Volunteer/participate in research
Get involved in research at BASE
Most of our research projects rely on people like you volunteering to take part. We have lots of different studies so why not have a read and volunteer for one today.
Studies Recruiting Now at BASE
Dietary interventions for vascular health – free dietitian consultations
A novel timed dietary approach to improve health outcomes in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)
Discover the Power of Plants: Exploring Natural Solutions for Appetite Control
Nut supplementation to mitigate post-stroke cognitive decline (NUT-me): a pilot study
How Does Pre-Exercise Fibre and Carb-Fibre-FODMAP Gel Impact Your Gut During Endurance Exercise in the Heat?
Recreational, Competitive and Elite Runners Wanted!
Does dietary fibre and a carbohydrate-fibre-FODMAP gel affect the gut during exercise?
We are investigating how different fibre intakes before exercise influence gut symptoms and function during prolonged running in hot conditions. Additionally, we are assessing the impact of a carbohydrate-fibre-FODMAP gels consumed during exercise.
Who is eligible:
- Healthy, active individuals – recreational, competitive or elite runners who are capable of running for 2 hours at moderate intensity (60% of VO2 max i.e., easy long run pace) in the heat (35˚C).
- Aged 18-55 years.
What is involved: Participants will attend our laboratory at the BASE facility, Monash University, Notting Hill, on five separate occasions:
- Visit 1: Body composition and VO2 max fitness test (~1-1.5 hours).
- Visit 2: A 2-hour run in the heat with ad libitum water intake, followed by 1 hour of seated recovery. Afterward, you will complete a 20-minute distance test, then undergo an additional 2 hours of seated recovery (~7 hours total). During the recovery periods, you will have time to use a laptop, etc.
- Visit 3: A brief visit (~15 minutes) to provide a faecal sample.
- Visits 4 and 5: Repeat Visit 2 (sessions spaced ~6-10 days apart). * On one of these visits, you will also consume kiwiberry gel during exercise.
Before Visits 2, 4, and 5, participants will follow a prescribed 2-day high- or low-fibre diet. All meals will be provided on test days.
What are the benefits:
- Individual results from a full fitness assessment (VO2 max test and body composition).
- Valuable insights into how your gut responds to endurance exercise in the heat – useful for training and competition.
For more information, see flyer or contact Steph Gaskell. Email: stephanie.gaskell@monash.edu.
This study has been approved by Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee Project ID: 46969
Dietary interventions for vascular health – free dietitian consultations
We are looking for men and women to help us test different diets to see how they can improve vascular health and gut health.
Who is eligible?
- Men over 45 years old and women post menopause
- Low dietary fibre intake
- Willingness to make changes to your diet
What will the project involve?
- 4 consultations with a dietitian
- Adhering to dietary recommendations for 6 months
- Keeping a food diary for up to 4 days at a time
- 3 testing visits involving answering questionnaires, body composition assessment, vascular function tested via ultrasound, blood pressure, blood test, providing a stool sample (~1 hour each visit)
- Optional at visit 1 and 2: additionally, consuming a meal and having your endothelial function measured every 2 hours for 6 hours (~7 hours for visit 1 and 2).
What are the benefits?
- $100 voucher on completion of the shorter visits, additional $100 voucher on completion of the extended visits (total $200)
- 4 consultations with a dietitian aimed at improving vascular health
- Body composition assessment results at study completion
Interested?
Register your interest or email Nina Trinquet at Nina.Trinquet1@monash.edu
This study has been approved by Monash University Human Ethics Committee Project ID: 42726
A novel timed dietary approach to improve health outcomes in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)
We are looking for people with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), and optionally their household partner to participate in our research interview.
Receive a $20 Coles/Myer voucher for your participation.
You may be eligible if you:
- Are over 18 years of age
- Have been prescribed with CPAP treatment
- Have a BMI in the overweight/obesity range.
- Do not have any other sleep or breathing condition besides OSA
Your partner may also be eligible if they are living in the same household as you.
What’s involved:
- Complete short questionnaires
- Attend a 30-60 min interview (Online via zoom/in-person at the BASE Facility, Notting Hill)
- Share your experiences about your lifestyle and health condition, and your opinions towards time-restricted eating (TRE) as a lifestyle intervention to help improve your health outcomes in conjunction with standard care.
- Invite your partner along to share their thoughts as well (if applicable)
Click here to complete the screening questionnaire and register your interest to participate.
For more information, please contact Yining (yi.yong1@monash.edu) or Boyce (bmaa0017@student.monash.edu)
This study has been approved by the Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee ID 42421.
Discover the Power of Plants: Exploring Natural Solutions for Appetite Control
We are looking for healthy adults to participate in a study investigating the satiety-prolonging and appetite-reducing effects of various plant extracts.
Who is eligible?
Adults aged 18 and over with a BMI above 25 kg/m², who have no dietary restrictions or food intolerances, and who are not pregnant or breastfeeding, are eligible to participate in this study.
What is involved?
Participants will be required to attend our facility on six separate occasions:
- Screening Visit: Measurement of height, weight, BMI, and a detailed explanation of the project.
- Visits 2-6: Participants will receive breakfast and lunch and complete several questionnaires throughout each visit, which will last approximately six hours. Using a laptop etc. during the study visit is allowed. A 24-hour food recall is requested after each visit.
What are the benefits?
By participating in this study, individuals will:
- Receive five full days of meals, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Gain insights into how different natural ingredients affect appetite
- Receive a $100 gift voucher as a token of appreciation
This study is approved by the Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee (Project ID: 42236)
If you are interested in participating, please complete the study questionnaire
For more information, please email Woon Yao Chai at woon.chai@monash.edu
Nut supplementation to mitigate post-stroke cognitive decline (NUT-me): a pilot study
This study from Monash University is looking for stroke survivors to examine if eating nuts regularly reduces post-stroke cognitive decline and dementia.
The research will involve you eating a mix of nuts for 90 days and attending the Be Active Sleep Eat (BASE) facility in Notting Hill, Melbourne, on four occasions to complete a few questionnaires and a series of cognitive tests.
The findings from the study will help in identifying nuts as a feasible strategy to mitigate post-stroke cognitive impairment.
You may be eligible if you:
- had a stroke in the past 6 months
- are over 18 years of age
- do not have an allergy to nuts
- do not consume nuts more than twice a week
- do not have chewing or swallowing issues
- do not have dementia
If you would like further information about the study, or would be interested in participating, please complete the screening questionnaire, or contact Dr Barbara Cardoso via email Barbara.Cardoso@monash.edu
This study has been approved by the Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee ID 37746.