PhD Study : Fatigue management in cancer care

Summary

The role of rehabilitation in the support people living with and beyond cancer is evolving. Fatigue is a well-documented consequence of cancer and has been correlated with psychological distress in cancer patients specifically, gynaecological cancer. It is a prevalent and distressing symptom yet pharmacological interventions are used little and confer limited benefit for patient. Interventions including physical activity and exercise are now being advocated in cancer care for fatigue management post treatment, (rehabilitation). However fatigue often presents as a symptom at time of diagnosis. The new questions are evolving around the optimum management for the period between diagnosis and commencement of treatment, (prehabilitation). Prehabilitation is being introduced for women diagnosed with gynae cancer however there has been little investigative work in this area for this population. The optimum prehabilitation intervention for those experiencing fatigue is yet to be defined. Pilates is a form of exercise that is commonly used by women for a variety of reasons with seemingly high adherence rates.

This research project aims to evaluate Prehabilitation interventions and investigate the effect of an exercise program including pilates based intervention on individuals presenting with gynaecological cancer diagnosis.

Objectives of the Research:

(1) To elicit current state of knowledge in prehabilitation for patients experiencing fatigue.

(2) To enable real change in the way patients manage fatigue before cancer treatments.

Methodology

(1) Systematic review literature to explore the role of prehabilitation in cancer care management.

(2) Development of a Prehabilitation intervention involving pilates based exercises, based on literature and expert consensus opinion.

(3) Pilot testing of the prehabilitation  intervention with a cohort of cancer patients presenting with  fatigue related to  gynaecological cancer.

AccessNI clearance required

Please note, the successful candidate will be required to obtain AccessNI clearance prior to registration due to the nature of the project.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement
• Clearly defined research proposal detailing background, research questions, aims and methodology
• A demonstrable interest in the research area associated with the studentship

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree
• Masters at 65%
• Practice-based research experience and/or dissemination
• Applicants will be shortlisted if they have an average of 75% or greater in a first (honours) degree (or a GPA of 8.75/10). For applicants with a first degree average in the range of 70% to 74% (GPA 3.3): If they are undertaking an Masters, then the average of their first degree marks and their Masters marks will be used for shortlisting.
• Relevant professional qualification and/or a Degree in a Health or Health related area

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living