Tom Bailey

The ACUMEN study

Investgating the effects of exercise on health related quality of life in women following treatment for gynaecological cancer.

PhD opportunity in Psycho-Oncology and Physical Activity

The successful applicant will explore subjective quality of life and components of objectively measured physical activity of the MRFF-funded project Enhancing treatment outcomes after gynaecological cancer: Using exercise to promote health after cancer therapy (the ACUMEN trial). A synopsis of the project follows. Exercise is a potent aid to recovery after reproductive cancer treatment. Exercise has been effectively used in breast and other common cancers to reduce women’s risk of developing treatment-related chronic conditions. However, there is little education and support to help women treated for reproductive cancers to safely and sustainably integrate exercise into their daily routine following treatment. This disparity has created an unmet need. Approximately 20,000 Australian women treated for reproductive cancer have developed, or are at risk of developing, detrimental treatment outcomes.

The ACUMEN trial addresses this critical unmet health need. ACUMEN has two components. 1. Study 1 is a randomised control trial of a targeted exercise and behavioural change intervention for women previously treated for reproductive cancers. Outcome measures include quality of life, exercise self-efficacy and several physiological measures (e.g VO2peak, blood markers of chronic disease risk). 2. Study 2 is a complementary mixed-method exploration of how best to facilitate the implementation of exercise into clinical practice after cancer treatment. Outcomes include quantitative and qualitative indications of intervention acceptability, appropriateness, feasibility, clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness. The Role The successful applicants will collect quality of life and physical activity data and examine outcomes commensurate with their disciplinary knowledge and skills. PhD advisors will be drawn from team members with the disciplinary expertise aligned to the candidate’s needs.

They include: 1. Professor Alexandra McCarthy (https://nmsw.uq.edu.au/profile/2938/sandie-mccarthy) 2. Associate Professor Asad Khan (https://researchers.uq.edu.au/researcher/1742) 3. Dr Tom Bailey (https://researchers.uq.edu.au/researcher/19574) 4. Dr Sjaan Gomersall (https://researchers.uq.edu.au/researcher/7683)

These PhD opportunities would suit people with a background in one of the following: PE teachers, physios, psychology, occupational therapy, sport and exercise physiology including AEP, epidemiology, or public health. Scholarship funding: The proposed supervisors will work with the applicant to submit an application for an RTP scholarship. Students will be awarded either an Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship or a UQ-funded scholarship via a competitive process. Both of these provide a living allowance and a tuition fee offset. For international applicants who will study in Australia on a student visa, the scholarship also includes an allowance for single overseas student health cover. These scholarships are usually awarded through the Graduate School's Scholarship Rounds.

Applications open 30 august 2021 and close on the 27th September 2021. If successful, the applicant would be expected to start in RQ1 in 2022.

For more information or an informal chat please contact tom.bailey@uq.edu.au in the first instance