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Our Research
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(This section of the site Academic Research
gives an overview of the research carried out by our
Team. For information on our clinical trials capabilities, please
look at the Facilities and Services
page.)
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Research Aims
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Work currently being
undertaken by the Kingshill Research Centre Academic Research
Team has the following aims:
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- To
develop 'cognitive profiles' for different forms of dementia. This
will aid diagnosis, care planning and intervention.
- To
understand and predict disease progression in terms of cognitive and
behavioural decline.
- To
contribute to research and development of new treatments for dementia,
through introducing instruments that offer more efficient, reliable
and valid ways of assessing disease level and progression.
- Having
already identified best practice in dementia care through a review
of research involving multi-agency health professionals, users and
carers, to implement the resulting Integrated Care Pathway.
- To
encourage and facilitate the implementation of Clinical Governance
throughout the primary care infrastructure.
- To
research and understand the impact of dementia on carers of those
suffering from the disease, in terms of physical, psychological and
social health. This will aid the planning of care to promote and maintain
the well-being of carers. It will also indirectly improve quality
of life for patients and may eventually reduce economic demands on
services by facilitating care in the patient's home.
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Current Projects
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Current projects
include:
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- Development of a neuropsychological
test battery for the identification and assessment of patients presenting
with early dementia.
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- A clinical investigation
into the role of executive control functions (ECF) in dementia
The investigation
will explore the possibility of ECF replacing memory as the primary
feature of the dementia syndrome.
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- Neuropsychological
profiles of cognition in normal ageing
In order to understand profiles of cognition in dementia we need to
understand cognition in normal ageing adults. We have tested more
than 200 healthy volunteers in Swindon using the battery of tests
to provide control data. This testing is repeated at yearly intervals.
Might you
be interested in becoming a volunteer? Click
here!
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- Risk Analysis in Dementia
We are attempting to identify risk factors associated with dementia.
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- Qualitative assessment
of the impact of treatment.
This research is aimed at achieving a deeper level of understanding
of the effect that receiving treatment for dementia has on the lives
of patients and carers, in terms of meeting expectations rather than
in terms of clinical efficacy.
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- A Clinic for Mild Cognitive
Impairment (Mild Memory Loss)
In January 2002, we set up a new clinic to identify those people
in the community with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and to offer assessment,
treatment (where applicable) and follow up support. This will also help
us to gain increasing knowledge about MCI and its relationship to dementia.
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- Dementia screening in
General Practice
The 6CIT dementia screening
test was validated by Kingshill in December 1999. The Dorset PCG has
already adopted it and is using it throughout the region. The test is
being disseminated through the press, the Integrated Care Pathways Project
and via the Internet (it is available on line) and will shortly be available
via EMIS software. Further evaluation is being carried out.
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- Integrated
Care Pathways for Dementia
A series of meetings involving multi-agency health professionals, users
and carers reviewed evidence presented from research and defined an
Integrated Care Pathway representing best practice. The pathway was
published by Harcourt on 29 February 2001 and is on the PCG Health Improvement
Programme (HImP). Pilot implementation is underway in two neighbouring
primary care sites. An interactive CD-ROM (to include the 6CIT) is being
developed to support professionals in making an early diagnosis of dementia
and help implement the Pathway. Workshops are also available.
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- Courses
for Carers
In December 1999 we received funding from Allied Dunbar (now Zurich
Financial Services) for six courses over three years for carers of people
newly diagnosed with dementia. The response to the courses has been
unreservedly positive. Participants have continued to meet six weekly
to support each other at our Carers' Course Reunion Group. Both qualitative
and quantitative evaluations are being conducted. The running of the
Carers' Course has now been taken over by the Department of Old Age
Psychiatry.
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- Memory Book: a reminiscence
tool to improve life satisfaction in patients with mile Alzheimer's
disease and their carers
We are investigating
the positive or negative effects that reminiscence can have on a person
with dementia.
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- Patient Orientated Focus
Groups
We are using focus
groups to determine the important issues for people with dementia and
their carers. This information will be used to develop a patient orientated
support group.
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You will find a more detailed report of our projects in the 'Academic Research Team
Review' section of the Kingshill
Research Centre Annual Review 2001-2002(pdf).
If you are interested in the
possibility of taking part in Kingshill's clinical trials or research,
please read our section on dementia
research and, in particular, on how
to get involved.
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Copyright © 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001,
2002, 2003, 2004 Kingshill Research Centre
(The Kingshill Research Fund - An Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership
Charitable Fund, Registered Charity No. 1056576)
Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust:
Central Offices, Bath NHS House, Newbridge Hill, Bath, Somerset, BA1 3QE
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This page was last updated on: 17
July 2003
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