The need for robust critique of arts and health research: young people, art therapy and mental health

We describe work in progress to conduct a systematic review of research on effects of arts-based programs for mental health in young people. We are at the stage of searching for relevant studies through major databases and screening extant systematic reviews for additional research which meet our inclusion criteria. At this stage, however, concerns have arisen regarding both the quality of existing primary studies and of recently published systematic reviews in this area of arts and health. As a case in point, in this paper we focus on one research report on art therapy with adolescent girls and its inclusion in three systematic reviews. We demonstrate that the reviews fail to undertake a robust critique of the Bazargan and Pakdaman paper and that the paper and reviews are flawed. Drawing on recent criticisms of systematic reviewing, we consider the value of proceeding with our systematic review as initially planned. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2022 Grebosz-Haring, Thun-Hohenstein, Schuchter-Wiegand, Irons, Bathke, Phillips and Clift.

The Need for Robust Critique of Arts and Health Research: Young People, Art Therapy and Mental Health

We describe work in progress to conduct a systematic review of research on effects of arts-based programs for mental health in young people. We are at the stage of searching for relevant studies through major databases and screening extant systematic reviews for additional research which meet our inclusion criteria. At this stage, however, concerns have arisen regarding both the quality of existing primary studies and of recently published systematic reviews in this area of arts and health. As a case in point, in this paper we focus on one research report on art therapy with adolescent girls and its inclusion in three systematic reviews. We demonstrate that the reviews fail to undertake a robust critique of the Bazargan and Pakdaman paper and that the paper and reviews are flawed. Drawing on recent criticisms of systematic reviewing, we consider the value of proceeding with our systematic review as initially planned

Industrial constructions of publics and public knowledge: a qualitative investigation of practice in the UK chemicals industry

This is a post print version of the article. The official published version can be obtained from the link below - © 2007 by SAGE PublicationsWhile the rhetoric of public engagement is increasingly commonplace within industry, there has been little research that examines how lay knowledge is conceptualized and whether it is really used within companies. Using the chemicals sector as an example, this paper explores how companies conceive of publics and "public knowledge," and how this relates to modes of engagement/communication with them. Drawing on qualitative empirical research in four companies, we demonstrate that the public for industry are primarily conceived as "consumers" and "neighbours," having concerns that should be allayed rather than as groups with knowledge meriting engagement. We conclude by highlighting the dissonance between current advocacy of engagement and the discourses and practices prevalent within industry, and highlight the need for more realistic strategies for industry/public engagement.Funding was received from the ESRC Science in Society Programme

Supervised pulmonary hypertension exercise rehabilitation (SPHERe):Study protocol for a multi-centre randomised controlled trial

Background Supervised cardio-pulmonary rehabilitation may be safe and beneficial for people with pulmonary hypertension (PH) in groups 1 (pulmonary arterial hypertension) and 4 (chronic thromboembolic disease), particularly as a hospital in-patient. It has not been tested in the most common PH groups; 2 (left heart disease), 3 (lung disease), or 5 (other disorders). Further it has not been evaluated in the UK National Health Service (NHS) out-patient setting, or with long-term follow-up. The aim of this randomised controlled trial (RCT) is to test the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a supervised exercise rehabilitation intervention with psychosocial support compared to best practice usual care for people with PH in the community/outpatient setting. Methods This multi-centre, pragmatic, two-arm RCT with embedded process evaluation aims to recruit 352 clinically stable adults with PH (groups 1–5) and WHO functional class II-IV. Participants will be randomised to either the Supervised Pulmonary Hypertension Exercise Rehabilitation (SPHERe) intervention or control. The SPHERe intervention consists of 1) individual assessment and familiarisation sessions; 2) 8-week, twice-weekly, supervised out-patient exercise training; 3) psychosocial/motivational support and education; 4) guided home exercise plan. The control intervention consists of best practice usual care with a single one-to-one practitioner appointment, and general advice on physical activity. Outcomes will be measured at baseline, 4 months (post-intervention) and 12 months by researchers blinded to treatment allocation. The primary outcome is the incremental shuttle walk test at 4 months. Secondary outcomes include health-related quality of life (HRQoL), time to clinical worsening and health and social care use. A purposive sample of participants (n = 20 intervention and n = 20 control) and practitioners (n = 20) will be interviewed to explore experiences of the trial, outcomes and interventions. Discussion The SPHERe study is the first multi-centre clinical RCT to assess the clinical and cost effectiveness of a supervised exercise rehabilitation intervention compared to usual care, delivered in the UK NHS, for people in all PH groups. Results will inform clinicians and commissioners as to whether or not supervised exercise rehabilitation is effective and should be routinely provided for people with PH

"If we use the strength of diversity among researchers we can only improve the quality and impact of our research": Issues of equality, diversity, inclusion, and transparency in the process of applying for research funding

