Participate in a Research Project
Contribute to our research by taking part in a study.
The following research studies are looking for people. To take part in a study, please contact the research team directly at the provided email address or phone number.
These projects would not be possible without the people who volunteer to take part in the research. Participants gain a useful understanding of how research takes place, and learn something interesting about the field, or themselves. Participation is open to the public.
We often send out emails to our subscription list when a research project is looking for people to take part. Sign up to be on the list.
PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR A CHRONIC LOWER BACK PAIN STUDY
Researchers at Concordia University are looking for participants with chronic lower back pain to take part in a 12-week exercise intervention research study. This project will evaluate the effects of two different exercise programs on the spine musculature, pain, and level of disability.
To participate in this study, you must:
- Be between 18 and 60 years old
- Have had lower back pain for at least 3 months
- Currently seeking care for lower back pain
- Speak English or French
- Be able to participate in an exercise program
- Not currently engaged in sports or fitness training for your back muscles
- Have no previous spinal surgery or fractures
- Have no spinal deformities (e.g. scoliosis)
- Have no history of neurological disorders or neurological involvement
- Not be pregnant or breastfeeding
- Not be claustrophobic
Your participation would consist of:
- 2 supervised exercise sessions per week for 12 weeks
- 3 MRI examinations of your spine
- 3 ultrasound examinations of your spine
- 3 muscle strength tests of your back musculature
*All tests/evaluations included in this study are free of charge and all activities will take place at the PERFORM Centre.
If you are interested in this study or need more information please contact: maryse.fortin@concordia.ca
Annonce publicitaire approuvée le 5 juin 2020 par le Comité central d’éthique de la recherche du ministre de la Santé et des Services sociaux dans le cadre du projet CCER 19-20 – 09.
Exploring Older Adults’ Perspectives on Participating in Online Music Experiences
The purpose of this pilot study is to understand older adults’ perspectives on aesthetic, relational, and technological components of online group music activities.
To participate in this study you must:
- Be 65 years of age or older
- Have access to a computer/tablet and a reliable internet connection
- Be able to navigate your own participation in online zoom meetings with minimal assistance.
- Provide informed consent for your own participation in this research project
Participants will complete a short demographic questionnaire about their overarching music preferences. They will then attend four 1.5-2 hour online group music sessions held over a 4-6 week period via Concordia University’s secure Zoom platform. These sessions will involve various active and receptive music activities. After each online music session, participants will complete a survey (written or oral according to preference) to give feedback about the music experiences presented that day. Within three weeks of the final online music session, each participant will meet individually with the researcher for a 30-45 minute interview to discuss their overall experience of the online music groups.
No previous musical knowledge or experience is required to participate in this study.
Although the online group music sessions are NOT music therapy sessions (i.e., there will be no systematic process of intervention to purposefully promote participants’ health or wellbeing), the results of this study will be used to help design parameters for quality online music experiences to be applied in future music therapy practice and research as well as in other interactive online music making contexts.
Please contact the Principal Investigator Dr. Laurel Young (laurel.young@concordia.ca) if you are potentially interested in participating in this project.
This project has received approval from Concordia University’s Human Research Ethics Committee (certification #30014947).
Be part of an Exciting New Research Study about Virtual Group Drama Therapy for Depression
If you are between the ages of 18 – 60 and you have a documented depression diagnosis, you are eligible to take part in a study that uses drama therapy for treatment.
- 10 weekly group therapy sessions will be facilitated by a registered drama therapist. This will take place virtually, on Zoom or another similar platform.
- Participants will be asked to fill out a depression survey (21 questions), have saliva samples taken, have 2 brain scans done (fMRI), and fill out an open-ended questionnaire about their experience.
- All participation is voluntary and withdrawal may happen at any time.
Participants will further scientific inquiry of the creative arts therapies.
Individuals with metal in their body (that is not removeable), who suffer from claustrophobia, and/or pregnant women will not be able to take part in the study.
IMPORTANT: The surveys and saliva samples will be taken remotely by participants in their homes, the only measure which requires in-person participation is the brain scan. All participants will book individual time slots and be given PPE. More information about health and safety protocols will be available.
For further information, questions, or interested candidates please contact olivia.morson@gmail.com
PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR A PILOT STUDY OF EXERCISE AND SLEEP ON MEMORY
Researcher: Thanh Dang-Vu, MD, PhD & Melodee Mograss, PhD
Are you an average (8-9hr/night) sleeper?
Participation in this study involves:
- Completion of cognitive tasks
- A brief high, intense exercise session
- Filling out a sleep diary
- Monetary compensation
We are seeking participants who meet the following criteria:
- Between 18 and 35 years old
- Not using medication that affects sleep
- No diagnosed sleep disorders, chronic illness or mental health disorder
- No regular night-shift work or recent travel across time-zones
- Moderate intensity exercise (3 times/ week or less)
If you are interested in this study, please send an e-mail to: ExSlpRestriction@gmail.com
Participate in a Research Study
Play the Pain: A Study of Healing by Creativity
We invite adults over the age of 18 to join our research team to evaluate a digital health platform (App) for studying the impact of creativity on chronic pain.
Participation is open to caregivers, patients, clinicians, and researchers.
For more information, please visit: https://media-health.ca/pdp-join-us
Please contact the principle investigator, Dr Najmeh Khalili-Mahani for further information:
email: media.health@concordia.ca
phone: 514-848-2424 x 5370
Coping with COVID-19 Stress Through Screens:
One Year later
Last year (April 2020), we launched a brief survey to find out what media technologies would be helpful for coping with COVID-19 stress. We invite you to please take this survey (again) to tell what has changed in one year.
Take the survey: www.surveymonkey.com/r/MediaCovid19
You can read about the results from last year in the Open-Access Journal of Medical Internet Research (https://www.jmir.org/2020/8/e20186/).
For more information, please visit media-health.ca, or email: media.health@concordia.ca.
COVID-19 preventive lockdown: A study on changes imparted on sleep and activity patterns among humans.
We are seeking participants for a research project called "COVID-19 preventive lockdown: A study on changes imparted on sleep and activity patterns among humans."
Conducted by Dr. Peter Darlington from Concordia University. The purpose of the research is to understand how the stay-at-home orders during COVID-19 virus pandemic affected sleeping behaviour. To participate, go to the following link online:
Take the Survey: English | French
On the link, you will be presented with a consent form, if you accept, then you will be asked eligibility questions. If you consent and are eligible, you will be presented with the survey questions.
The survey will assess your sleeping amounts, sleeping habits, physical activity, screen time and mood before and during the pandemic lockdown. This will help us to be more equipped to implement an approach to combat health issues which may emerge during and after social confinements due to viral pandemics.
There is compensation for the study, including 0.5 credits in the participant pool from psychology department, or entry into a raffle for a $20 gift card. It will take approximately 30 minutes to complete.
The possible risks are described in the consent form.
Please contact Peter Darlington at: peter.darlington@concordia.ca if you want to know more or have any questions about participating.
PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR AN INSOMNIA TREATMENT STUDY
Do you suffer from insomnia?
Concordia University Researchers are conducting a study evaluating the impact of a non-pharmacological treatment for insomnia on health.
Individuals suffering from insomnia at least 3 times per week for at least 3 months are eligible.
