XClose

Centre for Behaviour Change

Menu

Improving engagement in community-based OT and self-management for people with FND

Developing interventions to improve engagement in community-based Occupational Therapy and self-management for people with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND).

Physiotherapy

1 November 2024

Key Facts

PhD project

Title: Developing interventions to improve engagement in community-based OT and self-management for people with FND.

Funder: NIHR Doctoral Clinical and Practitioner Academic Fellowship (DCAF)

CBC Doctoral Student: Clare Nicholson

CBC Supervisors: Dr Fabiana Lorencatto

About FND

Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) affects approximately 100,000 adults in the UK, causing symptoms like weakness, tremors, and seizure-like events. The condition adversely affects daily life and carries high health and social care costs.

Why this research matters

  • Occupational Therapists (OTs) play a key role in FND rehabilitation, but improvements from rehabilitation can be difficult to sustain in the long-term.
  • There is a lack of research to guide OTs with supporting people with FND.
  • Many OTs in the community report lacking confidence in supporting people with FND, and community-based therapy remains underutilized.
  • Patients often report inadequate OT support, citing receipt of equipment only, rather than rehabilitation.
  • Improved OT-led rehabilitation in community settings could enhance independence, improve quality of life outcomes, and lower healthcare costs.

Research Approach

Using behaviour change frameworks (e.g., Theoretical Domains Framework, COM-B, Behaviour Change Technique Taxonomy), this study will:

  • Prioritise strategies that are likely to be most acceptable, feasible, and effective in improving engagement in community OT and self-management for people with FND.
  • Determine the best way to design, deliver, and test the prioritised strategies.

Future research will help to develop and test these interventions.