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The latest evidence from NIHR
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NIHR Evidence |  May 2022 

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The most vulnerable groups benefit from research

This month’s research has focused on some of the world’s most vulnerable groups: people in prison, those who have severe mental illness, or who live where resources are limited. A study in low- and middle-income countries looked at a common complication of abdominal surgery: infection of the surgical wound. To reduce this risk, the World Health Organization recommends an expensive ointment to clean the skin (alcoholic chlorhexidine) and stitches coated in an antibacterial compound. Research found that these products were no more effective than a cheaper iodine-based ointment and uncoated stitches. The finding means that hospitals could save money without compromising patient safety. 

The Tobacco in Prisons study (TIPS) has looked at the impact of the smoking ban in Scottish prisons. Previous TIPS publications showed that the ban was linked with improvements in air quality. A new paper demonstrated that it reduced medications for smoking-related diseases and improved people’s general health. The ban was more readily accepted than anticipated, which could be important for other countries, such as Northern Ireland, which are yet to introduce a smoke-free policy in prisons.

A therapy called SlowMo reduced paranoia in people with psychosis. It blends the use of a novel app with regular face-to-face therapy and was given in addition to normal treatment (including antipsychotic drugs). The app helps people to become aware of their tendency for ‘fast-thinking’ which is visualised as fast-spinning grey worry bubbles. People learn to use tips to shrink grey bubbles and, in their place, grow colourful slow-spinning bubbles (representing positive thoughts). The new therapy requires 8 sessions of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT); rather than the 16 currently recommended. The research team is now developing version 2 of the therapy for implementation in the NHS, and hope it will be widely available within the next 5 years.

May Alerts

For a complete and searchable list of Alerts visit the NIHR Evidence website.
Researching long COVID: addressing a new global health challenge

An estimated 1.7 million people in the UK - 3% of the population - are experiencing ongoing symptoms after COVID-19, known as ‘long COVID’. 

A wide range of NIHR-funded research studies is trying to establish more about this disease and how to diagnose and treat it. The research is examining the causes of long COVID, investigating symptoms such as ‘brain fog’ and breathlessness, and finding drugs to tackle the condition. Studies are also exploring NHS services for the illness, such as long COVID clinics, and what people can do themselves to optimise their recovery. 

Find out more about the research we have funded
To tackle obesity, we need to take action across many different areas... Influencing what people buy and eat, Encouraging healthy schools, Expanding access to public sports and leisure services, Promoting active workplaces, Providing weight-management programmes, Designing built and natural environments, Enabling active travel and public transport, Preventing obesity in children and families, Embracing system-wide approaches
How can NIHR research help local authorities to reduce obesity?

'Obesity is considered to be one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century. It is having an impact on people’s lives now, across the generations, in terms of our quality of life, our risk of developing chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and its association with common mental health disorders.’ – Local Government Association

Our latest review looks at 142 research studies on obesity and brings them together to help local authorities understand the latest evidence, and how they can reduce obesity in their local contexts.

Read the obesity review here
Editor's Alert of the Month: 
Students running to school
Many children and adolescents are reluctant to have a COVID-19 vaccine

Most adults in the UK are now vaccinated against COVID-19, and attention has turned to vaccinating children and adolescents. With 4% of adults reluctant to have the vaccine, researchers wanted to explore the attitudes of children and young people.

They found that only 1 in 2 of those between 9 and 18 years would have the vaccine. Those who were hesitant were more likely to attend a school in a deprived area, be less socially connected (but spend more time on social media), show less healthy behaviours (taking less exercise and being more likely to smoke or vape) and have lower levels of anxiety and depression. The younger they were, the more likely to be reluctant.

The researchers say that most information messages have focused on older people, so they have created materials that are aimed at children and adolescents. They are also targeting social media platforms used by younger people, such as TikTok.

A young person’s advisory group helped them interpret the findings. Their suggestions included vaccination centres outside of school for those who did not feel comfortable in their school and might not want to be vaccinated there. Some reasons for hesitancy may not relate to the vaccine itself, for instance, a fear of needles. Information to allay concerns should be targeted towards these younger groups, the team said. 

Follow research projects through the NIHR Journals Library


The NIHR Journals Library publishes NIHR research alongside plain English summaries. The Journals Library is introducing a new publication model, meaning that publications are shared throughout the project (not just at the end) and are all linked together to tell a story. This helps to make NIHR-funded research available to evidence-users in a freely accessible, timely way.

Visit the NIHR Journals Library

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Your views will help us determine the importance of the research findings and guide us on what evidence should be disseminated.
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