Thank you for your interest in this RECOVER research study. The study’s aims and participant details are listed below. We look forward to talking to with you.
Aims:
- Walk tests could in future be performed by going for a walk along local streets when it is convenient, which may allow tests to be conducted more frequently. We believe this will allow both clinicians and people with pain to gain a better picture of an individual’s ability to exercise, perform their activities of daily living, and improve their care. This, in turn, will result in both short and long-term health benefits for people with persistent pain.
- The purpose of this study is to compare the results of a 6-minute walk test using the Timed Walk smartphone app to a conventional 6-minute walk test supervised by a physiotherapist, in order to assess the agreement between the two methods.
- If the app proves to be a valid alternative to conventional 6-minute walk tests, findings from this research could enable widespread use of this app for patients who cannot travel to an appointment at a clinic or hospital.
Types of volunteers needed:
- Adults (18 years of age or older)
- Have persistent pain (longer than 9 months)
- Are either seeking treatment at the Tess Cramond Pain and Research Centre (TCPRC) or have otherwise nominated their interest in participating in this research.
- Own or have access to a smartphone (Android or iPhone). Smartphones can be provided for the walk test if required.
- Are able to walk outdoors for at least 100m without the use of walking aids.
What is involved?
- If you decide to participate in this study, your participation will involve attending a one hour face-to-face session at Downey Park, Windsor. See location map here.
- Participation involves downloading a free mobile application onto your smartphone and performing, on a single day, both a conventional 6-minute walk test and another 6-minute walk test using the Timed Walk app. A researcher on the project will assist you with downloading, installing and using the smartphone app.
- On the day of the testing, you will be asked to perform a conventional 6-minute walk test by walking between two markers placed 30 metres apart. You will then be allowed to rest for at least 15 minutes where you can sit down in the shade, have a drink of water and access your mobile phone. Following this short rest period, you will perform a second 6-minute walk test by walking around the park while carrying your smartphone with Timed Walk app measuring the walking distance.
- Carer's are welcome to attend the session.
What’s in it for me?
- A $20 electronic gift voucher will be given to you, on the day of the walk tests, to thank you for your time.
- There will be no direct benefit to you from participating in this research. However, your participation will help to determine the accuracy of the Timed Walk smartphone app in comparison to conventional 6-minute walk tests.
- Each participant will be sent a plain language summary of the results at the conclusion of the study.
How can I volunteer or find out more?
People interested in participating or learning more about the study including location details can:
- Contact Dr Joshua Simmich, Project Investigator, RECOVER Injury Research Centre on email j.simmich@uq.edu.au; or
- Read the study information sheet and register on the form provided here.