Mental Health and Behaviour in Childhood Dystonia
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Mental Health and Behaviour in Childhood Dystonia
IRAS ID
224326
Contact name
Lauren Bates
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal Holloway University of London
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 28 days
Research summary
Dystonia is a movement disorder. This study, ‘Mental Health and Behaviour in Childhood Dystonia’ aims to answer the research questions: 1) Are children with dystonia more likely to have mental health difficulties (particularly with mood and anxiety) and behavioural problems than the general child population? and; 2) To what extent are self-concept, severity of movement disorder, pain and age of onset of dystonia associated with mental health problems in children with dystonia?
Research suggests that adults with dystonia have an increased risk of depression and anxiety difficulties than the general population. There is very little research exploring mental health difficulties in children with dystonia. Additionally, little is known about what may make children with dystonia susceptible to mental health or behavioural difficulties. Previous research in adults with physical disabilities suggests that having a positive sense of self is a protective factor against mental health problems.
This study aims to identify factors associated with a child with dystonia being at risk of developing mental health or behavioural difficulties. Approximately 80 children with dystonia under the care of the Evelina Children's Hospital, and their parents, will be assessed once using questionnaires to determine whether these children have mood, anxiety or behavioural difficulties. In addition; pain levels, severity of movement disorder, age of onset of dystonia and self-concept will also be measured to see if they are associated with mental health or behavioural difficulties in childhood dystonia.
Any child deemed to have capacity will be eligible, however if the child is non-verbal it may not be possible for them to participate if they are not able to ask questions to the researcher during the consent process, or cannot clearly indicate their answers to the questionnaires.
The costs of running this study are being paid by Royal Holloway, University of London.
REC name
London - Dulwich Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/1160
Date of REC Opinion
7 Aug 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion