HDR Scholarship - Persistent Pelvic Pain

Location

Melbourne Burwood Campus

Research topic

Persistent pelvic pain (PPS) encompasses several common conditions of the brain-pelvis connection, including endometriosis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), impacting 10-20% of Australians and costing up to $22 billion annually. Effective treatment is lacking, and PPS is associated with poor quality of life (QoL), and psychological and sexual ill health.

Hypnotherapy is one of the most promising therapies for IBS and has shown preliminary efficacy for PPS in our pilot studies, in the gynaecological and gastrointestinal pelvic pain context. However, its efficacy has not been established in large-scale trials with PPS populations. Consistent with the goals of the National Action Plan for Pain Management to minimize pain burden, promote interdisciplinary care and less invasive treatments, in the REST (Randomized E-Hypnotherapy for Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome Trail) trial we will examine the efficacy of online recorded hypnotherapy (e-Hypnotherapy) on pain, mental health and examine its cost-effectiveness.

Project aim

The present doctoral project will contribute to the REST trial. The student will need to propose a research question relevant to the main study that includes qualitative research methods, and thus, prior experience with qualitative data is desirable. One part of the student’s project, for example, might involve understanding the lived experience of people with PPP who have undergone the trial.

Important dates

Applications close 5pm, Friday 1 November 2024

Benefits

This scholarship is available over 3 years.

Stipend of $34,400 per annum tax exempt (2024 rate)
Relocation allowance of $500-1500 (for single to family) for students moving from interstate
International students only: Tuition fees offset for the duration of 4 years. Single Overseas Student Health Cover policy for the duration of the student visa.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible you must:

be a domestic or international candidate. Domestic includes candidates with Australian Citizenship, Australian Permanent Residency or New Zealand Citizenship.
meet Deakin's PhD entry requirements
be enrolling full time and hold an honours degree (first class) or an equivalent standard master's degree with a substantial research component.

Please refer to the research degree entry pathways page for further information.

How to apply

Please email a CV and cover letter to A/Prof Subhadra Evans. The CV should highlight your skills, education, publications and relevant work experience. If you are successful you will then be invited to submit a formal application.