Cochrane dementia group turns 21—older and (slightly) wiser

This invited editorial describes the achievements of the last 21 years of the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group (DR Quinn is the coordinating editor of the group)

Does the Animal Fun program improve motor performance in children aged 4–6 years?

The Animal Fun program was designed to enhance the motor ability of young children by imitating the movements of animals in a fun, inclusive setting. The efficacy of this program was investigated through a randomized controlled trial using a multivariate nested cohort design. Pre-intervention scores were recorded for 511 children aged 4.83 years to 6.17 years (M =5.42 years, SD = 3.58 months). Six control and six intervention schools were compared 6 months later following the intervention, and then again at 18 months after the initial testing when the children were in their first school year. Changes in motor performance were examined using the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency short form. Data were analyzed using multi-level-mixed effects linear regression. A significant Condition Time interaction was found, F(2,1219) = 3.35, p = .035, demonstrating that only the intervention group showed an improvement in motor ability. A significant Sex Time interaction was also found, (2,1219) = 3.84, p = .022, with boys improving over time, but not girls. These findings have important implications for the efficacy of early intervention of motor skills and understanding the differences in motor performance between boys and girls

Desarrollo de campaña publicitaria para el producto KAIAK de la marca NATURA

La investigación realizada tuvo como propósito desarrollar una campaña publicitaria para la marca Natura y su perfume Kaiak para hombres. El objetivo de negocio es ser la empresa N°1 en el mercado de venta directa y, por otro lado, el objetivo comunicacional de la campaña fue posicionar a Natura como la marca ideal para regalar, teniendo como producto foco Kaiak. Nuestra metodología de investigación fue mixta ya que se utilizaron distintos estudios como encuestas, focus group y observación participante. Esta campaña tuvo una duración de 2 meses (octubre y noviembre), con un presupuesto de S/. 1,300,000 netos y dirigida a hombres entre 18 y 35 años con personalidad libre y que disfruten de estar en movimiento y en constante transformación. La campaña se denominó “Empuja tu Frescura” y estuvo compuesta por cuatro etapas, desde una etapa de intriga hasta una etapa de ventas, donde se pudo realizar un PR Stunt, dos Big Moments y múltiples acciones dentro de medios tradicionales y digitales.The purpose of the research carried out was to develop an advertising campaign for the Natura brand and its Kaiak perfume for men. The business objective is to be the No. 1 company in the direct sales market and, on the other hand, the communication objective of the campaign was to position Natura as the ideal brand to give away, with Kaiak as the focus product. Our research methodology was mixed since different studies were used, such as surveys, focus groups and participant observation. This campaign lasted 2 months (October and November), with a budget of S/. 1,300,000 net and aimed at men between 18 and 35 years of age with a free personality and who enjoy being on the move and in constant transformation. The campaign was called "Push your Freshness" and consisted of four stages, from an intrigue stage to a sales stage, where a PR Stunt, two Big Moments and multiple actions within traditional and digital media could be carried out

Promoting Personal Recovery in People with Persisting Psychotic Disorders: Development and Pilot Study of a Novel Digital Intervention

BACKGROUND For people with persisting psychotic disorders, personal recovery has become an important target of mental health services worldwide. Strongly influenced by mental health service consumer perspectives, personal recovery refers to being able to live a satisfying and contributing life irrespective of ongoing symptoms and disability. Contact with peers with shared lived experience is often cited as facilitative of recovery. We aimed to develop and pilot a novel recovery-based digitally supported intervention for people with a psychotic illness. METHODS We developed a website to be used on a tablet computer by mental health workers to structure therapeutic discussions about personal recovery. Central to the site was a series of video interviews of people with lived experience of psychosis discussing how they had navigated issues within their own recovery based on the Connectedness-Hope-Identity-Meaning-Empowerment model of recovery. We examined the feasibility and acceptability of an 8-session low intensity intervention using this site in 10 participants with persisting psychotic disorders and conducted a proof-of-concept analysis of outcomes. RESULTS All 10 participants completed the full course of sessions, and it was possible to integrate use of the website into nearly all sessions. Participant feedback confirmed that use of the website was a feasible and acceptable way of working. All participants stated that they would recommend the intervention to others. Post-intervention, personal recovery measured by the Questionnaire for the Process of Recovery had improved by an average standardized effect of d = 0.46, 95% CI [0.07, 0.84], and 8 of the 10 participants reported that their mental health had improved since taking part in the intervention. CONCLUSION In-session use of digital resources featuring peer accounts of recovery is feasible and acceptable and shows promising outcomes. A randomized controlled trial is the next step in evaluating the efficacy of this low intensity intervention when delivered in conjunction with routine mental health care.This study was funded by the State Government of Victoria Department of Health Mental Illness Research Fund (MIRF33). The funder had no role in the design of the study or reporting of results

Neutralisation of SARS-CoV-2 by anatomical embalming solutions.

Teaching and learning anatomy by using human cadaveric specimens has been a foundation of medical and biomedical teaching for hundreds of years. Therefore, the majority of institutions that teach topographical anatomy rely on body donation programmes to provide specimens for both undergraduate and postgraduate teaching of gross anatomy. The COVID-19 pandemic has posed an unprecedented challenge to anatomy teaching because of the suspension of donor acceptance at most institutions. This was largely due to concerns about the potential transmissibility of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the absence of data about the ability of embalming solutions to neutralise the virus. Twenty embalming solutions commonly used in institutions in the United Kingdom and Ireland were tested for their ability to neutralise SARS-CoV-2, using an established cytotoxicity assay. All embalming solutions tested neutralised SARS-CoV-2, with the majority of solutions being effective at high-working dilutions. These results suggest that successful embalming with the tested solutions can neutralise the SARS-CoV-2 virus, thereby facilitating the safe resumption of body donation programmes and cadaveric anatomy teaching

Development of mathematical pathways for vet students to articulate to related higher education courses

Australia needs more qualified professionals in the areas of engineering, education, health and other sciences. The national focus on widening participation in higher education (HE) includes strengthening pathways from vocational education and training (VET). VET students often lack the mathematics skills necessary to articulate successfully to their chosen degrees. Current approaches such as bridging and foundation mathematics programs, and university in-degree support, are fragmented and not tailored or sufficiently contextualised for VET articulants. Flexible approaches are needed that enable institutions to assess the numeracy skills of VET articulants and provide resources and support to build their mathematical skills and confidence. This project is developing a series of mathematics pathways designed to improve the readiness of VET qualified students for higher education study in the areas of engineering, education and health science. Year 1 of this project focuses on engineering and education. The main VET qualifications and HE education courses have been identified and mapping the mathematical gap in knowledge between the two is underway. Mathematical pathways will be delivered as Open Education Resources and designed to be delivered flexibly. This presentation will review the progress on the mathematical pathway development and review the gaps that exist between the two sectors

Going for GOLD! Greater Manchester Growing Older with Learning Disabilities: An inclusive research project to reduce social isolation amongst older adults with learning disabilities

This research was part of the Greater Manchester Growing Older with Learning Disabilities (GM GOLD) project, which was carried out by a team of 16 older people with learning disabilities. The aim was to reduce social isolation amongst older adults (aged 50+) with learning disabilities and to find out what makes somewhere an age-friendly place to live for older adults with learning disabilities. The team was supported by 'research buddies' from Manchester Metropolitan University and the partner organisations to conduct interviews and focus groups with 59 older people (aged 50-79 years) with learning disabilities from eight Greater Manchester areas (Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Tameside, Wigan). Later life transitions for people with learning disabilities are particularly disruptive, and they are at particular risk of social isolation and loneliness. People with learning disabilities have the same rights to relationships and to participate in the cultural life of the community as the rest of society. If society, neighbourhoods and communities do not become more inclusive of people with learning disabilities, in addition to the legal, moral and ethical implications, this is likely to result in additional demand for public services