Dr Allie Welsh

Menopause and perimenopause are natural phases of life that bring about significant physiological changes, including alterations in hormonal levels, bone density, cardiovascular health, and muscle mass. These changes directly affect women’s wellbeing and ability to maintain and benefit from physical activity. Understanding the perspectives of these women and identifying evidence-based strategies is crucial. Despite growing recognition of these health transitions, research has historically neglected the specific needs of this population, leaving a critical gap in tailored interventions and advice. The symposium showcases the recent work of the Leeds Beckett University Peri-and Post-Menopause Research Team, building on interdisciplinary expertise from the Carnegie School of Sport (CSS), the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS), and the Leeds Business School (LBS). This session aims to foster a multidisciplinary dialogue on the intersection of women’s health, physical activity, and workplace experiences during these pivotal life stages.

Objectives This study aims to illuminate the perspectives of informal caregivers who support people following hip fracture surgery. Design A qualitative study embedded within a now completed multicentre, feasibility randomised controlled trial (HIP HELPER). Setting Five English National Health Service hospitals. Participants We interviewed 20 participants (10 informal caregivers and 10 people with hip fracture), following hip fracture surgery. This included one male and nine females who experienced a hip fracture; and seven male and three female informal caregivers. The median age was 72.5 years (range: 65–96 years), 71.0 years (range: 43–81 years) for people with hip fracture and informal caregivers, respectively. Methods Semistructured, virtual interviews were undertaken between November 2021 and March 2022, with caregiver dyads (person with hip fracture and their informal caregiver). Data were analysed thematically. Findings We identified two main themes: expectations of the informal caregiver role and reality of being an informal caregiver; and subthemes: expectations of care and services; responsibility and advocacy; profile of people with hip fracture; decision to be a caregiver; transition from hospital to home. Conclusion Findings suggest informal caregivers do not feel empowered to advocate for a person’s recovery or navigate the care system, leading to increased and unnecessary stress, anxiety and frustration when supporting the person with hip fracture. We suggest that a tailored information giving on the recovery pathway, which is responsive to the caregiving population (ie, considering the needs of male, younger and more active informal caregivers and people with hip fracture) would smooth the transition from hospital to home.

Background People post-hip fracture have reported experiences of fragmented care and poor discharge planning, therefore improvements in patient flow are required. This study reports the challenges people face during the discharge process and offers potential solutions for improving the transition from hospital to home from the perspectives of patients, carers, and health professionals. Methods This was a qualitative study embedded within a multi-centre, feasibility randomised controlled trial (HIP HELPER). We undertook semi-structured interviews with 10 patient-carer dyads (10 people with hip fracture; 10 unpaid carers) and eight health professionals (four physiotherapists, two occupational therapists, one nurse and one physiotherapy researcher) between November 2021 and March 2022. Data were analysed using the principles of Framework Analysis. Results Participants identified challenges in the transition from hospital to home post-hip fracture surgery: ineffective communication, disjointed systems, untimely services and ‘it’s more than just the hip’. Possible solutions and insights to facilitate this transition included the need for reassurance, collaborative planning, and individualisation. Conclusion The transition from hospital to home following hip fracture surgery can be a challenging experience for patients, and for friends and family who support them as carers, making them feel vulnerable, frustrated and uncertain. Enabling a coordinated, collaborative approach to discharge planning and early recovery provision is considered a positive approach to improving NHS care.

Objectives To assess the feasibility of conducting a pragmatic, multicentre randomised controlled trial (RCT) to test the clinical and cost-effectiveness of an informal caregiver training programme to support the recovery of people following hip fracture surgery. Design Two-arm, multicentre, pragmatic, open, feasibility RCT with embedded qualitative study. Setting National Health Service (NHS) providers in five English hospitals. Participants Community-dwelling adults, aged 60 years and over, who undergo hip fracture surgery and their informal caregivers. Intervention Usual care: usual NHS care. Experimental: usual NHS care plus a caregiver–patient dyad training programme (HIP HELPER). This programme comprised three, 1 hour, one-to-one training sessions for a patient and caregiver, delivered by a nurse, physiotherapist or occupational therapist in the hospital setting predischarge. After discharge, patients and caregivers were supported through three telephone coaching sessions. Randomisation and blinding Central randomisation was computer generated (1:1), stratified by hospital and level of patient cognitive impairment. There was no blinding. Main outcome measures Data collected at baseline and 4 months post randomisation included: screening logs, intervention logs, fidelity checklists, acceptability data and clinical outcomes. Interviews were conducted with a subset of participants and health professionals. Results 102 participants were enrolled (51 patients; 51 caregivers). Thirty-nine per cent (515/1311) of patients screened were eligible. Eleven per cent (56/515) of eligible patients consented to be randomised. Forty-eight per cent (12/25) of the intervention group reached compliance to their allocated intervention. There was no evidence of treatment contamination. Qualitative data demonstrated the trial and HIP HELPER programme was acceptable. Conclusions The HIP HELPER programme was acceptable to patient–caregiver dyads and health professionals. The COVID-19 pandemic impacting on site’s ability to deliver the research. Modifications are necessary to the design for a viable definitive RCT.

Aim To evaluate the effect of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on the severity of angina, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and exercise capacity in adults living with microvascular angina (MVA). Methods 14 online databases were searched to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing adults with MVA receiving CR to those receiving a control intervention involving no exercise. Meta-analyses using random-effects models was used to calculate mean differences or standardized mean differences (SMD). Results Of 15,873 reports identified, five studies (222 participants) were included. Risk of bias for all outcomes were judged as ‘some concerns’ or ‘high’. Mean ages ranged from 51 to 64 years, and 97.3% were women. Meta-analysis of CR's effect on the severity of angina was not feasible due to limited data. Meta-analysis on HRQoL was conducted at the domain level of Short Form-36 questionnaire (2 RCTs; n=76) and on exercise capacity measured by peak VO2 (3 RCTs; n=101). The HRQoL outcome was classified as ‘very low certainty’, indicating very little confidence in the effect estimates. The meta-analysis on exercise capacity showed a clinically meaningful change in peak VO2 in favor of CR, with a 4.16mL/kg/min increase in peak VO2 (SMD of 1.06, 95% CI -0.7 to 2.19, very low certainty). Conclusions CR may improve exercise capacity in patients living with MVA compared to controls, however the evidence is very uncertain. High-quality RCTs are needed to rigorously determine the impact of CR on the severity of angina, HRQoL, and exercise capacity in patients living with MVA.

Introduction Chronic musculoskeletal (bone, joint or muscle) pain is disabling. People with it frequently have difficulties in managing everyday activities. Individuals may rely on family members or friends to support them. These people are known as informal caregivers. No interventions have previously addressed the health needs of people with chronic musculoskeletal pain and their caregivers. In response, the JOINT SUPPORT programme was developed. In this study, we will assess the feasibility and acceptability of conducting a pragmatic, multicentre, randomised controlled trial (RCT) to test the clinical and cost-effectiveness of the JOINT SUPPORT programme to support these individuals. Methods and analysis This will be a mixed-methods feasibility RCT. We will recruit 80 patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain with their informal caregivers. Patients will be randomised to usual National Health Service (NHS) care OR usual NHS care plus a caregiver–patient dyad training programme (JOINT SUPPORT). This programme comprises of five, 1-hour, group-based sessions for patients and caregivers, delivered by trained physiotherapists or occupational therapists. It includes developing skills in: understanding pain, pacing, graded activity, fear avoidance and goal-setting, understanding benefits of physical activity and skills in medication management. This will be re-enforced with a workbook. After the group-based sessions, patients and caregivers will be supported through three telephone sessions with a therapist. Data collected at baseline and 3 months will include: screening logs, intervention logs, fidelity checklists and clinical outcomes on quality of life, physical and emotional outcomes, adverse events and resource use. Qualitative research with 24 patient–caregiver dyads and 12 healthcare professionals will explore the acceptability of trial processes. Stop–go criteria will inform the progression to a full trial.

Aims This study aims to assess the feasibility of conducting a pragmatic, multicentre randomized controlled trial (RCT) to test the clinical and cost-effectiveness of an informal caregiver training programme to support the recovery of people following hip fracture surgery. Methods This will be a mixed-methods feasibility RCT, recruiting 60 patients following hip fracture surgery and their informal caregivers. Patients will be randomized to usual NHS care, versus usual NHS care plus a caregiver-patient dyad training programme (HIP HELPER). This programme will comprise of three, one-hour, one-to-one training sessions for the patient and caregiver, delivered by a nurse, physiotherapist, or occupational therapist. Training will be delivered in the hospital setting pre-patient discharge. It will include practical skills for rehabilitation such as: transfers and walking; recovery goal setting and expectations; pacing and stress management techniques; and introduction to the HIP HELPER Caregiver Workbook, which provides information on recovery, exercises, worksheets, and goal-setting plans to facilitate a ‘good’ recovery. After discharge, patients and caregivers will be supported in delivering rehabilitation through three telephone coaching sessions. Data, collected at baseline and four months post-randomization, will include: screening logs, intervention logs, fidelity checklists, quality assurance monitoring visit data, and clinical outcomes assessing quality of life, physical, emotional, adverse events, and resource use outcomes. The acceptability of the study intervention and RCT design will be explored through qualitative methods with 20 participants (patients and informal caregivers) and 12 health professionals. Discussion A multicentre recruitment approach will provide greater external validity across population characteristics in England. The mixed-methods approach will permit in-depth examination of the intervention and trial design parameters. The findings will inform whether and how a definitive trial may be undertaken to test the effectiveness of this caregiver intervention for patients after hip fracture surgery.

Background: Chronic pain is a disabling condition. Many people with chronic pain seek informal support for everyday activities of daily living (ADL). However, there remains uncertainty on the type of people with chronic pain who access this support, what types of support they need and who provides such support. The purpose of this analysis was to answer these uncertainties. Methods: Data from the Health Survey for England (HSE) and English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) were accessed. People who reported chronic pain (moderate or above for minimum of 12 months) were identified. From these cohorts, we determined if individuals self-reported receiving informal care. Data on caregiver profiles and caregiving activities were reported through descriptive statistics. Logistic regression analyses were performed to compare health status outcomes between people with pain who received and who did not receive informal care. Results: 2178 people with chronic pain from the ELSA cohort and 571 from the HSE cohort were analysed. People who received care were frequently female, older aged with several medical morbidities including musculoskeletal diseases such as arthritis. People with chronic pain received informal care for several diverse tasks. Most frequently these related to instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) such as shopping and housework. They were most frequently provided by partners or their children. Although they reported greater disability and symptoms (p < 0.001), people who received care did not report differences in health status, loneliness or wellbeing (p = 0.27; p = 0.46). Conclusions: Whilst it may be possible to characterise people living in chronic pain who receive informal care, there is some uncertainty on the impact of informal caregiving on their health and wellbeing. Consideration should now be made on how best to support both care recipients and informal caregivers, to ensure their health and quality of life is promoted whilst living with chronic pain.

Abstract

Menopause and perimenopause are natural phases of life that bring about significant physiological changes, including alterations in hormonal levels, bone density, cardiovascular health, and muscle mass. These changes directly affect women’s wellbeing and ability to maintain and benefit from physical activity. Understanding the perspectives of these women and identifying evidence-based strategies is crucial. Despite growing recognition of these health transitions, research has historically neglected the specific needs of this population, leaving a critical gap in tailored interventions and advice. The symposium showcases the recent work of the Leeds Beckett University Peri-and Post-Menopause Research Team, building on interdisciplinary expertise from the Carnegie School of Sport (CSS), the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS), and the Leeds Business School (LBS). This session aims to foster a multidisciplinary dialogue on the intersection of women’s health, physical activity, and workplace experiences during these pivotal life stages.