Exploring the psychosocial needs of amputee patients during recovery
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the psychosocial needs of amputee patients and the role of physical activity during recovery.
IRAS ID
197889
Contact name
Phoebe Sanders
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
St Mary's University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
researchregistry1325, researchregistry.com reference number
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 9 months, 28 days
Research summary
Each year, thousands of UK citizens lose a limb. Whilst we know that adjusting to the loss of a limb may present patients with a variety of challenges, we know far less about individuals’ unique experiences of the first year post-amputation, and how they respond to the challenges they encounter. The aim of this research is to build our understanding of amputee patients’ psychological and social needs during their recovery. This may include exploring issues such as how individuals define and improve their sense of well-being following an amputation, or how their social life and self-identity may have been impacted by the loss of a limb. We will also explore the role physical activity may play in shaping patients’ psychological and social experiences during the latter stages of rehabilitation. We will use the knowledge gathered to produce informational resources for direct care teams about how they can best meet patients’ needs to enhance the recovery process. Patients will also be provided with information that may facilitate their own recovery and help improve well-being post-amputation. This research is being conducted in the Douglas Bader Rehabilitation Centre at Queen Mary’s Hospital, Roehampton. It is funded jointly by Queen Mary’s Hospital and St Mary’s University, Twickenham. The research will last for up to three years in total, and each individual will participate for up to one year. Staff working at the Centre and patients entering the rehabilitation programme will be given the opportunity to take part. Participants may choose to take part in up to four different research activities: interviews, observation, journals, and focus groups. All research activities may be completed during the participant’s regular hours of attendance at the hospital.
REC name
London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/0820
Date of REC Opinion
13 Jun 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion