ORCID Profile
0000-0001-6805-8899
Current Organisations
Queen's University Belfast
,
University of Ulster at Jordanstown
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Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 02-05-2021
Abstract: This paper describes the development of the ‘Brain-Fit’ app, a digital secondary prevention intervention designed for use in the early phase after transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke. The aim of the study was to explore perceptions on usability and relevance of the app in order to maximise user engagement and sustainability. Using the theory- and evidence-informed person-based approach, initial planning included a scoping review of qualitative evidence to identify barriers and facilitators to use of digital interventions in people with cardiovascular conditions and two focus groups exploring experiences and support needs of people (N = 32) with a history of TIA or minor stroke. The scoping review and focus group data were analysed thematically and findings were used to produce guiding principles, a behavioural analysis and explanatory logic model for the intervention. Optimisation included an additional focus group (N = 12) and in idual think-aloud interviews (N = 8) to explore perspectives on content and usability of a prototype app. Overall, thematic analysis highlighted uncertainty about increasing physical activity and concerns that fatigue might limit participation. Realistic goals and progressive increases in activity were seen as important to improving self-confidence and personal control. The app was seen as a useful and flexible resource. Participant feedback from the optimisation phase was used to make modifications to the app to maximise engagement, including simplification of the goal setting and daily data entry sections. Further studies are required to examine efficacy and cost-effectiveness of this novel digital intervention.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 25-05-2022
DOI: 10.1177/03128962221098134
Abstract: The place-based regional industrial strategies provide a novel approach to examining the role of science parks in enhancing regional innovation with place-based policies. With qualitative interviews and case analyses, this study investigates how a place-based science park affects innovation activities of technology-focused companies. Our research findings demonstrate paradoxical nature with both positive and negative aspects of firms’ strategies that cope with obstacles such as the lack of funding for R& D and weak policy on IP protection. These obstacles hinder the collaboration on innovation and strengthen the effect of economic uncertainty on companies’ short-term survival orientation. Important implications for both theory and practice are discussed with possible future research directions identified. JEL Classification: O32, M10, M38
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 02-08-2022
Abstract: Concerns have been expressed about the relationship between reduced levels of health care utilisation and the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to elicit and explore the views of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and their ophthalmic care. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with thirty-five patients with nAMD taking part in a larger diagnostic accuracy study of home-monitoring tests. Participants were recruited using maximum variation s ling to capture a range of key characteristics including age, gender and time since initial treatment. Transcribed interview data were analysed using a deductive and inductive thematic approach. Three themes emerged from the analysis: i. access to eye clinic care. ii. COVID-19-mitigating factors and care delivery and iii. social and personal circumstances. Participants reported anxieties about cancelled or delayed appointments, limited communication from clinic-based services about appointments, and the impact of this on their ongoing care. Despite these concerns, there was apprehension about attending appointments due to infection risk and a perception that nAMD patients are a ‘high risk’ group. Views of those who attended clinics during the study period were, however, positive, with social distancing and infection control measures providing reassurance. These findings contribute to our understanding about experiences of patients with nAMD during the COVID-19 pandemic and may have potential implications for future planning of care services in similar circumstances. Innovative approaches may be required to address issues related to access to care, including concerns about delayed or cancelled appointments.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 08-02-2023
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2022
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 05-12-2022
DOI: 10.1136/BJSPORTS-2022-105650
Abstract: This scoping review examines how different levels and types of partial foot utation affect gait and explores how these findings may affect the minimal impairment criteria for wheelchair tennis. Four databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL and SPORTDiscus) were systematically searched in February 2021 for terms related to partial foot utation and ambulation. The search was updated in February 2022. All study designs investigating gait-related outcomes in in iduals with partial foot utation were included and independently screened by two reviewers based on Arksey and O’Malley’s methodological framework and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews. Twenty-nine publications with data from 252 participants with partial foot utation in 25 studies were analysed. Toe utations were associated with minor gait abnormalities, and great toe utations caused loss of push-off in a forward and lateral direction. Metatarsophalangeal utations were associated with loss of stability and decreased gait speed. Ray utations were associated with decreased gait speed and reduced lower extremity range of motion. Transmetatarsal utations and more proximal utations were associated with abnormal gait, substantial loss of power generation across the ankle and impaired mobility. Partial foot utation was associated with various gait changes, depending on the type of utation. Different levels and types of foot utation are likely to affect tennis performance. We recommend including first ray, transmetatarsal, Chopart and Lisfranc utations in the minimum impairment criteria, excluding toe utations (digits two to five), and we are unsure whether to include or exclude great toe, ray (two to five) and metatarsophalangeal utations. The protocol of this scoping review was previously registered at the Open Science Framework Registry ( osf.io/8gh9y ) and published.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 2021
DOI: 10.1177/20552076211065271
Abstract: Secondary prevention is recommended to reduce cardiovascular risk after transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or ‘minor’ stroke. Mobile health interventions can provide accessible, cost-effective approaches to address modifiable risk factors, such as physical inactivity, hypertension and being overweight. The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of apps for supporting lifestyle change following a TIA or ‘minor’ stroke. Systematic searches of Google Play and the Apple Store were carried out to identify mobile apps released between 1 November 2019 and 1 October 2021. Keywords were used including stroke, TIA, lifestyle, prevention and recovery. Quality was assessed using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS). Common components were identified with the Behaviour Change Technique (BCT) Taxonomy. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the performance results for each app. Searches identified 2545 potential apps. Thirty remained after removing duplicates and screening titles and descriptions. Six were eligible after full review of their content. All apps included at least one BCT (range: 1–16 BCTs). The most frequent BCTs included ‘information about health consequences’ ( n = 5/6), ‘verbal or visual communication from a credible source’ ( n = 4/6) and ‘action planning’ ( n = 4/6). The mean MARS score was 2.57/5 (SD: 0.51 range: 1.78–3.36). No apps were of ‘good’ overall quality (scoring more than 4/5). This is the first review of mobile health interventions for this population. Only a small number of apps were available. None were targeted specifically at people with a TIA or ‘minor’ stroke. Overall quality was low. Further work is needed to develop and test accessible, user designed, and evidence-informed digital interventions in this population.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 24-04-2023
DOI: 10.1186/S12889-023-15622-X
Abstract: Dissemination is a critical element of the knowledge translation pathway, and a necessary step to ensure research evidence is adopted and implemented by key end users in order to improve health outcomes. However, evidence-based guidance to inform dissemination activities in research is limited. This scoping review aimed to identify and describe the scientific literature examining strategies to disseminate public health evidence related to the prevention of non-communicable diseases. Medline, PsycInfo and EBSCO Search Ultimate were searched in May 2021 for studies published between January 2000 and the search date that reported on the dissemination of evidence to end users of public health evidence, within the context of the prevention of non-communicable diseases. Studies were synthesised according to the four components of Brownson and colleagues’ Model for Dissemination of Research (source, message, channel and audience), as well as by study design. Of the 107 included studies, only 14% (n = 15) directly tested dissemination strategies using experimental designs. The remainder primarily reported on dissemination preferences of different populations, or outcomes such as awareness, knowledge and intentions to adopt following evidence dissemination. Evidence related to diet, physical activity and/or obesity prevention was the most disseminated topic. Researchers were the source of disseminated evidence in over half the studies, and study findings/knowledge summaries were more frequently disseminated as the message compared to guidelines or an evidence-based program/intervention. A broad range of dissemination channels were utilised, although peer-reviewed publications/conferences and presentations/workshops predominated. Practitioners were the most commonly reported target audience. There is a significant gap in the peer reviewed literature, with few experimental studies published that analyse and evaluate the effect of different sources, messages and target audiences on the determinants of uptake of public health evidence for prevention. Such studies are important as they can help inform and improve the effectiveness of current and future dissemination practices in public health contexts.
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
No related grants have been discovered for Sean R O'Connor.