Activator poles use in rehabilitation following Spinal surgery
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Is there a place for Activator poles in rehabilitation following Spinal surgery?
IRAS ID
230960
Contact name
Gemma Bruce
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 10 days
Research summary
The study will aim to explore the role of Activator Poles following spinal surgery. Following spinal surgery currently, patients are given elbow crutches or walking sticks to provide stability, if required, and encourage an upright walking position. It is unclear which is more beneficial or if alternative aids may be more appropriate. Research has shown that Activator Poles improves a persons’ balance and provides a method of increasing their exercise tolerance and walking distance and therefore may be feasible to use following spinal surgery, however this has not been investigated further. If found to improve a person’s posture, this may reduce the risk of complications and need for further surgery at a later date.
The participants will be trust staff members or healthy adults within the vicinity who have no pre-existing walking or balance problems. The study will involve participants walking on a treadmill whilst being recorded with no walking aids, elbow crutches, walking sticks and Activator Poles. The forward bending angle at the waist will then be compared between the different walking aids.
The participants will consist of RNOH (Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust) staff members or healthy adults within the vicinity with no mobility or balance issues and will consist of one 30-60 minute session.
The results of this study may provide the design of a larger study using Activator Poles within spinal surgery patients at the RNOH.REC name
London - Fulham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/1238
Date of REC Opinion
19 Jul 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion