Intelligent Sensing to Promote Self-management of Posture and Mobility
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Intelligent Sensing to Promote Self-management of Posture and Mobility in Community Dwelling Individuals
IRAS ID
323530
Contact name
Peter R Worsley
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Southampton
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Pressure Ulcers (PUs) represent a major burden to populations worldwide and have been attributed with the highest disability index for dermatological conditions[1]. PUs impact on a patient’s quality of life (QoL) impacting on emotional, physical, mental, and social wellbeing [2]. Continuous pressure monitoring (CPM) can both monitor and promote mobility, helping to support self-management and timely interventions. A previous Quality Improvement project implemented CPM in community trusts from 2017-2021 (PROMISE – funded by the Health Foundation). PROMISE was conducted across four community NHS Trusts, involving 100 patients (Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust CPFT, Torbay and South Devon NHS Trust, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, LiveWell Southwest Community Interest Company). The study demonstrated several benefits to patients including improved self-awareness, pressure ulcer healing, and better selection of support surfaces. However, during the study there were several technological challenges.
Following the completion of PROMISE (2021) all four community trusts have continued to implement CPM in their practice of pressure ulcer prevention. There is a need to evaluate how the monitoring technology is being used and where improvements to the design and functionality of the device could improve implementation. The present study will conduct a realist synthesis and evaluation in the community to develop a programme theory to explain how CPM works, for whom, under what circumstances, how and why?
The realist synthesis will interrogate the available evidence to contribute to the formulation of Initial Programme Theories (IPT) [5]. Observations of practice and interviews with patients, carers and clinicians to elicit in-depth information regarding the end user experience and clinical barriers and facilitators for its use will be conducted to further test and develop the programme theory.
This will be followed by an appreciative inquiry, which helps healthcare organisations to transform their culture by discovering new ways to become more patient-focused, build collaborative relationships between providers, and improve communication amongst staff and patient families [4] to achieve a consensus on the design specification of future CPM devices.REC name
West Midlands - Coventry & Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/WM/0151
Date of REC Opinion
5 Sep 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion