Posture and Mobility in Care Homes.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Posture and Mobility (Skilful Care Training Package) for residents in Care Homes: Cluster Randomised Controlled Feasibility Trial.
IRAS ID
187967
Contact name
Anne Forster
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Bradford Institute for Health Research
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN50080330
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Residents of care homes are amongst the frailest in our population. As most residents have a mix of co-morbidities and dementia is prevalent, providing appropriate care is challenging. We have undertaken a Cochrane Review of rehabilitation in long-term care in which we reported that it was possible to improve physical activity in this population but interventions were often time limited and resource intensive. A more sustainable approach is to enhance the confidence, skills and abilities of care home staff in postural awareness and physical activity. To address this a group of physiotherapists have developed and implemented a tailored manualised competency based training programme, the Skilful Care Training Package (SCTP). Preliminary work suggests benefit, so we now seek to undertake detailed feasibility work in preparation for a large cluster randomised controlled feasibility trial to investigate the clinical and cost effectiveness of the (SCTP) when delivered in nursing/care home settings. We will address a range of objectives relating to feasibility, safety, economic analysis, potential efficacy and sample size estimation by undertaking a cluster randomised trial in ten care homes, five receiving the SCTP and five receiving usual care. Residents will be approached to participate in outcome assessment, at baseline, three and six months after recruitment, if they have some limitation in mobility. We will assess: resident recruitment and retention rates, compliance, data collection methods, clarify outcome measurements and obtain data to inform sample size estimation. Staff will also be asked to complete some questionnaires. In addition we will undertake interviews with residents and staff to gain insight on their views of the SCTP.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/YH/0114
Date of REC Opinion
17 May 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion