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Research carried out by Cardiff University on the causes of maritime fatigue was instrumental in increasing understanding of contributing factors such as long working hours, and the inadequacy of current reporting systems. Because 90% of goods are transported by sea, fatigue influences at the individual and community level, as well as resulting in significant financial penalties for companies when accidents occur. Cardiff research has led to significant changes across industry and government in (a) personal awareness/management, such as improved safety training and (b) new international legislation and company policy aimed at reducing fatigue and improving health and safety at sea.
Flight safety has been a major focus in the past sixteen years at the Civil Safety and Security Unit (CSSU), affiliated with the University of Leicester's School of Management. The knowledge created has had three impacts. First, the development of a tailored fatigue-risk management system (FRMS) now in operation in a night-freight airline. FRMS provides for the development and validation of rosters that optimise crews' economic and safety performance, saving lives and money. Until this research no UK-registered night-freight airline had operated a FRMS. Second, the research underpins the evidence-base for the British Air Line Pilots' Association (BALPA) in its lobbying of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Third, the research is supporting the Society for the Welfare of Indian Pilots (SWIP) in its campaign for safe flight-time limitations (FTLs).
Research at Portsmouth has had a major impact on risk reduction, improved service life and reduced inspection/maintenance costs of safety critical and expensive fan and compressor components in military and civil aero-engines, as demonstrated particularly by the Liftfan Blisk manufactured by Rolls-Royce.
The research outcomes have also impacted on the specification of design stress levels by Rolls-Royce and MOD for aerofoils susceptible to FOD, enabling damage size inspection limits to be established at higher and more economic levels. The research has also provided increased confidence in the application of weld-repair of FOD and of surface treatment using Laser Shock Peening against FOD.
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:
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is characterised by prolonged and profound fatigue. The prevalence of CFS is between 0.2% and 2.6% worldwide. Researchers from King's College London (KCL) have shown that Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Graded Exercise Therapy can improve the symptoms and disability of CFS. This evidence led to both therapies being recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and the British Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME and becoming standard practice in the UK. These treatments, backed by the KCL studies, are also recommended worldwide including in the United States, Australia and Norway.
Research at Portsmouth has significantly improved the understanding of damage tolerance under creep-fatigue-oxidation conditions experienced in aero-engine components. The understanding has been developed through research on a new-generation disc materials including U720Li and RR1000, which have since been used in Rolls-Royce engines including Trent 900 in Airbus A380, Trent 1000 in Boeing 787 and the latest Trent for Airbus A350 XWB. These new materials have enabled aircraft to operate more efficiently at higher temperatures, with a major impact on CO2 emission and a significant impact on economy due to the new market opportunities and the reduction of operating costs.
Since 1998 the University of Leeds has developed the Leeds Foot and Ankle STudies in Rheumatology (FASTER) programme — to drive improvements in UK musculoskeletal foot care services. Results from FASTER clinical trials and a national survey of podiatry services directly informed NICE guidelines on foot care in arthritis. FASTER's research also provided key evidence for a national consensus on standards of care and aided a shift in the treatment paradigm for foot care in arthritis patients. These standards and NICE recommendations are included in the latest Royal College of GPs curriculum. They have also informed government policies on commissioning for podiatry services throughout England. Since the inception of the FASTER programme independent reports suggest that access to foot health services for people with rheumatoid arthritis has increased from less than 50% immediately prior to FASTER, to nearly 80% of patients today.
The impact of this research has been evident in a change of practice regarding the consideration of fatigue in musculoskeletal profiling, and as an aetiological risk factor for injury. This change in practice is evidenced across a range of user groups, influencing evidence-based practice in both the clinical and sporting context. The body of research has generated a shift in the consideration of fatigue with regards sporting injury incidence. Postgraduate teaching has evolved to consider injury prevention strategies in relation to fatigue, and Governing Body injury audits have cited this research in working toward injury prevention policies.
The main applied outcomes of this body of research have been: (i) changes to training, competition and between-match practices at St Helens and Warrington Wolves Super League clubs, and in Rugby Football League (RFL) generally, and England Handball Association; (ii) the development of appropriate monitoring strategies to manage player health, well-being and performance capability; and, (iii) the development of player and coach education resources.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common destructive joint disease, causing pain and swelling, affecting 1 in 100 people. Work conducted by the University of Birmingham's Rheumatology Research Group has shown that early diagnosis is important, as the first few months represent a critical therapeutic window during which treatment can significantly improve health outcomes, increasing the chances of achieving disease remission and reducing the rate of progressive joint damage. The group have demonstrated that there are significant delays in patients making initial contact with their GP, which leads to delays in referral to a Rheumatologist and starting treatment; this situation has been shown to be worse in patients of South Asian origin. The outcome of the work has been incorporated into national policy documents and clinical guidance material and has underpinned a patient focused campaign to raise awareness of the disease and the need for early diagnosis.