Spinal Motion Restriction Feasibility (SMRF) Study.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Spinal Motion Restriction Feasibility (SMRF) Study. A prospective randomised two centre comparative study to determine if there is a difference in clinical outcomes and patient experience comparing Spinal Motion Restriction techniques which include the traditional use of a rigid cervical spine collar verses the omission of a rigid collar.
IRAS ID
253128
Contact name
Lee Thompson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
North East Ambulance Service
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN11400471
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
The Spinal Motion Restriction Feasibility (SMRF) Study. The aim of this feasiblity study is to see if there is a difference in outcome between patients immobilised with or without a rigid cervical spine collar. As such,it is a small scale feasibility study to test the practicality of managing a rigid collar study prior to a larger scale study.
Within the United Kingdom (UK), traumatic Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is a rare event. Patients with potential SCI were usually immobilised using a rigid neck collar, long board, head blocks and straps/tape. This has been normal clinical practice for trauma patients with potential SCI for over 50 years. Although emotive, the evidence for immobilisation practices is equivocal.
Recent literature is now challenging the routine practice of using a rigid collar that may actually cause more harm to patients. New guidelines by the Faculty of Pre-hospital Care and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommend a more practical approach where the rigid collar is not appropriate.
The SMRF Study will recruit adult patients assessed as having a potential SCI. There will be two groups within the trial. Both groups will include the same assessment protocol. The intervention group will omit the use of the rigid collar and use self-support or manual support. The control group will use the rigid collar.
Participants will be transported to one of two NHS Emergency Departments by ambulance. At the emergency department, participants will be consented and undertake an experience questionnaire. Clinicians will also undertake an experience survey.
The study is expected to recruit for 12 months.REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/NE/0055
Date of REC Opinion
31 Mar 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion