BU Research Blog

FHSS PhD student Hina Tariq has been featured in the frontline magazine of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy with her clinical supervisor, Joel Dunn in an article “Addressing the cost of contractures” . The article highlights her PhD research on the development and validation of a contracture risk assessment tool (ORACLE). Joint contracture is a debilitating condition characterised by the shortening and stiffening of muscles, pose significant challenges for individuals’ mobility and quality of life. A valid and reliable contracture risk assessment tool might have the potential to trigger timely and appropriate referrals and may aid in prompt escalation of early interventions by the specialists aiming to reduce the risk of contracture development or progression of existing contractures.The article also highlights her contribution to a contracture awareness video  developed as part of a QI-driven project with Dorset Healthcare. The evidence behind the content of the video has been generated by her PhD research. The awareness video is developed for carers to highlight the risks associated with the development of joint contractures and the practical preventative steps. This video was co-created as a collaboration between Dorset HealthCare’s clinical staff, the quality improvement team and with support from staff at Encore Care Homes.