Dr Megan Crichton
Faculty of Health,
School of Nursing
Biography
Dr Megan Crichton is a Research Fellow in the Cancer and Palliative Care Outcomes Centre. As an Accredited Practising Dietitian, she strives to promote the importance of nutrition for improving the health and quality of life of those affected by cancer.Megan’s research explores the non-pharmacological and nutritional management of cancer-related symptoms and side effects to better support people through their cancer journey. Her PhD thesis explored the novel interventions, mechanisms, and clinical considerations for the dietary management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, with the spotlight on ginger. Megan has experience in leading systematic reviews with meta-analysis, randomised controlled trials, and qualitative research.
Current Projects
- Evaluating the effects of standardised ginger root powder on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting using Body Surface Gastric Mapping: The Ginger-MAP Study
- The safety and effect of dietary Fibre and Probiotics on lower gastrointestinal issues in people having chemotherapy: The FiPro study
- Post-Operative Ice BLock Accelerates Recovery (POLAR) project: A three-arm randomised controlled study
- Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN) Clinical Trial
Personal details
Positions
- Senior Research Fellow
Faculty of Health,
School of Nursing
Keywords
cancer, oncology, nutrition, dietetics, diet, supportive care, gastroenterology, symptom management, malnutrition, clinical trials
Research field
Nutrition and dietetics, Oncology and carcinogenesis, Allied health and rehabilitation science
Field of Research code, Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC), 2020
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy (Bond University)
- Master of Nutrition and Dietetic Practice (Bond University)
- Bachelor of Health Science (University of Tasmania)
Publications
- Crichton, M., Marshall, S., Isenring, E., Lohning, A., McCarthy, A., Molassiotis, A., Bird, R., Shannon, C., Koh, A., McPherson, I. & Marx, W. (2024). Effect of a standardized ginger root powder regimen on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: a multi-center double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 124(3), 313–330.e6. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/243193
- Crichton, M., Marshall, S., Marx, W., Isenring, E., Vazquez-Campos, X., Dawson, S. & Lohning, A. (2023). Effect of ginger root powder on gastrointestinal bacteria composition, gastrointestinal symptoms, mental health, fatigue, and quality of life: A double-blind placebo-controlled trial. The Journal of Nutrition, 153(11), 3193–3206. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/243194
- Crichton, M., Marshall, S., Marx, W., Isenring, E. & Lohning, A. (2023). Therapeutic health effects of ginger (Zingiber officinale): updated narrative review exploring the mechanisms of action. Nutrition Reviews, 81(9), 1213–1224. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/243192
- Gala, D., Wright, H., Zigori, B., Marshall, S. & Crichton, M. (2022). Dietary strategies for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: A systematic review. Clinical Nutrition, 41(10), 2147–2155. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/235176
- Crichton, M., Yates, P., Agbejule, O., Spooner, A., Chan, R. & Hart, N. (2022). Non-Pharmacological Self-Management Strategies for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in People with Advanced Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients, 14(12). https://eprints.qut.edu.au/233497
- Crichton, M. & Marshall, S. (2022). Complementary and alternative medicine for women with cancer: How can health-care professionals provide realistic hope of improved wellbeing? Maturitas, 159, 72–73. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/231657
- Crichton, M., Davidson, A., Innerarity, C., Marx, W., Lohning, A., Isenring, E. & Marshall, S. (2022). Orally consumed ginger and human health: an umbrella review. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 115(6), 1511–1527. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/231358
- Crichton, M., Strike, K., Isenring, E., McCarthy, A., Marx, W., Lohning, A. & Marshall, S. (2021). 'It's natural so it shouldn't hurt me': Chemotherapy patients' perspectives, experiences, and sources of information of complementary and alternative medicines. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 43. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/233074
- Crichton, M., Craven, D., Mackay, H., Marx, W., De Van Der Schueren, M. & Marshall, S. (2019). A systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression of the prevalence of protein-energy malnutrition: Associations with geographical region and sex. Age and Ageing, 48(1), 38–48. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/233081
- Crichton, M., Marshall, S., Marx, W., McCarthy, A. & Isenring, E. (2019). Efficacy of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) in Ameliorating Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting and Chemotherapy-Related Outcomes: A Systematic Review Update and Meta-Analysis. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 119(12), 2055–2068. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/233079
QUT ePrints
For more publications by Megan, explore their research in QUT ePrints (our digital repository).
Filter publications:
A complete list of publications is available at: https://www.qut.edu.au/about/our-people/academic-profiles/megan.crichton
Selected research projects
- Title
- Identifying Therapeutically Targetable Nutritional Biochemistry and Dietary Intake Profiles to Address Nutrition Impact Symptoms During Chemotherapy: An International Multisite Prospective Cohort Study
- Primary fund type
- CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
- Project ID
- 2036043
- Start year
- 2025
- Keywords
- chemotherapy treatment effects; nutrition; nutrition status; dietary monitoring; phenotype
Projects listed above are funded by Australian Competitive Grants. Projects funded from other sources are not listed due to confidentiality agreements.
Supervision
Looking for a postgraduate research supervisor?
I am currently accepting research students for Honours, Masters and PhD study.
You can browse existing student topics offered by QUT or propose your own topic.
Current supervisions
- Gut health during cancer treatment: Exploring the role of dietary fibre and probiotics for lower gastrointestinal symptoms and advancing symptom assessment for Chinese-speaking adults
PhD, Principal Supervisor
Other supervisors: Distinguished Professor Patsy Yates - Diet and nutrition impact symptoms during treatment for gynaecological cancer: establishing a foundation to guide future co-designed nutrition care
PhD, Principal Supervisor
Other supervisors: Distinguished Professor Patsy Yates, Associate Professor Helen MacLaughlin - Foundations for Co-designing Nurse-led Malnutrition Interventions in Cancer Care: Evidence, Practices, and Stakeholder Perspectives in Indonesia
PhD, Principal Supervisor
Other supervisors: Distinguished Professor Patsy Yates - Malnutrition beyond cancer treatment: Identifying risk factors to inform personalised nutrition
MPhil, Principal Supervisor
Other supervisors: Distinguished Professor Patsy Yates - Optimising nutrition and exercise supportive care for women living with and beyond breast cancer in Queensland
PhD, Associate Supervisor
Other supervisors: Professor Marina Reeves
The supervisions listed above are only a selection.