Falls research
In the UK, more than 2 million people will fall each year with a quarter of these resulting in serious injury. We are able to measure your body’s movement using body worn devices which then allow us to study how falls occur and how they can lead to injuries. By using cameras, we are also able to understand what is causing these falls with videos providing information about what someone was doing before the fall. However, almost half of falls occur outside the house, and therefore collecting video data of these falls becomes a challenge. We are still able to study the fall, but we no longer understand why the fall has happened. Our study looks to use body worn cameras that can capture video footage of an individual outside the home and tell us why an individual may have fallen over. Our study is investigating both the practical issues with this idea such as camera placement, battery life and user experience as well as the ethical issues with privacy and data protection.
If you are interested in taking part in the research contact Matt Smith (ms893@exeter.ac.uk).
We have as part of our wider research network, a very brief survey in which we would like to collect your thoughts on aspects of digital technology for supporting healthcare at home. The answers are anonymous. If you provide your details to be part of discussion groups, this information is held separately.
We would be very grateful if you could share it with your members and contacts.
Here is a link to the brief survey:
https://forms.office.com/e/WJpRKppVWd
Thank you for your help!
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Can Chocolate Help the Ageing Brain? Volunteers Aged 60+ Needed for a Brain Health Study
Would you like to be part of a fascinating study about how diet might support brain health as we get older? We are running a research project to find out whether natural nutrients found in cacao (the raw form of chocolate) can help keep the brain healthy. These nutrients, called flavanols, may improve blood flow to the brain – this often slows down with age. Your involvement could help us understand how something as simple as cacao might help support healthy brain ageing. You will be contributing to valuable research and learning more about how diet can influence brain health.
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What does the study involve?
- Taking a cacao supplement and a placebo (randomised, single dose)
- Undergoing safe and non-invasive assessments of brain blood flow, including:
- Ultrasound (TCD)
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Completing brief cognitive tasks
- Providing a small blood sample to measure health markers and how the cacao is processed in the body
All procedures are carried out by trained professionals using established research methods. Participation is voluntary, and travel expenses will be reimbursed.
Participant Information here.
If you are interested in learning more about the study or would like to take part, please contact: Majed Alobaid, PhD Researcher
Email: ma1010@exeter.ac.uk
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Study on hot temperature impacts for adults age 60+
I am a lecturer/researcher at Exeter uni, and am conducting a study looking at how people age 60+ experience and cope with hot temperatures in the context of climate change. In this study, participants document their experiences by taking photographs, completing questionnaires, and wearing an activity tracker wristwatch for 10 days, and then they share insights with other participants in focus groups. We aim to understand how hot temperatures affect older adults' physical and psychological wellbeing, and to co-develop action plans for communities and policymakers to address these impacts.
We are looking for participants in the Exeter area who live independently and are at least 60 years of age. Participants are paid up to £125, and can benefit from learning how to prepare for hot temperatures and mitigate their health impacts, as well as from connecting with other community members to share insights and develop action plans together. No technological or other experience is needed - we provide full training on how to do the study.
Further details here.
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FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGY - ESTIMATING AGE OF ADULTS FROM DENTAL WEAR
I am a PhD researcher in the Department of Archaeology and History, University of Exeter, and I would like to invite you to participate in my project in the field of Forensic Anthropology.
I am looking for volunteers over the age of 30 who have spent most of their live in the UK and who have no severe dental misalignments(see note below*). Taking part would involve answering a very short questionnaire, after which I would scan your teeth using an intraoral scanner. The whole procedure is painless and would take about 15 minutes. You will also be provided with a copy of your 3D digital dental scan! The aim of my project is to develop a new baseline for estimating age of adults from dental wear based on a living British population for forensic investigation purposes.
If you have any questions about my project, please email me on tn354@exeter.ac.uk.
Further details here
To sign up, please us the following link https://forms.office.com/e/n4SBga5fee.
Tereza Nesnidalova
*PLEASE NOTE:
Severe dental misalignment essentially means severely crooked teeth or a considerable overbite or underbite. Also, anyone with complete dentures would not be able to participate, although individual crowns, fillings and missing teeth are all acceptable.
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Ultrasound-detected changes in hand Osteoarthritis
If you have had a diagnosis of hand OA you may be interested in taking part in this research. Further details here.
If you are interested in participating, please contact our team via email: uschangesinhandoa@exeter.ac.uk
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University Of Exeter - The Phyto Ageing Study Research Into Plant-Based Supplement And Osteoarthritis
Are you over 50 and do you have some joint stiffness in your hands? If so, we need volunteers to see if our plant-based dietary supplement improves your symptoms. Please see the poster and follow our link https://eu.jotform.com/form/242754584961367 to learn more and sign up, or contact the Phyto Ageing team for more information. Email us, Phyto Ageing team or call us on 07550049573.
Thanks again for your interest in our research!
Laura Sinclair, Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) (Harries Lab) University of Exeter Medical School
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Protein-dense sauce
Study Overview:
We’re excited to recruit older adults aged 60-80 who are living independently in the community. The study involves two visits to our food sensory lab at St. Luke’s campus, scheduled around mid-day or mid-afternoon:
Visit 1: Participants will come to our lab to complete smell and taste sensitivity tests using sniff pens and taste strips. Afterward, they’ll sample three different formulations of a plant-based protein sauce and rate each one for taste, texture, visual appearance, and overall palatability on a 9-point scale. They’ll also rank the sauces in order of preference. This visit lasts about 1 hour.
Visit 2: Participants will return to the lab at roughly the same time as the first visit. We’ll serve two meals—one with a commercially available sauce and one with the “winner” sauce from the first visit. After tasting each meal, participants will rate the taste, texture, visual appearance, and overall palatability using the same 9-point scale. This visit also lasts about 1 hour.
More details here
Contact Zhuoxiu (Kim) Jin to register.
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Knee Research
The main aim of the study is to test an app that uses a single video camera to measure angles of the knee joint - which could eventually be used to monitor stiffness after knee replacement surgery at home. We are looking to recruit adults who haven't had any recent injuries that affects the ability to walk/stand - aged 60+. We will invite participants to attend a session at the St Luke's campus where we will use a variety sensors and cameras to measure movements and muscle activity. We will use these to measure knee range of motion (ROM), walking ability and sit to stand ability. We will ask participants to wear an activity monitor on the wrist for one week before the session at the University. Participants will then be asked to repeat some of the exercises that completed in the lab at home - filmed on their own phone camera (we may be able to loan a device if none owned are suitable!). More details here.
Phae Leveridge
PhD Student | Postdoctoral Research Associate - Knee4Life Project
University of Exeter
To take part, please email me on: pkll201@exeter.ac.uk
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Searching for Research Participants - Making Sense of Trauma in Later Life
My name is Roisin Gallagher, I am a trainee Clinical Psychologist. I'm passionate about the psychological challenges of later life and am looking for participants for my research study. The study is exploring how people in ‘late’ adulthood (65 years and over) reflect on traumatic life events/experiences and seeking help.
The study would involve taking part in an informal interview lasting about 1.5 hours - breaks throughout will be available and the conversation will go at your pace. You'll receive a £15 gift voucher for your participation.
If you would like more information about the study - please do get in touch and I can share further details. You'll have time to think about whether you'd like to participate before signing up. Some more information here.
To contact please either email: rg618@exeter.ac.uk
or text / telephone on 0782 593 22 22 (please leave a voicemail if I'm not able to get to the phone)
The study has been reviewed by the University of Exeter Research Ethics Committee.
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Dr Robert Meertens of University of Exeter is seeking more participants for an important study into osteoporosis diagnosis - men would be particularly welcome!
See information sheet attached.
For more information, and to participate, contact Dr Rob Meertens, email: offer2study@exeter.ac.uk (not the Exeter U3A Uni Liaison Team).
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Investigating the Factors Influencing Age-Related Cognitive Change
Stephen Jeffs, Lecturer in Psychology, and his team are looking for male and female volunteers to take part in a study investigating the link between mood, menopause, and mental ability. Participation will involve a cognitive assessment at the Streatham campus, and a survey that can be completed online at home. Participants will have their travel expenses reimbursed, and be given a copy of their results for information if they wish.
For more information, please email Stephen direct via S.Jeffs3@exeter.ac.uk; please do not reply to Liaison Team
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RESEARCH INVITATION: SURVEY OF THE EXPERIENCES OF THOSE WITH LARGER BODIES IN RELATION TO ACCESSING RADIOGRAPHY SERVICES Dr Fay Manning, Medical Imaging Dept., Medical School, University of Exeter, is seeking appropriate participants for her survey.
The aim of the research is to understand the issues faced by larger people in this area of healthcare services, so that the best care can be provided for them.
(The lead researcher of this project is Dr Christine Heales, Senior Lecturer in Medical Imaging, in the Department of Health and Care Professions at the University of Exeter.)
Radiography Services are MEDICAL IMAGING (such as X-ray, MRI, ultrasound, mammography, CT) and RADIOTHERAPY, etc..
The term “larger bodies” includes anyone who is taller or broader than the 'average'. This includes, but is not limited to those who are 'plus size'.
If you would like to help with this research, you can access the survey form here: https://forms.office.com/e/3HQvk4LHDZ
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RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY: Dr Robert Meertens of University of Exeter has asked us if U3A members would be kind enough to pass this information on to younger family members.
They are seeking participants in the 20-30 age bracket for their research into the performance of a software designed to measure bone health from common x-rays.
Participation involves:
· Receiving X-rays of wrists, pelvis, knee and ankle
· Receiving a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan of the same body parts listed above
· Answering some personal questions related to osteoporosis risk factors including age, sex, weight, height, personal and parental fracture history, and whether the participant drinks, smokes or takes glucocorticoids or other medication
All assessments will be conducted in a single appointment lasting approximately 2 hours and will take place at St. Luke’s Campus of the University of Exeter. Participants will be reimbursed up to £34 to cover inconvenience and travel.
For full information please contact Dr Rob Meertens by telephone on 01392 722511 or email Dr Rob Meertens
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RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY:BENEFITS OF EXTRA NITRATE FOR IMPROVING BALANCE IN OLDER ADULTS Arezoo Amirpourabasi is a final year PhD student at the University of Exeter. She is part of a research team currently seeking healthy older adults aged over 65 to participate in a study focused on investigating the potential benefits of adding extra nitrate to the diet for improving balance.
If you would like to participate in this research or would like more information, please email Arezoo Amirpourabasi
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RESEARCH REQUEST:GREENHAM COMMON PEACE CAMP - WERE YOU THERE? Maisie Jepson is currently undertaking an MA in History at Exeter University. She would like to conduct oral history interviews with women who were involved in the banner-making process at Greenham Common, to gain an understanding of collective experiences and solidarity, among the women at the Peace Camp, as well as using art and banners specifically for activism and protest. She would very much like to hear from anyone who was involved in the banner-making process at Greenham (or at Aldermaston or wider CND protests).
Please contact Maisie