Participate in Research

As someone living with headache or migraine we invite you to participate in research.

Migraine & Headache Australia is often approached by Australian Universities and research institutions to help them find volunteers for their research. Current projects are listed below. Please contact the researchers directly if you are interested. Migraine & Headache Australia does not administer the research on their behalf.

Thank you for your interest in offering to help advance the knowledge, management or treatment of migraine and chronic headache by volunteering for research.

If you are a researcher wanting to add your project to our list, click here for more information.

Current calls for volunteers

Please see the listings below to learn about current opportunities to participate in research.

The effect of targeted upper cervical musculoskeletal management on the frequency and burden of migraine headache in adults
The University of Queensland

We are conducting a clinical trial investigating the role of physiotherapy management for individuals with migraine and neck pain. Participants will have the status of their migraine symptoms recorded prior, during and following a 4-week treatment period (4 x 1-hour treatment sessions) that involves specific but gentle physiotherapy manual therapy, education and exercises. 

We are looking for individuals who meet the following criteria: 

• 18-65 years old;
• Regular neck pain and migraine symptoms;
• No change in their usual migraine treatment (or treatment of the neck) in the last 3 months;
• Able to attend treatment / assessment sessions in Brisbane.

Recruitment opens: July 9th 2026
Recruitment closes: December 9th 2026

Participant Information Statement >

Contact details:
Mr Peter Farmer, PhD Candidate
p.farmer@uq.edu.au
(07) 3778 6444

Ethics approval: University of Queensland Human Research Ethics Committee B [Approval no: 2025/HE002390]

Vascular Dynamics in Migraine with Aura
Western Sydney University

Researchers at Western Sydney University are studying how migraine, specifically migraine with aura, affects arteries in the head and brain. This study also wishes to examine migraine in those taking CGRP inhibitors (such as Ajovy and Emgality). To achieve this, we need participants with and without migraine. Through your participation, we can better distinguish the unique effects associated with migraine and these medications.

The study, titled “Vascular Dynamics in Migraine with Aura,” involves:

• A 10-minute questionnaire on your migraine history (if applicable) and medications;
• A non-invasive ultrasound scan to capture detailed images of blood flow in the brain;
• Providing a small blood sample, and;
• Some simple visual tasks.

The examination takes place at Blacktown/Mt Druitt Clinical School, lasting 1-2 hours, with potential follow-up communication for clarification (30-60 minutes each, if needed).

Recruitment opens: September 10th 2025
Recruitment closes: September 10th 2026

Survey and Participant Information Statements >

Contact details:
Dr Nathan Luque, Associate Lecturer
n.luque@westernsydney.edu.au
0419 293 207

Ethics approval: Western Sydney University Human Research Ethics Committee [Approval no: H16308]

Have your symptoms been taken seriously?
Operationalising Epistemic Injustice in Healthcare: Extending the Illness Invalidation Inventory (3*I-H)
Macquarie University

People have very different experiences when seeking healthcare, and we’d like to hear about how your concerns have been understood and responded to.

For some, their symptoms are quickly understood. For others, it can be harder to explain what they’re experiencing, or to feel taken seriously.

Researchers at Macquarie University are inviting adults living with a chronic physical health condition (including migraine or chronic headache) to take part in an online study exploring experiences of healthcare interactions.

Participation involves completing a 15–20 minute online survey. You may skip any questions and can stop at any time before submitting your responses. All responses are de-identified. Access the survey here >>

As a thank-you for your time, participants may enter a random prize draw to win one of ten $100 gift cards (via a separate, unlinked form).

You may be eligible if you:

• Are aged 18 years or older
• Live in Australia
• Have a chronic physical health condition
• Have sought care from a healthcare professional for your condition

A full description of the research activities and risks is included in the Participant Information Statement, which is linked below.

Recruitment opens: April 28th 2026
Recruitment closes: July 20th 2026

Patient Information Sheet >
Survey >

Contact details:
Ms Jesse Wheeler, Master of Research (Psychology) Student
jesse.wheeler@students.mq.edu.au
0414 462 893

Ethics approval: HREC Humanities & Social Sciences Committee [Reference no. 520262034167529]

Do you experience migraines or jaw problems?
University of Queensland

We are conducting a project at The University of Queensland about the experiences of adults with a current or recent history of migraine and/or jaw problems. We want to hear from you! Although no reimbursement will be provided to participants, your participation will be very helpful in informing strategies that improve the management of those seeking care for migraine and TMD in the community.

Participants with a current or recent history of migraine and/or jaw problems are invited to complete a survey to discuss their experiences living with the condition/s.

We are looking for people who are experiencing ongoing or recurrent symptoms lasting 3 months or longer, over 18 years of age, reside in Australia, and are proficient in speaking and understanding the English language.

Recruitment opens: April 27th 2026
Recruitment closes: September 7th 2026

Patient Information Sheet >
For completion of survey: Survey link >
For anyone interested in completing an interview: Register interest >

Contact details:
Ms Charmaine Wong, Honours Student
alana.dinsdale@uq.edu.au
l.zhiqi@uq.edu.au

Ethics approval: The University of Queensland HREC [2025/HE002562]

Understanding the Experiences of Young Adults with Chronic Health Conditions: Challenges, Treatment Needs, and Barriers to Psychological Care
Macquarie University

Are you a young adult living with a chronic physical health condition?

Share your experience and help improve support services for others.

We’re conducting an anonymous online survey to better understand the lived experiences, support needs, and treatment barriers faced by young adults living with chronic physical health conditions in Australia.

You may be eligible if you:

• Are 18 to 29 years old
• Have a chronic physical health condition (lasting 6+ months) that has been or is currently being managed by a healthcare professional
• Can read and write in English

What do I get?
After completing the full survey, you can enter a draw to win one of four $50 gift cards. Your participation is anonymous and completely voluntary.

Ready to take part? Access the survey here: https://redcap.link/0xeaib17

Recruitment opens: August 20th 2025
Recruitment closes: July 1st 2026

Patient Information Sheet >

Contact details:
Nicole Harte, Registered Psychologist & PhD Candidate
nicole.harte@hdr.mq.edu.au

Ethics approval: Macquarie University HREC [Reference no. 520251942563583]

UPCOMING RESEARCH: Psilocybin Efficacy and Acceptability on Cluster headache Episodes (PEACE) Trial
The George Institute for Global Health and UNSW Sydney

One of the world’s first clinical trials into the potential for psychedelic compound psilocybin to prevent disabling cluster headache will be funded through the Novel Treatments and Management Strategies for Chronic Pain stream of the Australian Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF). This is the first new approved trial for treatment of cluster headache – one of the most intensely painful human experiences – in at least two decades in Australia.

Led by Dr Faraidoon Haghdoost, former GP and Research Fellow specialising in headache disorders at The George Institute for Global Health and UNSW Sydney, this pilot trial will assess whether 10 mg of psilocybin once a week for four weeks compared to placebo can prevent cluster headache attacks.

The research team is currently planning and preparing the study protocols and set-up. Recruitment has not started yet — this is expected to begin in the second half of 2026.

In the meantime, people living with cluster headache are invited to fill out the following survey: https://unsw.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9nv76r3o53XCjQi

On this survey you can also register your details if you are interested in joining the trial in the future.

Learn more about this research in the following articles:

• Cluster headache trial funded in Australia – Faraidoon Haghdoost – Read more >
• Hope for cluster headache community as psilocybin trial funded – The George Institute for Global Health – Read more >

Archive

The studies listed below are no longer recruiting research participants.

Migraine Clinical Research Study
Momentum Clinical Research

Frequent migraine episodes disrupting your life?

We are conducting a research study to evaluate a new potential treatment for adults living with migraine. The study treatment is designed to relieve migraine pain and related symptoms like nausea and extreme sensitivity to light and sound.

This study may be suitable for you if you:

• Are aged 18 to 65 years old
• Have suffered from the symptoms of migraine attacks for at least a year AND,
• Experience 2 to 8 migraine attacks per month, with moderate to severe pain.

Additional study requirements apply.

You will be reimbursed for your time in the research study.

This study will be conducted at the following Momentum site(s): Wellers Hill & Taringa – Brisbane, Sunshine – Melbourne & Darlinghurst – Sydney.

You can make a significant impact! Your involvement will provide crucial data that could lead to advancements in migraine care.

Register your interest now and find out if participating in this study is suitable for you. Your privacy is important to us, and all information shared will be kept confidential.

Recruitment opens: September 1st 2025
Recruitment closes: May 31st 2026

Contact details:
Daniel Green, Head of Recruitment
(07) 5606 0011
daniel.green@momentumclinicalresearch.com

Ethics approval: Bellberry HREC [Application no. 2023-12-1518-A-1]

Dimensions of home and people with persistent pain

Researchers at Griffith University are inviting all adults living with chronic pain to complete an anonymous online survey. They want to know if the experience of home influences pain, health, and well-being. The information collected with the survey will help them to identify:

1. How people with pain experience the different aspects of their home environment
2. If the experience of home has any associations with pain, health and well-being.

The information gained will help them to understand if knowledge about the experience of home can be used to support better outcomes for people with persistent pain.

The study is open to all those over 18 years old who experience chronic pain. You do not have to take part if you do not want to. Your participation is entirely voluntary.

Study recruitment opens in May 2024 and closes in September 2024. If you are interested, you can read the full Participation Information Sheet here >>

Once you have read the Participation Information Sheet, you can access the survey here >>

Cluster headache

Research Study Title: Assessing the cluster headache research gaps based on the patients’ perspectives.

Researchers at UNSW are conducting a project about collecting patients’ opinions on future research on cluster headache and adults with cluster headache are being invited to take part.

Participation in this research is not mandatory, and your decision to or not to take part is voluntary.

If you are interested, the research project is looking for people who want to take part in this research and who are:

• Living in Australia
• Adults over the age of 18 years
• Diagnosed with cluster headache
• Providing consent to join the study.

A full description of the research activities, risks associated with these activities and any discomforts that you may experience during research is included on the research page link below.

Once you click on the link you will be asked to read the participant information statement before being asked to provide your consent. Once you have provided your consent you will progress to the survey.

Visit the cluster headache research page for more details, FAQs and to participate >>

A Pilot Study Assessing Preliminary Safety and Efficacy of the Shiratronics Migraine Therapy system in Relieving, Interrupting, and Preventing Chronic Migraine (RELIEV-CM) – Avania Clinical Research

Note: there are multiple sites taking patients. The above site is for Sydney, NSW.

View the study information and contact details for sites in Adelaide, SA, Perth, WA and Newcastle, NSW.

Emotional Functioning after Acquired Brain Injury – The University of Western Australia

For more details, download the patient information statement & consent form here >>

The ocular surface in migraine – UNSW

Download the patient information statement & consent form here >>

Visual Perception in Visual Snow & Migraine – University of Melbourne

Download the patient information flyer here >>

Chronic Migraine and the Brain  – University of Sydney

More details are available in the Patient Information Statement >>

Chronic Pain – The University of Queensland

Migraine & Cognition – LTU School of Psychology and Public Health

Researchers at LTU’s School of Psychology and Public Health are interested in the cognitive changes that people with migraine may experience, outside of their migraine attacks. We are looking for both people who experience migraine and ‘healthy’ controls to complete some cognitive tests and questionnaires about mood and personality.

The 1.5 to 2-hour assessment will take place on Zoom, which can be conducted at home. All participants will be placed in a randomised prize draw where 1 in 8 participants will receive a $50 e-gift voucher. The total time commitment is estimated to be 2 to 3 hours, depending on your level of participation.

To register your interest, and help us check if you are suitable to participate in this study, please visit the following link: migrainecog.questionpro.com If you have any questions, please email us at: migrainecog@gmail.com

Chief Investigator: Prof. Simon Crowe (s.crowe@latrobe.edu.au)
LTU HREC Number: HEC20014