Summary of the impact

Schizophrenia affects 1 in 100 people, with costs to society of £12 billion in England alone. Prevalence is similar across the world, with two thirds of people experiencing relapses despite medical treatment. Researchers at the University of Manchester (UoM) pioneered and disseminated psychological interventions for schizophrenia and related mental health problems which have led to improved outcomes for patients and families (e.g. 20% improvement in symptoms over standard treatment). We have implemented and delivered our intervention protocols, outcome measures, treatment manuals, and training programmes (with over 200 training courses delivered across the UK, Europe, USA, Asia, Australia and Africa). The impact of the research has been commended nationally and internationally by professional bodies (e.g., British Psychological Society, American Association of Behavior Therapy).

Summary of the impact

Hull-based research on critical systems thinking has been used for public, private and community benefit in Australasia, due to pivotal partnerships with the International Centre for Complex Project Management in Australia and the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) in New Zealand. Benefits include: the reconciliation of economic and environmental imperatives in NZ water management, valued at NZ$1.7bn of economic growth; NZ$6.2m for ESR projects serving government clients; improved stakeholder consultation on NZ science investments; the development of new systems thinking capacity in the Victoria Department of Primary Industries (Australia); and 5% cost savings in key Australian defence procurements.

Summary of the impact

Norma Daykin's research has improved delivery and evaluation of arts and health programmes for clinical and non clinical populations. It has supported the development of arts on referral schemes and has led to more effective use of arts to benefit patients and staff in mental healthcare settings. It has enabled arts consultants Willis Newson to deliver much needed evaluation services and has shaped CPD provision, enabling artists and commissioners to develop and evaluate arts programmes. Her participation in national and international policy debates has contributed to the formulation of policy and strategy of arts organisations, healthcare providers and third sector organisations.

Summary of the impact

The Enabling Self-management and Coping with Arthritis Pain through Exercise (ESCAPE) intervention, refined at UWE Bristol, has led to reduced pain and increased function in people with osteoarthritis (OA). These benefits follow a brief exercise and self-management intervention based on developing self-efficacy, facilitated by a physiotherapist in primary care. This intervention is cited within the NICE guidelines, and has been adopted at sites across the NHS as an evidence-based, clinically effective and cost-effective intervention. The intervention is within the NICE cost-effectiveness threshold for investment and has resulted in savings in healthcare budgets. It has also achieved Quality, Innovation, Productivity and Prevention (QIPP) status — an evidence-based, peer reviewed case study evaluated on quality improvements, savings, evidence and ease of implementation, thus providing a resource for staff and commissioning bodies charged with making quality improvements and savings within the NHS.

Summary of the impact

Research at the University of Manchester (UoM) has changed the landscape of medical care and research in fungal infections internationally. The impacts include: the world's first commercialised molecular diagnostic products for aspergillosis and Pneumocystis pneumonia (£10m investment); pivotal contributions to the preclinical development (£35m investment), clinical developments and registrations of 3 new antifungals with combined market share of ~$2 billion; one (voriconazole, 2012 sales >$750m worldwide) now first line therapy for invasive aspergillosis with improved survival of 15-20%; and internationally validated methods to detect azole resistance in Aspergillus (an emerging problem partly related to environmental spraying of azole fungicides for crop protection).

Summary of the impact

15m people have a stroke each year worldwide. In England alone, stroke generates direct care costs of £3bn and a wider economic burden of £8bn. Service users report high levels of unmet need in relation to cognitive dysfunction (e.g. concentration). Improving cognition was the number one priority agreed by users and providers (James Lind Alliance, Lancet Neurology 2012). Research led by the University of Manchester (UoM) underpins recommendations in several recent clinical guidelines for stroke management and rehabilitation in the UK and internationally. Our 2012 aphasia trial and qualitative study made key contributions to the recommendations in the recent NICE (2013) and Intercollegiate Stroke Working Party (2012) guidelines. UoM-led Cochrane reviews (e.g., neglect, apraxia, perception) have directly influenced recommendations in guidelines produced by the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network, the European Stroke Organization and the Australian National Stroke Foundation.

Summary of the impact

People who develop psychosis (1% of population) typically experience lengthy delays (months to years) before treatment. Researchers at the University of Manchester (UoM) established a concrete and significant association between delay in treatment of the first episode of psychosis and outcome. We demonstrated that outcome of psychosis could be improved considerably if these lengthy delays were reduced. This research influenced policy and practice in the UK and abroad. Policy changes included the establishment of early psychosis teams dedicated to early detection and treatment (50 in England alone). Practice changes included amendments to clinical guidelines in the UK and abroad that now require clinicians to respond urgently to a first episode of psychosis. These changes to clinical practice have increased the proportion of patients with a short DUP from 55.6 to 77.4%.

Summary of the impact

Research carried out by Professors Hinch and Rallison at the University of Cambridge determined how ink jet printer fluids behave when emitted from the printer head. The research findings have been used by industry to optimise the design of the printer. Xaar, the world-leading independent supplier of industrial inkjet printheads which uses a drop-on-demand mode, has used the results of this research to improve the design and operation of its ink-jet printers to its own commercial benefit and to the benefit of the users of its printers.

Summary of the impact

The work of Colledge and colleagues between 2000 and 2007 has identified and characterised a molecule which is an important regulator of fertility: the neuropeptide kisspeptin.

The identification of its role in fertility has led to kisspeptin and its analogues being tested in clinical trials to make IVF treatment safer (Phase II: one trial), and as therapeutic agents for reproductive system conditions such as delayed puberty, menopause and absence of menstruation (Phase I: four trials). In April 2013, 11 months after the start of the Phase II IVF study, a healthy baby has been born to a participant treated with kisspeptin. Patients enrolled in these fertility trials have testified to the improvement in quality of life which the hope of being able to conceive that this alternative to conventional IVF has brought them.

Summary of the impact

Research carried out Aston University into the use of Operational Research and Social Marketing techniques to optimize the creation, implementation and evaluation of preparedness for different types of emergency, has led to impacts at local, national and international level. This research has:

• Influenced and changed the way in which government agencies deal with mass decontamination following a CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological or Nuclear) incident.
• Influenced the decision process for allocation of resources to respond to terrorist attacks and natural disasters.
• Increased understanding and changed policy and the creation process for plans regarding preparedness for mass evacuation for government organisations.