QRC-PVD Clinical Trial - Metformin for Treating Peripheral Artery Disease-Related Walking Impairment (MERIT)
- Future Students
- 番茄社区 Global Experience
- International Students
- Open Day
- How to apply
- Pathways to university
- Virtual Open Day
- Living on Campus
- Courses
- Publications
- Scholarships
- Parents and Partners
- 番茄社区 Heroes Programs
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander in Marine Science
- Elite Athletes
- Defence
- 番茄社区
- New students
- 番茄社区 Orientation
- Learn番茄社区
- Placements
- CEE
- Unicare Centre and Unicampus Kids
- Graduation
- Off-Campus Students
- 番茄社区 Job Ready
- Safety and Wellbeing
- 番茄社区 Prizes
- Professional Experience Placement
- Employability Edge
- Art of Academic Writing
- Art of Academic Editing
- Careers and Employability
- Student Equity and Wellbeing
- Career Ready Plan
- Careers at 番茄社区
- Partners and Community
- 番茄社区-CSIRO Partnership
- Alumni
- About 番茄社区
- Reputation and Experience
- Chancellery
- Governance
- Celebrating 50 Years
- Academy
- Indigenous Engagement
- Education Division
- Graduate Research School
- Research and Teaching
- Research Division
- Research and Innovation Services
- CASE
- College of Business, Law and Governance
- College of Healthcare Sciences
- College of Medicine and Dentistry
- College of Science and Engineering
- CPHMVS
- Anthropological Laboratory for Tropical Audiovisual Research (ALTAR)
- Anton Breinl Research Centre
- Agriculture Technology and Adoption Centre (AgTAC)
- Advanced Analytical Centre
- AMHHEC
- Aquaculture Solutions
- AusAsian Mental Health Research Group
- ARCSTA
- Area 61
- Lions Marine Research Trust
- Australian Tropical Herbarium
- Australian Quantum & Classical Transport Physics Group
- Boating and Diving
- Clinical Psychedelic Research Lab
- Centre for Tropical Biosecurity
- Centre for Tropical Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology
- CITBA
- CMT
- Centre for Disaster Solutions
- CSTFA
- Cyclone Testing Station
- The Centre for Disaster Studies
- Daintree Rainforest Observatory
- Fletcherview
- 番茄社区 Eduquarium
- 番茄社区 Turtle Health Research
- Language and Culture Research Centre
- MARF
- Orpheus
- TESS
- 番茄社区 Ideas Lab
- TARL
- eResearch
- Indigenous Education and Research Centre
- Estate
- Work Health and Safety
- Staff
- Discover Nature at 番茄社区
- Cyber Security Hub
- Association of Australian University Secretaries
- Services and Resources Division
- Environmental Research Complex [ERC]
- Foundation for Australian Literary Studies
- Gender Equity Action and Research
- Give to 番茄社区
- Indigenous Legal Needs Project
- Inherent Requirements
- IsoTropics Geochemistry Lab
- IT Services
- 番茄社区 Webinars
- 番茄社区 Events
- 番茄社区 Motorsports
- 番茄社区 Sport
- Library
- Mabo Decision: 30 years on
- Marine Geophysics Laboratory
- Office of the Vice Chancellor and President
- Outstanding Alumni
- Pharmacy Full Scope
- Planning for your future
- Policy
- PAHL
- Queensland Research Centre for Peripheral Vascular Disease
- Rapid Assessment Unit
- RDIM
- Researcher Development Portal
- Roderick Centre for Australian Literature and Creative Writing
- Contextual Science for Tropical Coastal Ecosystems
- State of the Tropics
- Strategic Procurement
- Student profiles
- SWIRLnet
- TREAD
- TropEco for Staff and Students
- TQ Maths Hub
- TUDLab
- VAVS Home
- WHOCC for Vector-borne & NTDs
- Media
- Copyright and Terms of Use
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine
- Pay review
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is a blockage and narrowing of arteries which leads to poor circulation in the legs. This reduces the ability of patients to undertake walking ability which reduces quality of life. There are no current effective treatments to manage PAD other than surgery. Surgery is the most common way to improve circulation however it is expensive and can have complications.
A number of research studies suggest a drug called Metformin may improve patients' physical activity. The drug is approved by the Australian Therapeutics Goods Administration and is well tolerated and safe for participants who do not have diabetes. Research suggests that Metformin may:
- Encourage new blood vessels to form in the legs
- Improve muscle function, and
- Improve pain tolerance.
Recruitment Status
Currently recruiting
Sites Recruiting
Sites - The Townsville Hospital, Queensland; Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Queensland
Ethics Approval
Human Research Ethics Approval HERC/18/QTHS/159
Participants will be given medications to take however, half of the participants will be taking the real medication (metformin) and half will be taking a dummy medication (placebo). Neither you nor the researchers will know which one you’re taking. The aim of the study will be to see whether there is a change in walking distance after six months of taking the medication.
Taking part in this study will involve completing questionnaires, a physical assessment including physical tests, as well as blood sampling. There will be no costs associated with your participation in the research and this is not a paid research activity.
Initial visit | Health check-up:
| 1-2 hours |
---|---|---|
Second visit | Removal of activity monitor and questionnaires. Medication is dispensed. Start taking medication. | 1-2 hours |
Week 1 | Phone call with research team | 10-15 minutes |
Week 2 | Phone call with research team | 10-15 minutes |
Week 3 | Phone call with research team | 10-15 minutes |
Week 4 | Phone call with research team | 10-15 minutes |
Week 5 | Phone call with research team | 10-15 minutes |
Week 6 | Phone call with research team | 10-15 minutes |
Week 10 | Phone call with research team | 10-15 minutes |
Week 20 | Phone call with research team | 10-15 minutes |
Week 30 | Health check-up:
| 1-2 hours |
Week 31 | Removal of activity monitor and questionnaires. Medication is ceased. | 1-2 hours |
Participant Information Flyer and Consent Forms
Register your interest in participating in this study.