Broad/Any

The relationship between experimental cold-pain and cognitive processing

Primary Supervisor: Dr Peter Micalos
Co-Supervisor:
Location: Port Macquarie
Keywords: physiology, neuroscience, pain, cognition
Type of Project: Quantitative
Project availability:

Introduction A bi-directional relationship exists between cognition and pain. The cold pressor test is a procedure that elicits pain while the hand is submerged in a cold-water bath. Modifications of the cold-pressor test can be applied in experimental pain research to investigate the effects on cognition.

Aim The hypothesis is that the application of a cognitive task (basic mathematics test) will affect the pain responses during the cold-pressure test. A secondary hypothesis is that the experimental pain will inhibit cognitive processing during the cold-pressor test.

https://nuighealthpsychology.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/cold-pressor.png

Research design This Honours research will be required to be conducted at the Port Macquarie campus. The study involves recruitment, assessment, and testing of healthy participants during the performance of a cognitive task while undergoing a cold pressure test procedure. Human research ethics application and approval will be necessary for this study. Variations to this research include the application of virtual reality and the effects of listening to music while undergoing the cold-pressor test.

Interested? Start the conversation here by contacting Dr Peter Micalos

Learning Anatomy Differently: Innovative Approaches to Support Neurodivergent Students

Primary Supervisor: Dr Claudia M. Diaz
Co-Supervisor: Dr Adam Brett
Location: All campuses/Online, Albury
Keywords: innovation, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD,
Tourette’s, dyslexia, cPTSD, OCD
Type of Project: Quantitative and qualitative
Project availability: Until December, 2026

Australian Universities are currently attracting large and extremely diverse student populations, including an increase in neurodivergent students. Neurodivergent individuals have brain functioning and processing styles that are different from what is considered typical or neurotypical. Neurodivergence includes a variety of divergences in the brain which includes, but is not limited to, Autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, Tourette’s, dyslexia, dyspraxia, auditory processing disorder, cPTSD, OCD and sensory processing disorder. It is estimated that 15-20% of the world’s population is neurodivergent. In Australia it is estimated that 15-20% of students, 11% of Australian employees are neurodivergent. In Australia neurodivergent people are not as likely to attend university compared to neurotypical people and they face many challenges such as sensory overload, social and emotional challenges, academic difficulties and often a lack of appropriate support.

This research project aims to investigate the experiences and perceptions of neurodivergent students using innovative approaches to learn anatomy, including assessment, in several subjects using surveys (quantitative), focus groups and interviews (qualitative). Furthermore, we will explore approaches to enhance the peer interactions between neurodivergent and neurotypical students for better recognition and understanding of neurodivergence to help create a more inclusive learning environment and support systems for these individuals. This project will promote acceptance and understanding of neurological differences that are not necessarily deficits, and that may present as strengths using these different ways of learning.

Interested? Start the conversation here by contacting Dr Claudia M. Diaz

Micronutrient Deficiency during the Metal Period Philippines

Primary Supervisor: Dr Melandri Vlok
Location: Orange
Keywords: bioarchaeology, nutritional disease

Project availability: Semester 30, 2026, Semester 60, 2026, Semester 30, 2027

Synopsis:

In 2025, an individual with disability from the Metal Period in the Philippines (~2000 years ago) was identified to have suffered from scurvy. This project aims to assess whether scurvy was unique to this individual’s circumstances or whether the condition was ubiquitous in the community. The project will involve paleopathological diagnosis and assessment of the impacts of mortality related to the disease in a cemetery sample.

Interested? Start the conversation here by contacting Dr Melandri Vlok mvlok@csu.edu.au

Measuring the utilisation of complementary medicine – A preliminary study

Primary Supervisor: A/Prof Sokcheon Pak
Location: All campuses/Online
Keywords: Complementary medicine; Questionnaire; Validity; Reliability
Project availability: Available currently

Synopsis:

Complementary medicine (CM) refers to a broad range of health practices and therapies that are not part of conventional medicine and are not fully integrated into the dominant healthcare system. The use of CM is high in Australia. Evidence suggests that CM usage can influence a patient’s response to subjective symptoms such as anxiety, pain, and fatigue, as well as outcomes related to emotional and physical functioning and quality of life during illness.

Currently, the most widely used questionnaire for measuring CM use is the International Complementary and Alternative Medicine Questionnaire (I-CAM-Q), which was developed by an international workgroup of CM researchers and practitioners in 2006. A key strength of I-CAM-Q is its suitability for cross-cultural adaptations. However, I-CAM-Q is primarily designed for population-based cross-sectional studies and does not provide a scale or scoring mechanism to quantify individual CAM usage. Additionally, I-CAM-Q has been criticised as unsuitable for non-CM users, as they tend to leave the questionnaire blank or generate high rates of missing data.

To complement I-CAM-Q, the Complementary Medicine Utilisation Scales (CMUS) was developed as a self-administered instrument that provides measurable scales for use in clinical practice and research to assess and quantify CM use and beliefs. CMUS consists of four multi-item scales that measure a respondent’s level of CM utilisation and beliefs: Service (SS), Product (PS), Self-Help (HS), and Belief (BS). These scales assess the frequency of CM use over the past three months, allowing CMUS to track changes in CM usage and beliefs on a quarterly basis. All items use a Likert scale (4-points or 7-points) to gauge the respondent’s level of agreement. A scoring procedure (CMUS Scoring Manual Version 1.0) converts item scores into standardised scale scores, ranging from 0 to 25 for each scale. A higher scale score indicates a greater level of CM utilisation or belief. A global score (GS) for CM utilisation is derived by summing the four scale scores: GS = SS + PS + HS + BS, with a possible range of 0 to 100. Like I-CAM-Q, CMUS is designed with openness for cross-cultural adaptation. Items can be modified or replaced with more culturally relevant therapies or modalities. Optional items allow respondents to specify additional CM therapies or products not covered by the standard items, without affecting the scoring of the scales.

The research question is as follows: Is CMUS a valid and reliable tool for measuring CM use and beliefs? Establishing the validity and reliability of a research instrument is essential for its scientific application. Validity refers to the accuracy of the instrument in measuring what it is intended to measure, whereas reliability indicates the consistency of measurement across repeated trials.

Interested? Start the conversation here by contacting A/Prof Sokcheon Pak

The interplay between hEDS, MCAS, POTS and fibromyalgia

Primary Supervisor: Dr Boris Budiono
Location: All campuses
Keywords: ehlers-danlos syndrome, inflammation, mast cell activation, syndrome, POTS, fibromyalgia
Research Group: Food as Medicine (FAM) Research Group

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is a condition where mast cells inappropriately and excessively release chemical mediators, namely histamine, that result in inflammatory responses and symptoms such as hives or flushing, to anaphylaxis. This project aims to determine the linkages between three distinct syndromes (MCAS, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia (POTS), and fibromyalgia) that are commonly found in certain individuals with connective tissue disorder, hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (hEDS). We will investigate the literature to find current evidence of linkage, and to determine future directions in research in an evidence-based manner.

Interested? Start the conversation here by contacting Dr Boris Budiono

A qualitative study to explore the lived experience of people with hEDS and HSD on tertiary education and the impacts on career advancement.

Primary Supervisor: Dr Boris Budiono
Location: All campuses/Online
Keywords: ehlers-danlos syndrome, qualitative resesarch, disability research, focus groups, tertiary education

People with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) experience barriers to full participation in society due to the significant emotional and physical sequalae of their condition. To date, no studies have examined people with hEDS/HSD’s participation in university education. However, investigations into the lived experience of hEDS/HSD and the academic adjustments needed by people with disability in a university education setting suggest that the university education environment may present unique challenges for people with hEDS/HSD such as lack of professional understanding, social stigma, and the experience of physical and mental restrictions.

This qualitative research project will investigate the perspectives and experiences when accessing and engaging in university education experienced by people with hEDS/HSD. Focus groups will be used to obtain rich data about interactions between the individual, social, physical, and organisational factors that influence the person with hEDS/HSD experience of university education. Reflexive thematic analysis of focus group data will seek to identify the dominant perspectives and experiences of people with hEDS/HDS as the move through the university education system from enrolment to graduation.

Interested? Start the conversation here by contacting Dr Boris Budiono

A Systematic Review of Exercise/Diet in managing symptoms in people with hEDS

Primary Supervisor: Dr Boris Budiono
Location: All campuses/Online
Keywords: systematic review, ehlers-danlos syndrome, exercise, diet

Genetic connective tissue disorders such as hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) are historically difficult to treat due to the lack of understanding in the medical community. This means that it lacks objective diagnostic criteria, and clear treatment or management options. Besides physical exercise, one aspect that is purportedly beneficial to patients is nutrition and dietary supplementation. For example, many patients anecdotally report a gluten-free, FODMAP or avoidance of certain food groups reduce debilitating symptoms. Our research group’s work has shown that 59% patients self-reported food allergies/sensitivities in a 2021 national survey. Furthermore, some report the use of specific supplements that may be of benefit. This project aims to review the current scientific literature in the area, as it is possible that much of the information is anecdotal in nature.

Interested? Start the conversation here by contacting Dr Boris Budiono