Dr Carolina Sandler

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Dr Carolina Sandler

Adjunct Lecturer

Viral Immunology Systems Program

c.sandler@unsw.edu.au

+61 2 9385 0202

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Bio:

Dr Carolina Sandler is an accredited exercise physiologist and clinical researcher. She is a post-doctoral research fellow in the Fatigue Research program at the Kirby Institute working with Professor Andrew Lloyd. Her areas of interest are post-infective fatigue states and cancer survivorship.

Qualifications:

PhD (UNSW), BSc (Health & Sport, UNSW), Accredited Exercise Physiologist

Grants:

Research funding - Chief investigator
1. Mason Foundation – Medical and Scientific Grants (awarded to UNSW) 2021-2022 ($306,000)
Genetics determinants of post-infective fatigue.
CIs Lloyd A, Wyller V, Cvejic E, Sandler CX.

2. Menzies Health Institute Queensland 2020 ($20,000)
Exercise in adults with brain cancer.
CIs Hayes S & Sandler CX.

3. School of Exercise & Nutrition Sciences – project funding (awarded to C.Sandler) 2019 ($10,000)
SAfety And Feasibility of Exercise for women with breast cancer and high disease burden – the SAFE trial.
CI Sandler CX

4. Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation Pilot project funding (awarded to C.Sandler) 2019 ($10,000)
Sandler C, Hayes S. The role of Physical activity and exercise in adults with brain cancer – a systematic review
CI Sandler CX

5. Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation Healthy lifestyle program funding - research assistant support (awarded to C.Sandler) 2018 ($2500) CI Sandler CX

6. Consultancy project supported by Icon Cancer Foundation (awarded to QUT) 2017-2019 ($150,000)
Brain Cancer and Exercise (BRACE) study.
CIs Hayes S., Sandler CX.

7. Mason Foundation – Medical and Scientific Grants (awarded to UNSW) 2017 ($99,955)
Development and evaluation of an online patient education program for chronic fatigue states.
CIs Sandler C, Cassar J, Lloyd A, Barry B.

8. Mason Foundation – Medical and Scientific Grants (awarded to UNSW) 2016 ($79,671)
Measuring and improving activity pacing in chronic fatigue syndrome
CIs Barry B, Casson S, Sandler C, Li S, Lloyd A.

9. Mason Foundation – Medical and Scientific Grants (awarded to UNSW) 2016 ($76,107)
A randomised controlled trial of online continuing education for health professionals to improve the management of chronic fatigue states
CIs Li S, Barry B, Sandler C, Casson, Keech A, Lloyd A.

10. Mason Foundation – Medical and Scientific Grants (awarded to UNSW) 2015 ($59,854)
Double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over study of modafinil to relieve the post-exertional exacerbation of fatigue in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome undertaking exercise.
CIs Sandler C, Keech A, Barry B , Lloyd A.

11. Exercise & Sports Science Australia – Tom Penrose Research & Community Service grant 2013 ($10,000)
Development of a DVD and web-based training package for the optimised multi-disciplinary treatment program for patients with chronic fatigue states.
CIs Sandler C, Lloyd A, Tzarimas C, Barry B, Mildon S.

12. Mason Foundation - Special grant round for research into ME/CFS. (awarded to UNSW) 2011-2013 ($173,201)
Development of an optimized cognitive-behavioural therapeutic intervention for patients with chronic fatigue states.
CIs Lloyd A, Tzarimas C, Hamilton B, Horsfield S, Sandler C. (2011).

Research funding - Associate investigator
1. Cancer Council Queensland – (Awarded to Griffith University) 2021 - 2025 ($2million)
Exercise during chemotherapy for ovarian cancer.
CIs Hayes S, Obermair A, Mileshkin L, Brand E, Janda M, Eakin E, Barnes L, Beesley V, Davis A.
AIs Sandler C, Spence, R, O’Neill H, Pumpa K, Webber K, Stockler M. Williams M, Friedlander M, Webb P.

2. Children’s Health Foundation Queensland (awarded to QUT) 2020-2024 ($400,600)
A randomized controlled trial evaluating a goal-directed therapeutic exercise program in pediatric posterior fossa brain tumor survivors
CIs Trost S, Hassall T, Baque E, Brookes D. AI Sandler C

3. Cancer Australia and Cancer Council Australia Project Grant (awarded to QUT) 2019-2021 ($597,443)
Exercise during chemotherapy for ovarian cancer.
CIs Hayes S, Obermair A, Mileshkin L, Brand E, Janda M, Eakin E, Barnes L, Beesley V, Davis A.
AIs Sandler C, O’Neill H, Pumpa K, Webber K, Stockler M. Williams M, Friedlander M, Webb P.

4. Cancer Institute NSW - translational program grant. (awarded to UNSW) 2015-2020 (3,044,654)
CIs Goldstein D, Park P, Friedlander M, et al. AIs: Sandler
Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy: Assessment strategies, Treatments and Risk Factors.

Educational and Travel grants

Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation Healthy lifestyle program travel funding to Attend Exercise Sports Science Australia Conference, 2020 (awarded to C.Sandler) 2019 ($790)
Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation Healthy lifestyle program & School Exercise and Nutrition Science travel funding to attend European College of Sport Science Congress. Prague, Czech Republic (awarded to C.Sandler) 2019 ($7500)
ThinkWell Turbocharge Your Writing QUT writing online coaching program (awarded to C.Sandler) 2019 ($400)
QUT Women in Leadership writing retreat. (awarded to C.Sandler) 2018
Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation Healthy lifestyle travel funding to attend European College of Sport Science Congress. Dublin, Ireland (awarded to C.Sandler) 2018 ($2200)
Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation Healthy lifestyle travel funding to attend Exercise Sports Science Australia Conference. Brisbane, Australia (awarded to C.Sandler) 2018 ($800)
Brain Tumour Alliance Australia (BTAA) education grant to attend 10th COGNO Annual Scientific Meeting. Melbourne, VIC Australia (awarded to C.Sandler) 2017 ($600)
UNSW School of Medical Sciences postgraduate travel grant (awarded to C.Sandler) 2015 ($1,500)
UNSW Postgraduate research student support scheme travel grant (awarded to C.Sandler) 2014 ($3,300)
Clinical Oncology Society of Australia – Trainee travel grant (awarded to C.Sandler) 2013 ($1,000)
UNSW School of Medical Sciences postgraduate travel grant (awarded to C.Sandler) 2013 ($500)
Exercise Sports Science Australia, Cancer & exercise education grant (awarded to C.Sandler) 2012 ($210)

Research

Research activities:

My program of research focuses on chronic fatigue states (including post-infective fatigue, chronic fatigue syndrome, post-cancer fatigue) and cancer survivorship.

The first area of clinical research is focused on the epidemiology, pathogenesis and management of fatigue states after common acute infections (i.e. post-infective fatigue syndrome; PIFS following Epstein-Barr virus, SARS CoV-2 infections), and in more established chronic fatigue states (e.g. chronic fatigue syndrome; CFS, post-cancer fatigue; PCF). This research is conducted in close collaboration with the UNSW Fatigue Clinic which offers cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and graded exercise therapy (GET) treatment interventions, where Dr Sandler was been the research and clinical coordinator and lead exercise physiologist. The other area of focus for this research is on the development and evaluation of accessible, online education for patients, General Practitioners and allied health professionals, with the aim to improve the understanding and management of chronic fatigue states. The PIFS research is based on data and samples previously collected in the Dubbo Infection Outcomes Study (DIOS), led by Prof Andrew Lloyd. Kirby Institute, which was funded by the Centers for Disease Control, USA and NHMRC, and also on data samples from the international Collaborative on Fatigue Following Infection (COFFI) which includes 15 comparable prospective post-infective cohorts. The current focus is on epidemiological studies to identify reliable predictors of PIFS and on genetic association of PIFS - funded by the Mason Foundation.

The second area of clinical research is focused on the role of physical activity and exercise for people with cancer during and following treatment. This research has a focus on pragmatic exercise intervention trials to understand the feasibility, safety and effect of exercise in understudied populations (e.g. ovarian cancer, adult and paediatric brain cancers, metastatic breast cancer). This research also involves epidemiological studies of physical activity and the association with treatment-related side effects, quality of life and survival. This research involves working collaboratively with the Improving Health outcomes for People (IHOP) research group, led by Prof Sandi Hayes (Griffith University). My focus is to develop the evidence-base needed to ensure exercise oncology services and interventions for PCF are integrated into standard care to support cancer survivors to improve their health outcomes.

Teaching & Supervision

I am available to supervise:

Yes

Areas of supervision:

My program of research focuses on chronic fatigue states (including post-infective fatigue, chronic fatigue syndrome, post-cancer fatigue) and cancer survivorship.

Currently supervising:

Safety and feasibility of exercise during chemotherapy, and survivorship concerns for women with ovarian cancer (PhD candidate)
Effects of a goal-directed therapeutic exercise program in paediatric survivors of posterior fossa tumours (PhD candidate)
Barriers to exercise in people with brain, breast, and ovarian cancer. (Masters candidate)
Improving symptom and adverse event recording and reporting in exercise oncology.
Evaluating the cost-effectiveness of a supervised exercise intervention in women with stage II+ breast cancer: an analysis of the SAFE comparative effectiveness trial

Supervision keywords:

Cancer Survivorship

post-infective fatigue

physical activity

exercise physiology

Teaching:

Current:

Co-convenor HESC3504 - Physical activity and Health (Exercise Physiology, UNSW)

Previous:

Co-convenor - Cancer Sciences for Exercise physiologists (Exercise Physiology, UNSW)

Convenor - Oncology and mental health (Exercise Physiology, Queensland University of Technology)

Convenor - Clinical skills for exercise physiologists (Exercise Physiology, Queensland University of Technology)

Social Media

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinaxsandler/

Twitter Account:

https://twitter.com/SandlerCarolina

Events

Jun 27

David Cooper Lecture | Michael Kirby: Health & Human Rights

Jun 06

Professor Stephen Kent – Immunity to COVID-19

May 30

Dr Anthony K J Smith - Making PrEP work: understanding drug adherence as a domestic practice

Publications

Journal articles

Kohler BE; Baque E; Sandler CX; Brookes DSK; Terranova CO; Rixon M; Hassall T; Trost SG, 2021, 'Physical ACTivity in Survivorship (PACTS): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial evaluating a goal-directed therapeutic exercise program in pediatric posterior fossa brain tumor survivors', BMC Pediatrics, vol. 21, http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12887-021-02566-7

Sandler CX; Wyller VBB; Moss-Morris R; Buchwald D; Crawley E; Hautvast J; Katz BZ; Knoop H; Little P; Taylor R; Wensaas KA; Lloyd AR, 2021, 'Long COVID and post-infective fatigue syndrome: A review', Open Forum Infectious Diseases, vol. 8, http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ofid/ofab440

Sandler CX; Matsuyama M; Jones TL; Bashford J; Langbecker D; Hayes SC, 2021, 'Physical activity and exercise in adults diagnosed with primary brain cancer: a systematic review', Journal of Neuro-Oncology, vol. 153, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11060-021-03745-3

Jones T; Sandler C; Vagenas D; Janda M; Obermair A; Hayes S, 2021, 'Physical activity levels among ovarian cancer survivors: A prospective longitudinal cohort study', International Journal of Gynecological Cancer, vol. 31, pp. 553 - 561, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/ijgc-2020-002107

Fleming S; Jones T; Janda M; Vagenas D; Ward L; Reul-Hirche H; Sandler C; Obermair A; Hayes S, 2020, 'Physical activity trajectories following gynecological cancer: Results from a prospective, longitudinal cohort study', International Journal of Gynecological Cancer, vol. 30, pp. 1784 - 1790, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/ijgc-2020-001543

Sandler CX; Toohey K; Jones TL; Hayes SC; Spence RR, 2020, 'Supporting Those With the Most to Gain: The Potential of Exercise in oncology', Seminars in Oncology Nursing, vol. 36, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.soncn.2020.151074

Spence RR; Sandler CX; Newton RU; Galvão DA; Hayes SC, 2020, 'Physical Activity and Exercise Guidelines for People With Cancer: Why Are They Needed, Who Should Use Them, and When?', Seminars in Oncology Nursing, vol. 36, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.soncn.2020.151075

Jones TL; Sandler CX; Spence RR; Hayes SC, 2020, 'Physical Activity and Exercise in Women with Ovarian Cancer: A Systematic Review', Obstetrical and Gynecological Survey, vol. 75, pp. 606 - 607, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.ogx.0000697060.44191.0a

Jones TL; Sandler CX; Spence RR; Hayes SC, 2020, 'Physical activity and exercise in women with ovarian cancer: A systematic review', Gynecologic Oncology, vol. 158, pp. 803 - 811, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ygyno.2020.06.485

Sandler CX; Lloyd AR, 2020, 'Chronic fatigue syndrome: progress and possibilities', Medical Journal of Australia, vol. 212, pp. 428 - 433, http://dx.doi.org/10.5694/mja2.50553

Wigginton B; Thomson ZO; Sandler CX; Reeves MM, 2020, 'Reflexive Intervention Development: Using Qualitative Research to Inform the Development of an Intervention for Women With Metastatic Breast Cancer', Qualitative Health Research, vol. 30, pp. 666 - 678, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1049732319884901

Singh B; Spence RR; Sandler CX; Tanner J; Hayes SC, 2020, 'Feasibility and effect of a physical activity counselling session with or without provision of an activity tracker on maintenance of physical activity in women with breast cancer — A randomised controlled trial', Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, vol. 23, pp. 283 - 290, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2019.09.019

Jones T; Spence R; Sandler C; Obermair A; Friedlander M; Mileshkin L; Davis A; Janda M; Eakin E; Barnes E; Beesley V; Gordon L; Brand A; Hayes S, 2020, 'Are The ACSM Exercise Guidelines Safe And Achievable For Women Receiving Chemotherapy For Ovarian Cancer?', Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, vol. 52, pp. 483 - 484, http://dx.doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000679180.61253.83

Sandler CX; Spence R; Rye S; Singh B; Tanner J; Hayes S, 2020, 'Do Exercise Oncology Guidelines Have To Be Met To Obtain Improvements In Breast Cancer Outcomes?', Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, vol. 52, pp. 483 - 483, http://dx.doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000679176.37837.8e

McCrary JM; Goldstein D; Sandler CX; Barry BK; Marthick M; Timmins HC; Li T; Horvath L; Grimison P; Park SB, 2019, 'Exercise-based rehabilitation for cancer survivors with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy', Supportive Care in Cancer, vol. 27, pp. 3849 - 3857, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00520-019-04680-w

Singh B; Spence RR; Steele ML; Sandler CX; Peake JM; Hayes SC, 2018, 'A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Safety, Feasibility, and Effect of Exercise in Women With Stage II+ Breast Cancer', Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, vol. 99, pp. 2621 - 2636, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2018.03.026

Clifford BK; Mizrahi D; Sandler CX; Barry BK; Simar D; Wakefield CE; Goldstein D, 2018, 'Barriers and facilitators of exercise experienced by cancer survivors: a mixed methods systematic review', Supportive Care in Cancer, vol. 26, pp. 685 - 700, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00520-017-3964-5

Cvejic E; Sandler CX; Keech A; Barry BK; Lloyd AR; Vollmer-Conna U, 2017, 'Autonomic nervous system function, activity patterns, and sleep after physical or cognitive challenge in people with chronic fatigue syndrome', Journal of Psychosomatic Research, vol. 103, pp. 91 - 94, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2017.10.010

McBride RL; Horsfield S; Sandler CX; Cassar J; Casson S; Cvejic E; Vollmer-Conna U; Lloyd AR, 2017, 'Cognitive remediation training improves performance in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome', Psychiatry Research, vol. 257, pp. 400 - 405, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2017.08.035

Li SH; Sandler CX; Casson SM; Cassar J; Bogg T; Lloyd AR; Barry BK, 2017, 'Randomised controlled trial of online continuing education for health professionals to improve the management of chronic fatigue syndrome: A study protocol', BMJ Open, vol. 7, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2016-014133

Sandler CX; Goldstein D; Horsfield S; Bennett BK; Friedlander M; Bastick PA; Lewis CR; segelov E; Boyle FM; Chin MT; webber K; Barry BK; Lloyd AR, 2017, 'Randomized evaluation of cognitive-behavioral therapy and graded exercise therapy for post-cancer fatigue.', Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, vol. 54, pp. 74 - 84, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2017.03.015

Sandler CX; Hamilton BA; Horsfield SL; Bennett BK; Vollmer-Conna U; Tzarimas C; Lloyd AR, 2016, 'Outcomes and predictors of response from an optimised, multidisciplinary intervention for chronic fatigue states', Internal Medicine Journal, vol. 46, pp. 1421 - 1429, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/imj.13251

Sandler CX; Lloyd AR; Barry BK, 2016, 'Fatigue Exacerbation by Interval or Continuous Exercise in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome', Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, vol. 48, pp. 1875 - 1885, http://dx.doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000000983

Keech A; Sandler CX; Vollmer-Conna U; Cvejic E; Lloyd AR; Barry BK, 2015, 'Capturing the post-exertional exacerbation of fatigue following physical and cognitive challenge in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome', Journal of Psychosomatic Research, vol. 79, pp. 537 - 549, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2015.08.008

Sandler C; Goldstein D; Horsfield S; Bennett BK; Friedlander M; Bastick PA; Lewis CR; Segelov E; Boyle FM; Chin MTM; Barry BK; Webber K; Lloyd AR, 2015, 'TOPS: A randomised controlled trial of a multidisciplinary intervention for post-cancer fatigue.', Journal of Clinical Oncology, vol. 33, pp. 9571 - 9571, http://dx.doi.org/10.1200/jco.2015.33.15_suppl.9571

Sandler C; Hamilton B; Horsfield S; Bennett B; Casson S; Vollmer-Conna U; Tzarimas C; Lloyd A, 2015, 'Development of an optimised, multi-disciplinary intervention for chronic fatigue states', Physiotherapy, vol. 101, pp. e1333 - e1334, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.physio.2015.03.1262

Casson S; Sandler C; Horsfield S; Lloyd A; Barry B, 2015, 'Measuring activity pacing in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome', Physiotherapy, vol. 101, pp. e202 - e203, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.physio.2015.03.366

Conference Papers

Conference Abstracts

Jones T; Spence R; Sandler C; Obermair A; Friedlander M; Mileshkin L; Davis A; Janda M; Eakin E; Barnes E; Beesley V; Gordon L; Brand A; Hayes S, 2020, 'Are The ACSM Exercise Guidelines Safe And Achievable For Women Receiving Chemotherapy For Ovarian Cancer?', in MEDICINE AND SCIENCE IN SPORTS AND EXERCISE, LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS, ELECTR NETWORK, Vol. 52, pp. 483 - 484, presented at American-College-of-Sports-Medicine (ACSM) Virtual Conference, ELECTR NETWORK, https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000590026301686&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1

Sandler CX; Spence R; Rye S; Singh B; Tanner J; Hayes S, 2020, 'Do Exercise Oncology Guidelines Have To Be Met To Obtain Improvements In Breast Cancer Outcomes?', in MEDICINE AND SCIENCE IN SPORTS AND EXERCISE, LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS, ELECTR NETWORK, Vol. 52, pp. 483 - 483, presented at American-College-of-Sports-Medicine (ACSM) Virtual Conference, ELECTR NETWORK, https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000590026301685&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1

Preprints

Wyller V; Selvakumar J; Havdal L; Drevvatne M; Brodwall E; Berven L; Stiansen-Sonerud T; Einvik G; Leegaard T; Tjade T; Michelsen A; Mollnes T; Lund-Johansen F; Holmøy T; Zetterberg H; Blennow K; Sandler C; Cvejic E; Lloyd A, 2022, Prevalence and predictors of long COVID among non-hospitalised adolescents and young adults: a prospective controlled cohort study, http://dx.doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2021203/v1

Dr Carolina Sandler

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Publications

Journal articles

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Conference Abstracts

Preprints