Clinical trials at the Centre

Improving community health with high-quality research

The NCNM Clinical Trials Centre located at the Northern Rivers campus in Lismore is equipped to develop and conduct seamless, high-quality clinical trials. Our team of dedicated, experienced and professional staff support students, staff, collaborators and commercial partners to conduct a wide range of trials.

Naturopathic, lifestyle and integrative medicine offer a broad range of potential solutions for addressing major healthcare problems of the future and improving community health. We are working to strengthen traditional, complementary and integrative medicine approaches through rigorous research.

Could a Chinese herbal medicine supplement prevent recurrent dizziness and vertigo?

Recurring dizziness and vertigo can hamper the social, functional and psychological well-being of sufferers, impacting quality of life. These conditions have been linked to isolation, depression and reduced independence. A unique herbal combination has provided anecdotal accounts of success in both prevention and reduction of symptoms. Researchers are seeking adults aged 18 - 75 with recurring dizziness or vertigo symptoms to examine if a Chinese herbal medicine supplement can help prevent these episodes from occurring. Participants who complete the trial will receive $100 in gift vouchers. 

SCU HREC number: 2024/015
Trial status: Recruiting | More information, email: DIZZYTCM@scu.edu.au 

Improving bladder health to help prevent Urinary Tract Infections

Recurring urinary tract infections and cystitis can affect all areas of a person’s life, and antibiotic resistance can limit effective treatment options. Several herbs have proven anti-bacterial properties and natural supplements might be beneficial to support overall urinary health and prevent acute Urinary Tract Infections and cystitis. Participants aged 18 and above with recurring cystitis or urinary tract infections are required for the trial that will examine if a herbal supplement can help prevent acute Urinary Tract Infections/cystitis episodes and improve symptoms.

Participants who complete the trial will receive $100 in gift vouchers.

SCU HREC number: 2023/151
Trial status: Recruitment completed

Promising new treatment option for people with diabetes

Researchers are currently conducting a trial exploring Olive Leaf Extract as a treatment to help with blood glucose management. The trial is based in the Northern Rivers and requires participants to either take the product or placebo for 24 weeks alongside their usual diabetes care (such as prescribed medications, diet, exercise, appointments). Blood samples will be taken at the commencement of the study, halfway through and again at the completion of the trial. 

SCU HREC number: 2022/034
Trial status: Recruitment Completed 

Flood Recovery for Regional Marginalised Populations [FLOMAP] Project

Evidence suggests that the impact of the 2022 floods may have been worse for marginalised groups, particularly migrants and refugees, those experiencing homelessness, and those identifying as sexuality and/or gender diverse.

The FLOMAP Project aims to understand how these marginalised groups were impacted by the 2022 Floods, and whether their flood-related needs have or have not been met to date.

Participants who take part in the study will receive a $50 gift voucher.

SCU HREC number: 2023/188
Study status: Recruitment Completed

Medicinal cannabis trial for Fibromyalgia patients

Up to 1 million Australians are affected by the debilitating condition known as Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) and treatment options are limited. Adult fibromyalgia sufferers are being invited to participate in a Gold Coast based clinical trial which is looking to confirm previous research that suggests medicinal cannabis plays a role in reducing pain and managing symptoms of FMS.

SCU HREC number: 2023/137
Trial status: Recruitment Completed

Clinical trial for Adult Eosinophilic Oesophagitis (EoE) testing a herbal medicine product

Researchers are seeking adults aged 18 years and over with eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) to participate in a clinical trial for a herbal medicine product. The trial is testing a herbal medicine product for its safety in adults with EoE. The product contains a single herb which has been confirmed safe for use in Australia. Participants will take one of two different doses of the herbal product for 12 weeks. At weeks 0, 4, 8 and 12, participants will be required to attend an online visit and have a blood test. Participants will also be required to complete an online diary (up to 5 minutes daily), and an end-of-project survey.

Participants who complete the trial will receive a $50 gift voucher.

SCU HREC number: 2023/155
Trial status: Recruitment Completed

Want to know what your microbiome looks like?

Southern Cross University researchers are conducting a clinical trial, examining whether the consumption of Kefir can influence the microbiome. Kefir is a probiotic dairy beverage that has been consumed for over 2,000 years in the Caucasus region at the border of Europe and Asia. Traditional Kefir is made by taking milk and adding Kefir ‘grains’ which contain a range of symbiotic bacteria and yeast species. Many claims have been made regarding the health benefits of Kefir, however little is known about the effects of Kefir on the microbiome, the collective bacteria in the mouth and gut.

SCU HREC number: 2021/129; UNSW HREC number: 2021/RL00200
Trial status: Recruitment Completed

Chinese herbal medicine product safety trial

Researchers are seeking healthy adults aged 18–75 to participate in a clinical trial testing the safety of a Chinese herbal medicine product in a healthy population. The product contains five different herbs which have all been confirmed safe for use in Australia. This trial is testing to see if the combination of the herbs is also safe. Participants will take one of two different doses of the herbal product for 14 days and are then monitored for an additional 14 days. Four face-to-face visits are required at the Lismore campus. Three fasted blood tests will also be required. 

Participants who complete the trial will receive $100 in gift vouchers.  

SCU HREC number: 2023/139
Trial status: Completed

Herbal supplement for weight loss

Southern Cross University researchers are investigating the efficacy of a herbal product for weight loss in men and women in Australia.

Over a third of the Australian population are considered overweight, and carrying extra weight is a key contributor to increased risk factor for many health conditions. Finding ways to assist people to lose weight is an important global issue and many companies have released products to try to assist. This clinical trial aims to investigate a herbal formula for weight loss in Australia.

SCU HREC number: 2021/033
Trial status: Recruitment Completed

Pharmacokinetic study of CBD in healthy adults

Researchers at Southern Cross University are investigating how a single dose of cannabidiol (CBD) is used and excreted in the body in healthy adults. The trial was conducted in generally healthy individuals aged 18-60 years old. This is a pharmacokinetic (PK) study of a new drug, which will involve participants taking a dose of CBD (given in a soft gel or liquid) and having blood and urine samples taken to determine how the body handles the substance.

SCU HREC number: 2022/099
Trial status: Completed

Herbal formula to alleviate menopausal symptoms

Southern Cross University researchers are conducting a clinical trial to assess the effectiveness of a herbal formula for women experiencing menopausal symptoms. Changes in reproductive hormones during the menopausal transition can wreak havoc on women’s lives, with symptoms such as daytime hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, weight gain, headaches and mood changes. This herbal formula is currently available on the market. Testimonials by some women have stated that it helped to reduce their menopausal symptoms.

SCU HREC number: 2021/036
Trial status: Completed

CBD for sleep disturbances in healthy adults

Southern Cross University researchers are seeking healthy individuals aged 18-65 years old, who have self-reported poor sleep. This may include people who have difficulty initiating sleep, maintaining sleep, or who are waking earlier than desired. Participants who live in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane or Lismore can partake in the trial which requires participants to either take the product or placebo for 10 weeks.

SCU HREC number: 2021/031
Trial status: Completed

Investigating an active component of ginger (6-Shogaol) for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)

Myelodysplastic syndromes are a group of disorders caused by blood cells that are poorly formed or don’t work properly. Previous research has indicated 6-Shogaol may improve the outcomes for people with low-risk MDS. The trial is being conducted at two haematological clinic sites – in Sydney and Wollongong. Participants will take the ginger product (6-Shogaol) for 6 months and have appointments every 8 weeks to monitor progress and blood results. Participants who complete the trial will receive $100 in gift vouchers.

SCU HREC: 2024/019
Trial status: Recruitment Completed