
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
University of Queensland – Quality measures and consumer involvement in musculoskeletal research
What is the study about?
This project aims to explore viewpoints about consumer involvement in basic science research. You are being invited to participate in this project as someone with lived experience of a musculoskeletal condition.
Who can participate?
Individuals with lived experience of a musculoskeletal condition who have been involved in consumer engagement activities.
What does participation involve?
Participation involves completion of an online questionnaire.
Benefits for you
It is expected that findings from this project will inform understanding of how consumers are currently involved in basic musculoskeletal research and identify opportunities to increase involvement. There may be no direct benefit to you from your participation in this research.
When do applications close?
30 November 2023
How to apply?
To apply click here, or for more information email us at m.ross@uq.edu.au
Macquarie University – the Endometriosis Pain Course Trial
What is the study about?
Researchers at Macquarie University are conducting a clinical trial to investigate how helpful people find The Endometriosis Pain Course, an online psychological pain management program. This program is designed to help people affected by pain related to endometriosis manage their emotional wellbeing and day-to-day activities.
Who can participate?
If you have been diagnosed with endometriosis, experience pain related to endometriosis which impacts your daily life and emotional wellbeing, are aged 18 years or over and live in Australia, you may be eligible to participate.
What does participation involve?
Participation involves completing 5 online lessons over 8 weeks and completing some simple homework tasks that will help you to remember the material you have learned. Each lesson provides important information about techniques for managing pain and emotional wellbeing, with illustrated examples of how people learn these techniques. You will have the option to contact a Clinical Psychologist as you work through the course. Participation also involves completing online questionnaires at 4 timepoints. These questionnaires will help us determine whether the Course has been helpful. You will have access to the Endometriosis Pain Course for approximately 6 months.
Benefits for you
Based on our previous research, we expect that you will find this course interesting and helpful. We expect it will help you to manage the impact of your endometriosis-related symptoms and pain on your day-to-day life and emotional wellbeing.
When do applications close?
31 October 2024
How to apply?
To apply click here, or for more information email us at contact@ecentreclinic.org
Teesside University – Sleep Disturbance and Chronic Pain
What is the study about?
An online study exploring whether sleep disturbance mediates the relationship between perceived injustice and chronic pain
Who can participate?
Aged 16 and over (no limit on maximum age). Experienced a previous physical injury; for example, whiplash, broken bone, burns (excluding head injury due to increased risk of acquired brain injury). Currently experiencing chronic pain, defined as pain lasting 3 months or longer.
What does participation involve?
Completing an online study lasting approximately 15 minutes.
Benefits for you
This a voluntary study
When do applications close?
1 January 2024
How to apply?
Click here to apply or for more information contact b1225631@live.tees.ac.uk
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
ANU – The Real Price of Health: Experiences of Out-of-Pocket Costs in Australia
What is the study about?
People living with chronic pain usually have chronic health conditions related to their pain with varied health-related out-of-pocket costs (OOPC), which may be difficult to afford. Understanding people’s experiences of OOPC and strategies they use to manage these will be of great value to this study, which aims to inform future health policy.
Who can participate?
People living with chronic health conditions (living with denoting people with chronic conditions and their carers).
What does participation involve?
You will be invited to take part in an interview – either face-to-face or online – which aims to explore your experience of managing the out-of-pocket costs of health care and medicines, including choices that you make. The interview is expected to take 60 – 90 minutes.
Benefits for participant
Participants will be remunerated $40 per hour for your time. This will be provided as either cash or a gift card.
When do applications close?
How to apply?
Click here to learn more and explore your eligibility or email jane.desborough@anu.edu.au for more information.
University of Adelaide – Exercise & central sensitization
What is the study about?
Investigating the effectiveness of exercise in individuals with chronic neck pain and central sensitisation.
Who can participate?
To be eligible for the study, participants have to be between 19-65 years of age, and currently have chronic neck pain (i.e. having neck pain for more than 3 months).
What does participation involve?
This study will involve 2 appointments. Each appointment will consist of a pre-exercise assessment, a 30 minute aerobic cycling exercise of either high or low intensity, and a post-exercise assessment.
Benefits for participant
$20 gift card at completion of study.
When do applications close?
18 December 2023
How to apply?
Click here to apply or email kexunkenneth.chen@adelaide.edu.au 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.
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?
28th February 2025
How to apply?
Click here to apply or contact
imogen.harper@sydney.edu.au
for more information.