Constant angular velocity of the wrist during the lifting of a sphere.

The primary objective of the experiments was to investigate the wrist motion of a person while they were carrying out a prehensile task from a clinical hand function test. A sixcamera movement system was used to observe the wrist motion of 10 participants. A very light sphere and a heavy sphere were used in the experiments to study any mass effects. While seated at a table, a participant moved a sphere over a small obstacle using their dominant hand. The participants were observed to move their wrist at a constant angular velocity. This phenomenon has not been reported previously. Theoretically, the muscles of the wrist provide an impulse of force at the start of the rotation while the forearm maintains a constant vertical force on a sphere. Light–heavy mean differences for the velocities, absolute velocities, angles and times taken showed no significant differences (p¼0.05)

Audio and visual data to represent the emotional well-being from disabled children and young people’s participation in recreational activities

Article 31 of the UNCRC promotes all children’s rights to rest, leisure, play and recreation and to take part in cultural and artistic activities. However, disabled children and young people need reasonable adjustments to be able to participate in a meaningful way for them. Using a comparative case study design Dawn will present the findings from her ‘VOCAL’ PhD which has explored the emotional well-being impact from disabled children and young people’s level of participation in recreational activities. There were two groups, those who participated a lot and those whose participation was limited. The research question was ‘How do children and young people with cerebral palsy and their carer’s view, experience and choose their level of participation in recreational activities?’ The objectives were to explore how they thought this impacted upon their emotional well-being. 7 children and young people were recruited via schools, charities and community groups (age range 9-16 years, 4 boys, 3 girls; 4 who participated a lot and 3 whose participation was limited). All had walking, communication and learning disabilities. Each case study comprised of 2 semi-structured interviews 12 weeks apart, a diary written by the parents plus an observation at one of their usual activities. Visual images were taken during the observations as well as field notes written. Some parents took images to add to the diary. Two of the participants were interviewed via their communication aids which gave insight into their experiences and choices. The 5 who were not able to communicate directly were observed and the parents were interviewed. The within case themes will be outlined which highlight the facilitators and barriers to participation. Two key facilitators were changing-places toilets and mobile hoists that could be used outdoors. Those who participated less encountered barriers from pervasive ‘can’t do’ attitudes and environments or equipment that had not been adapted for their needs. It was evident from the data that physical and sporting activities were more readily available than arts, craft and cultural activities. Music played a key role in enhancing emotional well-being

A double-blind placebo controlled experimental study of nicotine: II - Effects on response inhibition and executive functioning

Rationale: Smokers may show abnormal functioning in prefrontal cortex during acute abstinence, reflecting deficient activity in mesocorticolimbic circuitry. Cognitive correlates of this putatively include impaired response inhibition and other aspects of executive functioning. Objectives: To investigate whether inhibitory control and other executive functions in smokers are impaired during acute abstinence relative to post-nicotine. Methods: 145 smokers were tested twice following overnight abstinence, once after nicotine and once after placebo lozenges (order counterbalanced, double-blind), on: an antisaccade task; a Continuous Performance Task (CPT); a delayed response Spatial Working Memory (SWM) task; and a verbal fluency test. Results: Compared with placebo, nicotine was associated with better inhibitory control on the antisaccade task and fewer impulsive responses to filler stimuli (motor errors) on the CPT; at the first assessment only, nicotine also reduced impulsive responses to ‘catch’ stimuli on the CPT. However, it did not affect CPT response bias (an index of impulsive vs. cautious decision-making), spatial working memory, or verbal fluency. Conclusions: Smoking abstinence appears to be associated with difficulty in inhibiting prepotent motor responses, and nicotine to attenuate this difficulty. However, more ‘cognitive’ forms of inhibitory control (e.g. decision-making) and the other aspects of executive function tested here appear to be unaffected

The authenticity of visual methods with disabled children and young people who seek to participate in recreational activities.

Introduction: Disabled children and young people are an under researched group especially when their style of communication is different. Additionally, when they have walking limitations, they are usually excluded from research studies. Whilst their able bodied peers can enjoy wide choices of leisure activities, they have limited opportunities for participation, unless activities have been adapted. Area of scholarly contribution: This study is adding to knowledge about the use of visual data with non-verbal disabled children and young people to represent their ‘voice’. Methods: A multiple case study design compared a group who did participate in recreational activities and group who did not. The participants were children and young people with cerebral palsy, aged nine to sixteen years with limited mobility. All had different styles of adapted communication including non-verbal. Consent was in the form of assent with written parental consent. To authentically represent their ‘voices’ a multiple comparative case study design was developed. Each case study included two interviews, a diary written over twelve weeks, and some non- identifiable photographs from observations. The use of these visual images portrayed meaning about their participation, specifically to interpret the emotional wellbeing effect from their level of participation. Thus the triangulation of these different data sources adds to the rigour of the methods. Findings: Seven participants volunteered, four who did participate in recreational activities and 3 who participated less. A variety of opportunities were available such as adapted skiing, surfing, trampolining, musical and accessible events. The visual data added value for the context of environments where participation could or could not take place. As the researcher, the interpretation of the original images could be used to determine the emotional well-being impact. However, these cannot be shared due to the need to protect their identity and maintain their confidentiality and anonymity. Conclusion: Visual data can enhance the data by triangulating with other sources. However, the authenticity of utilising this data source must be used with caution with disabled participants to protect their anonymity and confidentiality