This paper sets out the recommendations that have emerged from a six-month-long exploration and discussion of the processes that take place before research is submitted for funding: the ‘pre-award’ environment. Our work concentrated on how this environment is experienced by researchers at all career stages and from a variety of backgrounds, demographics, and disciplines, as well as by research managers and research support professionals. In the later stages of our exploration, representatives from research funders were also involved in the discussions. The primary component of this project was an analysis of pre-award activities and processes at UK universities, using information collated from workshops with researchers and research management and support staff. The findings of this analysis were presented as a workflow diagram, which was then used to surface issues relating to equality, diversity, inclusion, and transparency in context. The workflow diagram and the issues highlighted by it were used to structure discussions at a symposium for a range of research stakeholders, held in Bristol, UK, in January 2023. The recommendations set out in this paper are drawn from discussions that took place at that event. This paper is not an exhaustive landscape analysis, nor a review of existing research and practice in the area of pre-award processes or of recent thinking on the topics of equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). Instead, it aims to summarise and encapsulate the suggestions put forward by the stakeholders during the symposium. These recommendations, from experienced professionals working in the field, are based on their encounters with the issues raised in the project. They do not solely relate to those working on pre-award processes, but may also apply to funders, policymakers, university leaders, and professional associations, since many of the challenges flagged in our research are systemic and cultural, and reach far beyond the research office

Curriculum and curriculum access issues for students with special educational needs in post-primary settings: an international review

This report presents the findings of an evidence review designed to summarise what is known about good practice concerning the content of, and access to, the school curriculum for students with special educational needs. The review focused on postprimary settings where the issue is particularly pertinent; the focus of education shifts from being student-centred at primary level to being much more subject-focused in postprimary settings

Use of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Therapies in Patients with a Fontan Circulation: Current Practice Across the United Kingdom.

Background The Fontan circulation is a successful operative strategy for abolishing cyanosis and chronic volume overload in patients with congenital heart disease with single ventricle physiology. "Fontan failure" is a major cause of poor quality of life and mortality in these patients. We assessed the number and clinical characteristics of adult patients with Fontan physiology receiving pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) therapies across specialist centers in the United Kingdom. Methods and Results We identified all adult patients with a Fontan-type circulation under active follow-up in 10 specialist congenital heart disease centers in England and Scotland between 2009 and 2019. Patients taking PAH therapies were matched to untreated patients. A survey of experts was also performed. Of 1538 patients with Fontan followed in specialist centers, only 76 (4.9%) received PAH therapies during follow-up. The vast majority (90.8%) were treated with a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor. In 33% of patients, PAH therapies were started after surgery or during hospital admission. In the matched cohort, treated patients were more likely to be significantly limited, have ascites, have a history of protein-losing enteropathy, or receive loop diuretics (<0.0001 for all), also reflecting survey responses indicating that failing Fontan is an important treatment target. After a median of 12 months (11-15 months), functional class was more likely to improve in the treated group (=0.01), with no other changes in clinical parameters or safety issues. Conclusions PAH therapies are used in adult patients with Fontan circulation followed in specialist centers, targeting individuals with advanced disease or complications. Follow-up suggests stabilization of the clinical status after 12 months of therapy

Use of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Therapies in Patients with a Fontan Circulation: Current Practice Across the United Kingdom.

Background: The Fontan circulation is a successful operative strategy for abolishing cyanosis and chronic volume overload in patients with congenital heart disease with single ventricle physiology. “Fontan failure” is a major cause of poor quality of life and mortality in these patients. We assessed the number and clinical characteristics of adult patients with Fontan physiology receiving pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) therapies across specialist centers in the United Kingdom.Methods and Results: We identified all adult patients with a Fontan‐type circulation under active follow‐up in 10 specialist congenital heart disease centers in England and Scotland between 2009 and 2019. Patients taking PAH therapies were matched to untreated patients. A survey of experts was also performed. Of 1538 patients with Fontan followed in specialist centers, only 76 (4.9%) received PAH therapies during follow‐up. The vast majority (90.8%) were treated with a phosphodiesterase‐5 inhibitor. In 33% of patients, PAH therapies were started after surgery or during hospital admission. In the matched cohort, treated patients were more likely to be significantly limited, have ascites, have a history of protein‐losing enteropathy, or receive loop diuretics (P&lt;0.0001 for all), also reflecting survey responses indicating that failing Fontan is an important treatment target. After a median of 12 months (11–15 months), functional class was more likely to improve in the treated group (P=0.01), with no other changes in clinical parameters or safety issues.Conclusions: PAH therapies are used in adult patients with Fontan circulation followed in specialist centers, targeting individuals with advanced disease or complications. Follow‐up suggests stabilization of the clinical status after 12 months of therapy