The impact of Joint Hypermobility Syndrome.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The effects of Joint Hypermobility Syndrome on impairment, activity and participation in adults.
IRAS ID
149073
Contact name
Najla Siri
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of the West of England, Bristol
Research summary
Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (JHS) is an inherited connective tissue disorder in which many joints in the body move beyond the normal range, causing pain and adversely affecting physical activity levels. The research purpose is primarily to identify the effect of JHS on the function and performance of the lower limb joints where related evidence is limited in quantity and quality. The research will be sponsored by the University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol, as part of the Chief Investigator’s PhD programme. The research is designed to compare people with JHS against a healthy group. Approximately 60 participants will be recruited into two separate groups: people with JHS and a healthy group. People with JHS will be recruited from North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT), the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases in Bath (RNHRD) and the Hypermobility Syndromes Association (HMSA). Age and gender matched healthy participants will be recruited from the UWE’s staff and students. Potential participants will receive an information sheet describing the study aspects, and after agreement, participants will be requested to attend the UWE for a single appointment lasting a maximum of 100 minutes. People with JHS will be screened to confirm a diagnosis of JHS. Eligible participants will be asked to fill in pain and general health questionnaires. Lower limb joint activity and impairment will be assessed through several non-invasive examination procedures which involve studying joint movement patterns, the ratio of muscle force to changes in muscle length, muscle strength, tissue elasticity and the ability to sense the position of the knee joint. There will not be a direct benefit to the participants; however, their participation will help in understanding the effect of JHS on joint impairment, activity and participation, and it will help healthcare professionals to better assess and manage.
REC name
East Midlands - Leicester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/EM/1008
Date of REC Opinion
28 Jul 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion