live in Australia or New Zealand, and have chronic musculoskeletal pain lasting over three months (e.g., arthritis or chronic back pain). You also need to be able to read English. No prior experience with mindfulness meditation is required.
What does participation involve?
If you’re eligible, you’ll first complete a short online questionnaire followed by an electronic consent form. Then, you’ll be invited to complete a 10–20 minute online survey, which you can save and return to later.
Benefits For you
Individuals who complete the online survey will go into the draw to win one of six Prezzee gift vouchers.
When do applications close?
31 March 2026
How to Apply
To apply click here
or contact
Deakin University – e-Hypnotherapy for Chronic Pelvic Pain Study (REST)
What is the study about?
This research seeks to evaluate whether pre-recorded e-Hypnotherapy can alleviate pain and improve quality of life for individuals with chronic pelvic pain. Participants can explore a unique online hypnosis experience designed to support pain management.
Who can participate?
Eligible participants are Australians aged 18 or older with chronic pelvic pain for at least three months. They must be fluent in English, not pregnant or planning pregnancy, have no recent pelvic surgery (within six months), and have not used hypnotherapy in the past six months.
What does participation involve?
Participants will complete an online screening process and try a 20-minute e-Hypnotherapy session. Eligible individuals will be randomly assigned to one of three study groups, including a 7-week e-Hypnotherapy intervention for some, while others will continue with their usual care.
Benefits For you
Participants will receive a $10 gift voucher for each completed questionnaire, with a total of $40AUD possible. Selected participants will also be invited to follow-up interviews, each earning a $30 voucher.
When do applications close?
Ongoing Applications
How to Apply
To apply click here
or contact
Email reststudy@deakin.edu.au
Murdoch University – LongSTEPPP – The Longitudinal Study of Teenagers with Endometriosis, Period and Pelvic Pain
What is the study about?
The LongSTEPPP project aims to find out how we can best care for young people experiencing period pain, pelvic pain, or who may have suspected or confirmed endometriosis. Your experience could help us work out the best way to care for young people dealing with these problems, and help to improve their quality of life.
Who can participate?
You may be eligible to join if you: Are aged between 10 -18 years Are seeing a doctor* for period pain, pelvic pain or endometriosis Live in Australia; and Both you and your parent/guardian are willing to take part *This includes a General Practitioner (GP), Endometriosis or Pelvic Pain GP clinic, Paediatrician or a Gynaecologist.
What does participation involve?
The LongSTEPPP project asks you and your parent/guardian to complete annual questionnaires (about periods, pain, quality of life and mental health) which takes about an hour per year, done online at your own pace.
Benefits for you
y taking part you may be helping other people in future who experience period and pelvic pain and endometriosis and their parents and guardians.
When do applications close?
31 December 2027
How to apply?
To apply click here, or for more information email us at
Macquarie University – Have Your Symptoms Been Taken Seriously?
What is the study about?
This study explores how people living with chronic physical health conditions experience communication and understanding in healthcare. People have very different experiences when seeking healthcare, and we’d like to hear about how your concerns have been understood and responded to. For some, their symptoms are quickly understood. For others, it can be harder to explain what they’re experiencing or to feel taken seriously.
Who can participate?
You may be eligible to participate in this study if you are aged 18 years or older, live in Australia with a chronic physical health condition, and have sought care from a healthcare professional for a suspected or confirmed chronic physical health condition.
What does participation involve?
Participation involves completing a de-identified online survey, which takes approximately 15–20 minutes to complete and asks about your experiences of healthcare interactions. You may skip questions or stop participation at any time before submitting the survey.
Benefits For you
Participants can opt into a prize draw for one of ten $100 gift cards. The findings may help improve patient experiences within healthcare systems.
When do applications close?
20 July 2026
How to Apply
To apply click here
or contact
jesse.wheeler@students.mq.edu.au
Sydney University (NICM Health Research Institute) – The Lumir Mission Medicinal Cannabis for Menopause Symptoms Study
What is the study about?
