We would like to thank everyone for their time in filling out the survey
You are invited to take part in a research study. Before you decide it is important for you to understand why the research is being done and what it will involve. Please take time to read the following information carefully and discuss it with others if you wish. Ask us if there is anything that is not clear or if you would like further information. Take time to decide whether or not you wish to take part. This study is looking into the perceived benefit from complementary and alternative medicines for the treatment of MS. Thank you for reading this.
The aim of this study is to explore the reported opinions of MS sufferers about the effect of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) on their symptoms, emotional state as well as their perception of general satisfaction with CAM treatment.
You have been chosen to take part in this study as we understand you suffer from MS.
You have answered an advert in pathways magazine and have chosen to either complete the questionnaire online or download a copy and send it in.
It is up to you to decide whether or not to take part. If you do decide to take part, just read the information below and complete the questionnaire online by clicking the link at the bottom of the page.
You can also download a copy and send it in to the address at the bottom.
This study involves completing a short questionnaire asking about your MS symptoms, the level of satisfaction, benefit or otherwise you have received from complementary and alternative medicine.
The questionnaire will take between 5 and 10 minutes to complete and is completely anonymous there will be no way to identify each participant.
We do not require your name, so all the information provided will be anonymous, all data will be held in a secure place at the British School of Osteopathy for a period of 6 years and will then be destroyed. The following persons will have access to the data; Byron Spiers principal researcher, Trevor Jefferies supervisor. The study will be open until March 20th 2008 so questionnaires should be completed by this date.
The results will be included as part of a final year dissertation for the British School of Osteopathy (BSO). Results will be distributed via the same media through which participants were recruited: i.e. Pathways magazine, MS focus groups.
My name is Byron Spiers and I am a student of Osteopathy at the BSO. I am completing this study as I believe there is not enough information for MS sufferers in regards to the efficacy of CAM for MS. My supervisor is Trevor Jefferies a senior member of clinic faculty at the BSO.
Thank you for taking the time to read the information sheet. Our contact details are given below should you have any questions or want further information.
Clicking the link and completing the questionnaire will be regarded as giving your consent to be involved in the study.
Byron Spiers
Principle researcher
b.spiers@bso.ac.uk
Brittish School of Osteopathy
275 Borough High Street
London SE1 1JE
07711 422 244
Trevor Jefferies
Supervisor
t.jefferies@bso.ac.uk
Brittish School of Osteopathy
275 Borough High Street
London SE1 1JE
07968-371-826