Perry’s Story
“Taking part in research has changed my life totally – I wish I’d done it 40 years ago.”
Perry Smythe, age 72 from Birmingham (pictured with his dog Rosie) recently took part in the BOOST study, comparing group class physiotherapy with one to one physiotherapy in people over 65, with lumbar spinal stenosis and neurogenic claudication, a painful problem that limits people’s ability to walk long distances.
After many years of lower back pain, Perry was invited to join the study by Physiotherapist Jonathan Price at Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
‘I was in lots of pain and had been for some time. As part of the research study I attended the hospital for 12 weeks, twice weekly for exercises and sessions on dealing with pain, which I found very informative. There was also a very useful booklet which I found helpful to remind me of the exercises.