SCHOOL OF COMMUNITY HEALTH

FACULTY OF SCIENCE
P.O Box 789
Albury NSW 2640
Australia
Tel/Fax: +61 2 6051 9138
Email: SCH-Office@csu.edu.au
www.csu.edu.au/faculty/science/cmhealth

PARTICIPANT INFORMATION SHEET

Invitation

You are invited to participate in a project titled Kinesio Tape in Paediatric Physiotherapy Practice:
Exploring Practitioner Experience. This research is intended to provide a better understanding of the
current use of Kinesio Tape (KT) in paediatric physiotherapy.

The study is being conducted by the following researchers: Claire Smart - Bachelor of Physiotherapy
(Honours) student, CSU; Dr Kylie Murphy - School of Community Health, CSU; Donalee Gregory
Physiotherapist, Kurrajong Therapy Plus.

Before deciding whether you wish to participate in this study, it is important for you to understand why the
research is being done and what it will involve. Please take the time to read the following information
carefully and discuss it with others if you wish.

1. What is the purpose of this study?

This study aims to gain knowledge about KT experienced physiotherapists clinical experiences and
practice-based views regarding the use of KT in paediatric physiotherapy. This will include gaining
knowledge into why practitioners use KT. It is anticipated that the data may reveal there are specific
impairments with which the use of KT is most effective to achieve a desired outcome, and that some taping
techniques are more effective than others. This will provide grounds for future research and the ultimate
development of clinical guidelines on KT use in paediatric practice. Ultimately, the results of this study may
influence future research and the way physiotherapists use KT in paediatric practice.

2. Why am I being invited to participate in this study?

You have been identified potentially as a paediatric physiotherapist with at least two years experience using
KT in paediatric physiotherapy practice.

3. What does this study involve?

This study is an online survey and participation is voluntary. If you agree to participate, the survey should
take you no longer than 10 minutes to complete. It has a range of short answer questions that allow you to
share your experiences in using KT in paediatric physiotherapy practice. Prior to submitting the survey, you
will have the opportunity to review/change your responses. You have the option to discontinue the survey
at any time. At the conclusion of the survey, you will be asked to submit your email address if you wish to
receive a summary of the results and / or be contacted in regard to completing a semi structured phone
interview to discuss your survey answers further.

4. Are there risks and benefits to me in taking part in this study?

There will be no direct benefit to you in participating in this research. However, you have the option to
receive a summary of the results of this study, which may further inform you of the current use of KT in
paediatric physiotherapy practice. Your decision to participate or not will have no direct consequence for
you.

There are no foreseeable risks involved in completing this survey.

5. How is this study being paid for?
This study is not funded.

6. Will taking part in this study cost me anything, and will I be paid?
This survey will not cost anything to complete. No reimbursement or payments to participants will be provided.

7. What if I don't want to take part in this study?

Participation in this research is entirely your choice. Only those physiotherapists who freely consent should
complete the survey. By submitting the survey you will be providing consent. Whether you decide to
participate or not is your decision, and you will not be disadvantaged either way.

8. What if I participate and want to withdraw later?

You can withdraw up until the point of submission of the questionnaire. You can stop completing the survey
at any time, however data you submit cannot be withdrawn. Your decision to complete the survey partially,
fully, or not at all, will have no consequence for you. At any point before or after consenting to or starting a
phone interview, you will be able to change your mind and withdraw your consent to being interviewed.

9. How will my confidentiality be protected?

All information collected in this survey will be stored securely on password-protected computers belonging to
the CSU researchers. The survey is anonymous and it will not be possible to identify you from your answers.
Your non-identifying (that is, anonymous) responses will be stored securely in an electronic spreadsheet for
a period of at least five years. If you choose to provide an email address for a summary of the findings and/or
contact regarding a semi structured phone interview (at the end of the survey), your email address will be
kept secure and confidential to the researchers listed on this sheet, will be used only for the stated purpose,
and will be destroyed/deleted after five years. Any information you provide will not be distributed without your
consent beyond the research team.

10. What will happen to the information that I give you?

The researchers hope to present the findings of this study in scholarly journals and at academic
conferences.

11. What should I do if I want to discuss this study further before I decide?
If you would like further information please contact Claire Smart (ktpaedresearch@gmail.com).

12. Who should I contact if I have concerns about the conduct of this study?
Charles Sturt Universitys Faculty of Science Human Ethics Low Risk Committee has approved this project.
If you have any complaints or reservations about the ethical conduct of this project, you may contact the
Committee through the Executive Officer:

The Executive Officer

Faculty of Science Low Risk Human Ethics Committee
Tel: (02) 6338 6168
Email: FOS-FHEC@csu.edu.au

Any issues you raise will be treated in confidence and investigated fully and you will be informed of the
outcome.

Thank you for considering this invitation.

You may save this document to your computer for future reference.