Studies Seeking Community Participation

The scope of Menzies research is broad, and not all of our work requires participation from volunteers. However the studies listed below are looking for participants now. Studies are carefully designed and therefore research participants sometimes need to meet specific criteria to be eligible.

Iodine Research

A student investigator at the University of Tasmania (Pharmacy and Menzies Institute) is conducting a survey of iodine knowledge of staff from all retail pharmacies (pharmacists, technicians, and assistants) in Tasmania, as part of their Master of Clinical Pharmacy work.

The survey will take 15 minutes to complete.

To find our more, please click on the link where you will find an Information Sheet and Consent Form, as well as contact details for the research team. If you’d like to participate, complete the Consent Form and a member of the research team will contact you, at a time you nominate, to do the survey over the phone.

All participants will go into a prize draw to win one of twenty $50 gift vouchers.

IMPORTANT: To get an accurate understanding of the current level of knowledge we ask that you please DO NOT undertake any activities to increase your level of knowledge about iodine prior to completing the survey, such as reading, Google-searches, or talking to colleagues etc. Your answers will be de-identified and will not be shared with your employer or colleagues.

If you have any questions or require more information please contact: Aaron Khan tkakhan@utas.edu.au; Dr Kristen Hynes (03) 6226 774 K.L.Hynes@utas.edu.au or Dr Corinne Mirkazemi (03) 6226 1083 Corinne.Mirkazemi@utas.edu.au

Iodine research

JOINT PAIN
SCUlpTOR TRIAL

The SCUlpTOR trial is a research study aiming to see if stem cells injected into the knees of people with knee osteoarthritis (OA) can improve their symptoms compared with placebo. The medical opinion about stem cell therapy for treating osteoarthritis is mixed due to limited research evidence and considerable costs. So our aim is to find out whether or not stem cell injections into the knee improve symptoms and slow disease progression in people with mild to moderate knee OA. The stem cells we use originally came from a healthy donor/master cell bank and are made following standard manufacturing process to make sure they are safe and standardised.

The study is suitable for people who:
* Are aged 40 years or older and living in Australia (and have a Medicare number)
* Have knee OA and moderate pain assessed by the visual analogue pain intensity scale from 0 (no pain) to 100 (worst pain possible)
* Have internet access and an active email account
* Are willing to stop or maintain knee OA treatments (e.g. supplements, physiotherapy) for the duration of the study
* Are willing to stop or minimise the use of anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. Aspirin, Nurofen, Ibuprofen, Mobic, Voltaren, etc.) and other analgesics (e.g. opioids), except for paracetamol (only for rescue pain relief) for the duration of the study. This includes stopping all pain medications for one week before each study assessment.
* Able to speak and read English sufficiently to understand study procedures, complete questionnaires and provide informed consent.
* Are willing and able to travel for the study required physical visits.

Contact: Kirsty Carmichael on 03 6226 4215 or Karen Schuck on 02 9463 1899 or email sculptor.trial@sydney.edu.au

Click here for more information

CARDIOVASCULAR

STAREE: STAtins in Reducing Events in the Elderly investigating whether a statin can prolong good health and maintain independence among people aged 70 years and older. Contact: staree@monash.edu or 1800 770 664

QUARTET: A trial to assess the effectiveness and tolerability of ultra-low-dose quadruple combination therapy ('LDQT') in patients with hypertension. Contact: Helen.Steane@utas.edu.au or 6226-4803.

Reducing Risk of Coronary Artery Disease (ED-CAD)

The Early Detection of Coronary Artery Disease by polygenic and metabolic risk scoring (ED-CAD) study is an important study aiming to see whether genetic risk scores can improve patient selection for primary prevention strategies like coronary imaging or cholesterol reduction. Please click on the link for more study information or email Menzies.edcad@utas.edu.au

STOPstroke survey

Did you know that one in four people will have a stroke in their lifetime? In 2020, an important research program was created called Synergies TO Prevent stroke, or STOPstroke. Now, we’d like to hear what questions you have about how to prevent strokes from happening.

By taking part in our survey, you’ll make sure that future research addresses the questions that matter most.

The survey takes about 10 minutes and is completely anonymous.  Read the Participant Information Sheet and take part today at https://redcap.utas.edu.au/surveys/?s=CDXJNRLKKL

This study has been approved by the University of Tasmania Human Research Ethics Committee (H0024539)

EPIC BP Study

The Menzies Institute for Medical Research is currently recruiting participants for participation in the ‘Exercise Physiology in the IdentifiCation of high Blood Pressure (EPIC BP) study.’

The EPIC-BP study seeks to understand how the measurement of blood pressure during exercise can be used to predict underlying high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease risk.

By participating in this study, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of your blood pressure control and aerobic fitness level.

Participation in the EPIC-BP study involves three appointments at the Menzies Clinic over a 3–4-week period. The duration of the appointments will vary between 30 and 90 minutes, during which time you will complete a series of exercise tests and blood pressure measurements. You will also be sent home from each visit with a monitor that will measure your blood pressure every 30 minutes for 24 hours.

We are looking for people who are:

  • Aged 30 years or older
  • Not pregnant
  • Do not have a musculoskeletal injury/any other condition that would prevent the completion of exercise.

If you are interested in participating, click this link: https://redcap.utas.edu.au/surveys/?s=KM998LARRY3JDAY4 to fill out a screening and eligibility questionnaire and the team will be in touch regarding your participation.

This study has been approved by the University of Tasmania Human Research Ethics Committee (H0027745)

If you have any questions before completing the eligibility survey, please contact the research team via email: EPIC.BP@utas.edu.au

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

PPMS: Primary Progressive MS Study into risk factors for the onset and rate of progression of Primary Progressive MS. Contact:   Alice Saul (03) 6226-4269 or ppms.study@utas.edu.au
www.menzies.utas.edu.au/PPMS

AMSLS: The Australian MS Longitudinal Study to provide data of practical use for improving the lives of Australians living with MS. Contact: Kirsty Hawkes (03) 6226-4739 or AMSLS.Info@utas.edu.au, www.msra.org.au/AMSLS

OTHER DISEASE AREAS

RELIANT study is part of a larger research project which aims to increase the rate of early diagnosis of liver cancer. First, we need to understand if and why people are – or are not – having regular liver health checks to allow us to develop a new approach to support regular screening for liver health. People who have been diagnosed with viral infections of the liver, including hepatitis B and C and/or liver cirrhosis, are invited to participate in this study and will be  asked to complete a confidential survey about their health and risk factors for developing liver cancer. To reach the survey go to: https://redcap.utas.edu.au/surveys/?s=J3TNAC9YED

Trips4Health:  The Trips4Health study aims to test the impact of incentives to increase bus use for physical activity gain. It is hoped that this study will help more Tasmanians reach these targets and lead healthier lives because of it. For more information call 6226 4290, email trips4health.study@utas.edu.au or go to Trips4Health homepage. You can find the screening survey at https://tinyurl.com/trips4health

Standing Tall – Cognition and Gait: Randomised control trial involving a six-month home balance and cognitive training program is seeking people 60 years and over who have noticed decline in memory or thinking or have been diagnosed by a health professional with mild cognitive impairment. Must live within 50km of Hobart and not have Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis or dementia. Contact:  Standing.Tall@menzies.utas.edu.au or phone 03 6226 7766 and please leave contact details.  For the participant information sheet click here. For the consent  form click here.

Genetics of Eye Diseases for genetic studies in diabetic retinopathy (participants should have Type 2 Diabetes treated with medication for at least 5 years, or Type 1 Diabetes); keratconus (participants should have keratoconus diagnosed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist); and advanced glaucoma (participants should have any type of glaucoma with severe vision loss treated by an ophthalmologist). Contact: Jacqueline.Townley@utas.edu.au or (03) 62264731

AirRater is recruiting people in Tasmania, the ACT and the Northern Territory with asthma, hay fever or other lung conditions, or carers of those with these conditions.  Contact: 1800 322 102 or air.rater@utas.edu.au

ANCHOR Study into myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)

Menzies is conducting landmark research into myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). We want to hear from people living with ME/CFS and carers in order to understand the impacts of ME/CFS from both perspectives. The ANCHOR Study has been funded by the Medical Research Future Fund to investigate the quality of life, social, educational and economic impacts of ME/CFS on people living with the condition and their carers. The survey has been developed in consultation with people living with ME/CFS and carers, to ensure important impacts of the condition will be investigated. Participation in the research is voluntary and confidential.

We are asking people to complete an online survey. If you prefer, the researchers will post the forms to you. The survey includes questions on ME/CFS and general health, quality of life, impacts on your education, employment, income and social relationships.

We have also included a cost diary- you will also be asked about how much you spend because of ME/CFS, including on any medical and health practitioner appointments, medications, supplements, investigations (e.g. blood tests), specialised equipment, hospitalisations, travel and other costs related to your ME/CFS. We will also ask people for permission to link their survey and cost diary to their Medicare/PBS data- this will allow us to accurately estimate costs to government related to medical services and pharmaceutical use. Please note that all parts of the survey are voluntary and confidential.

The survey will take approximately 45 minutes to complete, and the cost diary will vary depending on how many resources you use. Both the survey and cost diary can be saved and completed in multiple sittings.

To access the survey and more information about it, go to: https://melbourneuni.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1ETee5dt8yiXCwl

If you would like to ask questions or receive a paper copy, please contact Dr Barbara de Graaff at Barbara.degraaff@utas.edu.au or 03 6226 4262.

Girls in Action Sports (GASP)

Girls in Action Sports (GASP) is a study investigating why girls do and do not participate in action sports such as surfing, skateboarding and mountain biking. Girls do less physical activity than boys as they get older so finding ways to encourage girls to stay physically active is important. We want to talk to young people and adults about GASP.

For young people aged 12-14 years - information sheet (PDF 115.9KB) and consent form (PDF 82.6KB)

For young people aged 15-18 years – information sheet (PDF 114.8KB) and consent form (PDF 80.3KB)

For parents or carers - information sheet (PDF 83.1KB) and consent form (PDF 81.1KB)

For adults involved in surfing, skateboarding or mountain biking – information sheet (PDF 83.0KB) and consent form (PDF 81.1KB)

For more information and to enrol in the study contact Anita Oakley on (03) 6226 4676 or email gasp.study@utas.edu.au.

Researching the Effects of Holidaying in Tasmania on Visitors’ Emotional Wellbeing

The Tourism Wellbeing study is being conducted by researchers from the Menzies Institute for Medical Research (Menzies), School of Medicine and School of Social Sciences.

The purpose of the study is to understand the effects of tourism on emotional wellbeing. The Tourism Tracer smart-phone application will be used to collect information about where tourists travel to and survey how they feel prior to their trip, on each day of their trip and after returning home. The surveys will collect information about tourists’ experiences and their sense of wellbeing. Click here for more information

Early detection of coronary artery disease by polygenic and metabolic risk scoring (EDCAD-PMS)

The Early detection of coronary artery disease by polygenic and metabolic risk scoring (EDCAD-PMS) study aims to identify whether a polygeneic risk score (PRS) can predict the presence of coronary calcium in the arteries, which occurs when plaque is present. We also want to find out whether knowing your PRS or knowing the results of your CT angiogram (a scan of your coronary arteries) is more effective at reducing cardiovascular risk.

Who can participate?

You may be eligible for this study if you are:

  • aged 40–70 years
  • live in Victoria or Tasmania*
  • not currently taking cholesterol-lowering drugs ('statins')
  • have no previous history of heart failure, heart attack or stroke
  • have a family member or friend with coronary artery disease (e.g. has had a heart attack, stents or bypass surgery in the past).

Click here for more information or to apply