RecruitingInterventional

Co-designing dietary weight management in spinal cord injury

Living with a spinal cord injury can make weight management challenging, as body changes can increase fat and reduce energy needs. This can lead to health problems like diabetes and heart disease, and make using wheelchairs harder. There isn't much information on the best ways to support people in managing their weight after a spinal cord injury, particularly for those who live a long way from a specialist centre. This study aims to fix that. We're working closely with patients and healthcare professionals to design a new weight management program. We'll look at how other centres help, talk to staff and patients, then create and test a new program to see how well it works and how people feel about it.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Enrolment target

Start

23 Sep 2025

Estimated completion

31 Aug 2027

Weight management in spinal cord injury

What is this study about?

When someone has a spinal cord injury, their body changes quite a bit below the injury area. This often means they have more body fat and need less energy from food than someone without such an injury. These changes can increase the risk of health issues like diabetes and heart disease. It can also make everyday tasks, like using a wheelchair, more challenging if someone gains weight.

Currently, we don't have enough good ways to help people with spinal cord injuries manage their weight, especially if they live far from hospitals or clinics that specialise in spinal injuries. This study wants to change that. We're going to work hand-in-hand with people who have spinal cord injuries and the healthcare staff who support them. Together, we will design a new and improved way to help people manage their weight.

Our plan involves three main steps. First, we'll gather information by talking to dietitians at other spinal injury centres and interviewing staff and patients about their experiences. Second, we'll use this information to co-create a new weight management program with a group of patients and staff. Finally, we'll test this new program with a small group of patients to see how well it works and what people think of it. This will help us create a support package that is truly useful and effective.

Key takeaways

Aims to create better weight management support for people with spinal cord injuries.
Patients and healthcare staff will work together to design the new program.
Will look at how different centres currently help patients.
Will test a new program with a small group of patients.
Focused on finding solutions for those living far from specialist centres.
Funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for a few different groups of people. Firstly, we need adults aged 18 or over who have a spinal cord injury and can understand and agree to take part. This includes patients who are newly injured and have been in hospital for a while, as well as those who have been discharged but are still seen at the clinic. We'll also be asking patients with different levels of injury and who are at various stages of their recovery to get a wide range of experiences.

We are also looking for healthcare staff who work with people who have spinal cord injuries, particularly dietitians and other staff at spinal injury centres. You won't be excluded based on your current weight, whether it's healthy, overweight, or obese. If you need support from a carer to take part, that's absolutely fine.

The study will also involve observing how two specific spinal injury centres currently offer weight management support, inviting those centres to participate in that part of the study.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Do you have a spinal cord injury?
Are you able to understand and agree to take part?
Are you a healthcare professional working with spinal cord injury patients?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, what you'll be asked to do depends on which stage of the study you join. In the first stage, you might be asked to have a chat or interview with our researchers. This could involve talking about your experiences with weight changes after your injury and when you think information about weight management would be most helpful. This stage helps us gather ideas and understand current practices.

In the second stage, you would join a regular group of patients and staff. Together, you will use the information from the first stage to help design a new weight management program. This involves discussing what an ideal program should look like, including teaching and support during hospital stays and after you go home. You'll be actively involved in shaping this new support plan.

In the third stage, a small group of patients will try out the new weight management program that has been created. If you are in this group, you'll receive support from the clinical team to help manage your weight. We'll also ask for your experiences and feedback on the program. We understand your time is valuable, so we plan to reimburse you for the time you spend attending meetings and interviews.

Potential risks and benefits

For most people taking part, especially in the early stages, there might not be any direct personal benefits right away. However, your involvement is crucial as it will help create a better weight management program for many others with spinal cord injuries in the future. If you participate in the final stage where we test the new program, you'll receive direct support from the clinical team to help manage your weight, which is a clear benefit. Risks are very limited in this study. We will only ask patients who received their injury at least three months ago to participate. We understand that talking about weight or body changes can sometimes be upsetting. If you find any discussions difficult, we will make sure suitable support is offered to you. We also ask for a time commitment for interviews or meetings, but your time will be paid for. You are always free to stop participating at any time without giving a reason.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Sheffield, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is co-design?

Co-design means working together with patients and staff to create something new, ensuring it meets everyone's needs and experiences.

Why is weight management important after a spinal cord injury?

Changes in your body after a spinal cord injury can increase body fat and reduce your energy needs, which can lead to health problems like diabetes and heart disease, and make using a wheelchair more difficult.

Will I have to travel to Sheffield?

The study is run from Sheffield, but it aims to find ways to support patients who live a distance away, perhaps even using technology. Specific travel requirements will depend on which part of the study you participate in.

Who is paying for this research?

This study is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), a major research funder in the UK.

What if I change my mind about taking part?

You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your care.

How to find out more

Sarah Wilkinson

sarah.wilkinson71@nhs.net - Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.