Participate in Research
HealthMatch is an Australian health technology company designed to help patients directly access clinical trials. Epilepsy Action Australia has partnered with HealthMatch to provide members with easy access to the latest clinical trials being conducted throughout Australia.
You can sign up, select your condition, create a profile and answer a simple questionnaire to determine if you are eligible for any currently recruiting clinical trials. The platform allows users to create a profile which means that when new trials become available, you will automatically be notified of these opportunities.
HealthMatch can be used by members, their families and health professionals. To access HealthMatch please click on the banner below.
Types of Research
Epilepsy Research
This trial is a world first to investigate the effect of 6 months of treatment with sodium selenate in people with medication-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy – to see whether, as in the pre-clinical animal studies, there is a sustained beneficial effect to reduce seizure frequency and neuropsychiatric comorbidities, even after the medication is ceased.
Recruitment has commence in Victoria and will then be recruiting in other states. 124 patients will be enrolled across at least 9 sites nationwide over 2.5 years.
For more information click here
Examining the efficacy of an online Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) – based self-management program for adults with neurological disorders
Macquarie University’s eCentreClinic is looking for adults with epilepsy to take part in a free online course to help Australians with neurological conditions learn to manage:
- Stress, anxiety, frustration and worry.
- Low mood, sadness, grief and depression.
- Day-to-day mental or cognitive activities.
- Day-to-day physical activities.
Click here to find out more about this Wellbeing Neuro Course and current research trial
Many people like to participate in research studies knowing that they are helping others by increasing the medical understanding of epilepsy, how seizures are treated and its impact on the lives of those affected by epilepsy.
In Australia there are strict rules governing human and animal research activities. Approval through a recognised ethics committee is needed to ensure there is minimal risk to the participant and potential benefit to the community from the findings.
Before you commit to participating in a clinical trial, it is best to be fully informed about the objectives of the research, what is expected of you and any risks and possible inconveniences that may be experienced during and after the trial.
There are many different types of clinical research studies that may or may not be of direct benefit to you and these include:
- Intervention studies that seek better ways to treat epilepsy usually with a medication or new form of treatment
- Diagnostic and screening studies that look for better and more efficient ways to diagnose epilepsy and seizure activity
- Prevention studies looking at ways to prevent epilepsy
- Observational studies investigate epilepsy-related issues in large groups of people
- Quality of life studies that try to find better ways to improve the quality of life for people living with epilepsy and their families.
The National Health and Medical Research Council has detailed information available outlining who can take part, what to expect and important questions to ask about the trial and level of involvement.
It is important to know before you enrol in a research study that:
- Your participation is voluntary and you can withdraw at any time.
- The study information and consent form will explain exactly what you are agreeing to do during the study and you can ask any questions before you sign the consent form.
- The research study may or may not help you personally.
- You can bring a friend or family member with you to any interviews or appointments.
To search for any current Australian Trials Click Here
We are seeking the thoughts of women with epilepsy who are approaching the menopausal years, or currently in perimenopause, menopause, or post-menopausal phases of life.
By completing this anonymous, 2-minute survey you will be contributing to the scarce knowledge base about the lived experience of women living with epilepsy and how you can be better supported through this period. Epilepsy Action Australia is assisting A/Professor Lata Vadlamudi from Queensland University with this survey.
The insights from this survey will form the basis of a collaborative research funding application with the University of Queensland and Monash University.
Please scan the QR code or go to https://survey.app.uq.edu.au/women-with-epilepsy-after-childbearing—consumer-survey
Medicinal Cannabis
Currently recruiting
In partnership with The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics and the University of Sydney, the aim of this project is to better understand the lived experience of Australian adults and parents/guardians of a child or person with epilepsy who have tried medicinal cannabis to treat the epilepsy.
The results of the survey will provide us with invaluable information that we can use to better advocate for your needs when speaking to policymakers and health professionals about cannabis medicines.
You are eligible to participate if you:
- Reside in Australia,
- Are aged 18 years or above,
- Have a diagnosis of epilepsy (or care for a person with epilepsy),
- Have tried using cannabis product(s) – illicit and/or prescribed – to treat the epilepsy.
You may open the survey by clicking this link: https://bit.ly/cape-survey
The survey will take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete.
Please feel free to contact the lambert.initiative@sydney.edu.au if you have any questions
This was approved by the University of Sydney Human Research Ethics Committee [Approval ID: 2023-313].
What is the study about?
The QUality of life Evaluation STudy (QUEST) conducted by Curtin University, aims to investigate the quality of life and health economic impact of medicinal cannabis on patients with a health condition.
Who can participate?
Adults living in Australia, with a diagnosed chronic condition who have tried other medications that have not been successful or have side effects.
What does participation involve?
In order to access to medicinal cannabis participants much first arrange a doctor consultation and prescription. The study involves the completion of some online surveys (approx. 20min each)
Benefits for participants
Study participants will access cannabis medications at a subsidised cost from $130 and receive free delivery of their medication. The study website incudes a directory of experienced and independent doctors to choose from.
How to apply?
Visit https://www.thequestinitiative.com/ and then start the 60 second eligibility quiz.
Study information
Website: https://www.thequestinitiative.com/
The ethical aspects of this study have been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the Curtin University HRE2022-0085
