Research

Research is vital in the quest to stop these devastating illnesses affecting more lives. To so many of us, research is important because it’s about change.

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) has several enduring effects that can lead to further harm and/or lower quality of life. These effects include falling and body pain, neither of which have been fully explored. This study aims to examine the risk factors associated with falling and potential causes of body pain in a post-GBS population. A cross-sectional survey of 216 participants was conducted using an electronic questionnaire that included. Self-report measures for: overall health, balance, anxiety and depression levels, body pain and demographics related to GBS experience and falls. A large proportion of individuals post-GBS experience ongoing problems beyond those expected with ageing. Comparative tests indicated that people reporting falls in the previous 12 months had: poorer levels of mobility, poorer F-scores, higher levels of body pain, poorer balance, poorer anxiety and depression scores and higher levels of fatigue. Gender did not appear to contribute to falls. Injuries following falls were associated with a lack of physiotherapy postdischarge and time since GBS. In a regression analysis of the identified and expected key variables, age and body pain statistically predicted falls. In over a quarter of cases reported here, respondents did not receive community physiotherapy following hospital discharge. In the midst and aftermath of COVID-19, provision of rehabilitation needs to be recalibrated, not just for COVID patients, but the wider community with ongoing needs. Issues around well-being and quality of life in the post-GBS community also need further consideration.

Falls in people post Guillain-Barré syndrome in the United Kingdom: A national cross-sectional survey of community based adults

Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) has several enduring effects that can lead to further harm and/or lower quality of life. These effects include falling and body pain, neither of which have been fully explored. This study aims to examine the risk factors associated with falling and potential causes of body pain in a post-GBS population. A cross-sectional survey of 216 participants was conducted using an electronic questionnaire that included self-report measures for: overall health, balance, anxiety and depression levels, body pain and demographics related to GBS experience and falls. A large proportion of individuals post-GBS experience ongoing problems beyond those expected with ageing. Comparative tests indicated that people reporting falls in the previous 12 months had: poorer levels of mobility, poorer F-scores, higher levels of body pain, poorer balance, poorer anxiety and depression scores and higher levels of fatigue. Gender did not appear to contribute to falls. Injuries following falls were associated with a lack of physiotherapy postdischarge and time since GBS. In a regression analysis of the identified and expected key variables, age and body pain statistically predicted falls. In over a quarter of cases reported here, respondents did not receive community physiotherapy following hospital discharge. In the midst and aftermath of COVID-19, provision of rehabilitation needs to be recalibrated, not just for COVID patients, but the wider community with ongoing needs. issues around well-being and quality of life in the post-GBS community also need further consideration. Click here to read.

Systematic review of experiences of people with Guillain-Barré syndrome published in PLOS One

The study was funded by the GAIN charity and led by Prof Niro Siriwardena, with a team inlcuding Despina Laparidou and Dr Joseph Akanuwe from CaHRU, Dr Ffion Curtis from Lincoln International Institue for Rural Health, Dr Jennifer Jackson (Lincoln International Business School) and Professor Tim Hodgson (School of Pyschology). Click here to read.

Manchester University Post GBS survey – ENDED

Thank you for taking part in this is a GAIN funded project. We will publish the results as soon as they are available

Experiences of People following Guillain-Barré Syndrome and Associated Neuropathies: questionnaire survey – ENDED

Thank you for taking part in the University of Lincoln research survey conducted by the UoL research team. The purpose of the survey is to research the experiences of people with GBS, CIDP and related conditions.

Neurological Alliance Patient experience survey 2018/2019 – ENDED

The Neurological Alliance Patient experience survey 2018/2019 has come to an end. Click on the link to see the Neurological Alliance’s findings:

https://gaincharity.org.uk/national-neurology-patient-experience-survey/