INSPIRE Research Centre: Innovative Science for Public Health and Patient Interventions

Brain-related conditions such as neurodegenerative disease, brain injury, and concussion can pose several challenges to athletes and their families. Drs John Batten and Matt Smith are currently investigating how we can best support athletes and their families with such brain-related conditions. More specifically, they are working with sports bodies to develop more supportive policies and practices, and to explore the potential for emotionally expressive writing to help athletes and their families cope with the challenges they face.

Fall-related injuries are a public health issue for older adults. Dr Samuel Nyman is investigating the psychology of falls and their prevention. He is exploring the psychological impact of falls and how older adults cope with falls risk and talk about their concerns about falling. Older adults’ concerns about falls are important given its association with falls risk and reduced participation in physical activity and their local community. With this research, he aims to improve older adults’ access and adherence to fall prevention interventions.

Stephen Martin and colleagues are currently investigating the influence of health professionals and patients’ communication on chronic pain outcomes. More specifically, how health professionals’ use of language and explanations influence patient beliefs and treatment decisions. Also, how a new peer support group might help patients manage their pain.

The symptoms of OCD can be very different from person to person, but it is not currently known why there are such big differences or how that affects response to treatment. Dr Rhiannon Jones is testing a novel approach that aims to better target treatments for patient’s specific symptom dimensions and underpinning neurobiological activity. Her research tests new ways of stratifying the different symptom dimensions of OCD linking qualitative comments from patients regarding their intrusive thoughts and behaviours with neural network activity.

Physical activity is essential for reducing cardiovascular disease risk, yet many clinical populations have limited ability to exercise safely. Dr Scott Hannah investigates how structured exercise, reductions in sedentary behaviour, and rehabilitation technologies affect cardiovascular and vascular health in clinical groups such as people recovering from stroke or those living with Long COVID. Working with NHS partners, he evaluates how these approaches operate in real-world practice and examines the physiological responses that guide safe and effective rehabilitation for individuals with restricted mobility.