Research and research participation opportunities

Join Us – The George Institute for Global Health

The George Institute for Global Health has developed Join Us, an online national research register that can be used quickly and easily to engage and mobilise the Australian community in the research process. Using a similar approach to the Scottish SHARE program, the Australian community will be asked to consent to be contacted about research projects relevant to them, and to agree to have their routinely collected health data de-identified and stored long-term for medical research purposes.

The Join Us research register will:
• Encourage Australians 18 years and over to become involved in  research by consenting to be contacted about projects relevant to them. It takes only a few minutes to join.
• Enable participants to be in direct contact with Australian researchers.
• Cut red tape by removing a major barrier to the recruitment of participants.
• Enhance opportunity and investment for research in Australia, as international investors recognise the recruitment efficiencies provided by the register.
• Save lives by supporting earlier and more efficient research breakthroughs.

Current status

• The initial development work has been done, start-up funding secured, ethics approval obtained and the Join Us website has been deployed and soft launched at www.joinus.org.au

For more information, click to view the Participant Information sheet or the Factsheet for this research.

ESTEEM – Exercising, Socialising and Thinking – an Environmental Enrichment Model in the community After Stroke

The ESTEEM (Exercising, Socialising and Thinking – an Environmental Enrichment Model in the community After Stroke) study are looking for individuals to participate in their study. For more information, click here for Participant Information Sheet and Flyer.

Is this you?

•  18 years or more
• Have previously had a stroke OR are a carer for someone who has had a stroke
• Live in the community (own home, with family or in an independent living unit)

What is ESTEEM?

• Researchers are designing a group where stroke survivors can exercise, socialise and participate in art based thinking activities in the community.
• These community programs provide physical, cognitive and social enrichment, offering further opportunities for rehabilitation.
• ESTEEM aims to enhance stroke survivor independence, emotional health and quality of life.
• We are seeking input from stroke survivors and their carers to help design the program, so that it meets the needs and wants of stroke survivors, now and into the future.

What will I be asked to do?

•  You will be invited to attend a workshop at Hunter Medical Research Institute, or via an online platform (eg. Skype, Zoom) to share your knowledge, experiences and opinions with researchers.
• The workshop will run for no longer than 2 hours.
• Free parking will be provided.

What are the Benefits?

• You will be helping design a program that will help improve the lives of stroke survivors, and reduce their risk of a further stroke.
  How to find out more.

Contact the ESTEEM study coordinator

Email: heidi.janssen@health.nsw.gov.au.

Telephone: (02) 4042 0417.

Research into post-Stroke vision care in NSW (The PRECIS Study)

Have you experienced a Stroke in the last 5 years?
Have you also had eye or vision problems in this time?
If so, we would like to invite you to participate in a short (15-20minute) research survey about post-Stroke vision care in NSW.

The PRECIS study is an independent study conducted by the University of Technology Sydney investigating the vision care provided to stroke survivors in NSW. The aim is to find out what is happening in NSW regarding post-Stroke vision care and whether this is effective in meeting the care needs of Stroke survivors. With the information you provide, we plan to identify the short comings of current post-Stroke vision care in NSW and develop care guidelines that address these issues.

The survey will ask questions about the details of the vision care you were (or were not) provided. Questions on your perspective of post-Stroke vision care and the success of current post-Stroke vision care procedures will also be asked.

More information is available in the survey pretext. All responses are completely anonymous and you may withdraw your responses from the study at any time. This research is being conducted independently by a research team within the Discipline of Orthoptics at the University of Technology Sydney.

To complete the survey, please click the link: https://is.gd/vision_rehab_stroke_survivor

Text messaging to prevent post-Stroke depression and promote a healthy lifestyle

The George Institute is inviting people who have experienced Stroke in the last 5 years to participate in this study.

What is the purpose of this research?

The purpose of this research is to co-design a trial with people with lived experience of Stroke and to develop text messages with the aim to provide advice, information and support to prevent depression and promote a healthy lifestyle after Stroke.

What does participation in this research involve?

Participation in this research will involve group discussions with other people with lived experience about the design of a trial using text messages to improve recovery. They will also discuss text message topics important in Stroke recovery and you will have the opportunity to draft/ write messages.

There are no additional costs associated with participating in this research project. You will be reimbursed for your time and travel expenses.

Further information and who to contact

If you would like to participate or would like more information concerning this project, please contact Dr Sabine Allida on sallida@georgeinstitute.org.au or 0430 079 587

Macquarie University Aphasia Research Group

Help Wanted – Macquarie University Aphasia Research Group

Are you interested in helping us learn more about aphasia and develop effective treatments?

We are currently looking for:

–          Anyone with aphasia who would like to help us out

–          Older adults without aphasia for us to compare with people with aphasia

If you or someone you know might be interested in helping our research by participating in a

study, please contact us:

Email: aphasia@mq.edu.au

Telephone: (02)9850 4125 (please leave a message)

Post:

Aphasia Research Group

Department of Cognitive Science

Reply Paid 63448

Macquarie University

SYDNEY NSW 2109

Understanding Upper Limb function in Stroke patients

What is the research study about?

You are invited to take part in this research study. You have been invited because we aim to measure the upper limb function of adults who have suffered from a stroke.

To participate in this project you need to meet the following inclusion criteria:

• You are aged 20 years or older.
• You are able to sit unassisted for the duration of the testing.
• You have previously suffered a stroke, with a score of 2-4 on the Modified Rankin Scale.

The research study is aiming to investigate upper limb function in patients with neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke and essential tremor, to develop a new physiological profiling assessment focused on function of the upper limb.

Do I have to take part in this research study?

Participation in this research study is voluntary. If you don’t wish to take part, you don’t have to. Your decision will not affect your relationship with The University of New South Wales or Neuroscience Research Australia.

This Participant Information Statement and Consent Form tells you about the research study. It explains the research tasks involved. Knowing what is involved will help you decide if you want to take part in the research.

Please read this information carefully. Ask questions about anything that you don’t understand or want to know more about. Before deciding whether or not to take part, you might want to talk about it with a relative or friend.

If you decide you want to take part in the research study, you will be asked to:

• Sign the consent form ;
• Keep a copy of this Participant Information Statement;

What does participation in this research require, and are there any risks involved?

If you decide to take part in the research study, you will be asked to fill out questionnaires which relate to your general health, physical ability and the function of your upper limb.

We will then ask you to perform a range of simple functional tests with your hand or arm that will take approximately 60 minutes. Measurements from these tests will determine the functional ability of your upper limb.

Research Team Contact

Falls After Stroke Trial (FAST)

The University of Sydney, Macquarie University and University of Canberra are trying a new program to reduce falls and help you stay active and independent in your own home, following a Stroke.

You are warmly invited if …

You are:

• Older than 65 years
• Had a Stroke in the last 5 years
• Live in the community
• Can walk 10 meters

Some things like getting dressed, walking up stairs or going shopping are more difficult after having had a Stroke. But exercise and safety training at home can help make your life easier.

What we will provide

We will put together your very own exercise program, which requires no extra training time during the day! Activities you already do like brushing your teeth or making a cup of tea will be perfect opportunities to get steady on your feet. Your own therapist will also help you be safe and when you are getting around your local community.

FAST – the Falls After Stroke Trial, aims to reduce your risk of falls, increase your ability to do daily life activities and help you be active and independent.

How to find out more

You can find more information in the enclosed information or contact the study team:

Robotics assisted game-based rehabilitation for upper limb function in people with chronic Stroke

Research objectives/aims

1. To identify the potential barriers and facilitators from the perspective of patients, proxies, therapist to the application of a of game-based robotic exercise program for people with chronic stroke.
2. To examine patient’s, acceptability and perceptions following 10 sessions of robot-assisted game-based rehabilitation using the Tyromotion® rehabilitation suite.
3. To examine the therapist’s satisfaction, acceptability and perception of the robot-assisted game-based program using Tyromotion devices in upper limb rehabilitation
4. To examine the perception and opinion of patient’s proxy about patient’s satisfaction and acceptability following 10 sessions of robot-assisted game-based rehabilitation program.
5. To perform preliminary assessment of changes in arm function following 10 sessions of a multi-joint robot-assisted game-based rehabilitation program.

 How the research is to be undertaken?

To answer our aims, there will be three groups to recruit:

1. People with stroke: If an individual with stroke is interested to join the study he/she will be asked to contact the researchers. If he/she will be eligible to join the study, he/she will undergo baseline assessment of the arm function and after that he/she will be undergoing 10 sessions of exercise using the robotic devices. Two assessments will happen after the training to see if there is a change of the function of the arm and explore their experience using the robotic devices. Lastly, there will be a group discussion that will be scheduled depending on the availability of the participants.
2. Therapist: if a therapist who uses Tyromotion robotic device is interested to join the study he/she can contact the researchers or he/she can directly go to this link https://is.gd/TherapistSurvey to answer our online questionnaire.
3. Proxy: this are the primary carer of the people with stroke who will join the study. Recruitment of this group will be through participants with stroke.

What involvement is required by each participant?

1. People with stroke will be asked to be present at our data collection site in UTS Moorepark Campus during assessments and training sessions. They will also be asked to provide personal information and information about their condition. A focus group discussion will happen after all assessments and training sessions and all participants will be invited but not required to join.
2. Therapists are just required to answer a 20-minute online questionnaire. The questionnaire will ask personal details and their experience in using Tyromotion robotic devices.
3. Proxies are not required to be present in the data collection site since they can also answer the questionnaire online. The link leading to the online questionnaire will be messaged to them privately when they agreed to join the study.

For more information Click Here, or contact:

Esminio Rivera

Phone: 0407 584 635

Email: esminioii.rivera@student.uts.edu.au

Right Hemisphere Stroke and Conversation

Have you had a Stroke?

Did the Stroke affect the right side of your brain?

Do you have problems communicating?

If you answered “yes” to these questions…

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Dr Scott Barnes from Macquarie University is conducting a research project on right hemisphere Stroke and everyday communication. We are looking for people who have had a Stroke and people they know well to participate.

For more information about the project, please contact Dr Scott Barnes:

Phone:   02 9850 7960

Email: scott.barnes@mq.edu.au

The ethical aspects of this study have been approved by the Macquarie University Human Research Ethics Committee. If you have any complaints or reservations about any ethical aspect of your participation in the research, you may contact the Committee through The Director , Research Ethics and Integrity (02 9850 7854 or ethics@mq.edu.au). Any complaint you make will be treated in confidence and investigated, and you will be informed of the outcome.