Ground-breaking new trial for stroke patients
Dorset stroke patients are invited to take part in an innovative new clinical trial, testing how a specialised device can help strengthen hand and arm function.
More than 100,000 people in the UK have a stroke each year, and one third will be left with permanent weakness. While rehabilitation does help after a stroke, the benefits can be modest.
In a recent clinical trial, electrically stimulating the vagus nerve while participants moved their weak arm resulted in better arm recovery compared with rehabilitation therapy alone. However, the electrical stimulator was surgically implanted, with nerve stimulation triggered by a therapist and delivered in hospital.
With the new TRICEPS (TRanscutaneous lImb reCovEry Post-Stroke) trial, brain stimulation is triggered via a lightweight, wearable pacemaker-like device which connects to a wired earpiece, rather than an implant inserted under general anaesthetic.
The stimulation is automatically activated as the arm is moved during therapy and the connected earpiece gently tickles the ear, meaning people can access the treatment at home and without the need for invasive surgery.
More commonly used to treat epilepsy, it is hoped this approach will allow revolutionary treatment to be provided to larger numbers of stroke patients. Patients have already been enrolled via two local NHS trusts, UHD, and Dorset HealthCare, but researchers need more people to come forward.
Consultant stroke therapist, Dr Louise Johnson, leads the study locally. She said: “This is a really exciting and promising trial, and it’s unusual to be able to take part so long after having a stroke. I am confident there are plenty of people out there who are eligible, and would want to play a role in improving stroke rehabilitation, so please do come forward.”
Ian Odd, who had a stroke in 2020, is participating in the trial at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, and “would recommend it to anyone wanting to improve their quality of life post-stroke. It’s fantastic, and has certainly got me more disciplined with exercise. It’s well worth being involved.”
Specialist clinical therapist, Lucy Haynes, with trial participant, Ian Odd at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital
The £2m trial is led by researchers in Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Sheffield and is running in 19 centres around the country.
The trial is being run from locations in Bournemouth, Sherborne and Dorchester. If you live outside Dorset, it is still possible to take part, if you are willing and able to travel to Bournemouth, Dorchester or Sherborne Hospitals for assessments.
To find out more, contact 0300 019 4504 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (people living in the BCP area or east Dorset), or – for residents elsewhere in the county – 01935 601454 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
An insight into maternity research
As applications re-open for the National Institute for Heath and Care Research (NIHR)’s INSIGHT programme, what’s it like to take part? Susara Blunden balances her job as a women’s health research midwife at University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) with a place on the programme in the South West Central region. She is working towards a Masters of Research at Bournemouth University (BU).
What’s your day job?
I work as a specialist research midwife, based at UHD. It’s a busy role in a super small team, very much ward based and hands on. We deliver NIHR portfolio studies across women’s health and maternity specialities. We’ve currently ten studies open – everything from looking at the feasibility of a new test for the national newborn screening programme, through to new approaches to helping pregnant women stop smoking.
Have you always worked as a midwife?
No! This is actually my second career. I started off in The City, developing and setting up hedge funds. When I had my first child, I was hooked on the whole world of pregnancy and birth. In my mid-thirties I made the radical decision to do a healthcare Access Course and study for a degree. I graduated in 2014 with a BSc (Hons) in Midwifery from Bournemouth University (BU). I then worked as a midwife at UHD.
When did you become interested in research?
As a student I became interested in ways to improve patient experience and outcomes. Clinical based research allows me to take a practical approach to this. My first research role was as a Clinical Trials Assistant. Clinical research leadership isn’t just for medics – lots of healthcare professionals are interested in this area, and the NIHR-funded INSIGHT scheme recognises and celebrates this.
Studying for a masters is a big step up – how did you go about it?
I gained a place on BU’s MRes course via the NIHR-funded INSIGHT programme. This fully funds university fees and provides a stipendiary to registered health and social care professionals who want to be future clinical research leaders. It helps you gain the academic skills and training needed, without incurring more student debt. The course at BU can be done full time over a year, or part time over two years. I decided to do it part time to keep up my clinical practice.
Why did you want to go in this direction?
In my day job, I am very much delivering other people’s research. Although I really enjoy this, I wanted to work on my own project – and so the NIHR-funded INSIGHT programme offered the perfect opportunity to pursue something I’m really passionate about.
What is the project you are working on as part of your studies?
I am researching if the diagnosis time for endometriosis can be reduced. Around 1.5 million women suffer with this disease in the UK. However, diagnosis currently takes almost nine years. Women are being done a disservice as endometriosis has a massive impact on physical and mental health. The longer it takes to receive a diagnosis, the poorer quality of life can become. Early diagnosis is vital so endometriosis can be appropriately treated and managed - there is no cure.
How are you going about this?
My project started with a systematic review of global clinical guidelines to establish gaps in knowledge and practice. Undertaking PPI (patient and public involvement) is the next step – to ensure I take into consideration views across a range of communities, including seldom-heard voices. After that I will run focus groups, asking how the diagnosis process can be improved.
What challenges have you encountered so far?
I can talk for England! But I am not a natural writer. I am a bit in denial about the need to produce a thesis at the end of my course. However my academic and clinical supervisors Professor Edwin van Teijlingen (BU), Associate Professor Lindsay Welch (BU/UHD) and Mr Tyrone Carpenter (UHD) are helping me to break this into manageable parts. I also prefer to learn face-to-face, rather than online – luckily BU make provision for this and there’s lots of opportunities to meet up and chat things through. A special mention to Prof Carol Clark, who leads the NIHR-funded INSIGHT programme in the South West Central Region. She is brilliant.
Where do you hope this will lead you next?
I would like to work towards a PhD. My aim is to become a Chief Investigator, able to secure funding and conduct home grown clinical research to bring more effective care into the NHS.
Further details on NIHR-funded INSIGHT in the South West Central region
Applications Open: 2nd January – 31st March 2025 for September 2025 entry
Further details on NIHR-funded INSIGHT in the South Central region can be found here: INSIGHT: inspiring students into research | NIHR
