Exploring the psychosocial impact of non-operatively treated DCM v0.1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
I may be functioning ok, but am I ok? A grounded theory approach to understanding how people with mild Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy (DCM) experience the psychosocial impact of the disease.
IRAS ID
326939
Contact name
Christine Fraser
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Stirling
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 9 months, 28 days
Research summary
Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy (DCM) is the most common atraumatic spinal cord condition. It occurs when degenerative changes in a person's neck puts pressure on the spinal cord. As a result, the spinal cord functions less effectively causing progressive hand clumsiness, immobility, arm and leg sensory changes, and bladder and genital disruptions. These symptoms affect a person's life and incur high health and social care costs. Studies suggest that the burden of DCM will rise due to an aging population.
A validated functional outcome scale called the modified Japanese Association Scale (mJOA) measures the severity of the condition. Clinical Practice Guidelines recommend that people with moderate or severe mJOA scores have surgery to slow the condition's progression. However, surgery is not always recommended for people with mild symptoms.
Research demonstrates that a person's physical function, measured by the mJOA, will deteriorate when treated without surgery. Studies have shown that understanding other chronic illnesses' physical and psychosocial impacts can better inform treatment approaches. No literature appreciates the psychosocial impact of DCM on patients treated non-operatively. Therefore, I propose a qualitative study to generate insights into the psychosocial effects of DCM from peoples' experiences. Understanding this will direct person-centered care to improve peoples' lives in turn, reducing the burden on health services.
This study will: 1.Explore participants’ experiences of the psychosocial impact of DCM and how this relates to the functional impacts and 2. Understand how the psychosocial impacts are experienced within the context of a chronic deteriorating disease diagnosis by interviewing ten to twenty participants with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)-diagnosed, mild, non-operatively treated DCM. For approximately one-hour, eligible participants, recruited from a charitable organisation (myelopathy.org) and three Scottish National Health Service boards, will discuss their experiences with the chief researcher via Microsoft Team (MS Teams) or in their homes.
REC name
London - Stanmore Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/PR/0136
Date of REC Opinion
8 Mar 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion