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The latest important research summarised
Short summaries of the latest health research presented in plain English to promote use of research by all members of society.
Adults who are more active live longer
People who are more physically active in middle age are less likely to die early, whether they do light or moderate to vigorous activity. The largest reductions in death are seen for those who do around 375 minutes a day of light intensity physical activity, such as walking, cooking or gardening, or 24 minutes a ...
Robotic surgery for rectal cancer produces similar results to keyhole surgery
Robotic rectal cancer surgery does not appear technically easier than standard keyhole surgery. The researchers, in this trial, judged this by measuring the need to ‘convert’ a keyhole procedure to open surgery when operating. This NIHR-funded trial also found that robotic surgery produced similar clinical results to standard laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery in treating rectal cancer. ...
A nurse-led intervention did not reduce post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in critical care patients
For adults in critical care, a complex psychological intervention delivered by nurses did not reduce the severity of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms at six months, compared with usual care. The intervention included creating a therapeutic environment, three stress support sessions, and a relaxation/recovery programme. A cost-effectiveness evaluation showed great uncertainty over whether the programme ...
Combined drug therapy for at least 36 weeks reduces relapse after psychotic depression
Patients with psychotic depression who achieve remission benefit from continuing the antipsychotic drug olanzapine, alongside the antidepressant sertraline for at least a further four months, a North American trial has found. Patients who reduced and stopped olanzapine when their condition stabilised were more than twice as likely to relapse when compared with those who continued ...
Telephone-delivered CBT can provide lasting benefits for people with IBS
People with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who receive cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) continue to have lower levels of symptoms over the following two years. Telephone-delivered CBT is particularly effective, with 71% of study participants experiencing a clinically significant improvement in their IBS symptoms. This NIHR-funded study is the 24-month follow-up to an earlier publication of ...
Losing weight following type 2 diabetes diagnosis boosts chance of remission
People who lose at least 10% of their body weight in the first year after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes increase their chances of being in remission after five years, compared with those whose weight remains stable. Losing this achievable amount of weight over the next four years also makes remission more likely. In ...
Patients, in theory, might prefer GP-led care to self-management for high blood pressure
Patients offered the pros and cons of different monitoring options appear reluctant to self-manage high blood pressure, and prefer frequent monitoring by a GP, pharmacist or via telehealth (where readings are sent to health professionals and medicines managed remotely). The small online survey, completed by 167 patients, was used to explore how patients might feel ...
A workplace voucher reward scheme failed to boost physical activity
Staff enrolled on a workplace reward scheme to encourage them to become more physically active took fewer steps per day than their colleagues in the control group after six months. Employees at two public sector organisations in Northern Ireland took part in the Physical Activity Loyalty scheme, which worked in a similar way to a ...
Planned earlier delivery for late pre-eclampsia may be better for mothers
If pregnant women develop late pre-eclampsia, after 34 but before 37 weeks of gestation, then planning to deliver their babies within 48 hours of the diagnosis reduces the risk of problems to the mother. This is compared with waiting until 37 weeks or delivering earlier if other problems arise (“expectant management”). However, this benefit needs ...
Keyhole hysterectomy is effective for women with heavy menstrual bleeding
When surgical treatment was needed, almost all women with heavy menstrual bleeding were satisfied and had a good quality of life following keyhole surgery to remove the uterus. Slightly fewer achieve this with ablation to remove the uterine lining. In a UK randomised trial, women given one or other treatment in NHS hospitals reported good ...
NIHR is the nation's largest funder of health and care research and provides the people, facilities and technology that enables research to thrive. NIHR Evidence is managed by NIHR with a funding contribution from Health and Care Research Wales, Welsh Government.
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