Current research projects

A team of leading Australian and New Zealand health researchers are undertaking this study to pilot a lifestyle intervention, the Younger Women’s Wellness after Cancer Program, in Australian women. This program aims to improve health and wellness in younger women after treatment for cancer. Find out more information here.

Research has revealed that certain lifestyle factors and health behaviours can have a positive impact on quality of life, chronic disease factors and other health related conditions for women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

This study is led By Professor Debra Anderson with PhD student Gayatri Marwah (pictured). The 12-week program that Gayatri is working on aims to promote wellness among young women who are studying at University and suffer from PMS.

Gayatri is a PhD candidate at Griffith University working on a multi-modal behavioural program for management of Premenstrual Syndrome and functional health and wellbeing in University students under the supervision of Prof. Debra Anderson, Dr Charrlotte Seib, and Dr Katina Corones-Watkins. Gayatri has completed her degree in Master of Public health through Griffith University.

Gayatri is an Ayurvedic Doctor (ancient Indian medicine) and has practiced in Brisbane for the past four years. She completed her Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery in India and has since been working in a clinical environment. She is also a registered yoga and meditation teacher.

Her publications include, Effects of Probiotics on Necrotizing Enterocolitis, Sepsis, Intraventricular Hemorrhage, Mortality, Length of Hospital Stay, and Weight Gain in Very Preterm Infants: A Meta-Analysis.

This study is currently recruiting participants.

Being diagnosed and treated for gynaecological cancer is a major life stressor and is often associated with a range of psychological and physical challenges. Timely and evidence-based intervention is important to assist women to respond effectively to these challenges.

The Entwine Project provides a framework for health care professionals to assist in identifying and responding to distress in women with gynaecological cancer. It brings together the literature on psychological responses to cancer; the main sources of distress reported by women with gnaecological cancer with an emphasis on sexuality concerns; the importance of screening for distress; effective psychological interventions for women with gynaecological cancer; and a tiered model of care to help direct a focused and well-targeted response.

Led By Dr Charrlotte Seib (pictured) and her team, this unique research is using a gnaecological distress screening tool to help health care professionals clearly identify and support women who are experiencing gynaecological cancer related stressors. This research program is being trialed in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast.

This study is examining the feasibility of targeted exercise prescribed by exercise physiologists during cancer treatment for men and women. For completion December 2021. This study is being funded by the QLD Office of Health and Medical Research, Nursing and Midwifery Implementation Grant.

We are currently looking for participants from the Brisbane area only.

This study is looking at promoting younger women’s wellness after breast cancer treatment, particularly in New Zealand women of European origin. This research project is being undertaken in New Zealand for completion in August 2022. Kōwhai is currently closed to further expressions of interest but if you are interested in finding out more about The Kōwhai Study, see this page for further information. This study is being funded by the Health Research Council New Zealand.

This study is feasibility testing a Māori-specific intervention designed to enhance younger Māori women’s wellness after breast cancer treatment in a culturally-safe way. This is being undertaken in New Zealand. Kōwhai is currently closed to further expressions of interest but if you are interested in finding out more about The Kōwhai Study, see this page for further information. Funded by University of Auckland PBRF fund.

*The name of this programme refers to Māori women standing in wellness.

This study is led by principal investigator, Professor Sandie McCarthy (pictured), from the UQ School of Nursing Midwifery and Social Work and Mater Research Institute, University of Queensland.

Recruitment opened in January 2021, throughout southeast Queensland. For further information about this program visit www.acumenstudy.org.au

Our evidence-based wellness programs have been developed by a team of researchers from around the world, in collaboration with real women. Our 12-week programs are designed to support women on their wellbeing journey.

Our programs focus on all the elements that contribute to a woman’s wellbeing, including managing stress and anxiety, sleeping well and supportive strategies around hormonal changes from before pregnancy through to post menopause stages.

In partnership with clinical organisations, our health practitioners are trained to guide women through every step of the process, giving them daily and weekly focus points to support the gradual inclusion of healthy lifestyle habits into their lives.

The programs are delivered in a number of formats to suit various needs, with the option of online, face-to-face and individual or group programs.

Dawn Complete Health and Wellbeing is currently delivering the following programs:

• Younger Women’s Wellness After Cancer Program
• Younger Women’s Wellness Program
• Pasifika Women’s Diabetes Wellness Programs
• Women’s Wellness Program
• Women’s Wellness After Cancer Program
• Women’s Wellness with Type 2 Diabetes Program

For more information about these programs visit dawncomplete.org.au