Physiotherapists from East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust have received an award for their research into different treatment pathways for people with rotator cuff problems.
Some of the East Lancashire research team with their award certificates. Front row from left: Kate Chamberlain, Helen Thompson, Alison Hallett, Suzanne Folley and Steve Hoyle. Second row: Helen Walsh, Lisa Carter, Sharon Platt, Michelle Thirlwell, Kelly Holehouse, Amanda Dale and Jo Perry. Back row: Rachel Dean, Jill Taylor, Nickie Hopwood, Anne Schofield, Amy McAfee and Jo Ellins.
The research team, which includes eight research physiotherapists and 20 clinical interventional physiotherapists, won the best debut award at the Greater Manchester Clinical Research Awards, in Manchester late last year.
The first-time researchers were recognised for their support of the UK-wide Getting it Right Addressing Shoulder Pain (GRASP) study into ways to treat shoulder pain in people with rotator cuff disorders.
Orthopaedic upper limb physiotherapist Helen Thompson leads the team, along with co-principal investigator Alison Hallett, an orthopaedic upper limb consultant.
Ms Thompson told Frontline the study involves randomising people with shoulder pain to follow one of four physiotherapy treatment pathways. Participants either receive best practice advice, with or without the addition of a corticosteroid injection, or progressive exercise with or without a corticosteroid injection.
‘Success relies a lot on collaboration, integrated working and very much a team approach,’ she said.
‘We have physios from the trust’s orthopaedic upper limb service, our integrated musculoskeletal, pain and rheumatology service and the clinical physio service all working together, with the help of our research coordinator Suzanne Folley.
‘There are also a wide number of band 6, 7 and 8 physios who aren’t directly involved, but are vital to the trial because they are triaging patients. The work of the physiotherapy booking office and admin staff is essential.’
She added that the team felt honoured to win the award and to be contributing to the research.
Dr Anton Krige, associate director for research and innovation at the trust, said: ‘We’re delighted that the research team has been recognised for their outstanding work. The team’s success is a wonderful achievement, especially as GRASP is the first national clinical trial they have undertaken.’
The GRASP trial began in March 2017 and is running at 15 pilot sites. To date, the study has recruited more than 180 participants and it aims to reach a final target of 704. The National Institute for Health Research is funding the research and the University of Oxford is leading it.
Author: Robert Millett
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