Improving nutrition in older
people
Specialist knowledge in nutrition and
metabolism has been used by QMU
experts to improve the lives of older people
and vulnerable adults in hospitals and care
homes.
Academics have carried out research
work which helps shape policy and practice
in the nutritional care of older people
and nutritionally vulnerable adults. The
research has been used by organisations
to help improve guidelines for the nutritional
management and care standards of older
people and vulnerable adults in both
residential and community settings.
One of QMU’s key areas of research
focuses on nutrition and metabolism in
health and disease. Researchers in this
area have identified changes which occur in
ageing adults – particularly in their nutritional
status and dietary needs. This work has
informed standards of care in relation to
nutritional and fluid provision of vulnerable
adults in hospitals and care homes across
Scotland and beyond.
Enhancing refugee wellbeing
through integration.
Rese arch from QMU’s Institute for
International Health and Development is
helping to improve the wellbeing of people
living in countries affected by armed conflict
and those who are seeking asylum away
from conflict-affected areas. The team has
developed a framework to assess refugee
integration policy which aims to measure
levels of integration in society. This research
is helping organisations like the Scottish
Refugee Council to shape new policies and
practices for improved integration.
Improving walking in people
with stroke, cerebral palsy and
MS
A team of health sciences researchers
at QMU has used a method of electrical
stimulation to help improve the walking
capabilities of people with ‘foot drop’. Foot
drop is a common symptom of people with
neurological impairments such as stroke,
which can cause trips and falls and can
result in fatigue. The researchers have run
trials where functional electrical stimulation
(FES) was applied to the lower leg of people
with foot drop. This electrical stimulation
makes the muscles lift the foot and as such
prevents the foot from dropping down.
These QMU research projects have
provided valuable information about how
the assistive technology – FES – can be
used to help people who have specific
walking difficulties.
The research has provided valuable
evidence for current local NHS clinical
treatment practice and for the re-design
of the NHS clinical service which supports
the self-management care of people with
cerebral palsy, stroke and MS.
Advancing the diagnosis and
treatment of speech disorders
Articulate Instruments, a spin out company
based at QMU, works with the University’s
speech specialists to develop technologies
and instruments which improve the
diagnoses and treatment of speech
disorders.
A major area of work has been the
development of electropalatography (EPG).
EPG is a technique which is not yet routinely
available in NHS clinics. EPG records where
and when the tongue makes contact with
the roof of the mouth during speech. It can
be a very useful means of helping some
children with speech difficulties to improve
their speech because it provides visual
feedback to the child, which is not ordinarily
available, and does not rely purely on what
the child hears.
The EPG technique is proving particularly
helpful to children with Down’s syndrome,
as they are known to respond well to visual
stimuli. A more portable, smaller version of
the EPG technology was trialled in schools.
By fascilitating the use of EPG outside a
specialised clinic the numbers of children
benefitting from technology increased. The
project involved classroom assistants being
trained to interpret the information provided
by the EPG display and learning how to
use it with the children as part of their daily
speech therapy session.
The collaboration between Articulate
Instruments and speech scientists and
therapists at QMU is not only helping
improve the lives of people in Scotland, but
has a global reach. Articulate Instruments
has over 200 international customers who
purchase a range of products including
electronic systems, headsets, software and
expertise. ❒
Working on cutting-edge projects,
Articulate Instruments has developed
pioneering technology and instruments
which assist speech therapists in improving
the lives of children and adults. Particularly,
the technologies have had a significantly
positive impact on people with enduring
speech problems who were struggling to
improve their speech with traditional speech
therapy methods.
A smaller version of EPG technology
was trialled in schools with children
with Down's syndrome
QMYOU / Research Excellence Framework
9