Participation
Participating in research can help advance medical research and potentially benefit millions of people who suffer from mood disorders.
Interested in participating?
Why participate with PERL?
- Participating in a study can help advance medical research and potentially benefit millions of people who suffer from mood disorders.
- We aim to improve our understanding of mental health conditions and treatment.
- Most studies examine how medication affects healthy participants in cognitive tasks related to emotional processing, reward and learning.
What would this involve?
- Studies reimburse between £20 (for a short one-off visit) up to £255 (multiple visit study).
- See here for the schedule for a typical longer PERL study visit.
Who are we looking for?
- We are currently recruiting individuals:
- aged 14-65
- healthy, or have experienced persistent low mood in the past or present.
How do I get involved?
- Please use the contact details for the specific study to directly email the relevant researchers.
- To see which studies you may be eligible for, please use the eligibility checker above!
How to find us
FAQs
Click here to see all FAQs
Where do the studies take place?
Most of our research takes place at the Warneford Hospital in Oxford, OX3 7JX.
Can I stop participating mid study?
Yes! You can withdraw from our studies at any time, without explanation.
Why should I participate?
Participating in a study can help advance medical research and potentially benefit millions of people who suffer from mood disorders. You may also have temporary access to new treatments that are not yet available to the general public, and have the opportunity to speak to a medical professional about any symptoms. Finally, most of our studies compensate you for your effort and time.
How is my privacy protected?
Your privacy and confidentiality are protected in all stages of a study. All personal health information is kept confidential and secure, and your identity is never shared publicly without your consent. You will also be informed of the risks and benefits of participating in the trial before you give your informed consent. You will not be identified in any publications that result from a study.
What are the risks of participating?
- Some research studies can involve certain risks, such as potential side effects from the experimental drug, discomfort from testing or procedures, or the possibility that the new treatment may not work for you.
- All of our studies have undergone rigorous ethical approval processes to ensure that risk is minimised. Any potential risks will be explained to you in detail by a researcher and thorough screening processes will eliminate anyone who will be at greater risk.
- Studies with experimental drugs have appropriate medical supervision and 24/7 on-call doctors where necessary.
How much will I be compensated?
Most PERL studies offer compensation for participants, such as reimbursement for travel expenses and stipend for your time and effort. However, compensation is not guaranteed for every study and may vary depending on the study. Studies reimburse between £20 (for a short one-off visit) and up to £255 (for a study including multiple visits).
Can I take part in more than one study at once?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to take part in more than one study simultaneously, however sometimes it is possible to participate in a study after your involvement with another has ended. Please contact the research team of the studies you are interested in to see if this is possible in your case.
Why are certain people ineligible?
If you are found to be ineligible for all of our current studies, please continue to check this website for future projects. Alternatively, please see the Department of Psychiatry website for more participation opportunities.
Want to learn more about us?
Click below to view our page on the Oxford Department of Psychiatry website.
Thank you for your interest!
If you are experiencing low moods or depression and would like advice or support, please read our mental health support page.