With unemployment figures rising, university students are turning to participating in clinical trials ranging from malaria vaccine tests, virtual colonoscopies and electric shock treatments in a bid to make some extra cash.
University of Queensland student, Aneiki De brincat says she participated in 6 trials over a two and a half year period, and UQ student Keira Mcdowell says she participated in one physiotherapy trial, one drug trial and over ten psychological research projects in two years, including learning how to perform a virtual colonoscopy.
Ms De brincat said: “I like these trials because they’re a quick way of getting money, while also helping people. Most of the time it is tax free, and you can choose when you come in.”
Ms De brincat earned $995 for two, two night stays in a quarantine ward to test blood pressure medication.
“We had to be wheeled around in wheel chairs so we didn’t pass out and hurt ourselves. It was like a warped Big Brother situation”.
Ms McDowell, said it was a creative way of making money but, “I don’t see it as a sustainable method of income, and I would prefer traditional work, if I could find it.”
Ms Mcdowell warns there can be negative side effects from the tests, saying she participated in a trial involving wire electrodes being inserted into her back muscles which were then stimulated by a magnetic ‘zap’ 500 times.
The test made her feel nauseous, she had great difficulty walking up and down stairs for 2-3 days afterwards, and she only received $75 for her 5 hours of participation.
Ms De brincat also had bad experiences, saying she was once severely affected from a malaria vaccine and was rushed to hospital, although the research group did pay for her medical expenses.
Research is usually conducted by universities, hospital research groups like Qpharm and private drug manufacturing companies testing vaccines and medication.
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