Participation in this study will include:
- A free individual therapy program comprising 8 sessions over 3 months
- Three overnight sleep recordings in our sleep lab
- Two MRI sessions at the PERFORM Centre
- Completion of cognitive tests after sleep
We are seeking adult participants who meet the following criteria:
- Between 25 and 65 years old
- Not using medication that affects sleep
- No diagnosed sleep disorders (e.g., sleep apnea)
- Absence of chronic illness, neurological disorder, or mental health disorder
- No history of brain hemorrhage, brain tumour, or brain surgery
- No regular night-shift work or recent travel across several time-zones
- No regular alcohol or substance use
- No contraindication to MRI
If you are interested in this study, please call us:
(514) 848-2424, ext. 2284
or send an e-mail to: insomnia.concordia@gmail.com
Researchers: Thanh Dang-Vu, MD, PhD & Jean-Philippe Gouin, PhD
PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR STUDY EXAMINING SLEEP AND MEMORY (AGE 55-85 YEARS)
Researcher: Thanh Dang-Vu, MD, PhD
Do you consider yourself a GOOD SLEEPER?
Researchers at Concordia University are conducting a study to better understand the role of brain activity during sleep in the formation of new memories, among adults who identify as good sleepers.
Participation in this study will include:
- Monetary compensation for full study completion
- Three 12-hour overnight visits to our Concordia University (Loyola campus) sleep lab, in a private bedroom, with non-invasive measures of brain activity during sleep
- Completion of memory tests before and after sleep on the 2nd and 3rd overnight recording visits
To be considered for this study, we are seeking participants who meet the following criteria:
1. Between 55 and 85 years old
2. No sleep medication
3. No diagnosed sleep disorders, chronic illness or mental health disorder
4. No regular night-shift work or recent travel across several time-zones
5. No excessive alcohol or substance use (including cannabis)
6. Must be a fluent/native speaker of French and/or English
If you are interested in participating or learning more about our study, please contact us by email, or consult our website:
PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR STUDY EXAMINING SLEEP AND MEMORY (AGE 18-30 YEARS)
Researcher: Thanh Dang-Vu, MD, PhD
Do you consider yourself a GOOD SLEEPER?
Researchers at Concordia University are conducting a study to better understand the role of brain activity during sleep in the formation of new memories, among adults who identify as good sleepers.
Participation in this study will include:
- Monetary compensation for full study completion
- Three 12-hour overnight visits to our Concordia University (Loyola campus) sleep lab, in a private bedroom, with non-invasive measures of brain activity during sleep
- Completion of memory tests before and after sleep on the 2nd and 3rd overnight recording visits
To be considered for this study, we are seeking participants who meet the following criteria:
1. Between 18 and 30 years old
2. No sleep medication
3. No diagnosed sleep disorders, chronic illness or mental health disorder
4. No regular night-shift work or recent travel across several time-zones
5. No excessive alcohol or substance use (including cannabis)
6. Must be a fluent/native speaker of French and/or English
If you are interested in participating or learning more about our study, please contact us by email, or consult our website:
PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR A STUDY ON COUPLES' BEHAVIORS AND EATING AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY HABITS
Researcher: Jean-Philippe Gouin, PhD
Researchers at Concordia University are conducting 30-minute interviews through videoconference to examine the associations between different types of couples’ behaviors and change in eating and physical activity behaviors. We are looking for individuals or couples that are currently trying to change their lifestyle or maintain a healthy lifestyle.
We are seeking adult participants who meet the following criteria:
- 18 years old or more
- Currently in a romantic relationship
- Cohabitating (living with) your romantic partner for at least 6 months
- You or your partner are actively trying to adopt or maintain a healthier lifestyle
If you would like to learn more about the study, please contact us by email at couples.concordia@gmail.com.
We are looking for older couples who wants to have a healthy lifestyle despite COVID-19
This study aims to compare two different methods of online interventions to change eating and physical activity habits
What’s Involved? You and your partner will participate in 10 sessions over a 4 month period.
All sessions will occur online.
You can participate if both your partner and you are:
- Overweight
- Between the ages of 50 - 75 years and in good health
- Are able to do physical activity
- Not following a medically prescribed diet
Contact us today:
(514) 848 2424 EXT. 2206
couples.concordia@gmail.com
Cette étude sera également menée en français.
CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR HEALTH?
FIND OUT HOW NUTRITION AFFECTS YOUR
BODY AND BRAIN HEALTH!

IF YOU ARE 30-75 YEARS OF AGE AND
NOT ON HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY
PARTICIPATE IN A RESEARCH STUDY ABOUT
NUTRITION-RELATED HEALTH ISSUES
$200 Compensation
Call: 514-848-2424 x 4451
Email: brainbodystudy@gmail.com
Have you been diagnosed with sleep apnea and suffer from difficulty falling or staying asleep at night?
Concordia University Researchers are looking for participants for a study evaluating the impact of a new treatment combining behavioural therapy and an exercise training program for individuals suffering from both sleep apnea and insomnia.
Participation in this study involves*:
- Comprehensive sleep evaluations
- Comprehensive fitness evaluations
- A free exercise training intervention for 16 weeks OR a free behavioural therapy combined with exercise training for 8 weeks
* All interventions and evaluations in the context of this study are free.
People who are under 18 years old, who have diabetes, heart disease, doing shift work, or already exercising more than one hour per week are not eligible.
If you are interested in this study, please call us at 514-848-2424, ext. 2284 OR send an e-mail to: apnea.concordia@gmail.com.
PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR ON THE COGNITIVE EFFECTS OF LEARNING A NEW LANGUAGE

What is the research about?
This project aims to study cognitive effects of learning a new language on healthy aging.
Who can participate?
- Men and women,
- Aged between 60 and 70 years old,
- Speak only English: Cannot function in any other language
- Motivated to learn a language
- Normal or corrected vision and hearing
- Don’t suffer from memory problems or learning disabilities
- No depression
- No neurological disorders
What will I do as a participant?: You can participate in this research project as a member of two groups of participants;
Group 1: Healthy seniors who will learn a language and report for neuropsychological evaluations, and two fMRI scanning sessions
- Additional Criteria: Not Claustrophobic
Group 2: Healthy seniors who will report for neuropsychological evaluations. No neuroimaging sessions.
- You will be tested at 2 time points over 4 months
- You will receive access to a computerized program to learn a language of your choice (out of a list) for a period of one year.
- You will receive technical support to solve problems from a graduate student
What are the tests? The tests will evaluate:
- Your neuropsychological (mental) health: attention, memory, learning and decision making,
- Your language proficiency in any other second language
- Your life style routines
- Your brain structure and function if you are in Group 1 (using an fMRI scanner)
How many times will I be tested?
- Before training (Time 0),
- After 4 months (Time 1),
How long will each visit take? The study requires the participants to report 2 times over 4 months; each time will include
- 2 hours behavioral testing
- 1 hour fMRI scanning,
What will I do between the two test sessions? Every day for 1 hour 30 minutes (can be spread out throughout the day), you will practice a new language by following the instructions on Roseta Stone.
Please contact us at LCLab@unk.edu if you have a question or would like to participate in this project.
Annonce publicitaire approuvée le 3 mai 2019 par le Comité central d’éthique de la recherche du ministre de la Santé et des Services sociaux dans le cadre du projet CCER 18-19 – 17.
Concordia researchers are conducting a study on motor, cognitive, and sensory functioning in healthy adults in Montreal
To get involved, you must be:
- Aged 45-60 OR 65-80
- Have either normal hearing OR age-related hearing loss requiring a hearing aid (minimum of 6-months experience)
- A fluent speaker and reader in either English or French
- Free of neurological, cardiovascular, orthopaedic, and musculoskeletal conditions that affect mobility, concentration, or everyday functioning
- Able to come to Concordia University's Loyola Campus in NDG for two assessment sessions
A compensation of $60 will be given for your efforts.
If interested, please contact the Li Lab for more details:
514-848-2424 extension 2247; karenlilab@gmail.com
PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR AN INSOMNIA TREATMENT STUDY
Researchers: Thanh Dang-Vu, MD, PhD, & Jean-Philippe Gouin, PhD
Are you worried about the impact of your insomnia on your mood, your brain, and your health?
Concordia University Researchers are conducting a study evaluating the impact of a non-pharmacological treatment for insomnia on health.
Individuals suffering from insomnia at least 3 times per week for at least 3 months are eligible.
Participation in this study will include:
- A free individual therapy program comprising 8 sessions over 3 months
- Two MRI sessions
- Three overnight sleep recordings in our sleep lab
- Completion of cognitive tests after sleep
We are seeking adult participants who meet the following criteria:
- Between 25 and 65 years old
- Not using medication that affects sleep
- No diagnosed sleep disorders (e.g., sleep apnea)
- Absence of chronic illness, neurological disorder, or mental health disorder
- No history of brain hemorrhage, brain tumour, or brain surgery
- No regular night-shift work or recent travel across several time-zones
- No regular alcohol or substance use
- No contraindication to MRI
If you are interested in this study, please call us:
514-848-2424, ext. 2284
or send an e-mail to: insomnia.concordia@gmail.com
Annonce publicitaire approuvée le 29 mai 2019 par le Comité central d’éthique de la recherche du ministre de la Santé et des Services sociaux dans le cadre du projet CCER 19-20 – 04
PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR A RESEARCH STUDY ON BRAIN ENERGY METABOLISM DURING EXERCISE

We’re looking for participants to take part in a research project to measure brain glucose (sugar) utilization and brain lactate concentrations under conditions of rest and exercise to better understand the mechanisms involved in energy metabolism in the brain during exercise!
You must be between 25 and 45 years old and:
- Exercise regularly (at least 3 times per week) at a moderate to high intensity
- Be free from metallic prosthesis (pacemaker or others), piercing, tattooing, metal fragments or any other kind of non-removable metallic object in your body
- Not be pregnant or breastfeeding
- Not be claustrophobic
- Have no history of neurological disorder
- Not be a smoker
Your participation would consist of 2 sessions (within one month) including:
- Maximal exercise test (VO2max) and a high-intensity exercise session lasting 35 min
- Imaging brain activity using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
- Obtaining several small blood sample through a catheter installed in a vein
- Obtaining several saliva samples using cotton wool balls placed in your mouth
A limited compensation for your time would be handed out if you are selected.
If you are interested in this study or need more information please contact: perform.project134@gmail.com
Ad approved on September 13, 2019 by the Comité central d’éthique de la recherche du ministre de la Santé et des Services sociaux.
HELP CONCORDIA RESEARCHERS DESIGN SERIOUS GAMES FOR ENHANCING THE WELLBEING OF SENIORS

Complete an anonymous 30-minute survey to help identify the best ways to design digital technologies for enhancing the health and wellbeing of older adults.
If you're over 60 years of age, you may enroll in a free Game Clinic class (10 sessions) to learn about and discuss application of Serious Games in healthcare.
No prior experience with computers or computer games is necessary.
Take the survey:
ENGLISH FRANÇAISE
Available on paper upon request at PERFORM's reception desk.
For more information contact the researcher, Dr. Naj K. Mahani:
email: media.health@concordia.ca; or phone: 514-848-2424, ext 5370
Project website:
https://media-health.ca/serious-games-for-seniors
PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR STUDY OF SLEEP
Researcher: Thanh Dang-Vu, MD, PhD & Jean-Philippe Gouin, PhD
Do you consider yourself a GOOD SLEEPER?
Researchers at Concordia University are conducting a study to better understand the role of brain activity during sleep.
Participation in this study will include:
- Compensation of $100 for full study completion
- Two overnight sleep recordings in our sleep lab
- Completion of cognitive tests after sleep
We are seeking adult participants who meet the following criteria:
1. Between 35 and 50 years old
2. Not using medication that affects your sleep
3. No diagnosed sleep disorders (e.g., insomnia, sleep apnea)
4. Absence of chronic illness, neurological disorder, or mental health disorder
5. No history of brain hemorrhage, brain tumour, or brain surgery
6. No regular night-shift work or recent travel across several time-zones
7. No regular alcohol or substance use
If you are interested in participating or learning more about our study, please contact us by phone at 514-848-2424, ext. 2284, or by email at insomnia.concordia@gmail.com
KNEE TRAUMA STUDY
Are you between the ages of 18 and 50 and have sustained a traumatic knee injury within the past 4 months?
If so you may be eligible to participate in our study examining walking using 3-D motion capture!
If you are eligible will be asked to :
- Walk short distances as we analyse your walking using cameras and reflective markers placed on your skin. We will create a 3-D image of you as you walk
- Have a magnetic resonance image (MRI) taken of your knee
You will be asked to come to our lab 3-4 times over the next 2 years. Each visit lasts about 3.5 hours. If you are interested in participating please contact Dr. Shawn Robbins at climb.labresearch@gmail.com or 514-487-1891 ext 329
Annonce publicitaire approuvée le 24 novembre 2017 par le Comité central d’éthique de la recherche du ministre de la Santé et des Services sociaux dans le cadre du projet CCER 17-18—03.


Weight Loss Study
GET ACTIVE and EAT HEALTHY while getting PERSONALIZED info on your:
- Health
- Disease Risk
- Energie (calorie) use
If you are:
- ≥ 25 years old and a NON-SMOKER
- Want to participate in a research study about weight-loss and health issues!
Renumeration offered.
For more information, please call: 514.848.2424 ext. 4451 or email: nom@concordia.ca
Simultaneous High-Density EEG/fMRI Acquisition During Well Controlled Task and Resting State
Principal investigator: Christophe Grova Ph.D. Physics Department and PERFORM Centre, Concordia University
- We are looking for right handed healthy men and women aged from 18-33 and 65-80 with no psychiatric or neurological disorders and no contraindications for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): ie.: Heart/Vascular Clip; Prosthetic Valve; Metal Prosthesis; Pregnancy; Claustrophobia; Metal fragments in body.
- The study is being conducted at the Concordia University PERFORM Centre.
Tests: Your contribution in this research project will consist in participating in two sessions. We will measure the activity of the brain with ElectroEncephaloGraphy (EEG) alone (session 1) and with simultaneous EEG and functional MRI (session 2). There will be five tests:
- Resting state task: we will ask you to stay still without any particular task (resting state activity)
- Median nerve stimulation task: we will apply light electrical stimulations on your wrist (this might not be really comfortable but particular attention will be paid to ensure that you will not experience any pain during the stimulation)
- Visual task: We will ask you to watch a screen in which a checkerboard will flicker approximately twice every second
- Motor task:We will ask you to press a button when you saw a visual cue on a scree
- Mental calculation task: we will ask you to subtract in your head two numbers that will appear on a screen.
For each session, usually 2 to 3 hours of participation is necessary (preparation then acquisition). Prior to each session we will ask you to fill some questionaries which takes less than 1 hour.
Contacts: If you are interested in participating or if you need more information please contact: Dr. Aydin from u_aydin@live.concordia.ca
Study Participants Wanted
The Darlington lab in the Department of Health, Kinesiology & Applied Physiology at Concordia University is seeking
participants for the "HORMONAL REGULATION OF T CELL GENOMICS" study. The study
consists of one 15 minute visit.
You will be asked to give a small amount of blood.
Refreshments will be provided.

Participants should:
- Anyone above the age of 18 years old
- Be comfortable with blood draws and needles
- Not be taking any prescriptions medications that affect blood pressure or immune function
- Have no chronic medical conditions (autoimmune disease, cancer, lung or heart disease)
- Not have had any vaccinations (including flu shots) within the past 2 months
If you or anyone you know fulfils these requirements please contact:
Maddy Taba and Catalina Carvajal phone: 514-963-0063
by email: catalina.marysol.gonczi@gmail.com
Email Alerts
Join our email list to be notified when PERFORM scientists are looking for people to take part in their research.