CRE Studies Recruiting Now

The Circadian Rhythms study is investigating sleep and fatigue in gastrointestinal disorders. We hope to better understand if the internal body clock that controls when we feel awake and when we feel tired (the circadian system) is altered in people with irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia and whether it may contribute to the disease.

The following are the criteria to be eligible to complete:

1. Adults over the age of 18

2. Diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome or overlapping irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspsepsia

3. No diagnosed gut disorder to be in the control group (this is used as comparison with the research group)

Exclusion criteria are:

1. Currently pregnant or have been in the past 6 months

2. Smokers

3. BMI of greater than or equal to 35

4. Diagnosed sleep disorders

5. Medical conditions relating to HPA axis dysfunction, cancer, autoimmune diseases, endocrine, periodontal disease, and ophthalmic diseases

6. Crossing time zones within the past 3 months

7. Participation in night or rotating shift work

8. Use of antibiotics, NSAIDs, analgesics, lithium, glucocorticoids, steroids, beta blockers, sleep medication, melatonin, and psychoactive drugs in the past 3 months.

If you agree to participate in this study, the following time and commitments are needed:

– Wear a sleep monitoring watch for 14 days and complete a daily sleep log

– Surveys to complete on sleep habits, health and lifestyle

– On day 7 of this study you will be asked to provide a blood sample in the morning, a stool sample and take 7 saliva samples at night-time

If you would like to find out more please email sophie.fowler@newcastle.edu.au or call our team on (02) 4042 0491.

The C-HIIT for Functional GI Disorders study is investigating the efficacy of combined high-intensity interval training for people with disorders of gut-brain interaction, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional dyspepsia (FD). We hope to better understand if this exercise is safe, feasible and effective in management or alleviation of symptoms.

The following are the criteria to be eligible to complete:

1. At least 18 years old
2. Has a functional GI condition such as IBS or FD.
3. Able to participate in 3 x weekly free exercise sessions at the University of Newcastle.

Exclusion criteria are:

1. Organic conditions such as Crohn’s, coeliac or irritable bowel disease (IBD).
2. Already exercising more than 150 minutes a week.

If you agree to participate in this study, the following time and commitments are needed:

• 2 x pre assessments that are repeated at 2 more time points (mid and post study periods)
• 8- weeks ‘control’ period where we ask that you don’t change any dietary or physical activity habits.
• 8-weeks of attending 3 x weekly exercise sessions at Callaghan campus. These are free and supervised by an Accredited Exercise Physiologist.

If you would like to find out more please email digestive.health@newcastle.edu.au or jacinta.durney@uon.edu.au call our team on (02) 4042 0491.

The Crohn’s and diet study is investigating how different food components affect the immune system and contribute to symptoms. We hope to better understand the role that diet may play in the causes and mechanisms of Crohn’s disease. A better understanding of how patients respond to certain dietary changes and which foods may trigger symptoms, is necessary to improving patient quality of life.

The following are the criteria to be eligible to complete the 6-month dietary trial:

1. Male or female aged between 18 and 65 years
2. Have a new diagnosis of Crohn’s disease (or within the last 5 years)

You are NOT eligible to participate if you are:

1. Pregnant
2. A current smoker
3. Have a BMI ≥ 35
4. Are post bowel resection surgery
5. Have other autoimmune conditions (e.g., Coeliac disease, Type 1 diabetes)
6. Have been diagnosed with food allergy with anaphylaxis response (e.g., eggs, milk, shellfish)

If you agree to participate in this study, the following time and commitments are needed:

Prior to starting, you will be assessed for suitability over the phone. If you are eligible and agree to participate, you must sign a consent form and return by mail, email or in person.

If you choose to participate, you will have an initial consult with our research dietitian who will book your future appointments and then you will be randomised (like tossing a coin) to follow one of two diets for six months. The dietitian will provide you with advice and support every month (face-to-face or telehealth) throughout the study.

You will be asked to complete a number of surveys relating to your diet, symptoms, medications, general health, and wellbeing. You will also be asked to provide poo samples every month for analysis. If you live locally or are willing to attend clinic visits in Newcastle, we will ask you to provide blood samples every three months which will allow researchers to look at changes in immune cells as a result of the diet. If you live locally and have a planned endoscopy, we will discuss asking you to donate up to 8 extra small tissue samples during your scheduled endoscopic procedure. This will allow researchers to look at how the gut tissue responds to specific food triggers. You may also be asked to provide an additional blood and poo sample 12 months after starting the study, if you are willing.

Register your interest

If you would like to find out more please email digestive.health@newcastle.edu.au or call our team on (02) 4042 0491 or (02) 404 20339 or 0466 033 019.

The “Functional Dyspepsia and Diet” study is investigating how symptoms in patients with functional dyspepsia may be triggered by certain components in the food we eat. Functional Dyspepsia is a condition where patients experience troublesome gastrointestinal symptoms of pain in the upper part of the abdomen or an inability to finish a regular sized meal. We hope to better understand if certain proteins known as gluten or certain carbohydrates called FODMAPs may drive symptoms of functional dyspepsia.

If you are over 18 years old, you may be eligible to take part in this study if you experience any of the following:

1. Inability to finish regular sized meals
2. Feeling uncomfortably full after regular meals
3. Pain or burning in the upper abdomen

The exclusion criteria are:

1. Pregnancy
2. Type 1 Diabetes
3. Coeliac Disease
4. Inflammatory Bowel Disease
5. Immunosuppression
6. Gastrointestinal malignancy

If you agree to participate in this study, the following time and commitments are needed:

• Undergo an upper endoscopy where small, tissue biopsies will be collected from your gastrointestinal tract
• Adhere to a gluten free and low FODMAP diet for a maximum of 8 weeks – meals will be provided for you
• Consume a range of test foods and record how your gastrointestinal symptoms change
• Attend the Hunter Medical Research Institute to donate blood and provide stool samples

At the conclusion of the study, participants will meet with study investigators to discuss what diet components their symptoms may have responded to.

If you would like to find out more, please email digestive.health@newcastle.edu.au or call our team on (02) 4042 0491.