º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ awarded major rehabilitation research grants

Staff at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ have secured several major research grants in the area of rehabilitation since the start of 2022. Find out more about the incredible work these grants will fund below.

Project title: Next Generation Rehabilitation Technologies - EPSRC Network.

  • Professor Ruth Goodridge (University of Nottingham - PI), Professor Mark Lewis (Co-I), Professor Phillipa Logan (University of Nottingham - Co-I), Dr Ayse Kucukyilmaz (University of Nottingham - Co-I)

Project summary: To create an active, cohesive network of experts from a range of academic and clinical disciplines, together with other key stakeholders, to address complex, multi-disciplinary challenges in Rehabilitation Technology. To support members in the development of new, disruptive technologies for rehabilitation that are affordable and effective in clinical practice with a particular focus on innovation in advanced materials, patient-specific devices and therapy, and closed loop & autonomous systems.

Funder: EPSRC

Award total: £1.04M 


Project title: Influence of dietary supplementation with nitrate-rich TruBeet™ on nitric oxide biomarkers and cardiovascular health.

  • Dr Stephen Bailey (PI), Dr Emma O’Donnell (Co-I), Dr Lewis James (Co-I), Samantha Rowland (Co-I), Dr Tom Clifford (Co-I)

Project summary: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality globally and places a significant burden on healthcare services. Therefore, the purpose of the proposed project is to conduct a series of investigations to assess the effect of dietary NO3- supplementation, administered as TruBeet™ which contains 6% inorganic nitrate, on cardiovascular function and health in individuals with elevated cardiometabolic disease risk factors, and in healthy individuals exposed to dietary and environmental stimuli that strain the cardiovascular system. It is hypothesised that TruBeet™ supplementation will improve cardiovascular function in individuals with elevated cardiometabolic disease risk factors and will attenuate the vascular strain in healthy individuals exposed to dietary and environmental stimuli that strain the cardiovascular system.

Funder: Bio-Gen Extracts PVT Limited (match-funded studentship)

Award total: £ 57,500

 

Project title: Scientific support to GBWR Performance Pathway.

  • Professor Vicky Tolfrey (PI)

Project summary: To continue the research to support the physiological model of what it takes to win with Wheelchair rugby leading into Paris.

Funder: Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby Ltd (GBWR)

Award total: £ 9,171

 

Project title: Sustainable return to work after long term sick leave: A pilot randomised controlled trial to investigate a multilevel workplace 'IGLOO' intervention to usual return to work support provided by organisations.

  • Professor Fehmidah Munir (PI)

Project summary: The aim of this proposed pilot two-arm pragmatic, RCT is to assess the potential of the IGLOO sustainable return-to-work intervention compared to usual workplace support for workers on long-term sick leave in order to inform a future large trial. The pilot will focus on process outcomes to assess intervention delivery and acceptability, although performance of the likely outcomes of a main trial will also be assessed.

Funder: National Institute for Health Research

Award total: £ 667,971

 

Project title: Cannabidiol pharmacokinetics and human health.

  • Dr Lewis James (PI), Dr Liam Heaney (Co-I), Dr Liz Akam (Co-I), Dr Stephen Bailey (Co-I)

Project summary: Cannabidiol (CBD), which once was a relatively unknown molecule mainly consumed as part cannabis, has recently been transformed into a staple product in any health/wellness store and many high street shops/supermarkets. Such CBD products are available to purchase in a range of different product types (i.e. oils, aqueous tinctures, e-liquids, drinks, gummies, topicals etc.). Research has generally focussed on the health effects and pharmacokinetics of CBD at what might be considered clinically relevant doses (up to

1000 mg/day) and often using medical products (e.g., Epidiolex or Sativex oralmucosal sprays). Less focus has been given to lower doses more common among the general consumer (<70 mg/day) and thus less is known about pharmacokinetic profiles (and health-related outcomes) at this level of dose. This project will extend our current work on CBD supplementation in active populations and help to understand how to optimise CBD bioavailability in younger and older adults.

Funder: Bridge Farm Group (match-funded studentship)

Award total: £ 121,003