We are excited to reveal another shortlist for the second annual NR Times Awards.
The Research Project of the Year Award, sponsored by OML, recognises individuals or providers who have embraced innovation to give new hope and secure beyond-expectation outcomes, helping to create examples of best practice which set an example to the wider sector.
The three shortlisted entries will be judged by a representative from OML, with the winner announced at a virtual awards ceremony on November 29.
OML is a UK leading provider of Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) treatment, devices and FES clinical training.
FES is a clinical and cost-effective treatment for improving walking and upper limb function. It involves applying small electrical pulses to the nerve, activating the muscle which has become weakened due to a neurological condition.
Congratulations to the finalists!
Research Project of the Year Award Shortlist
Neurorehabilitation behind closed doors: examining male service user experience of brain injury interventions delivered in prison and probation services
In the context of a prison, where discipline and order are central to its functioning, brain injury may pose a issue, negatively affecting an offender’s capacity to effectively rehabilitate, and transition back into society.
Brainkind have successfully developed and delivered the highly innovative brain injury linkworker (BIL) service since 2013, which provides tailored brain injury interventions directly to people in prison and on probation.
A recent study observed that men in prison who completed the BIL service not only reported a reduction in their brain injury symptoms, but also improved mood.
Blood test could reveal cause of brain injury in newborn babies
Researchers from Imperial College London have shown that a blood test can pinpoint the underlying cause of brain injury in newborns.
Their study looked at babies with a type of brain injury caused by hypoxia – a lack of oxygen.
It found that patterns of gene expression that are detectable in the blood can point to the cause of the injury and tell doctors if the newborn is likely to respond to cooling treatment, commonly used to treat brain injury in infants.
The findings could eventually lead to a simple test to quickly diagnose brain injury in newborns and help with treatment decisions.
A multi-centre randomised controlled trial of the clinical and cost-effectiveness of sertraline in preventing depression in adults following a traumatic brain injury
While the prevalence of depression is around 5-10 per cent in the general population, this figure increases significantly to 50 per cent of people within a year of them experiencing TBI.
They can experience severe changes in mood, memory loss, and difficulty concentrating, even after receiving an all clear from their doctor.
The STOP-D Trial – Sertraline TO prevent Post-TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) Depression – aims to prescribe a commonly used antidepressant at the earliest possible moment following a TBI to see if TBI Depression can be prevented.
This multi-centre, placebo controlled, double blind, randomised controlled trial will prescribe sertraline preventatively in a pre-emptive to stop symptoms of depression manifesting.
