New support network for researchers launched

Dr Hazel Roddam presented a workshop at the 9th CPLOL Congress of Speech and Language Therapists to launch a unique EU-wide peer support network for the profession.

The purpose of the scheme is to support research capacity building, as a key priority action for embedding evidence-based practice and helping experienced clinicians contribute to the professional evidence base.

The new network will be led by Dr Roddam, assisted by Mette Thomsen from the University of Copenhagen and UCLan PhD student Gina Carey.

This will be a two-tier peer mentoring scheme - the network leaders will mentor contacts in each country, who will then provide research skills mentorship to clinical practitioners.

Dr Roddam commented: "We were delighted that 25 individual participants from 18 countries all signed up to participate in this initiative. An initial report will be presented to CPLOL and a paper submitted for publication in the leading international peer-reviewed professional journal."

Dr Roddam is pictured above with Professor Maria Vlassopoulou from University of Athens Medical School, who is CPLOL's Vice-President for Professional Education.

Physiotherapy and Strokes

May is Action on Stroke Month, raising awareness of the risk factors associated with strokes, as well as how to spot the symptoms and treat someone who has suffered a stroke.

According to the British Heart Foundation approximately 152,000 people have a stroke each year, with 76% of stroke survivors being left with disabilities and requiring rehabilitation through physiotherapy.

What is a stroke?

A stroke is a sudden 'brain attack' that occurs when the blood flow is cut off to part of the brain (infarct), or due to bleeding within the brain (haemorrhage). Usually this is due to a blood clot. Some strokes are fatal while others cause permanent or temporary disability.

Emergency medical treatment should be sought soon after symptoms begin, as the longer a stroke remains untreated the greater the chance of brain damage and the more difficult recovery becomes.

Stroke is more common in men and in people over 55, although it can occur at any age. Risk factors include: a family history of strokes, diet, drinking alcohol, smoking and lack of exercise, although sometimes there is no obvious cause.

Action to be taken

F ace – Check their face. Has their mouth drooped?
A rms – can they lift both arms?
S peech – Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?
T ime - Is critical - if you see any of these signs call 999 immediately.

Effects of a stroke

• Weakness or complete paralysis in muscles on one side of the body
• Limbs on the effected side of the body may feel heavy and numb, or sensations similar to pins and needles
• Postural issues affecting balance
• Stiff muscles on the affected side of the body

Treatment

Physiotherapy is essential for recovery from a stroke, particularly neurophysiotherapy, which treats problems that originate in the brain and therefore it is important to receive this form of therapy for at least some part of the recovery process.

The brain is incapable of replacing damaged cells with new ones after a stroke, so recovery is reliant upon the ability to reorganise the undamaged cells. This is called neuroplasticity.

Physiotherapists will often work with other specialists to treat a variety of issues, with the aim of the rehabilitation team being to make sure a patient is as active as possible, as soon as possible after a stroke to avoid issues such as stiff joints and muscle tightness.

Guidelines recommend at least 45 minutes of physiotherapy per day to strengthen muscles (as well as any other therapy required).

The sooner a stroke is treated, the survival rate increases and the chance of successful rehabilitation significantly improves. Physiotherapy is essential for recovery and should be started as soon as possible.

UCLan's Physiotherapy Clinic offers treatment for neurological issues, providing services to the general public as well as staff and students of the university, from £30 for an initial assessment and £35 for physiotherapy for stroke. They are a recognised provider of Physiotherapy services for many insurance companies including BUPA.

For more details please click here or telephone 01772 894902.

Research team enjoy BOB North buzz

Staff from UCLan's Allied Health Research Unit (AHRu) showcased their work at Preston's inaugural Best of Britannia (BOB) North event.

Over 3,500 people visited the pop-up department store which had set up outside of London for the very first time.

UCLan was a key sponsor of the event which took place in the historic Post Office building and Market Square in the heart of the City.

The AHRu team were joined by a variety of current and previous partner companies who helped to demonstrate a range of work relating to design for sport and rehabilitation.

These included Optifit Bra Company, who the team have been working with to conduct research into the effect of breast support garments on back pain.

CERAGEM Preston UK, who collaborated on a previous study into the effectiveness of their V3 bed for individuals with non-specific back pain, were also on hand throughout the weekend.

CERAGEM'S Julie Gyi commented: "We were proud and happy to be showcasing innovative therapy products that really do make a difference. So many visitors tried and loved the Ceragem thermo-therapeutic massage bed. There was a real buzz in the air and we had lots of fun too. Thanks to the Allied Health team for the opportunity to reach out and help even more people."

Other companies in attendance included Rophi Cushions, MDTi and Leeds-based bed manufacturer Harrison Spinks, with whom Professor Jim Richards has developed the innovative P 1.0 Trainer which is due to be released in the UK this summer.

The team also displayed a range of other products they have previously tested, including Lift Slings, Lumbacurve and many DJO Global products.

The AHRu performs applied research which includes the design and development of new products for sport and rehabilitation.

The unit works with Small Medium Enterprises (SME) and large international companies across the healthcare products, medical devices, sports and outdoor equipment sectors. Its advanced biomechanics, healthcare technology, sports and outdoor testing facilities have hosted a range of product testing.

Dr Roddam gives keynote address at showpiece event

Dr Hazel Roddam recently delivered an invited keynote address at the 2nd Baltic Congress of Speech and Language Therapists, held at the University of Šiauliai in Lithuania.

Dr Roddam also met with research partners to discuss future collaborations, with the first link up being the creation of an Erasmus+ research traineeship for a PhD student from Šiauliai who will travel to UCLan during the next academic year.

Kristian secures Everton Ladies FC role

UCLan PaST Alumni Kristian Weaver has been appointed Head of Sports Therapy and Medicine for Everton Ladies Football Club.

Kristian initially joined the club in 2014, having previously worked with Birmingham Football Academy, which was sandwiched between two periods working part-time with Everton Football Academy.

He spent three months with Everton Ladies Development squad (U21s) before the First Team Manager, Andy Spence, asked him to join his staff ahead of the new Women's Super League season.

Kristian's main duties involve working with the First Team, whilst he also oversees Sports Therapists and fellow UCLan PaST Alumni, Gemma Bamford and Kathryn Hopwood, who work with the Development Squad and Centre of Excellence players (U9-U17).

Students from our Sports Therapy programme have also joined Everton Ladies medical department this year, gaining valuable experience with all age groups across the club and travelling with the First Team and Kristian to fixtures.

To find out more about Kristian's work please click here.

Immediate recognition and treatment of head trauma

Recognising and treating head trauma quickly and efficiently can avoid lasting damage, especially in sports.

With so much focus on sports concussion, it is important that any coaching and teaching staff have the skills to recognise and immediately manage medical emergencies on the field of play.

Any form of head trauma could quickly lead to complications if left untreated or if the necessary treatment is not provided.

Conditions such as concussion, neck and head trauma and fractures can have differing and potentially fatal effects, so it is important to be treated quickly and professionally to avoid lasting damage.

Recognition

Concussion is a common temporary injury to the brain that cannot be seen on routine X-ray or scans, affecting the way a person may think and act, along with other various symptoms.

If a person is knocked out they may have concussion. A person suffering concussion may show the following symptoms:

• Easily distracted
• Confused
• Cannot remember before and/or after the injury
• Seems slower to answer questions

A player may also experience further symptoms such as:

• Headache and dizziness
• Feel dazed
• Loss or impaired vision
• Ringing in ears
• Drowsiness
• Stomach pains
• Nausea
• Poor co-ordination
• Inappropriate emotions (laughing, crying, angry)
• Feeling generally unwell

Action should be taken immediately to treat the injured person. Remove the individual from play for the remainder of the day, do not leave them alone and consider spine immobilisation if necessary. Have the player assessed by a professional therapist as soon as possible.

A coach should seek immediate assistance if any of the following symptoms are experienced:

• Drowsiness when normally awake or cannot be woken
• Increasing headache
• Weakness, numbness or decrease in co-ordination and balance
• Repeated vomiting or prolonged nausea
• Slurred speech, difficulty in speaking or understanding
• Increasing confusion, restlessness or agitation
• Clear fluid from ears or nose
• Deafness in one or both ears
• Problems with eyesight

The main element of treatment is assessment by a medical professional, rest and no exercise that could make the concussion worse.

Neck injuries

All head injuries should be treated as neck injuries unless cleared, with signs to look for including:

• Pins and needles
• Numbness
• Radiating pain
• Problems swallowing or speaking
• Altered vision and/or hearing
• Straw coloured liquid from nose/ears
• Bladder bowel dysfunction

Neck injuries should be treated with caution, slowly and with professional assistance.

UCLan Physiotherapy Clinic offers workshops focusing on head trauma, highlighting resources including the Rugby Football Union's concussion awareness scheme, HEADCASE.

The workshops focus on the conditions mentioned above, providing a comprehensive and detailed review of each condition and how it is treated.

Staffed by professional physiotherapists and sports therapists, the Clinic provides services to the general public as well as staff and students of the university. They offer competitive prices alongside evidence-based clinical excellence and exceptional facilities.

The Clinic is a recognised provider of Physiotherapy services for many insurance companies including BUPA. For more details please click here or telephone 01772 894902.