Developing the ‘Life Threads’ approach to support families after traumatic brain injury in UK community settings: protocol for a qualitative prefeasibility study

Introduction Traumatic brain injury (TBI) brings about inevitable and significant changes for family members. Mental health effects for family members are well documented but there are significant gaps in support options across services. Here, we describe our protocol for a study that seeks to inves...

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Main Authors: Caroline Ellis-Hill, Fergus Gracey, Mark Holloway, Charlotte Jane Whiffin, Alyson Norman, Morag Lee, Parmjeet Kaur Singh, Jo Clark-Wilson, Audrey Daisley, Natasha Yasmin Felles, Sara Rose
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2024-10-01
Series:BMJ Open
Online Access:https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/10/e084204.full
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author Caroline Ellis-Hill
Fergus Gracey
Mark Holloway
Charlotte Jane Whiffin
Alyson Norman
Morag Lee
Parmjeet Kaur Singh
Jo Clark-Wilson
Audrey Daisley
Natasha Yasmin Felles
Sara Rose
author_facet Caroline Ellis-Hill
Fergus Gracey
Mark Holloway
Charlotte Jane Whiffin
Alyson Norman
Morag Lee
Parmjeet Kaur Singh
Jo Clark-Wilson
Audrey Daisley
Natasha Yasmin Felles
Sara Rose
author_sort Caroline Ellis-Hill
collection DOAJ
description Introduction Traumatic brain injury (TBI) brings about inevitable and significant changes for family members. Mental health effects for family members are well documented but there are significant gaps in support options across services. Here, we describe our protocol for a study that seeks to investigate the potential for a narrative, creative approach, the ‘Life Threads’ approach, as a low intensity, accessible means of support that can be applied across service contexts.Methods We will recruit 20 family members of someone who sustained a TBI from services in an area of the UK with a diverse demographic. Family members will be provided with the ‘Life Threads’ approach materials and guided in their use. The study is planned to run from March 2023 to July 2024.Analysis Collection of data on potential usefulness, feasibility and acceptability will be through focus groups and individual interviews. Transcripts will be analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, conducted within a relativist, constructivist orientation.Ethics and dissemination Ethical approvals have been sought and gained (Nottingham 1 Research Ethics Committee, 23/EM/0185, 4 September 2023), and the study has been registered with ISRCTN. As a research team, we are guided by our own personal, professional and research experiences of TBI which we will consider reflexively throughout the research process. Results will be disseminated in collaboration with our patient and public involvement group through open peer-reviewed journal publication and scientific conference, with lay summaries shared via recruitment sites.Trial registration number ISRCTN17392794.
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spelling doaj-art-2dc9482e78fb46cba5593dc45df49fad2025-08-20T03:48:31ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552024-10-01141010.1136/bmjopen-2024-084204Developing the ‘Life Threads’ approach to support families after traumatic brain injury in UK community settings: protocol for a qualitative prefeasibility studyCaroline Ellis-Hill0Fergus Gracey1Mark Holloway2Charlotte Jane Whiffin3Alyson Norman4Morag Lee5Parmjeet Kaur Singh6Jo Clark-Wilson7Audrey Daisley8Natasha Yasmin Felles9Sara Rose10Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Bournemouth University, Poole, UKFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UKHead First (Assessment, Rehabilitation & Case Management) Limited, Hawkhurst, UKCollege of Health, Psychology and Social Care, University of Derby, Derby, UKFaculty of Health and Human Sciences, School of Psychology, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UKPatient and Public Involvement Representative, Derby, UKPatient and Public Involvement Representative, Derby, UKHead First (Assessment, Rehabilitation & Case Management) Limited, Hawkhurst, UKConnect Neuropsychology, Oxford, UKCollege of Health, Psychology and Social Care, University of Derby, Derby, UKCollege of Health, Psychology and Social Care, University of Derby, Derby, UKIntroduction Traumatic brain injury (TBI) brings about inevitable and significant changes for family members. Mental health effects for family members are well documented but there are significant gaps in support options across services. Here, we describe our protocol for a study that seeks to investigate the potential for a narrative, creative approach, the ‘Life Threads’ approach, as a low intensity, accessible means of support that can be applied across service contexts.Methods We will recruit 20 family members of someone who sustained a TBI from services in an area of the UK with a diverse demographic. Family members will be provided with the ‘Life Threads’ approach materials and guided in their use. The study is planned to run from March 2023 to July 2024.Analysis Collection of data on potential usefulness, feasibility and acceptability will be through focus groups and individual interviews. Transcripts will be analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, conducted within a relativist, constructivist orientation.Ethics and dissemination Ethical approvals have been sought and gained (Nottingham 1 Research Ethics Committee, 23/EM/0185, 4 September 2023), and the study has been registered with ISRCTN. As a research team, we are guided by our own personal, professional and research experiences of TBI which we will consider reflexively throughout the research process. Results will be disseminated in collaboration with our patient and public involvement group through open peer-reviewed journal publication and scientific conference, with lay summaries shared via recruitment sites.Trial registration number ISRCTN17392794.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/10/e084204.full
spellingShingle Caroline Ellis-Hill
Fergus Gracey
Mark Holloway
Charlotte Jane Whiffin
Alyson Norman
Morag Lee
Parmjeet Kaur Singh
Jo Clark-Wilson
Audrey Daisley
Natasha Yasmin Felles
Sara Rose
Developing the ‘Life Threads’ approach to support families after traumatic brain injury in UK community settings: protocol for a qualitative prefeasibility study
BMJ Open
title Developing the ‘Life Threads’ approach to support families after traumatic brain injury in UK community settings: protocol for a qualitative prefeasibility study
title_full Developing the ‘Life Threads’ approach to support families after traumatic brain injury in UK community settings: protocol for a qualitative prefeasibility study
title_fullStr Developing the ‘Life Threads’ approach to support families after traumatic brain injury in UK community settings: protocol for a qualitative prefeasibility study
title_full_unstemmed Developing the ‘Life Threads’ approach to support families after traumatic brain injury in UK community settings: protocol for a qualitative prefeasibility study
title_short Developing the ‘Life Threads’ approach to support families after traumatic brain injury in UK community settings: protocol for a qualitative prefeasibility study
title_sort developing the life threads approach to support families after traumatic brain injury in uk community settings protocol for a qualitative prefeasibility study
url https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/10/e084204.full
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