Get Involved in Research

Across the country there are countless teams looking into new ways of diagnosing, treating and ultimately curing all different types of health conditions, including arthritis.

Arthritis Queensland often receive requests to help promote research opportunities aimed at improving the care and treatment of those living with arthritis. Details of these can be found below.

Current Research Studies

Please note, the research opportunities listed below are not run by Arthritis Queensland, so we are unable to answer enquiries about them. For enquiries, or to get involved, please refer to details in the linked websites.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Wellbeing and Healthy Lifestyle Program for People with Rheumatoid Arthritis

This trial studies the impact of a 14 week resilience and healthy lifestyle program for people with RA. Each participant will be randomly allocated to the healthy lifestyle program or given written information for a healthy lifestyle.

This research is being led by Arthritis Queensland Chair of Rheumatology, Professor Ranjeny Thomas and her research team. Find out more and how to participate here.

Understanding who is at risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis

A number of risk factors have been identified for developing RA. These include a family history, smoking, overweight, poor nutrition and lack of exercise, mining and exposure to certain types of dust. Some people with early signs of joint pain or swelling progress to RA and others don’t.

Arthritis Queensland Chair of Rheumatology, Professor Ranjeny Thomas and The Australian Arthritis and Autoimmune Biobank Collaborative (or A3BC), are linking risk factors with changes in the immune system and symptoms over time. Find out more and how to participate here.

A Trial of Two Psychological Treatments to Help Manage Rheumatoid Arthritis

Researchers at the University of Sydney and Macquarie University are conducting a trial looking at the effectiveness of two evidence-based psychological interventions for people with rheumatoid arthritis.

These interventions are completely online and run for 8 weeks. Participation will involve filling out several online questionnaires and participating in a short phone interview.

For more information and to take part, go to: https://bit.ly/3Fb1Fu4. If you would like more information, please contact ra.online@sydney.edu.au

Osteoarthritis

The influence of education on pain responses to acute exercise in people with knee osteoarthritis

Researchers at The University of New South Wales are seeking volunteers to learn about effective education on pain responses to exercise in people with osteoarthritis of the knee.

The study will be conducted online and will require you to answer some basic questions about your health and to participate in a brief education session about exercise for osteoarthritis. This will be followed by a 20 min online home-based exercise session led by an exercise physiologist, with verbal pain assessments performed before and after exercise. The entire session will take approximately 1 hour.

Recruitment closes April 2022.

For further information about the study or to express your interest, visit https://unsw.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cBxaxe3GzrB6Hoa

Other arthritic conditions / non condition-specific

Fibromyalgia Research

This is a state-of-the-art brain imaging study being undertaken at The University of the Sunshine Coast's Thompson Institute at Birtinya. The research team are currently recruiting participants who live with fibromyalgia syndrome, who are on minimal to no medications and have no other significant medical illness.

This world first, NHMRC-funded study is investigating brain function in fibromyalgia, and will attempt to develop a diagnostic tool by combining advanced MRI and machine learning. Participants will help the research team to develop imaging criteria that will aid in diagnosis.

For further information, please contact cfs@usc.edu.au or visit usc.edu.au/thompson-institute

Person-first versus identity-first language: Informing client-centred care

This research aims to understand the preferences of people with a health condition/disability when it comes to the use of person-first (e.g. person with arthritis) versus identity-first (e.g. arthritic person) language. This research will also assess whether the type of disability/health condition or its severity is related to language preference and quality of life.

The research is being led by Dr Lisa Grech: Senior Research Fellow, Medicine Monash Health, Monash University; Master of Clinical Psychology Candidate, Department of Psychology, Charles Sturt University

Please follow the link to be directed to participant information, consent and the study survey: https://monash.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_er1v2XcWADDa62O

Looking for more research opportunities?

In Australia, there are two key places you can contact to learn more about the clinical trials looking into arthritis, and all other health conditions.

If you are interested in becoming involved in a research study these places can also give you information on the relevant study and can connect you with the research teams:

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) The ANZCTR is an online registry of clinical trials being undertaken in Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere. The ANZTCR's search function allows you to search and find clinical trials involving arthritis. Once you find a relevant trial, you will be able to contact the person listed as the 'public contact' of the trial for more information.

Australian Clinical Trials Australian Clinical Trials is run by the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science to provide information and resources about clinical trials and how you can get involved.