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Participate in Research

Here is an opportunity to support the research process. Please consider participating in the following research projects

Latest Projects

Title:
Understanding Relationships
Description:

Contribute to our understanding of how individuals differ in the way they prefer to talk about relationship problems by completing a questionnaire with your partner. Receive free reports, gain insight into your individual preferences, and learn how you compare with others.

If you are interested in participating please contact Jonathan O'Hara via email jaohara@swin.edu.au

Title:
Feeling Depressed?
Description:

Little is known about how to treat depression and most depressed individuals often need to take a number of medications to find out which medication best suits them.

iSPOT-D is a large international study to find out who will respond to which antidepressant. The Principle Aim is to get the prescription right the first time.

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

We need your help if you are:

  • over 18
  • have depression

Participation involves 2 days of assessments (8 weeks apart), including cognitive testing, EEG and a blood draw, also 7 short phone interviews and internet questionnaires over a 12 month period.

Participants will be reimbursed for their time.

If you are interested please call Rebecca King (Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Hawthorn) on 9214 5087

Title:
Inflammation in Major Depressive Disorder.
Description:

Researchers at Swinburne's new neuro-imaging facility are examining the role inflammation plays in depressive symptoms. The study is looking for healthy control participants and those with a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder to take part.

The study takes place over 3 testing sessions at least one week apart - one session examining brain activation and chemical makeup using a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), one recording brain electromagnetic activity with an Magnetoencephalogram (MEG) to emotional faces, and a final session where a blood sample is taken and a cognitive test examining areas such as memory and attention is given.

If you'd like to participate, there are some criteria that you need to meet:

For people with depression:

  • Aged 18 - 60
  • A current diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder / Major Depressive Disorder Recurrent with at least two lifetime episodes
  • Currently in the acute phase of the illness (having a depressed episode)
  • No sub-category diagnosis (Psychotic, Melancholic, Catatonic etc)
  • No co-morbid mental disorder (Bi-polar, Schizophrenia, PTSD etc)
  • Currently seeing a treating mental health professional (Psychiatrist / GP / Psychologist) who can verify the diagnosis.

For controls:

  • Aged 18 - 60
  • No diagnosis of any mental illness
  • Do not score above a "Moderate" score on the Depression Stress Anxiety Scale.

Both groups:

  • Not pregnant or breastfeeding
  • No history of alcohol or drug abuse
  • No head trauma leading to loss of consciousness for more than 10 minutes
  • No known neurological disorders / illnesses
  • Not taking anti-inflammatory medications
  • Have not been physically ill within the last one (1) month (cold, flu etc)
  • Willing to have blood taken
  • No metallic implants (especially pacemakers or neurostimulators) or history of working around metal fragments (welding etc)

If this is something you’d like to take part in OR you may know someone who may want to participate, please email
Peter Goodin (Swinburne University of Technology)
Email: pgoodin@swin.edu.au


Title:
Participate in autism research
Description:

Swinburne's Autism Bio-Research Initiative (SABRI) is currently seeking volunteers to participate in a study on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

The study aims to establish a reliable biological marker of ASD, which may lead to earlier and more accurate diagnoses. SABRI is seeking families with at least one child 2-6 years of age who has been diagnosed with an ASD or is the sibling of a child diagnosed with an ASD. Participation requires the completion of a 20 minute online survey and collection of a urine sample from each participating child to be posted to an external research laboratory.

Families will be paid $50 for each child that participates in the study and will receive a copy of the child's lab results.

Visit the website www.surveymonkey.com/s/biomarkerstudy to complete the online survey.

If you have any questions about any aspect of this research or you would like more information, please contact
Kerrie Shandley (Swinburne University of Technology)
Email: kshandley@swin.edu.au


Title:
What's in a name?
Description:

Researchers conducting this survey are interested in how decisions about surnames and children's personal names are made and what influences these decisions.

You are invited to participate in a research project about the meaning and significance of family names for Australian parents. Any Australian-resident parent, step-parent or guardian aged 18 years and over is eligible to take part. You may be married, partnered, separated, divorced or single, or in a heterosexual or same-sex relationship.

We are interested in how decisions about surnames and children's personal names are made and what influences these decisions. Naming decisions may be guided by culture and tradition. They may also be shaped by our sense of connection or belonging to family history, other identity issues, personal taste and fashion. We know very little about what Australians think about this topic.

The researchers are Dr Deborah Dempsey at Swinburne University and Dr Jo Lindsay at Monash University.

Participation involves completion of a short questionnaire and should take about 15-20 minutes. Completing the questionnaire will be understood as your consent to take part in the study. You are under no obligation to continue if you decide you don't want to finish once you begin.

The information you provide will be confidential and anonymous. Your responses will be grouped with those of other participants and used to write reports, articles and/or conference presentations. You or your family members will not be identifiable in any of these publications or presentations. If you would like to take part in a follow-up telephone interview on this topic, there is an opportunity to leave your first name and phone number at the end of the questionnaire. Leaving your phone number is entirely optional and it will not be linked to your survey answers.

If you have any questions about any aspect of this research or you would like more information, please contact
Dr Deborah Dempsey (Swinburne University of Technology)
Tel: (03) 9214 4374
Email:ddempsey@swin.edu.au


If you would like to take part in the survey, please visit: www.whatsinanameaus.wordpress.com

Title:
Participants Wanted for Kava Study
Description:

The Centre for Human Psychopharmacology (CHP) at Swinburne University of Technology is currently investigating the effects of an anti-anxiety herbal medicine (Kava)

You may be eligible if you:

  • Healthy and aged between 18 and 65 years
  • Currently stressed and experiencing some anxiety


You will NOT be eligible if you:

  • Are currently taking medications such as antidepressants
  • Have liver disease
  • Have used Kava or benzodiazepines (e.g. Valium) regularly in the last 12 months or have had a reaction to these
  • Have current regular high alcohol use


All testing will take place at the BPsyC at Swinburne University (Hawthorn Campus). Eligible participants will be compensated with $100 and optional two free bottles of Kava tablets at the conclusion of the study. Those interested in participating should contact Ms Tasha Wahid on Phone +61 3 9214 4924 or Mobile: 0413502068.

Title:
Can Omega-3 and Multivitamins affect your mood and cognition?
Description:

The Centre for Human Psychopharmacology (CHP) at Swinburne University of Technology is investigating the effects of fish oil and multivitamins on cognition, mood and cardiovascular function.

We are looking for healthy males:

  • Between 50 and 70 years of age
  • Non-smoking
  • No history of stroke or other neurological conditions
  • Free from dementia and diabetes
  • English speaking
  • Willing to come in for three testing sessions at the Hawthorn campus, over a four-month period.

You will be paid $120-$150 at the end of this trial.

For more information please contact Robyn Cockerell on 9214 5782 or email rcockerell@swin.edu.au

Title:
The effects of Isoflavones on cognition and agression
Description:

The Centre for Human Psychopharmacology (CHP) is currently seeking females to participate in a study investigating the effects of plant-derived oestrogen on cognition and aggression.

You may be eligible if you:

  • are aged 18-35
  • are using a monophasic contraceptive pill or no hormonal contraception
  • have no food allergies
  • have no history of psychiatric disorders
  • are a non-smoker
  • are not pregnant or lactating
  • are not taking any medication including illicit drugs
  • do not regularly consume soy

Participation involves attending sessions at the CHP 4 times per menstrual cycle for 3 menstrual cycles. The sessions should take no more than 2 hours.

In addition, we will be using EEG to measure brain electrical activity in some of the sessions (optional), and you will be required to complete a mood diary daily which should take no more than 5 minutes.

You will be compensated with $200 at the end of the trial for your participation.

If you are interested in being involved in this study, or would like further information, please contact Naomi Perry on 9214 8268 or nlperry@swin.edu.au.

