A project led by Macquarie researchers has been awarded a Medical Research Future Fund Clinical Trials Activity grant of nearly $1 million.

The project, titled A comparative effects trial of digital mental healthcare models for adults with epilepsy, will be led by Dr Milena Gandy from the School of Psychological Sciences.

The team includes Macquarie researchers Professor Blake Dear, Professor Nick Titov, Dr Eyal Karin and Professor Henry Cutler, as well as investigators from Monash University, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and the University of Melbourne.

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Pictured: Dr Milena Gandy, School of Psychological Sciences

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The trial will receive $973,195 over five years. It will compare the acceptability and effectiveness of guided versus unguided digital psychological interventions aimed at improving mental health and functional outcomes in adults with epilepsy.

The guided model will deliver the intervention with support from mental health specialists, while the unguided model offers the intervention in a self-directed format.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Sakkie Pretorius, congratulated the research team on its well-deserved success.

“Macquarie has a strong track record not only in providing research and innovation in the online mental health sector, but also in delivering real-world solutions through our award-winning eCentreClinic and MindSpot Clinic,” he said.

“Demand for online mental health services, such as the eCentreClinic and MindSpot, soared during the pandemic and has remained high as people have embraced the accessibility and effectiveness of these tools.

“This new clinical trial will be invaluable in informing the public health potential for targeted models of care such as these, and for online mental health services more widely.”

Partner organisations Epilepsy Action Australia and the Epilepsy Society of Australia will play a key role in raising awareness of the research project through promotion, advertising and engaging with clinicians and patients.