Participate in our research

We welcome your participation in our research. We have a number of studies currently being undertaken where volunteers are needed.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Bipolar Disorder Study [PDF, 23KB]
An innovative maintenance treatment for Bipolar Disorder is now being offered that aims to reduce relapse of bipolar episodes as well as reduce levels of stress and anxiety. Mindfulness meditation has been shown to reduce rates of relapse in unipolar depression but this has yet to be investigated in bipolar disorder.
The program involves random allocation to either mindfulness-based cognitive therapy or treatment as usual (with the addition of bipolar education material). The therapy will be conducted in a group run by psychologists and is held on a weekly basis for 8 weeks in Randwick. If you are interested in participating, please call 02 9382 9266 or email mindfulbipolar@unsw.edu.au
Read the flyer [PDF, 88KB]

Online Writing Study [PDF, 88KB]
Over the centuries, many people have been naturally drawn to writing about their life and their experiences, through journals, creative writing, and other forms of written expression. Day to day life can be stressful as people strive for balance between family, friends and work. We are interested in whether certain kinds of expressive writing can be helpful for people in managing their moods, stress levels and general health. The ‘Writing and Mood’ study is investigating whether particular ways of writing about our lives and our experiences can offer benefits for our moods, emotional and physical health. We are also interested in whether people with certain personality styles find writing in certain ways to be more helpful than others.
Read the flyer [PDF, 88KB]
REGISTER FOR THE ONLINE WRITING STUDY HERE [PDF, 123KB]
Download a copy of the GP and Health Professional Visits Form [Word doc, 87KB]

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression [PDF, 65KB] Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) involves teaching people skills and strategies to manage negative thoughts and behaviours that are associated with depression. CBT has been studied for over 20 years, and there is good evidence that it is effective as a treatment for depression. However, researchers are still not sure how CBT works in helping depression. Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is a new variant of CBT, which involves teaching people to make simple shifts in their awareness of thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations. MBCT has been shown to be effective in preventing relapse, but has not yet been used as a treatment for depression. This study will compare group MBCT and CBT as treatments for depression, and examine how these treatments work.
Read the flyer [PDF, 65KB] THE NEXT GROUP WILL START IN MID 2008

Mild brain stimulation (also known as Direct Current Stimulation) - New treatment for depression [PDF, 75KB]
Researchers are investigating mild brain stimulation as a treatment for depression and potential alternative to medication and electroconvulsive therapy. Very weak currents are used to stimulate the brain. The stimulation is painless with no known serious side effects, and the person is fully awake and alert during the 20 minute treatment sessions.
Listen to the director of the study answer some FAQs [2 minute Macromedia Breeze Presentation - best with broadband internet connection]
Read a News Release [PDF, 32KB]
Read the flyer [PDF, 53KB]

Genetic Study of Bipolar Disorders [PDF, 149KB]
This research study is aiming to identify the genes that predispose someone to developing Bipolar Disorder. We are looking for families with two or more people affected by Bipolar Disorder. The participants of the study are notified of the progress of the study annually through our newsletters (see below) and at the end of the study they will be provided with a report.

To express an interest in participating in this genetic study, please contact:
Professor Philip Mitchell on 93823711 or email bipolargenetics@unsw.edu.au

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
TMS is a treatment where strong magnetic fields are used to stimulate the brain through a simple coil held to the head. It is a potential alternative treatment for depression and auditory hallucinations (in schizophrenia). We are currently seeking adolescents with depression (15-18 years) and people with schizophrenia for our research treatment studies.
Adolescents [PDF, 27KB]
People with schizophrenia [PDF, 31KB]

Transcranial magnetic stimulation as a treatment for bipolar depression [PDF, 29KB]
Repetitive rTMS is a potential new therapy for people aged 18 and over suffering from bipolar depression. Strong magnetic fields are used to stimulate the brain through an electromagnet (coil) held to the head. Studies over the last 15 years have found rTMS to be useful in the treatment of depressive illness and to date have found rTMS to be safe in adults with minimal side-effects. The stimulation is non-invasive and is given while the person is fully awake and alert.

The documents on this page can be downloaded and printed using Adobe Acrobat.