Multimorbidity clusters and their associations with health-related quality of life in two UK cohorts.

Background: Identifying clusters of multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs), also known as multimorbidity, and their associated burden may facilitate the development of effective and cost-effective targeted healthcare strategies. This study aimed to identify clusters of MLTCs and their associations with long-term health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in two UK population-based cohorts.

Methods: Age-stratified clusters of MLTCs were identified at baseline in UK Biobank (n = 502,363, 54.

Mechanisms of impact of web-based support and self-monitoring to augment and maintain physical activity levels: a qualitative study exploring participants' interactions with the e-coachER, a web-based support programme for people attending exercise referral schemes.

Objectives: e-coachER was a web-based intervention designed to support uptake and maintenance of physical activity for people attending exercise referral schemes (ERS) for weight loss, diabetes, hypertension, osteoarthritis or a history of depression/low mood. The aim of this study was to explore the mechanisms of impact of the e-coachER intervention, specifically how participants interacted with e-coachER and the key mediators of increased physical activity.

Design: This was a qualitative one-on-one interview study.

Making Every Contact Count: health professionals' experiences of integrating conversations about Snacktivity to promote physical activity within routine consultations - a qualitative study.

Objective: Helping people to change their health behaviours is becoming a greater feature within the role of health professionals, including through whole system initiatives such as Making Every Contact Count. Health services provide an ideal setting to routinely promote health behaviours, including physical activity. Snacktivity is a novel approach that promotes small bouts of physical activity (activity snacks) throughout the day.

A feasibility study of the CRISP intervention; a cardiovascular risk reduction intervention in patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Background: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening/surveillance is implemented widely. Those in AAA-surveillance are at high-risk of cardiovascular-events. We developed an intervention, called CRISP, using intervention-mapping, to reduce cardiovascular-risk in AAA-surveillance.

A high-power 4 × 4: crystallographic and electrochemical insights into a novel Wadsley-Roth anode NbTiWO.

A novel 4 × 4 Wadsley-Roth block phase, NbTiWO, has been prepared and its structure determined through Neutron and X-ray diffraction studies. Electrochemical testing indicated excellent high rate performance, with a returned delithiation capacity of 184 (4) mA h g at a current of 2 A g.

Personalised Exercise-Rehabilitation FOR people with Multiple long-term conditions (PERFORM): protocol for a randomised feasibility trial.

Introduction: Personalised Exercise-Rehabilitation FOR people with Multiple long-term conditions (PERFORM) is a research programme that seeks to develop and evaluate a comprehensive exercise-based rehabilitation intervention designed for people with multimorbidity, the presence of multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs). This paper describes the protocol for a randomised trial to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the PERFORM intervention, study design and processes.

Methods And Analysis: A multicentre, parallel two-group randomised trial with individual 2:1 allocation to the PERFORM exercise-based intervention plus usual care (intervention) or usual care alone (control).

Improving cardiovascular health in patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm: development of the cardiovascular risk reduction in patients with aneurysms (CRISP) behaviour change intervention.

Background: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is an important cardiovascular health problem. Ultrasound screening is proven to reduce AAA mortality and programmes have been implemented in some healthcare systems. Those who are identified as having a small AAA in screening enter into a surveillance programme to monitor AAA size.

"It helps me to stay on the right path, rather than give in": Mixed-method process evaluation of the ImpulsePal app-based intervention for weight management.

Background: Empirical research indicates that impulsive processes that operate below conscious monitoring can undermine peoples' attempts to change behaviour patterns, especially those that have become habitual. This may, therefore, be a serious challenge for those trying to lose weight. A novel smartphone app-based intervention (ImpulsePal) offers practical strategies to manage impulsive urges to facilitate reductions in the consumption of energy-dense processed food and overeating.

A peer-volunteer led active ageing programme to prevent decline in physical function in older people at risk of mobility disability (Active, Connected, Engaged [ACE]): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Background: The Active Connected Engaged [ACE] study is a multi-centre, pragmatic, two-arm, parallel-group randomised controlled trial [RCT] with an internal pilot phase. The ACE study incorporates a multi-level mixed methods process evaluation including a systems mapping approach and an economic evaluation. ACE aims to test the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a peer-volunteer led active ageing intervention designed to support older adults at risk of mobility disability to become more physically and socially active within their communities and to reduce or reverse, the progression of functional limitations associated with ageing.

Development of the 'ACT now & check-it-out' intervention to support patient-initiated follow up for Head and Neck cancer patients.

Objective: Current Head and Neck cancer (HNC) follow-up models are considered sub-optimal at detecting recurrences. We describe the development of a patient-initiated follow up (PIFU) trial intervention support package, to support HNC patients to engage in PIFU self-care behaviors.

Methods: An intervention mapping approach, informed by evidence synthesis, theory and stakeholder consultation, guided intervention development.

Promoting participation in physical activity through Snacktivity: A qualitative mixed methods study.

Background: Public health guidance acknowledges the benefits of physical activity of any duration. We have proposed a whole-day approach to promoting physical activity called Snacktivity™, which encourages frequent 2-5 minute 'activity snacks' of moderate-to-vigorous intensity.

Methods: Using repeated semi-structured interviews and a think aloud protocol, this study aimed to understand participants' experiences of integrating Snacktivity™ into daily life, to provide insights to refine the delivery of Snacktivity™ interventions.

The REtirement in ACTion exercise programme and its effects on elements of long term functionality in older adults.

Background: The prevention of mobility-related disability amongst adults is a global healthcare priority. Cost-effective community-based strategies to improve physical function and independence in older adults with mobility limitations are needed. This study investigated the effectiveness of the REtirement in ACTion (REACT) exercise intervention on individual markers of physical function at 6-and 12-months.

Addressing the psychology of weight loss and maintenance: A feasibility study of the Skills for weight loss and Maintenance weight management programme.

Objectives: Building on prior theory, we aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of integrating novel, weight loss maintenance strategies into existing weight management programmes. We also piloted recruitment and data collection procedures for future research.

Design: Two phases of action research nested within a single-arm feasibility study.

Recommendations from Diabetes UK's 2022 diabetes and physical activity workshop.

Aims: To describe the process and outputs of a workshop convened to identify key priorities for future research in the area of diabetes and physical activity and provide recommendations to researchers and research funders on how best to address them.

Methods: A 1-day research workshop was conducted, bringing together researchers, people living with diabetes, healthcare professionals, and members of staff from Diabetes UK to identify and prioritise recommendations for future research into physical activity and diabetes.

Results: Workshop attendees prioritised four key themes for further research: (i) better understanding of the physiology of exercise in all groups of people: in particular, what patient metabolic characteristics influence or predict the physiological response to physical activity, and the potential role of physical activity in beta cell preservation; (ii) designing physical activity interventions for maximum impact; (iii) promoting sustained physical activity across the life course; (iv) designing physical activity studies for groups with multiple long-term conditions.

Development of a Mobile Health Snacktivity App to Promote Physical Activity in Inactive Adults (SnackApp): Intervention Mapping and User Testing Study.

Background: Despite the unequivocal evidence demonstrating the benefits of being physically active, many people do not meet the recommended guidelines of at least 150 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity per week. This can be changed with the development and implementation of innovative interventions. The use of mobile health (mHealth) technologies has been suggested as a mechanism to offer people innovative health behavior change interventions.

Preventing type 2 diabetes: A research agenda for behavioural science.

Aims: The aim of this narrative review was to identify important knowledge gaps in behavioural science relating to type 2 diabetes prevention, to inform future research in the field.

Methods: Seven researchers who have published behaviour science research applied to type 2 diabetes prevention independently identified several important gaps in knowledge. They met to discuss these and to generate recommendations to advance research in behavioural science of type 2 diabetes prevention.

A qualitative longitudinal study of motivation in the REtirement in ACTion (REACT) physical activity intervention for older adults with mobility limitations.

Background: Physical activity (PA) is beneficial for older adults' health, however they remain the least active age group in the UK. This qualitative longitudinal study aims to understand motivations in older adults receiving the REACT physical activity intervention, through the lens of self-determination theory.

Methods: Participants were older adults randomised to the intervention arm of the Retirement in ACTion (REACT) Study, a group-based physical activity and behaviour maintenance intervention to prevent decline of physical functioning in older adults (≥ 65 years).

Motivational support intervention to reduce smoking and increase physical activity in smokers not ready to quit: the TARS RCT.

Background: Physical activity can support smoking cessation for smokers wanting to quit, but there have been no studies on supporting smokers wanting only to reduce. More broadly, the effect of motivational support for such smokers is unclear.

Objectives: The objectives were to determine if motivational support to increase physical activity and reduce smoking for smokers not wanting to immediately quit helps reduce smoking and increase abstinence and physical activity, and to determine if this intervention is cost-effective.

Snacktivity™ to promote physical activity and reduce future risk of disease in the population: protocol for a feasibility randomised controlled trial and nested qualitative study.

Background: Many people do not regularly participate in physical activity, which may negatively impact their health. Current physical activity guidelines are focused on promoting weekly accumulation of at least 150 min of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA). Whilst revised guidance now recognises the importance of making small changes to physical activity behaviour, guidance still focuses on adults needing to achieve at least 150 min of MVPA per week.

Improving balance in community-dwelling elders using trained volunteers within faith-based institutions: a mixed methods feasibility study.

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility and acceptability of a volunteer-led balance programme for older adults.

Methods: A feasibility cluster RCT with focus groups were conducted in faith-based institutions. Eligibility criteria were: participants were ≥65 years, able to do five times sit -to-stand, had no falls in the previous six months and had good mental capacity.

Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of behavioural support for prolonged abstinence for smokers wishing to reduce but not quit: Randomised controlled trial of physical activity assisted reduction of smoking (TARS).

Aims: For smokers unmotivated to quit, we assessed the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of behavioural support to reduce smoking and increase physical activity on prolonged abstinence and related outcomes.

Design: A multi-centred pragmatic two-arm parallel randomised controlled trial.

Setting: Primary care and the community across four United Kingdom sites.

Intervention fidelity assessment: A sub-study of the Norfolk Diabetes Prevention Study (NDPS).

Background: Previous research has shown that lifestyle modification can delay or prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes in high-risk individuals. The Norfolk Diabetes Prevention Study (NDPS) was a parallel, three-arm, randomized controlled trial with up to 46 months follow-up that tested a group-delivered, theory-based lifestyle intervention to reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes in high-risk groups. The current study aimed to evaluate if the NDPS intervention was delivered to an acceptable standard and if any part(s) of the delivery required improvement.