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

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.
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.


Other arthritic conditions / non condition-specific

Do you have thumb arthritis? Are you considering hand therapy? This randomized clinical trial is investigating non-surgical treatments for thumb arthritis.


If you are interested or want more information, please contact the Brisbane Hand & Upper Limb Research Institute at researchmanager@upperlimb.com or on (07) 3834 6488

Researchers at The University of Queensland are looking for volunteers with ankle arthritis to participate in a study that will compare two different physiotherapy treatments.

Participation in this study involves attending an assessment of your ankle with a physiotherapist, having an x-ray of your ankle taken (if you have not had one recently), completing a couple of online surveys about how your ankle is feeling, and attending treatment at either The University of Queensland (St. Lucia, QLD) or Clem Jones Centre (Carina, QLD). You can choose the location that is most convenient for you. All assessments and treatment in this study are free and you will be given a $25 gift card to thank you for your participation.

To check your eligibility and express your interest in being involved in this study, please visit: https://uniofqueensland.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9BUqTaQ16P9ypUy

For any questions, please email Dr Michelle Smith at m.smith5@uq.edu.au.

This study is funded by Arthritis Australia.


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. 

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