SMS to monitor challenging behaviour in a Learning Disabled population
Research type
Research Study
Full title
To assess the usefulness of a SMS mobile phone text message system to monitor challenging behaviour and the success of interventions for challenging behaviour in a cohort of patients with a learning disability in a community setting.
IRAS ID
124660
Contact name
Valerie Murphy
Contact email
Research summary
Since before the exposure of the scandal of Winterbourne View, and especially since, the emphasis has become one of keeping those with Learning Disabilities in their own homes rather than admitting to inpatient units whenever possible. This is a pilot project which aims to explore the feasibility of using SMS phone texting to monitor challenging behaviour and to monitor response to interventions for challenging behaviour. Challenging behaviour is any behaviour by the patient which results in difficulty in them achieving a fulfilling life. The most common example is physical aggression. Using an initial grant from the (former) Ridgeway Trust, those patients who are already known to the community Learning Disability teams in Oxfordshire with a diagnosis of challenging behaviour will be considered for suitability for this study. They and/or their carers will be approached and asked to consider participating in a system which will require them to use SMS technology to communicate levels of challenging behaviour to their care team. Participation will consist of the patient and/or carer texting a number corresponding to a frequency and severity of challenging behaviour. The frequency of such texts will be pre determined by the care team and the participants. By participating in this study the challenging behaviours and response to interventions for these behaviours can be monitored on an intensive basis. This intensive monitoring would aim to prevent admission to an inpatient unit. If this pilot project is successful, it will be extended using the information gained from the pilot, into a larger study.
REC name
South Central - Oxford C Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/SC/0145
Date of REC Opinion
24 May 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion