Research Centre: Austin Health, University of Melbourne
Location: Heidelberg VIC 3084, Australia
Lead Researcher: Professor Richard Kanaan
HREC: This study has been reviewed and approved by the Austin Health Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC/94244/Austin-2023)

Feeling overwhelmed by Debilitating Symptom Complexes Attributed to Ticks (DSCATT)? Austin Health is offering a new clinical trial to help. This program combines psychological therapy with your current care, providing practical strategies for managing symptoms and improving well-being.

The aim is to see if this approach can truly make a difference in managing the challenges of DSCATT. By joining this study, individuals may discover new ways to cope and enhance their quality of life.

Interested? See if you qualify for this study!

• This program combines psychological therapy with your current care, providing practical strategies for managing symptoms and improving well-being for people with DSCATT.
• Participants will be randomly allocated to either the treatment or a waiting list; those who are allocated to the waiting list will be offered the treatment after the waitlist period.
• Participants may experience improvements in their DSCATT symptoms.
• Participants will be contributing valuable information that may benefit those with DSCATT in the future.
• Participants will be helping to advance medical research.

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

• Men and women aged 18 and above who are struggling with Debilitating Symptom Complexes Attributed to Ticks (DSCATT)
• Must have observed a tick bite on them, or have had a blood test which shows evidence of a tick bite in the past
• Must have access to telehealth facilities (with a video/camera set up) or the ability to attend Austin Hospital in Melbourne
• Must be able to communicate in English fluently
• Must be able to attend 16 online or in-person research sessions for approximately 20 weeks

The study team will explain the research in its entirety but some details are:

• Participants will be asked to attend a screening appointment with a medical physician, either in person or via Telehealth.
• Participants will be asked to complete online baseline and follow-up questionnaires at weeks 10, 20, and 32, with additional steps based on their assigned group.
• Participants will be asked to either engage in a treatment program with a trial clinician or continue with their usual treatments if in the wait-list control group, with further follow-ups and feedback sessions as specified.