NICM Health Research Institute is running a study on the effectiveness and safety of medicinal cannabis for sleep difficulties related to menopause. The study also looks at how it may help with other symptoms like anxiety, hot flushes, and aches.
Who can participate?
Women in Australia aged 45–65 who are peri- to postmenopausal and experiencing sleep disturbances and other menopause-related symptoms.
What does participation involve?
The six-month study involves three blood tests to monitor your liver and kidney function. A doctor will assess your suitability and may prescribe medicinal cannabis products like CBD and/or THC based on your needs. You’ll receive ongoing care, free consultations, and a 20% discount on the prescribed products during the study.
Benefits For you
Clinical care, at no cost, from an experienced cannabis clinician (GP), the support of the research and clinic team as required, and a 20% discount on medications during the study.
When do applications close?
30 June 2026
How to Apply
To apply click here
or contact
Curtin University – Exploring how home influences pain, health, and well-being
What is the study about?
We want to know if the experience of home influences pain, health, and well-being. The information collected with the survey will help us to identify:
1) How people with pain experience the different aspects of their home environment
2) If the experience of home has any associations with pain, health and well-being. The information gained will help us to understand if knowledge about the experience of home can be used to support better outcomes for people with persistent pain.
Who can participate?
Any adult living in the community with chronic pain
What does participation involve?
Participants will complete an online survey which should take between 20 -30 minutes.
Benefits for you
Participants are remunerated for their time with a gift vouche
How to apply?
To apply click here, or contact louise.gustafsson@griffith.edu.au
The Curtin University – The QUEST Initiative – Medical Cannabis Study
What is the study about?
The Quality of life Evaluation Study (QUEST) conducted by Curtin University, aims to investigate the quality of life and health economic impact of medicinal cannabis on patients with a health condition.
Who can participate?
Adults living in Australia, with a diagnosed chronic condition who have tried other medications that have not been successful or have side effects. Participants can also not be using prescribed medical cannabis for four weeks before starting the study.
What does participation involve?
In order to access to medicinal cannabis participants must first arrange a QUEST doctor consultation and prescription. The study involves the completion of some online surveys (approx. 20min each).
Benefits for you
Study participants will access cannabis medications at a subsidised cost and receive free delivery of their medication. The study website includes a directory of experienced and independent doctors to choose from.
When do applications close?
The QUEST Initiative plans to run for five years (until 2027)
How to apply?
To apply click here, or contact our team to learn more on 1300 664 369 or info@thequestinitiative.com
The University of Queensland – Study understanding what’s impacting your back pain
What is the study about?
The research aims to understand what and how factors (across domains of biology, psychology, sociology and behaviour) relate to back pain.
Who can participate?
People 18 years or older who have experienced low back pain on at least 2 days (does not need to be consecutive days) in the past 2 weeks that was sufficient to limit their function.
What does participation involve?
Participants will be asked to download a free application on their smartphone. Researchers will use this app to gather information related to participant& low back pain.
Benefits For you
Participants will be remunerated with a $100AUD voucher at study completion.
When do applications close?
01 September 2026
How to Apply
To register your interest click here or send an email to
nih-f@uq.edu.au
The Western Sydney University – exploring the interplay between chronic pain, pain perceptions and somatosensory function
What is the study about?
The aim is to explore how pain perceptions and beliefs influence sensory function and processing in a culturally and linguistically diverse group and a non culturally and linguistically diverse group
Who can participate?
The participants are individuals over 18 with chronic pain who speak English or Arabic as their first language.
What does participation involve?
Participants will attend a focus group with 8-10 other participants who also have chronic musculoskeletal pain. They will fill in demographic information and be administered questionnaires on the nature of their pain. They will undergo sensory tests including pressure pain thresholds where an algometer is applied to the muscle and when the pressure sensation becomes painful participants will say stop
How to Apply
To apply, contact Ghufran.Alhassani@westernsydney.edu.au