The aim of this study was to gain an understanding of older people's perceptions of falls prevention advice, and how best to design communications that will encourage older people to take action to ...prevent falls. Focus groups and interviews were carried out with 66 people aged 61–94 years recruited from a variety of settings, using falls prevention messages to stimulate discussion. Thematic analysis revealed that participants interpreted ‘falls prevention’ principally as meaning hazard reduction, use of aids and restriction of activity. Only one participant was aware that falls risk could be reduced by carrying out exercises to improve strength and balance. Falls prevention advice was typically regarded as useful in principle but not personally relevant or appropriate. Advice about falling was often depicted as common sense, only necessary for older or more disabled individuals, and potentially patronizing and distressing. Our findings suggest that older people do not reject falls prevention advice because of ignorance of their risk of falling, but because they see it as a potential threat to their identity and autonomy. Messages that focus on the positive benefits of improving balance may be more acceptable and effective than advice on falls prevention.
. Blowfly larvae (Diptera: Calliphoridae) fulfil an important ecological function in the decomposition of animal remains. They are also used extensively in forensic entomology, predominantly to ...establish a minimum time since death, or a minimum post‐mortem interval, using the larval length as a ‘biological clock’. This study examined the larval growth rate of a forensically important fly species, Calliphora vicina Robineau‐Desvoidy (Diptera: Calliphoridae) at temperatures of between 4°C and 30°C, under controlled laboratory conditions. The laboratory flies had been trapped initially in London, U.K. The minimum developmental temperature was estimated to be 1°C and 4700 accumulated degree hours (ADH) were required for development from egg hatch to the point of pupariation. Lines fitted to the laboratory larval growth data were found to adequately explain the growth of larvae in the field. The nature of variation in growth rates from geographically isolated populations is discussed.
Background Randomised controlled trials have shown exercise benefits people’s general health. For individuals living with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), various factors may influence their ability or ...willingness to exercise (Maradit-Kremers et al., 2005; Wolfe et al., 2008). Objectives The aim of this study was to gain an understanding of the perceptions and beliefs about the ability to exercise in people with RA. Methods Six participants aged between 39-76 years with various stages of RA were recruited from the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS). A focus group lasting 60 minutes was run to explore people’s perceptions and beliefs about exercising with RA. Questions had been derived from relevant literature and had been piloted. The focus group was recorded and transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis was used to code the data and identify pertinent themes. Results Seven distinct themes were identified. These were; the belief that specific symptoms prevented exercise, medication modifies the ability to exercise; frustration from not being able to take exercise; benefits of taking exercise; limitations to participation during exercise class; fear of pain or catching colds/infection and conflict in advice from health professionals. All six participants reported they understood the benefits of exercise and each enjoyed taking an appropriate form of exercise. All participants agreed that certain types of exercise could improve their muscle strength but believed that dynamic and weight-bearing exercise would damage their joints. Conclusions The findings suggest that people with RA want to exercise and believe that their medication helps them achieve this. However it was evident that people with RA receive conflicting advice from health care professionals about what is appropriate exercise and alongside fear of pain, joint damage and infection could limit people’s willingness to engage with exercise. References Maradit-Kremers H, Crowson C, Nicola P Ballman KV, roger VL, Jacobson SJ, Gabriel SE (2005). Increased unrecognized coronary heart disease and sudden deaths in rheumatoid arthritis: a population-based cohort study. Arthritis and Rheumatism 52: 402–411. Wolfe F, Michaud K (2008) The risk of myocardial infarction and pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic myocardial infarction predictors in rheumatoid arthritis: a cohort and nested case control analysis. Arthritis Rheumatology 58: 2612-2621 DOI: 10.1002/art.23811. Acknowledgements I am grateful to Dr J Adams and Dr M Donovan-Hall for supervising this project and allowing me to perform my studies within the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, and providing continual support, advice and encouragement throughout the project. I would like to thank Hannah Haywood for all the assistance given to me. Ailsa Bosworth Chief Director, National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society, for all their support and thank you to the participants whom without their co-operation I would not have succeeded with this project. Disclosure of Interest None Declared
Background: Neurorehabilitation technologies used mainly in research such as robot therapy (RT) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can promote upper limb motor recovery after stroke. ...Understanding the feasibility and efficacy of stroke rehabilitation technologies for upper limb impairments is crucial for effective implementation in practice. Small studies have explored views of RT by people with stroke; however experiences of people receiving tDCS in combination with RT have never been explored.
Objective: To explore views and experiences of people with sub-acute and chronic stroke that had previously taken part in a randomised controlled trial involving tDCS and RT for their impaired upper limb.
Methods: An interview study includes open and closed questions. Face-to-face interviews were audio recorded. Open-ended question responses were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis; closed questions were analyzed using descriptive analysis.
Results: Participants felt that RT was enjoyable (90%) and beneficial for their affected arm (100%). From the open question data, it was found that the intervention was effective for the impaired arm especially in the sub-acute stage. Main reported concerns were that tDCS caused painful, itching and burning sensations and RT was sometimes tiring and difficult. Participants recommended that future research should focus on designing a more comfortable method of tDCS and develop a robot that promotes hand movements.
Conclusions: This study provides new knowledge about the benefits and barriers associated with these technologies which are crucial to the future effective implementation of these tools in practice.
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