JOINT SUPPORT
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A feasibility study to assess the design of a multi-centre randomised controlled trial of the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a caregiving intervention for people with chronic musculoskeletal pain.
IRAS ID
310020
Contact name
Toby O Smith
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of East Anglia
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN78169443
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 8 months, 31 days
Research summary
Long-term (chronic) bone, joint and muscle (musculoskeletal) pain causes disability whilst reducing quality of life and independence. People with chronic musculoskeletal pain often rely on family members or friends to take on roles as caregivers, helping in tasks such as washing, dressing, cooking, eating and shopping. Unfortunately caregivers are often left to work out what to do themselves. We suggest that a training programme to support caregivers in how to support people with chronic musculoskeletal pain could improve patient health and well-being.
This study will see if a caregiver training programme (JOINT SUPPORT) can be provided for people with chronic musculoskeletal pain and their caregivers, and how a future trial may be designed.
This is a small-scale randomised controlled trial with interviews. We will test the JOINT SUPPORT programme to see if this can be made to work. We will recruit 80 patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain and their caregivers. Fifty-two patients will receive the JOINT SUPPORT programme PLUS usual NHS care. The other 28 patients will receive usual NHS care. The JOINT SUPPORT programme involves 5, 1-hour group sessions with a patient and their main caregiver. This will be run by a trained physiotherapist or occupational therapist. They will discuss and 'up-skill' the caregiver and patient on topics including: exercise, lifestyle modification, problem-solving everyday tasks, education on pain, coping strategies and medication use. After the group sessions, they will be supported with 3 telephone calls, and a workbook. We will collect information on how well the project worked in recruiting people, providing the JOINT SUPPORT programme and collecting data.
We will interview patients, caregivers and health professionals to gain views on how the study worked for them. The study provide the information we need to know how, if feasible, a large study may be designed.
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/NW/0015
Date of REC Opinion
28 Feb 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion