Clinical trials are medical studies that are investigating or trialing better ways to manage a particular disease. The purpose of a clinical trial is to evaluate new approaches to learn how people respond to them and what side effects might occur as a result. Clinical trials are considered to be part of best practice medicine. APMA strongly supports evidence-based medicine, to ensure safe, timely, and effective management of ill-health, including persistent pain. An important element of evidence-based medicine is well-designed and evaluated clinical trials.

The understanding of, and treatment options for the wide range of pain conditions has expanded considerably in recent decades. Clinical trials have played an important role in helping to expand knowledge of the management of pain. APMA encourages members to consider participating in clinical trials relevant to their condition. However, before doing so, we encourage you to investigate and understand what is involved. This consumer guide to clinical trials was developed by the Consumers Health Forum of Australia, the peak organisation of Australian health consumer organisations, and canvasses a range of issues which should be considered before you participate.

From time to time APMA specifically endorses or agrees to assist in recruiting patients to a particular clinical trial or study. Details of these are listed at the end of this page. If you are interested in participating in a study about persistent pain or pain as a symptom of another condition and think others might also be interested in participating, please let us know by emailing secretary.apma@bigpond.com.

One source of information about clinical trials being undertaken in Australia and New Zealand is the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR), which can be accessed at www.anzctr.org.au. ANZCTR includes trial from the full range of theurapeutic areas of pharmaceuticals, surgical procedures, preventative measures, devices, treatments and rehabilitation strategies and complementary therapies. It is a one-stop shop for all clinical trials, and all clinical trial results – including those with adverse or negative findings – are reported.

Internet-based PAIN COURSE

Researchers from Macquarie University have developed a new internet-based education course (the Pain Course) designed to provide good information and practical skills for managing chronic or persistent pain, anxiety and depression. They have developed the course because persistent pain is common, but many people do not have access to good information about how to manage chronic pain and their emotional wellbeing. The aim of their research is to create a course that is practical, helpful, widely accessible and freely available to help people with persistent Pain.

The course is supported with funding from the Motor Accidents Authority and consists of 5 online lessons available over 8 weeks. Simple summaries and tasks to help you learn the material will also be provided and a Clinical Psychologist will contact you each week to answer your questions, guide you through the course and monitor your progress. There are also questionnaires at different times through the course to find out about your symptoms and get your feedback about the course.

The researchers are now recruiting participants for the Pain Course. To participate in the course you must have chronic pain, but will also be experiencing symptoms of anxiety or low mood, be at least 18 years of age and living in Australia. To find out more about the courseplease visit www.ecentreclinic.org and contact Dr Blake Dear at the contact@ecentreclinic.org. An information leaflet is also available.

DEVELOPMENT OF A RELIABLE ASSESSMENT TOOL

Researchers from Deakin University are currently undertaking a study to develop a reliable clinical and research assessment tool for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

There is continuing debate about which tests should be used to evaluate and diagnose myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). In particular, symptoms need to be assessed in terms of how they change over time and whether they can be predicted by other symptoms.  Additionally, a test battery that is sensitive enough to differentiate between chronic illnesses (that often share the same symptoms) is also required.  This study is seeking to develop a test battery that differs between ME/CFS, FMS, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and healthy populations, and is sensitive to real change within individuals.

The purpose of this project is to validate an instrument that will assist in the diagnosis of chronic illness sufferers and assess symptom improvement in these groups. The researchers are seeking 400 people aged 18-80 years to participate in the project, including volunteers who have ME/CFS, FMS or RA and also people who do not have any of the conditions so they can compare data from healthy people to people with a chronic illness. The questionnaire aims to assess what symptoms (if any) you experience, the severity of these symptoms, and how they impact on you.

To find out more about the study visit http://www.deakin.edu.au/psychology/research/ci/pls.html.

DRIVING WITH PERSISTENT NEcK PAIN

In a study a little different from those normally publicised by APMA through our website, researchers from the University of Queensland’s Centre of Clinical Research Spine are currently looking for study subject who have persistent neck pain – which must have arisen as a result of a motor vehicle accident – in order to  compare driving performance and safety between individuals with persistent symptoms due to whiplash injury and asymptomatic individuals.

Study subjects must also be from Brisbane, will receive some reimbursement of expenses and will get to use one of the most advanced driving simulators around the world. Before driving the simulator at the Queensland University of Technology, participants with chronic WAD will be screened with some questionnaires and cutting-edge laboratory assessments at UQ, St. Lucia. Both assessments will take about 90mins. They will be given a summary of findings on these assessments, which may also be useful for their current treatments. All testings are non-invasive and do not affect undergoing treatments.

To find out more about the study or to register your interestcontact Hiro (Hiroshi) Takasaki on h.takasaki@uq.edu.au . An information leaflet is also available.