Developing tools for manging fatigue in Inflamatory Arthritis v1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Fatigue: Reducing its Effects through individualized support Episodes (FREE) Developing tools for managing fatigue in individual consultations
IRAS ID
203598
Contact name
Emma Dures
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Universty of the West of England
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 31 days
Research summary
Fatigue is a common and distressing symptom for patients with inflammatory arthritis (IA), and a challenge to deal with. Our group self-management programme, based on cognitive-behavioural approaches, can reduce the impact of fatigue when delivered by a clinical psychologist. We are currently conducting a multi-centre randomised-controlled trial (RCT) to see whether allied health professionals can deliver this programme to patients with rheumatoid arthritis using a manual and training that we have developed (RAFT study). Group-based programmes can be an efficient delivery method but require extensive administration and complex management. Not all patients are able or wish to join a group course, therefore an additional, one-to-one model of delivery also needs developing and testing. A benefit of a one-to-one model of delivery is the ability to customise treatment to the individual’s needs. Furthermore, clinical psychologists are not typically part of the rheumatology team and so an intervention needs to be developed that can be delivered by rheumatology nurses and occupational therapists (OTs). This would increase accessibility and sustainability of fatigue support to all who need it, and be deliverable where capacity is not available within teams for lengthy group programmes.
The current study comprises four phases:
Phase 1) Adapt the materials from RAFT and other sources to be suitable for one-to-one support for IA-related fatigue.
Phase 2) evaluate the materials in a nurse clinic, with feedback from the nurse and patients on which materials were helpful;
Phase 3) Prepare an intervention manual and training for nurses and OTs;
Phase 4) Prepare a grant application to Research for Patient Benefit (RfPB) for a feasibility study to estimate important parameters and inform the design of a future main RCT.The aim of this ethics application is to address Phase 2.
REC name
London - Westminster Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/1088
Date of REC Opinion
6 Jun 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion