Lifestyle weight management program: Interviews & stakeholder meetings

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    A lifestyle weight management program for paediatric patients with demyelinating conditions.

  • IRAS ID

    278836

  • Contact name

    Helen Dawes

  • Contact email

    hdawes@brookes.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    Oxford Brookes University

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 9 months, 1 days

  • Research summary

    Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and multiple sclerosis (MS) are both conditions in which insulation around nerves becomes damaged. This damage means the nerves do not work properly affecting mobility, vision, sensation, school performance and social activities. In young people these conditions are very rare but have life-long effects. The condition itself can decrease physical activity levels, and the often essential steroid treatment can lead to rapid weight changes. This is a major worry for young people, their families, and medical professionals. For some people, weight can double in a couple of years, and in certain MS cases patients have suffered concerning muscle wasting. There may be simple and cheap ways to reduce the burden of the condition and improve the future health of these young people. We want to work with this population to develop a lifestyle weight management program, one that is built around a healthy lifestyle, and is easily incorporated into a normal routine for both parent and patient.
    This stage of the research will feature a small group of young people, their parents and people involved in treating the conditions; and involve the collection of their perspectives on the issue and add this to what we already know from previous research. We will present this information to experts and together design a personalised, accessible, educational program.

    The output of this stage of research will be a program ready for a feasibility study among a small group of patients, to be undertaken at a further date. This interview and stakeholder meeting stage will strongly influence the future development of such a program which in turn will have a huge impact on the quality of life in young people with MS and NMOSD.

  • REC name

    West Midlands - Coventry & Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    21/WM/0010

  • Date of REC Opinion

    29 Mar 2021

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion