Participant Information Sheet

What is the purpose of the study? 

The purpose of the study is to gain insight into physiotherapists clinical reasoning and perceptions of step width variability in Multiple Sclerosis. 

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Step width variability is used to describe the changeable foot placement in the mediolateral plane (side-to-side) when walking. It can have a negative effect on a patient's gait in both the initial and later progression of the disease in MS and similar neurological diseases.

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There is strong evidence to suggest physiotherapy interventions such as exercise based therapy have been shown to increase gait quality and speed, as well as balance, lower leg muscle strength in people with MS (Dalgas et al., 2009; Gutierrez et  al., 2005). Currently, there is no existing evidence that has utilised step width variability in a physiotherapy trial. However, it may be treated within a wider, holistic approach to improving gait and we want to understand this better. Therefore, through this study, we want to explore how physiotherapists clinically reason their assessment and treatment choices, and to understand the personal perceptions of these experiences. By doing this, we hope to add to the current body research and provide a more detailed representation of clinical experience and methodology employed throughout clinical practice. Furthermore, it may be possible to use this information to develop specific intervention for step width variability for physiotherapists. 

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We are also interested to understand the current level of awareness within practicing physiotherapists of the terms step length and step width variability, and their influence on current practice. 

Why have I been invited?
We would like to recruit physiotherapists with experience treating patients with MS, and similar neurological conditions. 

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Do I have to take part?
Your decision to participate in the study is entirely voluntary. A copy of the information provided here is yours to keep, along with the consent form if you do decide to take part. You may refuse to participate, you are free to withdraw from the study at any time or you can refuse to answer any particular questions asked or you.

What will happen to me if I take part?
The researcher will contact you to arrange a convenient time for you to attend an online focus group session. For your convenience, multiple dates and times will be available to choose from in the form of a Doodle Poll via email. Each online focus group will have between 3-5 participants and will be 60-90 minutes in duration. They will take the form of a semi-structured professional discussion about your experiences, clinical reasoning and perceptions of step width variability in patients with MS or similar neurological conditions. The session will be guided by the researcher, but we do ask that you are willing to engage with the topic in a professional and honest manner. 

An audio and video recording of the focus group will be made. This is for research purposes only and will allow us to appropriately and accurately consider all contributions situated within the context. 

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Expenses and payments
You will not be paid for taking part in this study. There are no costs associated with taking part in this study, however as this is an online focus group, you will require a device that has the capability to hold a Zoom meeting (e.g. smartphone, tablet device, laptop, or desktop computer) and access to the internet. 

Any possible disadvantages and risks of taking part?
The possible disadvantages associated with the study have been assessed through an appropriate risk assessment form, which concluded any possible disadvantages are minimal/low. The identified risk is associated with any emotional distress that may be caused through discussion of sensitive topics such as personal perceptions and emotions. This has been considered throughout the focus group process including the questions selected. 

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In addition, the focus groups will be live and interactive in nature and therefore it is not possible to contribute anonymously. As such, other participants may recognise you but the data arising from the focus groups will be anonymised.

Any possible benefits of taking part? 

There is no intended benefit to you from taking part in this study. However, the information we get from this study helps in identifying current understanding and clinical reasoning of gait variability in MS. And therefore through your participation, you will be contributing to research and education. Additionally, a further possible benefit from the focus group setting as they will provide opportunity to discuss your, and others participants, experiences, clinical reasoning and perceptions as part of the group discussion. Each discussion will mirror that of an MDT meeting and as such, can be a rewarding process. 

How will you use what is recorded and reported about me?  

The University undertakes research as part of its function for the community under its legal status. Data protection allows us to use personal data for research with appropriate safeguards in place under the legal basis of public tasks that are in the public interest. A full statement of your rights can be found at: https://www.shu.ac.uk/about-this-website/privacy-policy/privacy-notices/privacy-notice-forresearch  

All information that is collected from you during the course of the research will be kept strictly confidential. The project supervisor and other responsible people at Sheffield Hallam University will be able to see that you have been interviewed and may read the transcripts of the interviews as part of any audit process. Direct quotations from the interview may be used when writing up the research however these quotes will be labelled using a pseudonym appropriate to your preferred gender. Identifying details will be taken out of any final report and any publication so people reading these will not be able to identify you. 

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What will happen to the results of the research study? 

It is anticipated that the results of the study will be submitted for publication in a peer reviewed journal as well as being presented at a relevant professional conference. You may receive a summary of the results if you wish. Simply let us know that you would like to receive a summary of the results and we shall email you, once the project is complete. 

What will happen to the information when this study is over?
With consent, the data will be made available for future research projects to expand the body of knowledge known about clinical reasoning and perceptions of physiotherapists and interventions regarding step width variability. The data from the study will be encrypted and securely stored on SHU premises by the project supervisor and will be stored for 10 years. During this time only appropriate and qualified SHU members of staff will have access to the data. 

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Who is sponsoring the study?
The sponsor of the study has the duty to ensure that it runs properly and that it is insured. In this study, the sponsor is Sheffield Hallam University

Who has reviewed this study? 

All University research is reviewed to ensure that participants are treated appropriately and their rights respected. This study was approved by the Sheffield Hallam University Research Ethics Committee.

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If you have any queries or questions please contact:  

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Principal investigator: Leah England

Email: b8030509@my.shu.ac.uk

Phone: 07920776819

Alternatively, you can contact my supervisor: Nicky Snowdon (Lecturer at SHU)

Email: n.snowdon@shu.ac.uk

Phone: 0114 225 5751

Below are details of who to contact if you have any concerns or if adverse effects occur after the study:

You should contact the Data Protection Officer if:

• you have a query about how your data is used by the University

• you would like to report a data security breach (e.g. if you think your personal data has been lost or disclosed inappropriately)

• you would like to complain about how the University has used your personal data 

Email for Data Protection Officer: DPO@shu.ac.uk

You should contact the Head of Research

Ethics (Professor Ann Macaskill) if:

• you have concerns with how the research was undertaken or how you were treated

Email for Head of Research Ethics:

a.macaskill@shu.ac.uk

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Postal address: Sheffield Hallam University, Howard Street, Sheffield, S1 1WBT.

Telephone: 0114 225 5555