Sensory approaches within female mental health
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Female service users experience of sensory modulation approaches and their benefits in a mental health rehabilitation setting: an interpretative phenomenological analysis.
IRAS ID
255271
Contact name
Sarah Kriakous
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cygnet Healthcare
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 6 days
Research summary
The title of this study is “Female service users’ experience of sensory modulation approaches and their benefits in a mental health rehabilitation setting: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis”. Sensory approaches have seen growing use within mental health in recent years including use of sensory rooms, sensory boxes or kits, environmental adaptations or specific individual pieces of equipment. Yet published evidence for this approach is relatively limited, with the majority of studies focusing on staff opinions or a quantitative focus, such as reduction in number of physical restraints. One of the benefits identified from studies to date is that sensory interventions put the individual in control of their recovery, therefore focusing on staff opinion or statistics will not capture the broad range of potential benefits of this approach. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was chosen as an approach as it aims to look in detail at each individual participant’s experience and their perception of the factors in this. Semi-structured interviews will be used to gather this information and are expected to last between 20 to 30 minutes taking place at the unit where the participants currently reside. A small sample of five service users, who have been using this approach for a minimum of three months, will be identified from within two Cygnet Healthcare units, to allow detailed analysis of responses to take place. Analysis will start with the researcher completing in-depth review of the participant interviews, considering the language they have used and the context of their experience, before using their own interpretation to identify overarching themes that reflect the experience of individuals. No external funding is being sought for this study as it is being supported by the company where the primary researcher works.
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/NW/0480
Date of REC Opinion
24 Sep 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion