Exploring the significance of clothing to people with dementia
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the sensorial and embodied experience of clothing in people living with dementia
IRAS ID
242104
Contact name
Rebecka Elizabeth Fleetwood-Smith
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of West London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
This research has three main aims:\n\nTo explore the relationship between people with dementia and their clothing, through addressing the following questions: \nWhat is the embodied experience of wearing clothing in people living with dementia? \nHow do particular sensory qualities i.e. aesthetics, specific colours, patterns, fabrics affect clothing wear? \n\nTo address the potential of clothing in the holistic care of people with dementia. \n\nThis research is educational and will form Rebecka Fleetwood-Smith’s (RFS) PhD thesis.\n\nThe research will implement a Sensory Ethnographic (SE) approach, the focus of the SE approach is to explore the multi-sensory experience, such as touch. Data will be generated through two-interlinked SE studies. The studies will be carried out in one care home.\n\nSTUDY 1 - Observations and interviews will be carried out with people living with dementia in public spaces of the care home. Observations will be recorded through the use of detailed field-notes. Observations and interviews will also be carried out with care home staff to explore their experiences. Data will be thematically analysed. A focus group discussion will be carried out with creative practitioners (i.e. visual artist/designer), to explore thematic findings. Interview and focus group data will be audio-recorded.\n\nSTUDY 2A - A series of 4-6 Object Handling Sessions will be carried out. The Object Handling Sessions derive from object elicitation interviews and object handling interventions carried out people with dementia. Each Object Handling Session will be themed. The theme will denote the objects used in the session, for example; clothing, textile samples, and photographs. Video-recording will be used to capture verbal and nonverbal responses. Participants in the Sessions will include people with dementia, relative/friends of person with dementia and care home staff. Volunteer facilitators will assist RFS in leading the sessions.\n\nSTUDY 2B - Follow-up semi-structured interviews will be conducted with relatives/friends of participants with dementia, care home staff and the Object Handling Session volunteer facilitator. \n\n\n\n
REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/1707
Date of REC Opinion
29 Nov 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion