Please note: This trial has finished recruiting and is not accepting new participants.

Research Centre: Royal Park Hospital Campus (Parkville)
Location: 34-54 Poplar Rd, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia
Lead Researchers: Dr. Rahul Khanna, FRANZCP, MPsych, MBBS, BA; Professor Meaghan O’Donnell
IRB Committee: This study has been reviewed and approved by Department of Defence and Veterans’ Affairs Human research Ethics Committee (DDVA HREC #251-20)

Background

Despite years of research, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) continues to be a challenging condition to diagnose and treat. This may be due to how a diagnosis is made, which relies entirely on the specialists asking questions to patients.

This research study aims to see if a computer program can diagnose PTSD using more objective information. Instead of focusing on questions and answers, the program will involve using video footage, voice recordings, and eye movements that are monitored while a person is  completing a series of tasks as its main information source. This kind of information may be closer to the nature of the condition and does not depend on someone’s memory on the day.

Interested participants must be between the ages of 18 to 65. Participants must be able to attend 1 visit day and 4 days of answering questions on a smartphone app.  

Why Participate? 

• You may be able to get help in identifying undiagnosed illnesses. 
• You will be informed on potential support and treatment options available for trauma related illnesses.
• You will be compensated up to $150 (voucher) for participating in this study.
• You may be helping others with PTSD and trauma related illnesses in the future.
• You will contribute valuable information that may help advance studies on trauma related illness as well as further research on mental health. 

Your Rights

• If you decide to participate in the study and later feel that you no longer wish to be part of it, you may withdraw at any time.
• Your records relating to this study and any other information received will be kept strictly confidential, except as required by the law.
• Qualified health professionals will monitor your health as it relates to the study.

Who Can Participate?

• Men and women aged 18 to 65 years old.
• Must NOT already be diagnosed with PTSD.
• Must be either of the following:
  • Former member of the Australian Defense Force
  • Current or former police officer
• Able to attend 1 study visit at the research site and 4 days of micro-surveys via a smartphone app.

Please note:
Due to the current situation with COVID-19 pandemic, the study team would like to point out the following:

• The research site does not treat COVID-19 patients and/or suspected COVID-19 patients.
• The research site’s waiting area is spacious enough that participants will not be within close proximity to each other.
• Hand sanitisers are available at the research site. The research room is sanitised after each participant.
• The research staff adheres to strict hygienic practices as well as other safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 
• Any staff suspected to have COVID-19, or has come into contact with someone who has COVID-19, will automatically undergo a voluntary quarantine for 14 days.
• Interested participants will not be left waiting for a long period of time and will be quickly attended to. 
• Parking is available at the research site.
• The study team encourages the use of personal vehicles, taxi or rideshare services rather than public transit. 
• The research site/institution is taking all precautionary measures to ensure the safety of the study participants.