Title:
Do you have hyperactive children?
Description:

Centre for Human Psychopharmacology (CHP) at Swinburne University of Technology is currently investigating the effects of a naturally occurring omega-3 extract and its ability to reduce symptoms relating to hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity.

We are seeking children who can participate in this trial.

Your child may be eligible if they are:

  • Aged between 7 & 13
  • Experience high levels of hyperactivity, impulsivity or inattention (may or may not have a formal diagnosis of ADHD)
  • Have been taking any stimulant medication for over 2 weeks (child does not have to be on any medication to participate in this study)

Your child will NOT be eligible if they:

  • Have been taking stimulant medication for less than 2 weeks
  • Have any other pre-existing psychiatric, learning or behavioural disorders (ADHD allowed)
  • Are allergic to crustaceans or marine life
  • Have a history of substance abuse

Participation involves 4 testing sessions over the course of 3.5 months. Session will take 2-3 hours each. All testing will take place at the Brain & Psychological Research Sciences Centre in Swinburne University (Hawthorn Campus).

You will be compensated with $50 and your child will get a $50 book voucher at the end of the trial. You will also receive 3 months supply of omega-3 extract once the study has finished.

Phone: (03) 9214 4444 (please leave a message) or
Email: nutra@swin.edu.au

Title:
Participants required for study of online therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder
Description:

Do you have symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder?

Researchers at Swinburne’s Brain and Psychological Sciences Research Centre and the National e-Therapy Centre are looking for people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) who would like to take part in a study investigating our online treatment for OCD.

To be eligible you will need to be:

  • Aged 18 years and over
  • Residing in Australia
  • Experiencing symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder

You will receive free online access to our treatment for OCD and weekly email contact from a clinical psychologist.

To find out more, email the OCD Stop! Research Team on ocdstoptrial@anxietyonline.org.au or phone: 9214 4628.

Title:
Women and Housing Affordability Survey
Description:

Researchers at Swinburne's Institute for Social Research (ISR) are conducting a study to learn more about:

  • single older women’s current housing situation and needs
  • their aspirations and capacity for meeting their longer-term housing needs
  • their attitudes towards alternative models of financing home ownership

For more information email Andrea Sharam asharam@swin.edu.au or phone: 9214 5465.

Title:
Can herbal medicine improve mental performance?
Description:

Swinburne's Centre for Human Psychopharmacology (CHP) is investigating the effectiveness of herbal extract Bacopa Monniera on cognitive memory, attention and stress levels

You may be eligible to participate if you are:

  • Aged 50-65 years
  • A non-smoker and right-handed
  • Have no diagnosed disorders
  • Not taking any medication, herbal extracts, vitamin supplements or illicit drugs.

The study involves five testing sessions including a one-hour session at Hawthorn followed by four sessions, lasting up to one and a half hours, at the Brain Research Institute at the Austin Hospital in Heidelberg. Participants will receive $200 plus 90 days worth of herbal medicine during the trial.

For more information email Chris: chrisneale@swin.edu.au or phone: 9214 8266.

Title:
Effect of fish oil supplements on ADHD
Description:

Researchers at Swinburne University are seeking participants to take part in a fish oil supplementation study.

To be eligible you will need to be:

  • 18-40 years of age
  • Diagnosis of ADHD confirmed by a clinician (doctor/psychologist) or suspected ADHD symptoms
  • No history of neurological disease or diabetes
  • Not currently taking fish oil supplements
  • Generally in good health
  • No history of epilepsy
  • No medication for cardiovascular or blood disorder
  • You are required to attend 2 weekday daytime testing sessions at Swinburne University of Technology and have two blood tests over a three-month period.
  • You may also be invited to take part in 2 sessions of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) at the Austin Hospital.

Or, to find out more contact Isabelle Bauer ibauer@swin.edu.au or Laura Sellick on 9214 4542 or email lsellick@swin.edu.au

Title:
Effects of glucose and caffeine on cognitive function.
Description:

The Centre for Human Psychopharmacology (CHP) at Swinburne University of Technology is investigating the effects of glucose and caffeine on cognitive function. They are seeking people who are willing to participate in this trial.

You may be eligible if you:

  • are aged 18-55
  • in good physical health & free from major diseases
  • regularly consume coffee (between 1-4 cups a day)
  • not pregnant or lactating

Participation involves 2 visits of approximately 1 ½ hours. During the sessions you will be asked to complete cognitive/mood tests, provide saliva samples and provide a finger-prick blood sample (as in diabetic blood sugar assessment). You will consume one dose of either a placebo, glucose, or glucose/caffeine combination drink during the study.

Participants completing the trial will be reimbursed $50.00.

If you (or someone you may know) are interested in taking part in this clinical trial and would like further information, please contact Karen at the Brain and Psychological Sciences Research Centre, Hawthorn: KSavage@swin.edu .au or please phone (03) 9214 8267 (welcome to leave a message).

Title:
Research on cognitive effects of Bacopa
Description:

The Centre for Human Psychopharmacology (CHP) is conducting research on the cognitive effects of the Indian herb Bacopa. We are seeking people who are willing to participate in this research.

You may be eligible if you:

  • are over 18
  • are a non-smoker
  • are not taking any medication including illicit drugs
  • have no history of psychiatric disorders
  • have no food allergies
  • are not pregnant or lactating

Participation involves completing a cognitive test battery on a mobile phone provided by the BSI twice per week for 3 months. (the mobile phone will not be able to be used for phone calls)

If you would like to be involved or require further information, please contact Chris Neale on 9214 8266 or chrisneale@swin.edu.au

Title:
Porphyrinuria as a biological marker of autism
Description:

Swinburne's Autism Bio-Research Initiative (SABRI) is currently seeking volunteers to participate in a study on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

The study aims to establish a reliable biological marker of ASD, which may lead to earlier and more accurate diagnoses. SABRI is seeking families with at least one child between two and six years old to participate in the study, whether their children have been diagnosed with ASD or not. Participation requires a 20 minute online survey and collection of a urine sample from each child to be posted to an external research laboratory.

Families will be compensated $50 for each child that participates in the study and will receive a copy of the child's urinary porphyrin test results.

To complete the online survey please visit:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/biomarkerstudy

If you would like to know more about the study please email: Kerrie Shandley kshandley@swin.edu.au

Title:
The effects of creatine on cognitive function in older adults
Description:

The Centre for Human Psychopharmacology (CHP) at Swinburne University of Technology is currently investigating the effects of the naturally occurring substance creatine on cognition and memory in the elderly.

Creatine is a natural substance produced in small amounts by the body and can also be found in meat, fish, and other animal products. It can also be bought as a supplement in health food stores. Creatine contributes to the energy systems that are activated in times of physical or mental activity. It is hoped the findings of this study will contribute toward the prevention of age related conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

We are looking for healthy male and female participants who:

  • Are aged 65 or over
  • Are non-smoking
  • Have no history of anxiety, depression, psychiatric disorders or epilepsy
  • Have no history of heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes
  • Are not taking any herbal extracts or vitamin supplements
  • Are not taking medications such as anticoagulants, antidepressants, antipsychotics, or anxiolytics
  • Have no health conditions that affect food metabolism including: food allergies, kidney or liver disease and/or gastrointestinal diseases (e.g. irritable bowel syndrome, coeliac disease, peptic ulcers)

Participants will be required to take a creatine supplement or a placebo daily for one week and attend 2 separate sessions lasting approximately 90 minutes each. Testing will take place at the Advanced Technologies Centre at Swinburne University in Hawthorn. Participants will receive $60 at the conclusion of the study.

If you are interested in participating or would like further information please phone Simon on 0406714712 or email 6536530@student.swin.edu.au

 

 

Faculty Research