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Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain – Current Clinical Practice Survey

Practicing Therapist

You are being invited to take part in a research study. Before you decide it is important for you to understand why the research is being done and what it will involve. Please take time to read the following information carefully. Ask us if there is anything that is not clear or if you would like more information. Thank you for reading this information sheet.

Background to Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain & Research

Hemiplegic shoulder pain (HSP) is a common problem on the affected side following a stroke and has a reported incidence of up to 84%. It has been associated with impaired activities of daily living, reduced quality of life, prolonged hospitalization and associated cost. There is limited evidence to support the effectiveness of physical treatments for HSP. Furthermore, in the absence of specific recommendations from the National Clinical Guidelines for Stroke (2012), there is a need to explore how clinicians manage HSP.

What are the main objectives of this research?

The aim of this online survey to identify how therapists assess, diagnose and manage HSP in people with stroke. A secondary aim is to identify the challenges to services in the management of HSP in the UK.

You may have received this information because:

  • You are a practicing therapist and may be involved in the management of patients with HSP
  • We would like to get a better understanding of current clinical practice in the management of patients with HSP. We kindly request that you to take some time to consider this information closely before deciding whether or not to take part.

Who is organizing the Research?

This research has been organized by Dr Praveen Kumar who is a Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy at the University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol. The research team consists of Professor Candy McCabe, Professor of Nursing and Pain Sciences and Consultant Nurse, University of the West of England, Bristol & Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Bath. Dr Ailie Turton, Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, University of the West of England, Bristol

What will the Research Involve?

We kindly request your participation in completing an online survey using Qualtrics Survey Software, accessible via the link

This can also be accessed via the University of the West of England (UWE) website

The survey will take no more than 30 minutes of your time

Do I have to take part?

No.The information we gather is for research purposes only, and your participation is voluntary.

If you decide to take part in this study, you will be asked to:

There is no formal consent process involved, however, you will be required to read the Data Protection information and few Consent related questions and by taking the survey you agree to participate.

Are there any Benefits in Participating?

There will be no immediate direct benefit to you but you will be participating in new research and the results will help to inform clinical practice and future research in this area.

Are there Risks and Discomforts?

The only disadvantage in taking part is the time taken to complete the survey (a maximum of 30 minutes).

Where can I get more information about this study?

In the first place, you can contact the chief investigator, Dr Praveen Kumar (contact details below).

To complete the online version of the survey, you can access the University’s website

Who will have access to the research notes?

Dr Praveen Kumar and the research team (Professor Candy McCabe, Dr Ailie Turton) at UWE will have access to the information.

  • All collected online survey data will be analysed and downloaded on a password protected computer at the University of the West of England.
  • Professional standards of confidentiality will be adhered to and the handling, processing, storage and destruction of data will be conducted in accordance with the Data Protection Act (1998).
  • Ultimately this data may be published in peer reviewed journals but it will not be possible to identify you from these publications.

Whom do I speak to if a problem arises?

You can discuss any aspect of this study with Dr Praveen Kumar. Contact details can be found below.

Record Storage

All the information gathered during the study will be kept secure in UWE for the duration of the study.

Details of how to contact the researcher

Dr Praveen Kumar

Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy

University of West of England,

1K05, Glenside Campus

Blackberry Hill, Stapleton

Bristol BS16 1DD

Phone: 0 117-3288829

Email:

Thank you for taking the time to read this information sheet and considering taking part in this study

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