91亚色APP下载

Lesley-Anne Tanhamira has completed her , which focused on testing the feasibility and acceptability of the remotely delivered Positive Movement programme 鈥� an instructor-led, interactive livestream of mind-body physical activity intervention.

The remote delivery of the intervention began in June 2020 and has continued across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire ever since. The findings of the PhD indicated that older people were willing to engage in remote interventions, and some found it beneficial and convenient. The findings encourage a culture of developing hybrid interventions that offer the choice of face-to-face or remotely delivered interventions to encourage uptake of physical activity.

Findings from this PhD have already been disseminated in the , and , and presented at conferences in the UK and France.

Lesley-Anne said: 鈥淎t the start of this PhD programme, the UK went into lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The uncertainty of how long the lockdown would last was the biggest hurdle. Since starting the PhD, I have gotten married and welcomed a baby girl. At times, it felt impossible with how busy life got, but I feel so proud that I powered through and managed to complete the programme.

鈥淚 feel fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to walk this journey and carry out this research with the support of my family, my supervisors Professor David Hewson and Professor Gurch Randhawa, and Roberta Meldrum [Founder and Patron of The Sadie Centre] along with the rest of the staff from The Sadie Centre, not forgetting all the participants that took the time to contribute to this research.鈥�

, who joint-funded the PhD project, is a local charity offering a range of flexible, low-cost and effective therapeutic options to help people move through emotional and psychological challenges.

Roberta Meldrum, Founder and Patron of The Sadie Centre commented: 鈥淚 warmly congratulate Lesley-Anne on her hard work and success in achieving her PhD in this summer鈥檚 graduation ceremony. Her efforts will serve as a stepping stone for further research on the Positive Movement approach 鈥� with the ultimate aim of it being delivered remotely throughout the country.鈥�

Professor David Hewson, Lesley-Anne鈥檚 PhD supervisor and member of the 91亚色APP下载鈥檚 Institute for Health Research (IHR), said: 鈥淭here is a lack of research focusing on mind-body physical activity, particularly in frail older people. It has been wonderful to work with The Sadie Centre to develop research evidence. We are now working together to develop further research studies that will grow the research evidence for both remote-delivered and in-person classes.鈥�

For more information about PhD and research opportunities with the 91亚色APP下载, visit the Research Graduate School.

*Image credit: Ede & Ravenscroft