We have listed details of studies in which you may be interested in participating. We will add to this as we hear of new research opportunities. The projects and study teams are independent of Kidney Care UK and it is best to contact the teams directly for more information about each study. All studies have received independent ethical approval.
Currently available opportunities
Self-management for young adults with chronic kidney disease
A person-centred, theory-based self-management intervention specific to Young Adults (YAs) living with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) stages 1 to 5. A Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) and mixed-methods study.
Predictors of depression post kidney transplant
This study aims to explore which psychological factors predict depression post kidney transplant.
What were people’s experiences of the winter power cuts?
Did you have a power cut for two or more days because of a storm this winter (November 21 – February 22)?
A team of researchers from King’s College London are looking for participants to interview over a video or telephone call about their experiences of the power cut(s). Anyone who is selected to take part will receive a £30 Amazon voucher for their time.
Support experiences of people who are helping kidney patients
A team of researchers wants to develop a new online emotional support programme for people who are helping someone with a kidney condition. In order to develop the programme they would like to interview friends and family of kidney patients about their experiences of receiving support and their thoughts about online emotional support programmes.
Other research opportunities
The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) ‘Be part of research’ website lists Covid-19 research opportunities it is funding.
The Join Zoe COVID Symptom Study asks people to report on their health on a daily basis via a smartphone app. This will allow the researchers to track any symptoms of COVID-19 that people are experiencing and understand what some of the early symptoms could be.
PROTECT, an existing long-term online study looking at ageing, has opened a new arm to study the impact of COVID-19 isolation on the physical and mental health of people aged over 50, and find new ways to support them.
Self-management for young adults with chronic kidney disease
A person-centred, theory-based self-management intervention specific to Young Adults (YAs) living with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) stages 1 to 5. A Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) and mixed-methods study.
This research aims to address the current CKD self-management by examining the key elements of the CKD self-management interventions identified in the existing literature (phase 1 – REA literature review), as well as, identifying existing self-management behaviours among YAs living with CKD through collection of qualitative (individual interviews and/or focus groups) and quantitative (questionnaire-based study) data (phase 2).
The findings from both phases will be beneficial in informing future research in the self-management interventions field, particularly for YAs with CKD stages 1-5. It is also aimed that the findings from this first stage (phase 1 and 2) will inform the development of an appropriate person-centred, theory-based self-management intervention for YAs living with CKD stages 1 to 5 (phase 3). Finally, the research may also include phase 4, which will aim to assess the feasibility, accessibility, and potential effectiveness of the proposed self-management intervention through collection of qualitative and quantitative data.
Study type
Mixed-methods study
Who is able to participate?
4 groups of participants:
Young adults (males and females, between 18 to 35 years of age, diagnosed with CKD stages 1 to 5), their parents/guardians, caregivers, and health and social care professionals.
Where is the study happening?
Participants will be able to choose to complete the questionnaires at home either online or via pen and paper. Dependent on COVID-restrictions, they could also complete the questionnaires either at the Kidney Wales office in Cardiff or the Swansea University Singleton campus.
Participants may be invited to take part in a focus group or individual interview, depending on their preference. This could be from home (telephone or online) or it could also take place either at the Kidney Wales office in Cardiff or the Swansea University Singleton campus. However, if they do not wish to take part in the interviews, they can still complete the above-mentioned questionnaires.
Open and close dates of recruitment
Up to 6 months
Summary
This research is a multi-phase study involving four phases. Phases 1 involves Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) literature review to establish key elements of the existing CKD self-management interventions. Phase 2 (the current study) involves the collection of quantitative data (questionnaire-based study) and qualitative data (a focus group or individual interview). Phase 2 is conducted in order to identify the gaps in self-management interventions for YAs living with CKD stages 1 to 5, which need to be addressed. Whereas, phase 3 involves the development of a person-centred, theory-based self-management intervention for YAs living with CKD stages 1 to 5, based on findings from phase 1 and 2. Finally, phase 4 aims to assess the feasibility, accessibility, and potential effectiveness of the proposed self-management intervention through collection of qualitative and quantitative data.
Has this study received ethical approval?
Yes. ics Committee name: HRA and Health and Care Research Wales (HCRW)
Reference number: 19/EM/0339.
Lead investigators
- Paula Krawiec (researcher)
- Professor Jaynie Rance (lead supervisor)
- Professor Paul Bennett (2nd supervisor)
Who is funding the study?
Swansea University (50%) and Kidney Wales Foundation (50%)
How do I get involved?
If you are willing to contribute your views, please contact us and we will be able to provide you with further information.
Researcher: Paula Krawiec
Email: [email protected]
Predictors of depression post kidney transplant
Aim of the study
To explore which psychological factors predict depression post kidney transplant.
Study type
Online questionnaire study.
Participants will be asked to complete a selection of online questionnaires at two timepoints, three months apart.
Who is able to participate?
Anyone who has had a kidney transplant 1-8 months ago.
Where is the study happening?
The Oxford Institute of Clinical Psychology Training and Research, The Oxford Centre for Psychological Health, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
Open and close dates of recruitment
Recruitment will open on Tuesday 12 July 2022.
Recruitment will close by April 2023, if not before if sufficient participant numbers are reached.
How do I get involved
Participants will need to follow this link to access the online questionnaire: https://psychiatryoxford.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_difap6jUYUQVOom
Summary
People who have undergone a kidney transplant are more likely to experience depression than the general population. Depression in individuals post kidney transplant can lead to worse medical outcomes. This study explores what psychological factors predict depression post kidney transplant.
Understanding what leads to depression will help us in two ways. Firstly, it will give clinicians ‘red flags’ of things to look out for in individuals, to intervene at an earlier point and potentially stop depression from developing. Secondly, for people who are struggling with depression post-transplant, this study will shed light on where a psychological intervention should be targeted.
Has this study received ethical approval? Please provide REC number.
This study has received ethical approval from the University of Oxford Central University Research Ethics Committee (reference: R80412/RE001).
Lead investigators
Corah Lewis (Trainee Clinical Psychologist)
Dr Sarah Lack (Clinical Psychologist)
Dr Louise Hankinson (Clinical Psychologist)
n.a. The study is part of a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology
Who is funding the study?
The full participant information sheet can be found here: https://psychiatryoxford.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_difap6jUYUQVOom
What are people's experiences of the winter power cuts?
Aim of the study
To find out about people’s experiences during the storm-related power cuts. Were there difficulties during these periods? What support would be better in future power cuts?
The team aims to learn lessons from these events about what did and didn’t help. In particular, they want to look at how people with a range of different needs experienced the power cut(s) so that they can assess whether people’s disabilities and/or health conditions affect the needs they have in these situations.
You will be given £30 for taking part. This will be as an Amazon or other shopping voucher or a charity donation to the British Red Cross.
Study type
A one-to-one interview which will take place via an online video call or via a telephone call. This will last roughly 45-90 minutes, with additional comfort breaks. You can communicate via the chat function if you prefer.
Who is able to participate?
Participants must be aged 18 or over, can speak (or sign) English fluently, live in the UK and have experienced power cuts for 2 or more consecutive days because of a winter storm. The team are particularly interested in: Storm Arwen, Storms Malik & Corrie, Storm Dudley, Storm Eunice and Storm Franklin.
The researchers would particularly like to hear from people with a range of needs which would include people undergoing home dialysis therapies.
How do I get involved
To take part, email [email protected] saying ‘I would like to take part in your research’ and please state whether the following apply to you:
- You are aged 18 or over
- You can speak or sign English fluently
- You had a power cut for 2+ consecutive days between November 2021 and February 2022 because of a storm.
Postal address: Poppy Ellis Logan, Department of Psychological Medicine, KCL Weston Education Centre, 10 Cutcombe Road, London, SE5 9RJ
Has this study received ethical approval?
Yes - Ethical Clearance Reference Number: HR/DP-21/22-27205
Who is funding the study?
This project is being funded by King’s College London.
Future publication
The results of the project will be summarised in Poppy Ellis Logan’s PhD thesis, which will be published after 2024 and accessible via the King’s Research Portal. Poppy will also try to publish it in a peer reviewed journal.
More information
For more information, please visit www.tinyurl.com/powercuts where you can find out more about the project, the interviews and the team.
Support experiences of people who are helping kidney patients
Aim of the study
To to develop an online emotional support programme for family members, partners, and friends of people with kidney conditions.
Study type
Qualitative interview study (over video call)
Who is able to participate?
Anyone who is 18 years old or older, living in the UK and a family member, partner or friend of someone living with any kidney condition (who is also 18 years old or older).
Where is the study happening?
Remotely via video call
Open and close dates of recruitment
Open for recruitment since April 2022. Recruitment will be closed around March 2023
How do I get involved
If you are interested in taking part, please email [email protected]
Summary
Many family members, partners, and friends of people living with a kidney condition experience challenges. Researchers at the University of Exeter want to develop a new online emotional support programme to support people who are helping someone with a kidney condition.
To make sure the programme they develop is useful and acceptable to the people who will use it, they want learn about:
- Your experiences of receiving support, for example from health professionals, or friends and family
- Your thoughts about online emotional support programmes
The interview will take place via video-call (e.g. Microsoft Teams or Zoom). Interviews will take 45-60 minutes..
Has this study received ethical approval? Please provide REC number.
Ethical approval has been obtained from the University of Exeter, Psychology Research Ethics Committee (Reference: 513911)
Lead investigators
Lead researcher: Chelsea Coumoundouros
Supervised by: Professor Paul Farrand and Dr. Joanne Woodford
Who is funding the study?
This research project is being funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie-Sklodowska Curie grant agreement No 814072.