Sciatica: what we should know
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Patients' experience of sciatica: what they really want us to know
IRAS ID
259514
Contact name
Frances Arnall
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Salford
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 11 days
Research summary
Sciatica and Non Specific Low Back Pain (NSLBP) tend to be managed in the same way (National Guideline Centre (UK), 2016; van Tulder et al., 2006). However, the outcomes for these 2 conditions are different: Sciatica patients have greater pain, disability and more time off work than those with NSLBP(Hider, Whitehurst, Thomas, & Foster, 2015; Hill et al., 2008; Konstantinou et al., 2015; van Tulder et al., 2006). Most of the guidance is based on information obtained from qualitative studies of NSLB which may not be the most appropriate approach for sciatica patients. This study is asking the patients with sciatica what is important to them?
This project is a qualitative study of patients with sciatica. Participants will be recruited from patients, which have been referred to an intermediate musculoskeletal service, by GP practices based in the Sunderland area. The volunteers will be at different stages within the management of their condition. Group discussions will be utilised, which will be semi structured (open questions), with the essential theme being “what should your clinician be asking you: what is important to you?” Each recruit will be involved in one group interview lasting about 90 minutes. Each group will have between 6 to 8 participants. The interviews will take place on NHS Trust property: clinical treatment room. The aim is to recruit enough volunteers to have 2 separate group interviews. The hope is that this study will reflect the themes that have been identified with similar studies, but possibly identify, new data, based on the open structure of the questions and the novel use of a group discussion, which may change management of sciatica patients and improve outcomes.
The study is forms the dissertation element of an MSc in Trauma and Orthopaedics, and is sponsored by the University of Salford.
REC name
London - Queen Square Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/0547
Date of REC Opinion
10 Apr 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion