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Many of the millions of people worldwide with disfigurement face significant psychological challenges. Research at UWE's Centre for Appearance Research (CAR) has made a substantial contribution to the interventions and healthcare provision available for patients with the most common congenital disfigurement — cleft lip and palate — in the UK and internationally. Specifically, our research has underpinned: (1) The inclusion of psychologists as key members of all UK cleft teams; (2) The development of effective forms of psychological support and interventions currently in use by psychologists and charities across the UK and abroad; (3) The development of evidence-based training packages currently being used by practitioners across Europe.
This research on deinstitutionalisation and high quality community-based services has helped transform the political and public debate, informing the management of services and improving the quality of life of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) by changing the practices and attitudes of staff. It has led to people leading more active and fulfilling lives and experiencing more choice and control. These impacts have reached far beyond the UK, extending to Ireland, Central and Eastern Europe, Australia and elsewhere.
This research on those with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) who exhibit challenging and/or criminal behaviour has impacted on public policy, professional practice, and carers' and service users' quality of life, both in the UK and internationally (e.g. Japan, New Zealand). The impact has been maximised by the researchers serving on government advisory committees, writing government policy documents and delivering training to service providers and their staff. The research was also fundamental in establishing the need for networks to support service users and their families, leading to the formation of the Challenging Behaviour Foundation.
Our research studies demonstrate the efficacy of using Interactive Systems in cognitive and functional rehabilitation, including working memory, functional skills, choice reaction time, decision making and upper limb function. Stroke is the third most common disease in the UK with over 100,000 cases annually costing the UK economy £8.9 billion/year, and around 25/1000 people have mild or moderate Intellectual Disabilities (ID) in the UK. Our research has changed practice in schools, improved the employment skills of people with disabilities, informed standards, helped sustain a social enterprise, and has influenced the way practitioners across the EU conduct their own vocational training.
There are very few evidence-based psychological interventions for people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Of these, cognitive stimulation has the strongest evidence-base. Developed by Bob Woods (Bangor University) and Martin Orrell (UCL) in the late 1990s, the approach has proven effective in maintaining both cognitive function and quality of life. Recommended in guidelines around the world for use with people with mild to moderate dementia as the major evidence-based non-pharmacological intervention, it has assisted literally thousands of people with dementia and their carers globally to have a better quality of life both before and since 2008.
With one in five of the adult population in the UK living with arthritis, self-management education is a key approach used by occupational therapists (OTs) to support people with arthritis. University of Salford research has improved the tools available to OTs to deliver more effective self-management education, demonstrating the following impact:
Primary research with people with multiple sclerosis and their carers, led by Brunel, has had positive impacts on service user and government organisations internationally; research has improved practice in relation to the nature and effect of self-management strategies of people with Multiple Sclerosis, as well as enhancing therapy for the condition and raising awareness of the needs of carers. The research has shaped evidence-based guidelines, consensus papers, reports and policies, which have in turn enhanced the effectiveness of professional practice and service delivery. Through developing the evidence base and sharing best practice the research has resulted in improved health and welfare benefits for people with multiple sclerosis and their carers.
Research on the anatomy, physiology and palaeoecology of pterosaurs by the Palaeobiology Group at Portsmouth University has had a wide and acknowledged impact, underpinning the creation and production of block-buster and pioneering television and film productions worldwide. The impact of this work is recognised by Sir David Attenborough, and by the producers of such TV successes as Walking With Dinosaurs and Flying Monsters 3D. These award-winning productions, highlighting our work, have reached a global audience and supported the generation of millions of pounds by the UK TV and film industry. Whilst the income generated is highly significant, perhaps their greatest impact lies in fostering a positive view of science, particularly in young audiences, by bringing cutting-edge evolutionary science direct to the World's film and TV screens.
A high quality clinical trial, systematic reviews and meta-analyses performed by a team at Brunel University have directly informed key international clinical practice guidelines, policies and on the management of low back pain and neuropathic pain and have been cited by users (NHS Trusts: Addenbrookes) in response to such guidelines. In this way our research is directly informing clinical practice.
The key driver for this research is to provide clinicians with robust tools that they can use to evaluate, treat and therefore improve the clinical outcome in their patients. Our research has assisted the development of the evidence base of many clinical treatments and assessment tools. This has led to the design and development of new rehabilitation products and medical devices in partnership with both large companies and small to medium sized enterprises. The core impact of this work has been improvements in patient care and quality of life by improving the efficacy and effectiveness in these areas with a particular focus on the advancement of conservative management and lower limb rehabilitation.