������Ƶ

Frailty is a prevalent syndrome in people aged over 65 years and is characterised by altered biological mechanisms that lead to vulnerability, loss of physiological reserve, and a range of poor patient relevant outcomes such as falls, physical disability, social and mental dysfunction and increased morbidity. Prominent risk factors associated with frailty in the elderly and in people with multiple comorbidities, include muscle weakness, gait and balance deficits, physical inactivity, polypharmacy, poor nutritional status. Therefore, the desire to live independently with advancing age, combined with multiple coexisting conditions and associated risks,�� may conflict with safety and ability to maintain other instrumental and leisure daily activities (ADLs). There is an ever growing need for sustainable and cost effective solutions and systems to support the world’s aging population in maintaining independent living and prevent the occurrence of common injuries associated with disability and frailty such as falls, bone fractures and hospital admissions ). This project will aim to examine the dynamic interplay between physical movement during ADLs in the living environment and outcomes such as falls and related injuries as well as other health and well-being outcomes as agreed by the collaborating parties. We will implement new methods to record and monitor quantity and quality of human movement, incorporating data analysis, with state-of-art wearable devices, to offer novel insights into ADLs of elderly and frail individuals and the relationship to health and wellbeing outcomes.����

��

Supervisory/Advisory Team:�� Dr Pelagia Koufaki (CHEARR full member) and colleagues from the school of Health Sciences at ������Ƶ.�� Prof�� Hongnian Yu School of Engineering and the Built Environment at Edinburgh, Edinburgh Napier University��

��

Applicants should have a Master’s degree or a first degree (at least 2.1) ideally in computing/software engineering, or health and exercise/ physiotherapy related disciplines with a good understanding of�� wearable sensors and�� quantitative and qualitative data analysis and experience with working with human participants in research or practice settings. ��

��

Contact for enquiries: Dr Pelly Koufaki pkoufaki@qmu.ac.uk��

��

There are numerous causes of weakness in muscles which lift the toes up when walking. Examples include Multiple Sclerosis, Stroke, Cerebral Palsy and Peripheral Neuropathy. Foot drop has negative effects on walking and can lead to trips and falls, with substantial impacts on quality of life2. Foot drop is complex and influenced by multiple factors. Most published research on foot drop focuses on the effectiveness or experience of using interventions to achieve orthotic and/or therapeutic improvements in walking, such as Functional Electrical Stimulation and Ankle Foot Orthoses.��

The involvement of CHEARR researchers in this area has led to innovation and KE activity. A new device has been developed to support people with foot drop - footwear with inbuilt dorsiflexion support. The Health Design Collective (spin-out Social Enterprise) team have tested multiple prototypes and submitted a patent relating to this innovation. As a team we have now reached the point of evaluating the footwear in comparison with other devices for supporting foot drop. As for previous research, evaluation of the footwear innovation is affected by substantial heterogeneity in the presentation of foot drop, with numerous influencing factors.��

The lack of research into the multifactorial nature of foot drop inhibits progress in the development and prescription of appropriate interventions. While there are many devices available to support people who have foot drop, more knowledge is needed to enable development of a classification system and guidance which will inform people about what may or may not work for them depending on the characteristics of their foot drop, for example, in relation to muscle strength/activation, range of motion and spasticity. A system that asks questions about the impacts or characteristics of a person’s foot drop and provides guidance about the best options for support would enable people to make more informed decisions in relation to footwear and orthotic interventions. This would support both clinical and self-management for people with foot drop��

We have developed collaborations with Buchanan Orthotics in Glasgow, and Compass (previously MS Therapy Centre) and have links to be developed further with Health by Science (works with people who have neurological conditions). We work closely with the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Neurology which will enable wider NHS and private/third sector collaborations to be developed when timely.��

Physical activity levels in neurodivergent (ND) children and young people are extremely low, with as little as 10-14% of ND young people being sufficiently active . ND young people face health risks related to low levels of physical activity (e.g., anxiety, depression, diabetes, cardiovascular issues) and frequently experience difficulties accessing inclusive physical activity . Research on neurodivergent young people’s physical activity could be instrumental in improving mental and physical health outcomes. While there is increasing research in this area, there are several concerns with existing research: (1) Research predominantly focuses on specific forms of ND (usually autism) rather than ND young people more broadly, ignoring co-occurring differences. (2) Findings are disparate, leading to a lack of census and evidence-based practice by PA providers (3) The focus of most research to date has been on physical activity as an “intervention”, to reduce and even “normalise” ND behaviours which perpetuate stigma, and reduce inclusion . There is increasing demand for evidence-based inclusive guidance from stakeholders, but researchers do not know the priority areas for future physical activity research that will make a meaningful difference to ND young people.��

Therefore, this PhD project will have two aims: (1) To review the current state of research looking at the lived experiences of ND people in relation to sport and physical activity, and (2) using co-production methods to identify and document research priorities of ND young people in physical activity and sport to facilitate more cohesive and focuses for research. These two aims will identify pertinent research on specific areas of sport and physical activity research that will translate into changing the lives of ND young people with neurodiversity affirmative approaches.��

This is an exciting interdisciplinary PhD project at Queen Margaret University bringing together supervisors with significant expertise in inclusive approaches to physical activity (Prof Marietta van der Linden), the psychology of physical activity (Dr Rosie Arthur) and neurodiversity and developmental psychology (Dr Rachael Davis).����

The successful candidate will have a 1st/ 2.1 Honours Undergraduate degree, and/or a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Psychology, Childhood Studies, Education, Sport Science, Health) and/or equivalent research experience. We particularly welcome applicants who identify as Neurodivergent.��

Your proposal should detail relevant interdisciplinary literature you might draw upon as well as outlining your proposed research design for the studies outlined above.��

��

Contact for enquiries: Marietta van der Linden (mvanderlinden@qmu.ac.uk)��