ISRCTN ISRCTN65240228
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN65240228
Secondary identifying numbers 16978
Submission date
21/08/2014
Registration date
22/10/2014
Last edited
22/05/2017
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Musculoskeletal Diseases
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
People suffering from a neuromuscular disease, such as polio, or a disease of the central nervous system, often have a problem called knee instability. Knee instability is caused by weakness in the muscles of the knee. This can result in difficulties in walking and can lead to falls as the knee gives way during activities. Orthotic devices, otherwise known as braces or callipers, are used to support and give strength to the knee and also hold the leg in position. To date, there has not been any research on what types of orthotic devices are most commonly used by the NHS, how much they cost and how well they work. There is some evidence to suggest that people don’t use their orthotic devices as they should, so it’s important to understand patients perceptions of how these devices affect their physical, psychological and social wellbeing, whether they are satisfied with the treatment and to learn more about their views of different aspects of their treatment. Here, we want to carry out an interview study, talking to people in both a one-to-one setting and in focus groups about their experiences using their orthotic device.

Who can participate?
People aged at least 16 with a neuromuscular disorder and whose walking has been affected by instability of the knee.

What does the study involve?
Participants are invited to take part in a one-to-one interview with a researcher, or in a focus group discussion. The interviews focus on the participants experiences of their orthotic device, how it affects their everyday life and what they hope they will get from the treatment. They are encouraged to share their views with others during the focus group discussions. The sessions last for about an hour and a half and are recorded on a digital audio recorder. Everything discussed is confidential.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participants do not benefit directly from taking part in the study. However, they will be helping to better understand how to improve treatment for people with neuromuscular disease and knee stability and improve future research. It is very unlikely that any harm should come to participants as a result of taking part in this study. However, if they do have any concerns about the way they have been approached or treated during this study, they will be advised to contact the Chief Investigator for the overall study.

Where is the study run from
The research is being undertaken by researchers based at the University of York. We will be recruiting patients to the study from St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust, Royal Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
September 2014 to March 2015

Who is funding the study?
National Institute for Health Research (UK)

Who is the main contact?
Dr Catriona McDaid
catriona.mcdaid@york.ac.uk

Study website

Contact information

Dr Catriona McDaid
Scientific

York Trials Unit, Heslington
York
YO10 5DD
United Kingdom

Email catriona.mcdaid@york.ac.uk

Study information

Study designNon-randomised; Observational; Design type: Qualitative
Primary study designObservational
Secondary study designOther
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleOrthotic management of the knee in neuromuscular and central nervous system conditions
Study acronymOKIS
Study objectivesWhat are the important physical and psycho-social treatment outcomes for people who have been fitted with an orthotic device for knee instability.
Ethics approval(s)14/LO/1132; First MREC approval date 18/06/2014
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedTopic: Musculoskeletal disorders, Neurological disorders; Subtopic: Musculoskeletal (all Subtopics), Neurological (all Subtopics); Disease: Musculoskeletal, Neuro-muscular and Encephalitis
InterventionQualitative interview: Study participants will take part in a face-to-face interview with the researcher or participate in a focus group discussion.
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measurePatient perspectives of experiences of orthoses; Timepoint(s): Participation in interview/focus group on one occasion
Secondary outcome measuresNot provided at time of registration
Overall study start date01/09/2014
Completion date31/03/2015

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit16 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participantsPlanned Sample Size: 50; UK Sample Size: 50;
Key inclusion criteria1. Adults (16 years and older) with a neuromuscular disorder who have impaired walking ability due primarily to instability of the knee. Neuromuscular disorder will include conditions that primarily affect the peripheral nerve, muscle and neuromuscular junction e.g. motor neurone disease, muscular dystrophy, myasthenia gravis, spinal muscular atrophy, Charcot Marie Tooth disease, polio, myopathies, inclusion body myositis. People with knee instability related to CNS conditions will also be included e.g. spinal cord injury, spina bifida, stroke.
2. People who are able to give informed consent.
3. Purposive sampling will be used to select participants for interview to reflect a range of conditions, age, sex, length of
time fitted with an orthosis, high and low usage, living in different regions in England.
Key exclusion criteria1. People aged under 16 years.
2. People with neuromuscular disorders other than those listed in Inclusion criteria above.
3. People who are unable to give informed consent, due to cognitive impairment, or for other reasons.
Date of first enrolment01/09/2014
Date of final enrolment31/03/2015

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

York Trials Unit, Heslington
York
YO10 5DD
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

University of York (UK)
University/education

Department of Health Sciences
York Trials Unit
Area 4
Sebohm Rowntree Building, Heslington
York
YO10 5DD
England
United Kingdom

ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/04m01e293

Funders

Funder type

Government

National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment; Grant Codes: 13/30/02 (UK)

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article results 01/07/2016 Yes No
HRA research summary 28/06/2023 No No

Editorial Notes

22/05/2017: Publication reference added.