Investigating drop attacks V1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Developing a psychological understanding of idiopathic drop attacks
IRAS ID
233998
Contact name
Emily Revell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Gloucestershire Royal Hospital
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 3 months, 25 days
Research summary
The aim of this project is to better understand the experiences of people who have idiopathic drop attacks. These falls have no identified medical cause but can cause people injuries such as bruising, facial injuries and, in some cases, broken bones. It can also make them worry about having more falls, and the pain and embarrassment this would cause, and stop them from going out. There has been very little research in this area and there are currently no treatments.
In this study, ten people who experience idiopathic drop attacks will be interviewed at an outpatient clinic to understand more about them and the falls. They will be asked in particular about the period of time around when they started having the falls and whether there are aware of any triggers. Participants will also be asked to audio-record accounts of these drop attacks, after they have happened, for a period of eight weeks. They will be asked to describe what they were thinking and feeling, and how they felt in themselves before and after the fall.
This information will allow the researcher to look at common experiences that people who experience these falls have. This understanding could help to identify whether a psychological approach to treatment could help individuals to manage and cope with this condition.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - South Yorkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/YH/0438
Date of REC Opinion
18 Dec 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion