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Volunteer for research studies

We can't do research without your help.

If you'd like to get involved, the following studies are looking for volunteers:

Effects of antidepressants on emotional experiences in depression sufferers

The Department of Psychiatry at Westmead Hospital is currently conducting a research study on the effects of antidepressant medications on emotional experiences.

If you are aged 18 to 65 and are currently suffering from depression, you may be eligible to participate in this nationwide study.

Eligible study participants will receive all antidepressant medications and study-related care from the study psychiatrist at no cost for the study duration (7 months).

If you are interested in participating or would like more information, please contact the Study Coordinator on 9845 5967 or by email.

Does your social life concern you?

We are trying to understand what the social life in young adults with high-functioning autism or Asperger's syndrome looks like and if they wish it were different.

The participants will carry an iPod Touch/ iPhone to respond to a short survey 7 times each day for a week.

If you are between 16 and 45 years with an ASD and interested in this study, please contact

Help patients learn more about their cancer treatment options

Have you ever received, or know somebody who has received treatment for cancer?

The treatment of newly diagnosed cancer patients is often considered at a multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting of cancer professionals convened at Public or Private Hospitals. GP’s and patients may not be present at MDT meetings and often meeting outcomes are not passed on to GPs and patients.

To better inform patients and improve communication of MDT outcomes, The University of Sydney, in conjunction with the Cancer Institute NSW are developing a report template to summarise treatment outcomes of MDT meetings specific for patients.

To ensure our strategy is patient focused we are requesting involvement from consumers. Participation in the study will require the viewing of a draft patient MDT report template and a short telephone interview to provide feedback.

For further information about the study, please contact Alexandra Hawkey or phone 02 9351 3137.

Free Weight Loss Treatment

The Boden Institute of Obesity, Nutrition, Exercise & Eating Disorders at the University of Sydney is conducting a free weight loss program for individuals 18 years or older who are overweight.

The program aims to determine which of two promising evidence-based treatments is the most effective at helping people to alter their eating and physical activity so that they can lose weight and then maintain this weight loss over the longer-term.

The program involves 12 skills-based group treatment sessions over 12 weeks and individual support for weight loss efforts outside of sessions (via SMS or email) for 6 months.

Please contact Claire McAulay for further information by Phone 9036 3442 or .

Volunteers needed aged 10 to 26 years for Investigational type B meningococcal vaccine study

Professor Robert Booy’s immunisation research group is seeking volunteers aged between 10 and 26 years to help in the development of an investigational vaccine against type B meningococcal disease. Please read the study brochure for more details.

If you wish to learn more about how you can help, please call Professor Booy’s friendly experienced nurses today – Pamela Cheung 9845 1408, Helen Knight 9845 1430.

Do you have sleep apnea?


We are seeking participants with Sleep Apnea to undergo a 28 hour sleep deprivation study examining the impact on daytime sleepiness, performance and attention.

The study involves a weekend stay in the sleep laboratory and a 1 hour MRI brain scan. Participants will be reimbursed for their time.

You may be suitable if you:

  • Are between 25 – 65

  • Have been diagnosed with sleep apnea

  • Are willing to be sleep deprived and undertake performance tasks of driving skills, attention and memory.

If you are interested in this study please call Hannah Openshaw (02 91140499) or Andrew Vakulin (02 91140443).

Study examining thinking styles in young people

Do you have a child aged 8-17?

Children and adolescents aged 8-17 who do not have any problems with anxiety are needed to participate in a research study. We are also looking for children and adolescents who experience concerns with worry and anxiety.

Children will be asked to complete a short interview and a simple sorting task. One parent will be asked to complete a short telephone interview.

Children will receive a movie voucher for participating in the study. For further information please contact Sharlene Mantz at the University of Sydney on 0416 890 595 or . Thanks to all who have participated so far.

Do you have an Autism Spectrum Disorder or know someone who does?

A team of researchers based at the Brain and Mind Research Institute are carrying out studies focused on the diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders. These studies involve a variety of activities including diagnostic assessments, group and individual therapy, and medical treatments like Oxytocin.

If you are interested in learning more or participating in one of these studies, please consider filling in this survey (which will take around 15 minutes) to become part of our research register, so we can contact you when we are conducting a study you might be suitable for.

Health attitudes and behaviour, food perceptions, and attention

We are seeking overweight adults to participate in a two-part study of health attitudes and behaviour, food perceptions, and attention.

Part A of the study involves assessments of physical and mental co-ordination, taste perceptions, and eating habits. Part B involves assessments of attention, and health attitudes and behaviour.

Participants may complete either Part A or Part B, or both. You will be reimbursed for your time (up to $20 for completing both Parts A and B).

If you are interested in participating please contact .

Seeking Women with and without Endometriosis

Are you a woman aged between 18 and 49 years? Endometriosis is a troublesome, gynaecological condition affecting women of reproductive age. Pelvic pain, often debilitating, is the most common symptom.

The Queen Elizabeth II and Kolling Research Institutes are investigating how endometriosis produces such severe pain by ascertaining whether women with endometriosis are more sensitive to pain compared to women without endometriosis.

We are seeking women with and without endometriosis to participate in a 3-hour laboratory visit for non-invasive testing of skin sensations and questionnaires.

Please contact for further information. Partial reimbursement for time is offered.

Cant fall asleep until late at night? Trouble getting up in the morning?

The Woolcock Institute of Medical Research is conducting a research study investigating the use of melatonin to treat delayed sleep phase disorder.

You may be eligible if: you are aged between 16 and 65 years; you work or study five or more consecutive days per week; and you are willing to go to bed at a desired bed time for five or more nights per week.

The project involves: monitoring of your sleep; wake behaviour; attending a sleep laboratory for collection of saliva samples; taking either melatonin or placebo for a four week period; and two 30 minute consultations with a Sleep Physician.

To see if you are eligible, please visit the study's webpage.

If you would like more information, please contact Christopher Gordon , phone 9114 0453 or on Facebook

Experiment on learning basic statistics

Are you interested in refreshing your statistics skills or preparing yourself for a current or upcoming statistics course for free? The University of Sydney is currently running an experiment on learning basic statistics in first and second year undergrad students.

Participation is voluntary and involves a one time, 1.5 hour commitment. All participants will learn some basic statistics and be reimbursed for their time with the option of entering in a lucky draw for a Co-op Bookshop Gift certificate.

To be eligible, participants must: be over 18 years of age; a first or second year student; not currently enrolled in a mathematics or statistics program (however, you can be taking mathematics or statistics courses); and fluent in English.

If you are interested in participating in this study or have any questions, please .

TXT2BFiT: mobile weight management program for young adults

Are you a young adult? Consider the TXT2BFiT study- a health program custom-designed for busy 18-35 year olds. It's free. Researchers in the Human Nutrition department are running a 12-week study at no cost to you. It's Flexible. We know you're busy!

The individually tailored nutrition and physical activity goal-setting intervention works around your schedule. It's run through your mobile phone. Interested? Contact the research officer, Kate Balestracci, at 9351 3815 or .

Survey on sexually explicit websites use, attitudes and behaviour

We are interested in your experiences with sexually explicit (pornographic) website use, as well as your sexual behaviours and attitudes. The study involves filling out a brief online survey, which will ask questions about the sorts of websites you visit, your relationships, sexual behaviours and attitudes. The survey is voluntary, anonymous and confidential.

To participate in this study, you must be over 18, be fluent in written and spoken English and be living in Australia. Please note: you do not need to have used sexually explicit websites in order to participate. To begin there are two surveys which you may complete. Survey one asks about (sexual attitudes & behaviours and Survey two focuses on safe sex.

Thinking Clearly with Bipolar Disorder

The CADE Clinic is looking for people with bipolar disorder aged 18-65 years old to participate in an exciting new study that aims to better understand bipolar disorder and lithium's effect on the brain and cognition.

Please note you do not need to be taking lithium to participate in the study.

Participation involves an interview with an experienced doctor, computer based cognitive tasks, a few questionnaires and may also involve a brain MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and a blood test.

If you would like more information please contact Dr Genevieve Curran on (02)9462-9900 or .

Men's health diet supplement study

Do you carry that little bit of extra weight? Take this opportunity to learn more about your health and contribute to research.

Researchers from the Faculty of Health Sciences and the Heart Research Institute are looking for male volunteers to take part in a 12-week diet supplement study focusing on men's health - no change to diet or exercise habits required.

Tests are at no cost to you, and include blood tests at HRI (Newtown), and MRI scans at your choice of either Camperdown or Hornsby. Participants will be reimbursed for their time.

For more information, please contact on 0401 834 392.

Does your child worry? Anxiety group program

Researchers at The University of Sydney are investigating a psychological intervention for children with anxiety.

The intervention is a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) group program which helps children learn different ways to think about their worries. In doing this study, we hope to learn more about how best to help and support children to manage their anxiety. To understand how effective the intervention is, it is important to compare children with and without anxiety on a number of different measures.

Parents of 8-12 year old children who would like to help manage their child’s anxiety are invited to participate in the study.

Parents of children without anxiety will receive two free movie vouchers for completing a short interview, questionnaires and different tasks. The study is being conducted at The University of Sydney Psychology Clinic in Camperdown, NSW.

For more information, please send an or phone 9036 5037.

Study of social interactions

Participants in this study will be asked to take part in a brief social interaction with another volunteer. You will also complete some short questionnaires and computerised tasks.

The study is on the Camperdown campus and will take around 1 hour. You will be compensated for your time.

Find out more and register your interest.

Maternity Services in NSW - Having Your Say

A team of researchers at the Kolling Institute of Medical Research are looking to pilot test a survey designed to capture women’s expectations of, and satisfaction with maternity care.

The Institute is looking to survey women who have given birth about their experiences with maternity care in NSW.

If you gave birth in the past 3-4 months, we welcome your participation in the pilot survey.

For access to a copy of the survey, please send an to the Institute.

A new tablet for asthma?

Would you like to get involved in a new trial investigating the role of azithromycin in the treatment of asthma? The Woolcock Institute in Glebe wants to see if taking azithromycin improves daily symptoms and reduces the number of exacerbations or 'attacks' that people with asthma get.

If you wish to participate, you will be asked to take azithromycin or a placebo 3 times a week for 48 weeks. You will receive a phone call at regular intervals and visit the Woolcock Institute every 6 or 12 weeks to have your asthma and lung function monitored.

Professor Peter Gibson, a respiratory specialist, will ask you questions about your asthma and address questions you may have. With your consent, your blood, ECG, skin prick allergy and lung function results will be sent to your GP at the end of your participation.

This clinical trial is funded by the NHMRC and is currently recruiting at eight centres across Australia. To find out if you are eligible, ring us on 9114 0444 or email . Thank you to those already participating in AMAZES.

Free treatment for men with depressive symptoms and sleeping difficulties

The SOMNA Study is a clinical trial looking to recruit men aged 50 years and over who are experiencing symptoms of depression and insomnia. The study involves free psychiatric assessment, individualised care plans and treatment for participants.

Whilst receiving treatment for their mood, participants will also be randomised to complete one of two internet programs, each lasting nine weeks and each focusing on sleep problems and insomnia.

The study is being conducted by the Brain & Mind Research Institute, University of Sydney. It will commence in March 2013 and recruitment will extend over 12 months. The study is funded by beyondblue: the national depression and anxiety initiative and The Movember Foundation.

For further information, please contact Professor Nick Glozier, Nicole Cockayne or Eleanor Purshouse by phone (+61 2 9114 4002), or visit the SOMNA website.

Cognitive behavioural study for children with asthma

Researchers at the University of Sydney are investigating a cognitive behavioural intervention for children with asthma. To understand how effective the intervention is, it is important to compare children with and without asthma on a number of different measures.

Parents of 8-12 year old children with and without asthma are invited to participate in the study. Children and their parents will be asked to complete a short interview, questionnaires and different tasks.

Children with asthma will be invited to participate in free psychological treatment to help them manage their asthma. Children without asthma will receive two free movie vouchers for participating. For more information, please phone 9036 5037 or .

Do you need help with diabetes or pre-diabetes?

Would you like to receive weight-control advice for 12 months from dietitians and exercise physiologists - at no cost?

The Clinical Trials Unit in the Boden Institute of Obesity, Nutrition and Exercise is seeking participants interested in preventing or controlling diabetes.

You will be involved in a study comparing two different diets. Contact James Gerofi for more information.

Sexual Orientation Beliefs Study

We are conducting a study at the University of Sydney investigating the beliefs that same-sex attracted people hold about the nature and origins of their sexual orientation.

You are invited to participate if you are same-sex attracted, aged 18 years and over, and a resident of Australia. Participation involves the completion of an online survey and will take approximately 20-30 minutes.

Your participation is entirely voluntary and your responses will remain anonymous and confidential. If you are interested in participating in this study please fill out our online survey.

Receive free exercise therapy in liver fat study

Are you concerned about your weight and physical fitness? Would you like to receive free exercise therapy?

The Faculty of Health Sciences and Boden Institute of Obesity, Nutrition and Exercise are conducting a study that aims to compare different exercise strategies in reducing liver fat.

To participate, you must be aged between 29 and 59 with a body mass index (BMI) > 25. To participate or for more information, contact Shelley Keating on 0405 735 200 or

Truce: A group program for young people who have a parent with cancer

Are aged between 14 and 22 and have a parent or caregiver with cancer? CanTeen has a FREE program called Truce to help develop coping skills for life.

We are evaluating a 7 week face-to-face group program called Truce, which aims to help young people cope better with having a parent or caregiver with cancer.

Truce uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and helps you deal with difficult thoughts and feelings, better communicate with others (especially family) and live your life based on your values.

Sessions begin in April (Sydney CBD, Parramatta, Casula). For more information visit the Truce website or contact the CanTeen research team on 1800 243 007 or by

Brain-Training for cancer survivors

Are you, or someone you know, a cancer survivor who experiences problems with memory and/or concentration following chemotherapy?

The Survivorship Research Group at the Sydney Cancer Centre and the University of Sydney are conducting a research study evaluating a home based 'brain training programme' in cancer survivors who have noticed changes in their memory, concentration and thinking between 6 and 60 months after chemotherapy.

All participants take part in a telephone session where they are given skills to help manage their cognitive difficulties. Half of the participants will receive the computer programme to be practiced 4x forty minute sessions for 15 weeks (i.e. 40 hours).

Participants will also be asked to complete questionnaires and to perform a computer cognition assessment on 3 occasions over a 6 month period. For further information about the study, please contact Michael Kabourakis by phone 9114 0712 or

Do you have sleep apnea but cannot use your prescribed device?

Would you like to:

  • Try losing weight with a supervised diet and exercise program?

  • Improve your concentration?

  • Reduce your sleepiness during the day?

The Woolcock Institute are offering a 12-month diet and exercise program, with half the participants using a new wake-promoting medication, Armodafinil, and the other half placebo. For 12 months you will have access to a dietitian, exercise physiologist and a sleep professional in a funded clinical trial.

Participation requires a 12-month commitment to a lifestyle modification program, use of the medication and 9 visits to the Woolcock Institute including three overnight stays.

Contact Julia Chapman on 9114 0449 or

Owners of Labradors & Golden Retrievers

Volunteers are wanted to help with a study into the genetics of separation distress in dogs. Both affected dogs and controls are needed.

You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire to assist the study in determining if your dog will be helpful to the research. Depending on your responses you may also be asked for a DNA sample (saliva swab).

Anyone happy to be involved can email at or phone 0423 087 823.

Are you expecting your first baby? Learn about Sleep, Mood and Motherhood

The Woolcock Institute, together with The University of Sydney, is introducing a sleep program to help first time mothers understand more about sleep during pregnancy and following childbirth.

If you choose to participate, you may be invited to attend two 1.5 hour education sessions in the last few weeks of pregnancy. The first session will be about your sleep during pregnancy and in the following few months. The second session will be about what to expect of your baby’s sleep.

The program is free of charge, but you will be asked to fill out some questionnaires on three occasions during the first 10 months after your baby is born. Upon completion of your participation in the study, all participants will have the chance to win a hamper of baby goods worth $200.

For those participants who are not randomised to receive the sleep program prenatally, you will receive booklets with similar information to guide yourself through.

If you would like to participate or would like more information, please contact Liora by 9114 0495, or by visiting their Facebook page

Do you have difficulty sleeping?

The Woolcock Institute of Medical Research wish to recruit individuals suffering from Insomnia to take part in a sleep research study.

The study will investigate the differences between sufferers of different types of insomnia through a routine diagnostic sleep study, questionnaires, and a computer based assessment.

Interested volunteers will receive a short telephone interview to determine suitability for the study. If suitable volunteers will be asked to complete some brief questionnaires concerning their sleep. The researchers will then invite you to attend a sleep study at the Woolcock Institute of medical research.

If you would like to know more about the study or require an information sheet about the study please do not hesitate to phone 911 40451 or email Chris Miller.

Low back pain studies

Acute: Are you currently suffering an acute episode of low back pain?
Using established clinical tests, we will ascertain mechanisms of LBP by investigating whether there are differences in the sensation of warmth and cold in patients with acute LBP compared with people without LBP.

The testing will comprise one visit to the laboratory taking between 60 and 75 minutes. We will perform several well established tests to assess your sensory perception of warmth and cold.

We will offer a reimbursement of $30 (time and travel expenses). For further information please contact Dr Markus Huebscher.

Chronic: Participants are required for a study on patient-centred care for chronic low back pain.
Have you experienced chronic low back pain for three months or more? Would you like help to identify those aspects of your low back pain that are most troubling to you, and explore solutions to these problems?

This research study being conducted at the University on Patient-centred care for Chronic Low Back Pain involves five in-person individual consultations of approximately half an hour over a two-month period.

Please contact from the Faculty of Health Sciences on 0410 449 766.

Under 18s for brain MRI study

Young and healthy volunteers aged between 8 and 18 are needed for this study looking at healthy brain maturation in young adulthood.

Participation will involve an MRI scan, an EEG scan, questionnaires and the provision of a saliva sample. A follow-up session approximately 18 months later involves completing the same components to assess the brain development changes that have taken place between your first and second visit.

Participants must be physically healthy, aged between 8 and 17, and have no current or previous history of mental illness. If you or anyone you know is interested please contact on 9845 8160 for more information.

Conducted by the Brain Dynamics Centre at Westmead Hospital.

Volunteers with type 2 diabetes

PhD student Fiona Atkinson, from the School of Molecular Bioscience, is currently recruiting individuals with type 2 diabetes aged 18 years or over for a research study looking at the effect of genes on carbohydrate digestion.

Participation in the study would involve one visit where volunteers will provide one fasting blood sample, one saliva sample and a three-day food record. The total time commitment would be approximately 20 minutes.

If you are interested in finding out more about the study, please email .

Could a testosterone boost help you avoid type 2 diabetes?

Are you male? Aged 50-74? Why not join our new study into testosterone and type 2 diabetes.

You will receive free access to Weight Watchers plus either testosterone or placebo for 2 years.

For more information, please contact our research nurse at Concord Hospital on 9767 7222 or . Or visit www.t4dm.org.au.

Family members of people with depression

Do you have a close relative who is depressed?

First-degree relatives (parents, siblings or children) of people with major depression (unipolar) are needed for this study. Participants must be in good health, aged between 18 and 65, and not have experienced depression themselves.

Participation will involve approximately six hours of voluntary assessments, including an MRI scan, EEG recording (both non-invasive brain measures), computer-based activities, questionnaires, and a blood test. You will be reimbursed for your time.

If you are interested in participating or would like more information, please contact Joanne Carpenter on 9845 8179. Thank you to all who have participated so far.

Adolescents and a parent or caregiver are needed for study

If you have a son or daughter aged 11-13, then Dr Spring Cooper is interested in what you and your child have to say about HPV vaccination.

It does not matter if your child has had the HPV vaccine. Dr Cooper would like to ask you questions about HPV and the HPV vaccine.

Your answers will be used to develop of a decision-making tool for young people and their parents to use together, to help them make a decision about HPV vaccination. You will be reimbursed for travel.

If you or anyone you know is interested in this study, please fill in this form or contact .

Survey about risky play

Are you a dare-devil or a scaredy cat? When it comes to children in your care do you let them take risks while playing?

Take the short 'Tolerance or Risk in Play Scale' survey and contribute to a Faculty of Health Sciences study on everyday adventure.