Caring Hands Project
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Caring Hands: Hand Spasticity Management and Education for paid care staff. Pilot Study
IRAS ID
134535
Contact name
Lynsay Duke
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
Research summary
Patients with neurological conditions often experience a form of muscle tightness (spasticity) which affects their ability to open and care for their hand. It is important that this issue is managed well to prevent long term problems.
Staff within the Spasticity Management Service at Walkergate Park have noted that a number of patients attending the service have been receiving inadequate support to manage the care of their hands. In particular, those patients who are more dependent on paid carers for their basic activities of daily living.
The premise of this study is to explore whether the provision of support to paid carers within Nursing Homes/Care Agencies, through a programme of education, advice and practical demonstration in the basics of handling and opening the hand, maintaining good nail and skin care and use of splints, can enable the carers to be more proactive and confident in their management of their patients hands. Three education sessions will be offered by staff from the Spasticity Management Team within the Care Home/Patients home.
It is hoped that a change in awareness and confidence within the care staff can lead to measureable benefits for the patients in improved quality of life, reduction in pain, less care input required, improved skin integrity and a potential reduction in the requirement for medications such as botulinum toxin and/or analgesia.
The study will measure patient related issues such as skin health and hygiene, pain, quality of life, medication requirements, care input and use of splints. In addition the care staff will be involved in an audio taped semi structured interview to determine and measure their knowledge and level of confidence in managing tight hands pre and post education sessions
REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NE/0066
Date of REC Opinion
9 Apr 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion