Clinical Trials

The Centre for Complementary Medicine Research is currently recruiting for the following clinical trials:

• The Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) clinical trial
• Effectiveness of acupuncture in IVF
• Acupuncture and supportive care for women experiencing threatened miscarriage
• Memory, attention and learning
• Acupuncture for exercise recovery
• Acupuncture & post breast cancer fatigue
• Clinical evaluation of a Chinese herbal medicine for constipation-predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome (C-IBS)
• Restoring resilience in refugees: A pilot trial of a novel therapeutic intervention for post-traumatic stress disorder in Iraqi refugees (The Triple R Study)  

The Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) clinical trial

Does naturopathy (herbal medicine and consultations with a naturopath) in addition to lifestyle changes improve reproductive, fertility, body characteristics and quality of life outcomes for women with PCOS?

Researchers at the Centre for Complementary Medicine Research are conducting a new trial to evaluate the role of one of the complementary medicines, naturopathy, to improve the results of diet and exercise in women with PCOS. We are looking for women aged between 18 and 44, who are overweight with a diagnosis of PCOS, to participate in a lifestyle program that includes a healthy diet, a supervised exercise program, information about the menstrual cycle and herbal medicine. 

All women on the trial will receive lifestyle intervention which includes advice about a healthy diet, a supervised exercise programme. Some women will be asked to take herbal medicine tablets and meet up with a naturopath for half an hour each month. The allocation to a group is done randomly which means you cannot choose which group you will be in. It is important that you feel comfortable with the need for the researchers to randomly allocate you to one of the groups.

The trial will go for 12 weeks, and takes place at the Campbelltown campus of the University of Western Sydney. Free parking is provided. Exercise sessions will be held at the University once per week with home based exercises twice or three times per week. A pedometer will be provided to keep track of exercise during the week and a diary for you to record the day your menstrual period starts, results of a fertility test and timing for conception. Women in the natural therapies group will also need to take 3-6 herbal medicine tablets per day. 

At the beginning of the study and at 12 weeks your weight, waist and height will be measured and at twelve weeks you may be required to present for a blood test at a pathology clinic. At the beginning of the study and at 12 weeks you will need to complete some survey questions, so you need to be able to read, write and speak English. 

Further enquiries can be directed to Susan Arentz at s.arentz@uws.edu.au or phone 0403 044 247. Join the conversation via PCOS Facebook group (opens in a new window). 

Effectiveness of acupuncture in IVF

Acupuncture to improve live birth rates for women undergoing IVF: a randomised controlled trial.

The Centre for Complementary Medicine Research at the University of Western Sydney, in conjunction with IVF Australia, Fertility Plus, Assisted Conception Australia, Fertility SA and Flinders University, are conducting a new study to examine how acupuncture may increase live birth rates for women undergoing IVF treatments.

To be able to join the study women need to be less than 43 years, undergoing a fresh IVF or ICSI cycle, and who have two or more previous unsuccessful embryo transfers (ET) (fresh or frozen) and unsuccessful clinical pregnancies of quality embryos. You will also need to confirm you are able to attend a treatment session during the time you are administering stimulating medication before egg retrieval and also for two appointments on the day of embryo transfer (one before and one after). You will be allocated randomly to either acupuncture or placebo acupuncture. All acupuncture treatment sessions are free.

If you don't wish to receive acupuncture then you can provide information of your IVF experience.

If you would like to be part of this research study please contact the researchers for more information. Researchers can be contacted by email, s.fogarty@uws.edu.au or phone 02 4620 3290.

Acupuncture and supportive care for women experiencing threatened miscarriage

Experiencing vaginal bleeding during early pregnancy, even when a scan has confirmed that the baby is viable can be very distressing for some women. At present medical care involves a 'wait and see' approach.

This new study being undertaken in Wellington New Zealand, will examine if acupuncture and supportive care can help women experiencing threatened miscarriage. It involves women with vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy receiving treatment in the form of acupuncture or supportive care until 12 gestational weeks.

For further information please download the Study Explanation Sheet or contact the researcher at 16910687@student.uws.edu.au

Help us find a new way to improve memory, attention and learning

The Centre for Complementary Medicine Research is conducting 2 clinical trials to evaluate the effects of herbal medicine and acupuncture in improving memory and attention in healthy older people.

We are looking for healthy men and women aged 22-75 years to take part in a brief trial (2-4 weeks) at the University of Western Sydney Campbelltown Campus. You will be asked to take herbal capsules or receive acupuncture treatment during the trial and cognitive function will be assessed before and after each treatment.

If you are interested or know someone who is, please fee free to contact our researchers on (02) 4620 3278 or email clinicaltrials@uws.edu.au

Acupuncture for exercise recovery

The Centre for Complementary Medicine Research is conducting a trial of acupuncture for exercise recovery.

The study involves a single 2.5 hour session in which participants perform an exercise task, are allocated to receive acupuncture, placebo or no treatment, and have their heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen consumption measured.

We are looking for healthy men and women aged 18-25 years who engage in moderate to intense exercise for at least 30 minutes per session, 3 or more times per week.

If you are interested in participating, please contact Paola Urroz by email paola.urroz@three.blackberry.com

Acupuncture & post breast cancer fatigue
Can acupuncture reduce fatigue post breast cancer treatment? A pilot randomised controlled study.

Researchers from the Centre for Complementary Medicine Research and the School of Psychology, at the University of Western Sydney, are looking for women to take part in our trial who are aged 18-70 years and have been diagnosed with breast cancer, and experience a certain level of fatigue following completion of chemotherapy. The study takes place at several sites across Sydney including Campbelltown, Parramatta, Kingsgrove, City, Manly, Newtown and also Bowral. Treatment is at no cost to participants and a $10 travel expense is provided for every appointment.

Fatigue is a common symptom experienced post cancer treatment. There has been some research which suggests that acupuncture may help to reduce fatigue post cancer treatment. Acupuncture is a part of traditional Chinese Medicine, and involves the insertion of very fine acupuncture needles into specific acupuncture points. This pilot study is designed to examine if acupuncture can help with reducing fatigue, and improving general wellbeing.

If you would like to be part of this research study to assist with examining new forms of supportive care during this distressing time, please contact the researchers for more information. Researchers can be contacted on 0414 357 363 or email acupuncturewellnessstudy@uws.edu.au

C-IBS
Currently recruiting for this trial.
Do you have Irritable Bowel Syndrome with constipation (C-IBS)? Volunteers are needed to participate in a clinical study for a new Chinese herbal medicine treatment for C-IBS titled:

Clinical evaluation of a Chinese herbal medicine for constipation-predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome 

Researchers at the Centre for Complementary Medicine Research, at the University of Western Sydney and the Gastrointestinal Unit, at the Royal North Shore Hopital have received a government grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council to conduct this innovative study.We are looking for volunteers who:

• are aged 18-65 years and
• may have C-IBS (constipation, abdominal pain and bloating)

The study has several locations throughout greater Sydney, Newcastle, Central Coast & Wollongong.

For further information please download a Participant Information Sheet or call 02 4620 3283

Restoring resilience in refugees: a pilot trial of a novel therapeutic intervention for post-traumatic stress disorder in Iraqi refugees (The Triple R Study)

Pilot randomised control trial (RCT) to compare acupuncture plus CBT versus CBT alone will be undertaken. Intervention will be administered over six weeks.

Iraqi refugees with PTSD are invited to participate in the study.

For further information please contact Associate Professor Caroline Smith on 02 4620 3777 or caroline.smith@uws.edu.au

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