Developing a Psychological Understanding of Idiopathic Drop Attacks
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 已完成
- 入组人数
- 7
- 试验地点
- 1
- 主要终点
- Semi-structured assessment interview
研究概览
简要总结
The aim of this project is to better understand the experiences of people who have idiopathic drop attacks. These falls have no identified medical cause but can cause people injuries such as bruising, facial injuries and, in some cases, broken bones. It can also make them worry about having more falls, and the pain and embarrassment this would cause, and stop them from going out. There has been very little research in this area and there are currently no treatments.
In this study, ten people who experience idiopathic drop attacks will be interviewed at an outpatient clinic to understand more about them and the falls. They will be asked in particular about the period of time around when they started having the falls and whether there are aware of any triggers. Participants will also be asked to write accounts of these drop attacks, after they have happened, for a period of eight weeks. They will be asked to describe what they were thinking and feeling, and how they felt in themselves before and after the fall.
This information will allow the researcher to look at common experiences that people who experience these falls have. This understanding could help to identify whether a psychological approach to treatment could help individuals to manage and cope with this condition.
详细描述
Design
In this exploratory qualitative study, neurology outpatients with ongoing Idiopathic Drop Attacks (IDAs) will undergo psychological assessment and complete written diaries for eight weeks. Throughout the study, participants will receive treatment as usual from a neurologist.
Procedure
Participants will be recruited from a neurology outpatient clinic at the Department of Clinical Neurosciences in Edinburgh where they will be approached by their consultant who will give them a participant information sheet. If they are interested in taking part, a meeting will be set up with the researcher to discuss the study further and obtain written informed consent.
Participants will then meet with the researcher to complete an initial psychological interview which will be audio recorded. This interview will follow a standard initial psychological interview structure and will aim to gain information about the person's experiences of IDAs, along with relevant personal and social history.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Observational
- 观察模型
- Cohort
- 时间视角
- Cross Sectional
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 18 Years 至 —（Adult, Older Adult）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 否
入选标准
- •Idiopathic drop attacks occurring 6+ times per year
- •Having previously completed extensive investigation into possible cause of drop attacks
- •Able to provide informed consent
排除标准
- •Diagnosis which would provide an alternative explanation for drop attacks
- •Drop attacks due to malfunction of the lower limbs, changes in body or head posture, or vertigo.
结局指标
主要结局
Semi-structured assessment interview
时间窗: One hour
This audio-recorded 60-minute interview will follow the format of an initial psychological assessment and will allow discussion of presenting problems and relevant personal and social history. This will allow potential predisposing and precipitating factors to be identified. Participants' experiences of IDAs will also be discussed, focussing on thoughts, feelings and behaviour before and after the episodes. The participants will also be asked about the impact that these have had on their everyday functioning.
次要结局
- Drop attack diary(8 weeks)
研究者
Emily Revell
Trainee Clinical Psychologist
University of Edinburgh