APMLD Postural Care Study. Version 6.0.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Supporting adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities with their postural care: Experiences of family carers
IRAS ID
152008
Contact name
Laura Richardson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 5 days
Research summary
Study Title: Supporting adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) with their postural care: Experiences of family carers.
People who find it difficult to move and change positions themselves, due to a physical disability, are likely to develop problems with their body shape. Supporting the position (posture) of these individuals in standing, sitting and lying is a significant part of a therapist's management of their physical condition.
Individuals with a physical disability or disabilities, body shape problems and profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD), are often completely dependant on their carers to support them with their postural care.
Clinical experience indicates that carers often lack understanding around the importance of good postural care and the potential health implications of body shape problems. It has also highlighted that carers can be worried about supporting individuals with PMLD and postural care needs with their postural care. Unfortunately, this can appear to lead to carers not supporting individuals with parts of their postural management programmes frequently enough, if at all.
Twelve family carers of individuals with PMLD, physical disabilities and postural care needs will be invited to take part in the study. The individuals they care for will be service-users of the learning disability physiotherapy services within Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust. Carers will be interviewed once for approximately 45 minutes. The interviews will be transcribed and analysed by looking for common themes. The participants will be contacted to discuss these identified themes, to make sure they agree that they are an accurate account.
The study will last approximately 7 months in total.It is anticipated that the results of the study will inform the development of postural care services within the principle investigators employing organisation for individuals with PMLD and postural care needs.
REC name
North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NE/0073
Date of REC Opinion
17 Mar 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion