Clinical trials

Curcumin (a bioactive compound found in turmeric) has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and there is evidence to suggest that it may produce improvements in quality of life and markers of health in humans with various conditions. To date, the research has often focussed on the effects of curcumin in human participants with a particular condition. However, turmeric contains hundreds of other bioactive compounds (including other curcuminoids and essential oils) and may be able to benefit a wide range of older adults. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the effects of twice daily consumption of a turmeric beverage for 8-weeks on the physiology and wellbeing of older adults (versus placebo).

Background: We aim to examine the effectiveness of Learning Through Play and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (LTP+CaCBT), a culturally appropriate psychosocial intervention to address postnatal depression among Nigerian women and improve the well-being of their children. Women of reproductive age (ages 16 to 49) comprise about 60 million of Nigeria's 230 million people. About 30% of these mothers experience postnatal depression. The global health challenge our research addresses is that one in three women worldwide experience postnatal depression and suicidal thoughts after childbirth, with long-term negative consequences on their children and families. Since 30% of Nigerian mothers suffer from postnatal depression, they have significant risks of transferring intergenerational mental health problems to their children. Over 250 million children are at risk of lacking developmental support in low- or middle-income countries, including Nigeria, due to postnatal depression, and this limits the children from reaching their full potential in life. The treatment gap for postnatal depression in Nigeria is huge due to a shortage of mental health specialists. Culturally appropriate, nonspecialist-delivered interventions are very limited in Nigeria. Our proposal aims to address this gap in treating postnatal depression using non-specialists called Indigenous Community Health Workers (CHWs), who are more culturally knowledgeable, as the World Health Organisation recommended in their task-shifting strategy. Methods: We will evaluate the treatment, costs and implementation outcomes of LTP+CaCBT with 432 depressed mothers. Eligible participants (mother-child pairs) will be randomly selected to receive LTP+CaCBT and Treatment As Usual (TAU) or TAU alone. Our LTP+CaCBT intervention is a manualised 12-session (90-minute each) of mother-child play activities delivered in-person by CHWs under the supervision of clinical psychologists/psychiatrists. The eligible mothers (aged 16-49 years who have children between ages 0-36 months) will be assessed for depression before the intervention and then again at 4 months and 6 months afterwards. We will conduct interviews and focus group discussions to understand participants' and CHWs' experiences of the intervention

This intervention study explores whether a routine physical activity intervention can help manage or relieve symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) in adults who have been clinically diagnosed with IBS. The main questions it aims to answer is: • Primary Outcome: Does engaging in routine physical activity reduce the severity of IBS symptoms compared to baseline levels? Comparison Group: Researchers will compare the intervention group (receiving the 12-week physical activity program) with a control group (receiving no intervention for 12-weeks). Participant Activities and Interventions: * Complete a 12-week walking programme. * Visit the university on 3 occasions (baseline, week-6 and week-12) for biological sample collection and sub-maximal fitness assessments. * Complete a series of subjective health related questionnaires.

By 2030, depression will be the leading global disease burden. Postnatal depression due to childbirth/parenting leads to long-term negative consequences for mothers, their children and their families. The British African/Caribbean communities are worse hit by the unprecedented impact of post-Covid-19-syndromes, leading to an exponential increase in postnatal depression. Yet, the uptake of mental healthcare by British mothers of African and Caribbean origin is low due to limited access to culturally appropriate care. Theories of attachment and cognitivism were innovatively integrated to examine Learning-Through-Play plus (LTP+) intervention for postnatal depression using a pilot randomised controlled trial. The proposed LTP+ is co-developed and ecologically friendly because it is manualised and can be delivered by non-mental health specialists such as trained community health workers who are more culturally knowledgeable. Findings will be disseminated through academic publications/presentations, policy briefs, original animated videos and podcast series laying the foundations for a psychosocial approach to tackling postnatal depression