Impacts of passive movements in people with severe multiple sclerosis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A mixed method pilot study, investigating the physical and psychological impact of passive movements in people with severe multiple sclerosis.
IRAS ID
169963
Contact name
Nicola Hancock
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research and Enterprise Services
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 30 days
Research summary
An important aspect of a neurological community physiotherapist's role is encouraging self management of multiple sclerosis. With mild to moderate patients this is managed through advice, exercise prescription and lifestyle considerations and there is literature to support this. However with more severe MS it is harder for people to exercise alone and more support is needed.
Passive movements are regularly used as a physiotherapy intervention to prevent secondary complications in neurological conditions. There is lack of evidence of the impact of passive movements in people with multiple sclerosis and little is known of the patient experience of passive movements.
This mixed method pilot study will use single-case studies to investigate the impacts of passive movements on joint range, spasticity, pain and quality of life in people with severe multiple sclerosis and the lived experiences of participants undergoing the passive movements.
The participants who have provided informed consent will take part in a 21 day programme of lower limb passive movements provided by a carer. The participants will use a standardised scale to score their pain and spasm severity daily and will be asked to record their perceptions of the experience of the effects of passive movements. On Day 1 and 21 a patient reported quality of life outcome measure for multiple sclerosis and lower limb range of movements will be recorded. On Day 21 a 30 minute open-structured interview will completed with the participant to allow their experience of the treatment to be recorded.
For this early stage pilot work, a sample size of 5 is anticipated to meet the study aims.
REC name
East of England - Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/EE/0116
Date of REC Opinion
31 Mar 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion