Discover more research

Featured research:

SKIP: Development and evaluation of a prototype for an online multimedia intervention to promote physical activity in children with type 1 diabetes

Developing and testing a final online specification for our SKIP (Supporting Kids with diabetes In Physical activity) intervention and assessing its acceptability among children, parents and healthcare professionals.

SKIP: Feasibility of an online multimedia intervention to promote physical activity in children with type 1 diabetes

This study established the feasibility of a proposed online intervention to promote physical activity in children with diabetes. It explored whether we can successfully identify and recruit appropriate patients and whether the study design was acceptable to patients, parents and professionals.

Mathematics learning disabilities from childhood to adolescence: New evidence and intervention for very pre-term children

Assessing differences in maths performance between children born prematurely and at full term, discovering the causes and developing a learning support programme for teachers.

Health 4 U: Using mobile phones to promote health and tackle HIV

Health 4 U is an innovative research project that’s developing new ways of promoting health among African communities in Nottingham. In a time where the majority of people own a mobile phone, the Health 4 U project provides a text messaging service that gives users information and advice on a range of important health issues, including HIV.

Can Health Care Assistant (HCA) training improve the relational care of older people? A development and feasibility study of a complex intervention

This study aims to understand the values-based training needs of HCAs in maintaining the dignity of – and providing respectful care to – older patients in acute NHS settings. A two-phase mixed-methods study, it’s examining current HCA training across all NHS acute trusts in England. Based on this, the study's second phase will develop a values-based training intervention and assess the feasibility of a study that can formally test its performance and cost effectiveness.

Completed projects

SKIP: Supporting Kids with diabetes In Physical activity

This project involved a systematic review and meta-analysis of physical activity interventions in children with Type 1 diabetes. It has so far formed the basis of two further SKIP projects developing an online intervention to promote physical activity.

An online intervention to improve the mental health and wellbeing of vulnerable young people

This systematic review was carried out to develop and evaluate an online intervention aimed at promoting exercise to vulnerable young people (aged 14 to 24) to help improve their mental health and wellbeing. The young people had a range of mental health, behavioural and neuro-developmental disorders, including first-episode psychosis, eating disorders, learning disabilities and sleep problems.

A qualitative systematic review (meta-synthesis) of the provision and management of HIV testing from a health professional perspective

The aim of this project was to describe health professionals’ experiences of conducting HIV testing. It looked at the professionals’ personal characteristics (such as gender, sexuality, age and ethnicity) and factors, practices or contexts that facilitate or hinder HIV testing. These included how they manage service user anxiety and promote health around sexual risk and other lifestyle issues. Findings were disseminated to practitioners, managers, policymakers and researchers.

Integrating biobanking into an NHS hospital

A biobank is a repository of biological specimens, such as cells, genetic material or blood, combined with data about the donors, stored for the purposes of medical research. Nottingham Health Sciences Biobank (NHSB) is unique in that it’s part of an NHS hospital. Biobanks raise ethical issues including consent and governance, so being part of the NHS makes these particularly complex. This project studied how NHSB was set up and how these issues were dealt with through interviews with the doctors, scientists and NHS managers who established it.

Find out more about the project.