Matilda’s Endometriosis Research Contributions
We’re not just evidence based, we’re evidence generating!
As a team of clinicians, researchers, developers, and people with lived experience, we’re passionate about closing the gender-pain-research gap. Here’s some of what we’ve contributed so far (bold indicates Matilda team members).
Wernli, K., Fischer, A., Mills, A., Acton, J., & Morris, J. (2025, May). Co-designing a holistic digital endometriosis surgery optimisation program [Poster presentation]. World Congress on Endometriosis, Sydney, Australia.
Morris, J., Lucky, T., Amir, M., Mooney, S., Acton, J., Slater, D., McKenna, L., & Wernli, K. (2025, May). Revolutionising pre- and post-surgical endometriosis management through digital holistic care [Poster presentation]. World Congress on Endometriosis, Sydney, Australia.
Sharifi Nasab, K., Foulds, K., Polkinghorne, L., Mclaren, T., Harris, S., Morris, J., Ng, L., Wise, E., & Wernli, K. (2025, May). Patient perspectives on the missed opportunities and barriers during the diagnostic journey for endometriosis in Australia [Oral presentation]. World Congress on Endometriosis, Sydney, Australia.
Wernli, K., Sharifi Nasab, K., Foulds, K., Polkinghorne, L., Mclaren, T., Harris, S., Morris, J., Ng, L., & Wise, E. (2024, August–September). Optimising endometriosis surgery: Patient perspectives on missed opportunities [Poster presentation]. 24th Annual Congress of the Asia-Pacific Association for Gynaecologic Endoscopy & Minimally Invasive Therapy (APAGE), 29 August – 1 September 2024, ITC Grand Chola, Chennai, India.
Sharifi Nasab, K., Foulds, K., Polkinghorne, L., Mclaren, T., Harris, S., Morris, J., Ng, L., Wise, E., & Wernli, K. (2023, October). Patient perspectives on the missed opportunities and barriers during the diagnostic journey: A mixed method cross-sectional study on endometriosis in Australia [Oral presentation]. IGNITE 2023 – Australian Physiotherapy Association National Conference, Brisbane, Australia.
Built on Evidence. Driven by Impact.
The Matilda Health digital program is grounded in world-class clinical research and co-designed with patients. From Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) guidelines to real-world patient outcomes, we’ve translated evidence into action to improve surgical recovery, reduce anxiety, and empower individuals with endometriosis and other gynaecological conditions. Below are some of the key studies shaping our platform.
Douligeris, A., Kathopoulis, N., Karasmani, C., Kypriotis, K., Zacharakis, D., Mortaki, A., Prodromidou, A., Chatzipapas, I., Grigoriadis, T., & Protopapas, A. (2025). Impact of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) guidelines implementation in deep infiltrating endometriosis surgery. A systematic review and meta-analysis. Facts Views and Vision in ObGyn, 17, 15-29. https://doi.org/10.52054/FVVO.2024.13599
Pivano, A., Pauly, V., Pirro, N., Alessandrini, M., Boyer, L., Auquier, P., & Agostini, A. (2022). Enhanced recovery after posterior deep infiltrating endometriosis surgery: a national study. Fertility and Sterility, 117(2), 376-383. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2021.10.014
Arena, A., Degli Esposti, E., Pazzaglia, E., Orsini, B., Cau, I., Govoni, F., Raimondo, D., Palermo, R., Lenzi, J., Casadio, P., & Seracchioli, R. (2024). Not All Bad Comes to Harm: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery for Rectosigmoid Endometriosis [Article]. Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology, 31(1), 49-56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmig.2023.10.011
Djemouai, S., Agostini, A., Loubière, S., Auquier, P., Pirro, N., Netter, A., & Pivano, A. (2024). Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) for deep infiltrating endometriosis surgery: Experience of a French center [Article]. Journal of Gynecology Obstetrics and Human Reproduction, 53(6), Article 102771. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogoh.2024.102771
Zhang, H., Wang, X., Li, Y., Liu, K., & Ouyang, L. (2020). Study on the application of enhanced recovery after surgery in patients with endometriosis and adenomyosis [Article]. Chinese Journal of Reproduction and Contraception, 40(7), 566-572. https://doi.org/10.3760/cma.j.cn101441-20191014-00460
Peters, A., Siripong, N., Wang, L., & Donnellan, N. M. (2020). Enhanced recovery after surgery outcomes in minimally invasive nonhysterectomy gynecologic procedures [Article]. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 223(2), 234.e231-234.e238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2020.02.008
Carli, F., & Scheede-Bergdahl, C. (2015). Prehabilitation to enhance perioperative care. Anesthesiology Clinics, 33(1), 17-33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anclin.2014.11.002
Nelson, G., Bakkum-Gamez, J., Kalogera, E., Glaser, G., Altman, A., Meyer, L. A., Taylor, J. S., Iniesta, M., Lasala, J., Mena, G., Scott, M., Gillis, C., Elias, K., Wijk, L., Huang, J., Nygren, J., Ljungqvist, O., Ramirez, P. T., & Dowdy, S. C. (2019). Guidelines for perioperative care in gynecologic/oncology: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Society recommendations-2019 update. International Journal of Gynecological Cancer, 29(4), 651-668. https://doi.org/10.1136/ijgc-2019-000356
Molenaar, C. J. L., Minnella, E. M., Coca-Martinez, M., Ten Cate, D. W. G., Regis, M., Awasthi, R., Martínez-Palli, G., López-Baamonde, M., Sebio-Garcia, R., Feo, C. V., Van Rooijen, S. J., Schreinemakers, J. M. J., Bojesen, R. D., Gögenur, I., Van Den Heuvel, E. R., Carli, F., & Slooter, G. D. (2023). Effect of Multimodal Prehabilitation on Reducing Postoperative Complications and Enhancing Functional Capacity Following Colorectal Cancer Surgery: The PREHAB Randomized Clinical Trial [Article]. JAMA Surgery, 158(6), 572-581. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamasurg.2023.0198
Rahota, R.-G., Salin, A., Gautier, J.-R., Almeras, C., Garnault, V., Tollon, C., Loison, G., Beauval, J.-B., & Ploussard, G. (2022). A prehabilitation programme implemented before robot-assisted radical prostatectomy improves peri-operative outcomes and continence recovery. BJU International, 130(3), 357-363. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/bju.15666
Gu, X., Zhang, Y., Wei, W., & Zhu, J. (2023). Effects of Preoperative Anxiety on Postoperative Outcomes and Sleep Quality in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Gynecological Surgery. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12(5).
Powley, N., Tew, G., A. , Durrand, J., Carr, E., Nesbitt, A., Hackett, R., Gray, J., McCarthy, S., Beatty, M., Huddleston, R., & Danjoux, G. (2023). Digital health coaching to improve patient preparedness for elective lower limb arthroplasty: a quality improvement project. BMJ Open Quality, 12(4), e002244. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjoq-2022-002244
Feasibility Study (now recruiting)
We’re excited to be running a pilot trial in partnership with Curtin University to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the Matilda program.
This study will help us understand how the Matilda program supports people before and after surgery, what we can do to improve the program, and what barriers exist for refers, clinicians, and health systems in its implementation.
If you’d like to be part of this study, please contact us
Qualitative research
Qualitative research in healthcare involves collecting and analysing non-numerical data to understand concepts, opinions, or experiences. This type of research is essential for gaining insights into patient perspectives and healthcare provider experiences, and we have qualitative components in our research studies.
Clinical/cost-effectiveness studies
Clinical and cost-effectiveness studies evaluate the benefits and costs of medical interventions to determine their value. These studies are critical for informing healthcare policy, clinical guidelines, and reimbursement decisions. We have strong opinions that healthcare economics and environmental considerations should be embedded and woven into everything we do, that's why we incorporated it into our values.
Future Studies and Data
Technological Advancements: Technology continues to evolve, and quickly. Advances in Robotics surgery, continued progress in pre- and post-surgery optimisation, AI-assisted diagnosis (like the IMAGEndo study), and the use of Telehealth are all promising areas as we search for an elusive cure.
Precision Medicine: Research into personalised treatments based on genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors is expanding. We hope to provide data to help understand these as we grow and collect data as part of ethics approved research studies. Understanding how these factors influence surgical outcomes will be super interesting!
Data Analytics and Health Informatics: Big data and analytics are increasingly used to improve patient outcomes, optimise hospital operations, and enhance decision-making - we aim to be part of that positive change.
Funding and Grants
We're grateful to have received generous support from passionate people and organisations who believe in using technology to provide affordable and accessible healthcare for with confirmed or suspected endometriosis - with a focus on the pivotal laparoscopic surgery timeframe.
We've been fortunate to receive a number of grants and we're actively applying for more.
Notable Grants
WA Department of Health (FHRI) – Innovative Solutions Digital Health Grant 2024
WA Dept. of Jobs, Tourism, Science, and Innovation – Innovation Booster Grant
Perth Biodesign – 2022 Prize Winner
Pictured: Matilda co-founders, Kevin and Joanna, with Hon. Minister Stephen Dawson who awarded Matilda the Perth Biodesign title which kickstarted the Matilda journey!
