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.

Clinical trial for people with headache

The Pain and Anaesthesia Research Clinic (PARC) at the University of Adelaide is currently seeking volunteers with chronic headache to participate in clinical trials.

The PARC is conducting a non-drug treatment study to see whether electrical stimulation of the brain reduces headache in patients by applying non-invasive stimulation to specific regions of the brain. Volunteers are required to have headaches most days.

PARC conducts a range of studies that involve healthy participants as well as studies that investigate specific painful conditions and diseases. PARC also conducts studies in a range of disease indications, other than those related to pain.

You can call 08 8222 2712 to speak to a PARC staff member about what studies are currently being undertaken and to discuss your potential eligibility. Your name and contact details can be added to PARC’s confidential database, which will enable PARC staff to contact you should suitable studies become available in the future. Your details will only be accessed by PARC staff members.

For information about this and other trials, click here..

A STUDY ON HOW WE PROCESS PAIN IN OTHERS

Researchers at Monash University and Caulfield hospital are undertaking a study to investigate how we react to pain in others. The study examines how we experience of a range of emotions (e.g., distress, disgust, empathy) and bodily sensations (e.g., tingles down your spine) when we see others in pain.

The researchers require volunteers with and without chronic pain. You must be aged over 18, with no prior traumatic brain injury, stroke, or current/past diagnosis with a psychiatric illness (e.g., schizophrenia).

Participation takes 30-40 minutes, and involves completing questionnaires online at https://monashmnhs.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_6JV5hWxJg69nvc9 . The questionnaire asks you about:

1. personal emotional and sensory experience in response to pain in others (~15 mins);
2. depression, anxiety and empathy (~5 mins);
3. your underlying pain conditions, their impact on your function, and emotional reactions to trauma (~15-20 mins).

All participants are reimbursed for their time with a $15 Coles-Myer gift voucher.

Contact: Dr Melita Giummarra, School of Psychology & Psychiatry, Monash University

e: melita.giummarra@monash.edu

t: 03 9905 0034

PERSISTENT PAIN AND THE POLITICS OF VOICE

A PARTICIPANT-LED RESEARCH PROJECT

INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE

Are you are over 18 and live in the Melbourne area?

Do you live with persistent pain (over 6 months)

Have you participated in a Pain Management program?

What is this project about?

For people who live with persistent pain, there is often a gap between how that pain is communicated to others and how pain is experienced and lived every day. People living with persistent pain embody great stories of resilience, but the focus of attention rarely gives space to these voices: to alternative narratives, practices of 'everyday courage' and resistance, or instances of aspiration and hope. But I suggest that it is within this space where counter-narratives, practices of everyday resistance and stories of survival are found – but are rarely listened to or engaged with.

The project is part of my PhD research at the University of Melbourne. It aims to rethink what it means to 'have a voice' for people living with persistent pain within a social context that is shaped by dominant narratives of what 'health' and 'illness' is, and by the field of Pain Management. Your involvement will help me uncover the complexity of how people living with persistent pain confound and resist categorization; and how they embody, make sense of and 'voice' their lives.

How do I participate?

I will work collaboratively with people living with persistent pain to increase 'spaces for voice' by using video ethnography as a method to understand how everyday stories of resilience and resistance, hope and survival are lived; and to listen to and recognize that 'voice' is revealed in all sorts of ways: the stuff that is often left out in the field of Pain Management.

I will be conducting this research over a six month period. If you choose to take part, you can be involved in a range of activities. You can be involved in one, in all, or in none. You don't need any technical skills. Participation is voluntary and you can withdraw at any stage. It is completely up to you.

What is this project not about?

The project is not intended to replace or alter any current health care treatments or strategies you use. This research is not a therapeutic intervention or a form of arts therapy.



Interested?

If you are interested in participating or would like to find out more, I would love to hear from you! Please contact Poppy on: p.desouza@student.unimelb.edu.au or http://thechronicaproject.com

FIBROMYALGIA AND WELL-BEING RESEARCH

Recent research suggests that processes such as acceptance, mindfulness and engaging in activities related to personal values may assist in the management of chronic pain conditions. Less is known about how this might be helpful for individuals with fibromyalgia. A study is currently being conducted by Swinburne University of Technology which examines fibromyalgia severity, wellbeing and psychological flexibility (i.e. acceptance, mindfulness and values-based living). Your participation will help to gather important information about the impact of fibromyalgia on wellbeing and potentially enhance treatment and health outcomes. Participation involves completing an anonymous online questionnaire about everyday experiences, which takes about 20 minutes. Further information and the questionnaire is available at http://opinio.online.swin.edu.au/s?s=12770

Visual perception study on chronic pain

A doctoral student in Neuropsychology at Monash University (Melbourne) is currently seeking volunteers for a research study into visual perception and chronic pain. This important study is investigating the processing of visual phenomenon to find out more about visual attention processing in chronic pain.

To find out more, click here.

INTERNET-BASED PAIN COURSE

DEVELOPMENT OF A RELIABLE ASSESSMENT TOOL

DRIVING WITH PERSISTENT NECK PAIN

SUBJECTS NEEDED FOR STUDY OF PAIN, MINDFULNESS & EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE