Spoken animation for labour epidural (SALE)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Evaluation of spoken animation as a tool for imparting information about epidural labour analgesia
IRAS ID
351150
Contact name
Charles Prior
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Joint Research Committee (JRC)
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 7 days
Research summary
Background:
Informed consent for labour epidural at the time of delivery is often challenging, particularly when language and cultural barriers are present. A recent survey of maternity units across London revealed that many women cannot recall being adequately informed prior to receiving an epidural. We have produced a short, animated film titled “An Introduction to Epidural Pain Relief” as a novel method of improving basic understanding.Aims:
• Evaluate user acceptance and efficacy of the animated film within our Maternity Unit.
• To inform any editing or modification to the film that may be necessary.
• To identify any particular benefits in groups of specific cultural or ethnic characteristics.
• To inform larger scale research on the impact of spoken animation on uptake of epidural and other outcomes.
• To potentially support uptake of the film more widely throughout NHS maternity services.Methodology:
Our study will focus on mothers who are expecting their first baby and have been booked for induction of labour. On admission to the unit and before induction of labour is commenced, subjects will be informed of the study and given the opportunity to consent to participate. All participants will complete an initial survey about pain relief choices, and will be randomly assigned to one of two study groups. One group will be provided with traditional written information about epidural pain relief. The other group will be given the same written information and will also be shown the animated film “An Introduction to Epidural Pain Relief”. Having received this information, both groups will be asked to fill in a second survey. The primary outcome to be tested in each group will the change in Decisional Conflict Score (DCS) regarding epidural after receiving the information material. Some participants will also be asked to take part in a short interview about the animated film.REC name
East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/EM/0027
Date of REC Opinion
17 Mar 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion