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
UTS – Pain & Children
What is the study about?
A survey of the perceptions and learning needs of health professionals working with children and adolescents experiencing chronic pain
Who can participate?
Health professionals are eligible if they are/have seen children or adolescents experiencing chronic pain in their clinical role, including both non-expert/novice professionals and specialist providers. All individuals holding current healthcare qualifications will be included, with no restrictions regarding role, country, or context.
What does participation involve?
Participants will need to answer eligibility criteria and then provide consent to participate. Once consent is obtained, participants will complete a 15 minute survey, with 4 demographic questions and 11 exploratory questions.
Benefits for you
For every person who completes this survey, a donation of $5 will be made to Chronic Pain Australia on your behalf (to a maximum of AUD $300), to contribute to future pain related research.
When do applications close?
30 November 2023
How to apply?
Click here to apply or for more information contact jennifer.norton@student.uts.edu.au
ACU – Sex & Pain
What is the study about?
An exploration of sexual wellbeing from the perspective of persons experiencing chronic pain.
Who can participate?
Over 18, English Speaking, has had chronic pain for over 3 months, and has been sexually expressive at some point in their life (this includes intimacy, hugging, kissing, desire, fantasy, or sexually active). They do not need a current/past partner.
What does participation involve?
They are asked to participate in a 1 hour online interview, and review a list of themes from the preliminary data.
Benefits for you
All genders and LGBTQIA+ individuals are welcome and encouraged to apply. You may bring someone to the interview for moral support if desired.
When do applications close?
10 October 2023
How to apply?
Click here to apply or for more information contact
claire.obrien5@myacu.edu.au
UNSW – Emotional Recovery Program for Chronic Pain
What is the study about?
Researchers at UNSW and NeuRA are recruiting for a clinical trial to investigate a new approach to pain management: an online emotional recovery program for chronic pain (iDBT-Pain skills training). This program is designed to help people with chronic pain manage and mitigate negative emotions of anger, worry, fear and sadness which otherwise lead to increasing pain intensity and worsening emotional difficulties including anxiety and depression.
Who can participate?
This trial is open to people over 18 with chronic pain living in Australia.
What does participation involve?
Participation means being randomly assigned (like the toss of a coin) to receive either the “treatment”, or “treatment-as-usual”. Participants in the treatment condition will receive the 9-week iDBT-Pain skills training involving 8 online group-based sessions over Zoom, and daily training using a web app for 9 weeks. Participants in the treatment-as-usual group, will not receive treatment during the study period, but can continue to access their usual treatment. Participation also means completing questionnaires at three timepoints. Participation in the trial will be completed in approximately 5 months.
Benefits for you
Participation enables entry into a prize draw to receive one of two $200 Westfield gift cards and free access to the web app for ongoing usage following the completion of the trial.
When do applications close?
2nd June 2023
How to apply?
Click here to apply or for more information contact neurorecoveryresearch@unsw.edu.au
Griffith University – Invitation to participate in nursing research
What is the study about?
This research will explore the factors related to nurses’ beliefs regarding pain assessment of people living with dementia.
Who can participate?
We invite registered nurses from Australia who work in clinical situations where there are older people who may have dementia.
What does participation involve?
Participation will involve completion of a confidential online survey questionnaire with three subsections. This will take approximately 20-30 minutes.
Benefits for you
You can enter a draw for a gift voucher of $50 at the end of the survey.
University of Sydney – Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Versus Mindfulness for People with Rheumatoid Arthritis
What is the study about?
We are conducting a randomized controlled trial assessing the effectiveness of online psychological interventions (CBT and Mindulness) for people with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).
Who can participate?
We are seeking participants with a confirmed diagnosis of RA that are more than 18 years old, currently live in Australia, and have regular access to the Internet. If receiving RA treatment, they have been on a consistent RA treatment regime for more than one month (i.e., on a stable dose of the same medication, with no current plan to increase this dose). Contact us for more information and our exclusion criteria.
What does participation involve?
Participation will involve an online eligibility survey, phone interview, then weekly online therapy sessions for 8 weeks, followed by a single 6 month follow up session.
Closing date: 20th March 2023
Contact for more information: jack.boyse@sydney.edu.au
Click here for more information
University of SA – Physiotherapy & Pain
What is the study about?
Co-design to improve physiotherapist-delivered pain science education in private practice.
Who can participate?
People who are 18 years or over, live in South Australia, and have chronic pain (≥3 years, any body location) can participate. We are also recruiting private practice physiotherapists.
What does participation involve?
This study involves participating in three face-to-face (or online) workshops to help develop the resources/strategies.
Benefits for
People with chronic pain can be reimbursed for their travel costs if necessary.
When do applications close?
30 March 2024
How to apply?
Click here to apply or email monique.wilson@mymail.unisa.edu.au for more information.
Sydney University – Pain & Medicinal Cannabis
What is the study about?
Exploring policy and clinical perceptions of access to cannabis for chronic pain in Canada and Australia: comparative strategies in evolving contexts, and implications for consumers
Who can participate?
Persons 18 years or over who are using medicinal cannabis for chronic pain.
What does participation involve?
Involvement will be confidential. The single focus group will involve a series of questions that will take approximately 1 1/2 hours. During the discussion, participants will be asked to share, where relevant, experiences with access to and use of medicinal cannabis, particularly in respect of its use in people living with chronic pain.
Benefits for
Participants will be offered a $50 gift card as thanks for their participation
When do applications close?
31 December 2023
How to apply?
Contact s.davis@sydney.edu.au for more information and to register your interest.
Tapering long-term prescription opioids used for the treatment of chronic non-cancer pain: A qualitative study to explore personal experiences
What is the study about?
To explore the personal experience of tapering long-term prescription opioids in the context of chronic non-cancer pain.
Who can participate?
Over 18 years of age, living with chronic non-cancer pain and ready to commence tapering, currently tapering or recently ceased long-term prescription opioids in the last 6 months.
What does participation involve?
One interview of 45mins to 1hr long
When do applications close?
15 July 2023
How to apply?
Email Belinda.Handy@uon.edu.au for more information and to register your interest
Young People’s Experiences of Chronic Health Conditions in the Digital Age
What is the study about?
This study looks at the experiences of young people who experience chronic health condition(s).
Who can participate?
If you are born between 1994-2004, and live with a health condition that impacts your life in an ongoing way, you can participate.
What does participation involve?
Participation involves a 1-2 hour interview that can be either in-person or online.
When do applications close?
How to apply?
Click here to apply or contact
imogen.harper@sydney.edu.au
for more information.
University of South Australia – Help us understand how chronic pain is managed in rural Australia
What is the study about?
Investigating the implementation of guideline-based care for pain in rural Australia
Who can participate?
Anyone 18+ that lives rurally and experiences ongoing pain.
What does participation involve?
We will interview rural consumers experiencing chronic pain to ask them what healthcare services they have worked with to manage their pain, how they have accessed these services, and what treatments they have been offered.
When do applications close?
1st June 2023
How to apply?
Click here for more information
