BackBone:Interdisciplinary Creative Practices/Body Positive Resilience
Research type
Research Study
Full title
BackBone: Interdisciplinary Creative Practices and Body Positive Resilience
IRAS ID
306771
Contact name
Catherine Baker
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Birmingham City University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 31 days
Research summary
Summary of Research
Aims & Hypothesis:
To use art as a form of interdisciplinary research practice to measure the impact of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis on wellbeing and body perception. The research aims to contribute to a better understanding of alternative treatments towards improving quality of life in young females, in part advancing the Scoliosis Priority Setting Partnership research priorities. There are 12 priorities and this study responds to the following: No.2. How is quality of life affected by scoliosis and its treatment? How can we measure this in ways that are meaningful to patients? And No.10.How are the psychological impacts (including on body image) of diagnosis and treatment best managed?Summary of Results
The demonstrable impact of art methods on the individuals’ ability to articulate their experience of Scoliosis treatment in meaningful ways was firmly established whilst the project also evidenced public interest gained through exhibition outputs, and the importance of both inter-generational research methods and non-clinical settings.
Further demonstrated was that body-image was a lesser concern for most participants however, the need to express themselves and their relationship with their diagnosis and treatment remained unresolved and continued to be isolating. The known problems identified with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) can additionally result in decreased self-esteem and social confidence along with increased anxiety, depression and stress (cited in Misterka 2013). At a time when mental health issues in young people are on the rise from 1 in 6 17-19yr olds in 2021 to 1 in 4 in 2022 (NHS Wave 3 survey 2022), it is critical that alternative, interdisciplinary approaches continue particularly when the psychosocial challenges associated with AIS are globally recognised.
It is important to point out that the participants had very good clinical outcomes as assessed by the radiographic measurement parameters with no surgery complications, no re-operations and a good personal perception on surgical results as expressed in their responses of the SRS-22 (Scoliosis Research Society questionnaire) and the TAPS (Trunk Appearance Perception Scale) Questionnaires.
Whilst their diagnosis happened at a fragile stage of their psychological and body development it is important that the positive impact of interdisciplinary creative methods should be balanced over the satisfactory outcome of their treatment and the implications of these patients being left long-term with an untreated deformity which could have major impact on their physical and emotional wellbeing.Our interdisciplinary approach, grounded in arts practice, impacted demonstrably on participants emotional wellbeing contributing to positive self-esteem and social confidence. Furthermore, this study highlights the need to re-personalise personal aspects of the body which become alienated through institutional health organisations.
REC name
London - Westminster Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/PR/0276
Date of REC Opinion
14 Apr 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion