scholarly journals Experiences and perceptions of trial participants and healthcare professionals in the UK Frozen Shoulder Trial (UK FROST): a nested qualitative study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e040829
Author(s):  
Cynthia Srikesavan ◽  
Francine Toye ◽  
Stephen Brealey ◽  
Lorna Goodchild ◽  
Matthew Northgraves ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo explore the experiences and perceptions of trial participants and healthcare professionals in the UK Frozen Shoulder Trial (UK FROST), a multicentre randomised controlled trial that compared manipulation under anaesthesia (MUA), arthroscopic capsular release (ACR) with a 12-week early structured physiotherapy programme (ESP) in people with unilateral frozen shoulder referred to secondary care.DesignNested qualitative study with semistructured interviews. We used constant comparison method to develop our themes.SettingThis qualitative study was nested within the UK FROST.Participants44 trial participants (ESP: 14; MUA: 15; ACR: 15), and 8 surgeons and 8 physiotherapists who delivered the treatments in the trial.ResultsTrial participants found UK FROST treatments acceptable and satisfactory in terms of content, delivery and treatment benefits. Participants in all arms experienced improvements in pain, shoulder movements, and function. Participants said they would choose the same treatment that they received in the trial.Surgeons and physiotherapists felt that the content and delivery of UK FROST treatments was not significantly different to their routine practice except for the additional number of physiotherapy sessions offered in the trial. They had mixed feelings about the effectiveness of UK FROST treatments. Both stressed the value of including hydrodilatation as a comparator of other treatment options. Physiotherapists raised concerns about the capacity to deliver the number of UK FROST physiotherapy sessions in routine clinical settings.Shared perceptions of trial participants, surgeons and physiotherapists were: (1) Pain relief and return of shoulder movements and function are important outcomes and (2) Adherence to exercises leads to better outcomes.ConclusionIn general, our findings indicated that trial participants, and surgeons and physiotherapists who delivered the treatments had positive experiences and perceptions in the UK FROST. Early qualitative investigations to explore the feasibility of delivering treatments in real-world settings are suggested in future trials in the frozen shoulder.Trial registration numberInternational Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Register, ID: ISRCTN48804508. Registered on 25 July 2014; Results

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shilpa Surendran ◽  
Chang Siang Lim ◽  
Gerald Choon Huat Koh ◽  
Tong Wei Yew ◽  
E Shyong Tai ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is increasing in Singapore and the cost of providing traditional care for GDM is high. Mobile health (mHealth) applications may act as useful tools in the management of GDM. OBJECTIVE The objective of this mixed-methods study was to measure the usage behaviour and explore users’ perceived usefulness of the Habits-GDM application when managing GDM in a randomised controlled trial. METHODS We conducted a quantitative analysis of the application usage behaviour in 170 Habits-GDM application users and 14 semi-structured interviews with users from a randomised controlled trial. RESULTS The convenience of automatic data transfer of weight values to the Habits-GDM application helped users (116/170, 68%) log their weight at least once a week. However, when the application had usability challenges, users avoided using that feature, i.e. users logged only an average of less than one meal/week out of the recommended six meals/week. Of the usability challenges, many users (12/14, 85.7%) mentioned food items not worded in the commonly known way and limited ethnic food database as the primary barriers. Only half of the users (84/170, 49.4%) accessed the educational lessons, but many (9/14, 64%) identified the provision of always available, valuable health-related information as an advantage of the educational lessons. ‘Healthy eating’ and ‘Why exercise’ were the most (56/84, 66.67%) and least (38/84, 45.24%) frequently accessed educational lessons, respectively. Users (10/14, 71.4%) reported sending messages to the coach via the chat interface only when they faced logistic issues and 86.45% of all the coach messages were replies typed by the research coordinator in response to the logistics issues (i.e. a request for blood glucose testing strips and appointment confirmation) raised by the users. Healthcare professionals lack of access to the coach’s dashboard discouraged users from asking queries related to GDM via the e-coaching feature. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that mHealth application acts as a useful tool in managing GDM. Culturally sensitive mHealth applications with a provision for women to interact with healthcare professionals should be developed in cooperation with the users. CLINICALTRIAL Not applicable.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Christopher Newton ◽  
Gurpreet Singh ◽  
David Nolan ◽  
Vicky Booth ◽  
Claire Diver ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Combined physical and psychological programmes (CPPP) are recommended for people with disabling low back pain (LBP). Cognitive Functional Therapy (CFT) is a physiotherapist-led low intensity CPPP with positive effects in previous studies. The clinical and cost effectiveness of CFT has not previously been evaluated in a randomised controlled trial (RCT) in the United Kingdom (UK) National Health Service (NHS). Before a definitive RCT can be completed it is necessary to determine if completing such a study is possible. PURPOSE: To determine the feasibility of completing a definitive RCT, that will evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of CFT in comparison to usual physiotherapy care for people with persistent LBP in the UK NHS. METHODS: A pragmatic two-arm parallel feasibility RCT comparing CFT with usual physiotherapy care for people with persistent LBP will be completed. Sixty participants will be randomly allocated to receive CFT or usual physiotherapy care. The primary outcome will be feasibility of completing a definitive RCT. Participant reported outcome measures will be recorded at baseline, three, six and twelve-month follow-up, including disability, pain intensity, quality of life and psychosocial function. Data will be analysed descriptively. A qualitative process evaluation will explore the acceptability of the research processes and interventions. DISCUSSION: The rationale and methodological design of a mixed methods feasibility RCT is presented. This study aims to inform the planning, design and completion of a future definitive RCT in the UK NHS. The results will be disseminated through peer reviewed open access journal publication.


2021 ◽  
pp. 026921632110087
Author(s):  
Liz Jamieson ◽  
Emily Harrop ◽  
Margaret Johnson ◽  
Christina Liossi ◽  
Christine Mott ◽  
...  

Background: Oral morphine is frequently used for breakthrough pain but the oral route is not always available and absorption is slow. Transmucosal diamorphine is administered by buccal, sublingual or intranasal routes, and rapidly absorbed. Aim: To explore the perspectives of healthcare professionals in the UK caring for children with life-limiting conditions concerning the assessment and management of breakthrough pain; prescribing and administration of transmucosal diamorphine compared with oral morphine; and the feasibility of a comparative clinical trial. Design/ participants: Three focus groups, analysed using a Framework approach. Doctors, nurses and pharmacists ( n = 28), caring for children with life-limiting illnesses receiving palliative care, participated. Results: Oral morphine is frequently used for breakthrough pain across all settings; with transmucosal diamorphine largely limited to use in hospices or given by community nurses, predominantly buccally. Perceived advantages of oral morphine included confidence in its use with no requirement for specific training; disadvantages included tolerability issues, slow onset, unpredictable response and unsuitability for patients with gastrointestinal failure. Perceived advantages of transmucosal diamorphine were quick onset and easy administration; barriers included lack of licensed preparations and prescribing guidance with fears over accountability of prescribers, and potential issues with availability, preparation and palatability. Factors potentially affecting recruitment to a trial were patient suitability and onerousness for families, trial design and logistics, staff time and clinician engagement. Conclusions: There were perceived advantages to transmucosal diamorphine, but there is a need for access to a safe preparation. A clinical trial would be feasible provided barriers were overcome.


Trials ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. Powell ◽  
L. J. Bonnett ◽  
C. Tudur-Smith ◽  
D. A. Hughes ◽  
P. R. Williamson ◽  
...  

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