Suchergebnisse

AbstractThe benefits of active music participation and training for cognitive development have been evidenced in multiple studies, with this link leveraged in music therapy approaches with clinical populations. Although music, rhythm, and movement activities are widely integrated into children's play and early education, few studies have systematically translated music therapy‐based approaches to a nonclinical population to support early cognitive development. This study reports the follow‐up effects of the Rhythm and Movement for Self Regulation (RAMSR) program delivered by generalist preschool teachers in low socioeconomic communities. This randomized control trial (RCT) involved 213 children across eight preschools in disadvantaged communities in Queensland, Australia. The intervention group received 16–20 sessions of RAMSR over 8 weeks, while the control group undertook usual preschool programs. Primary outcome measures included executive function (child assessment of shifting, working memory, and inhibition) and self‐regulation (teacher report), with secondary outcomes of school readiness and visual‐motor integration. Data were collected pre‐ and post‐intervention, and again 6 months later once children had transitioned into school. Results demonstrated significant intervention effects across the three time points for school readiness (p = 0.038, ηp2 = 0.09), self‐regulation (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.08), and inhibition (p = 0.002 ηp2 = 0.23). Additionally, the feasibility of building capacity in teachers without any music background to successfully deliver the program was evidenced. These findings are important given that children from low socioeconomic backgrounds are more likely to need support for cognitive development yet have inequitable access to quality music and movement programs.Research Highlights
Initial effects of self‐regulation from a rhythm and movement program were sustained following transition into school for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Delayed effects of inhibition and school readiness from a rhythm and movement program appeared 6 months post‐intervention as children entered school.
Generalist teachers can successfully implement a rhythm and movement program, which boosts critical developmental cognitive skills.

Objectives Using anonymised linked data across primary care general practice (GP) and local authority (LA) services to (1) identify unpaid carers in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot (NPT), (2) describe their health and health service use and, (3) compare these with a matched non-carer population.
MethodsUnpaid carers were identified using a) LA carers' assessment data and b) GP Read codes within the Secured Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Databank. An age, sex and area-matched non-carers cohort was created using demographic data and assigned pseudo-index dates. Linked GP and secondary care data was used to establish GP interactions, hospital admissions, emergency department and outpatient attendances in the year prior to identification as a carer. Long-term conditions (LTCs) were identified using published Cambridge multimorbidity Read code lists. Chi-square, Mann Whitney U-test, and rate ratios were used to test differences in aforementioned factors between carers and non-carers.
Results We have identified a total of 2,950 unpaid carers (N=2,024 in NPT; N=926 in Swansea), primarily via Read codes (80% in NPT; 70% in Swansea). Overlap between LA and GP identified individuals is less than five percent, and GP identified individuals are significantly younger than LA identified (NPT: χ2=176, p<0.001; Swansea: χ2=35.0, p<0.001). Further research is currently ongoing to utilise these anonymised linked data to ascertain key differences between carers and non-carers in the two local authorities. Results will include the significance of differences in rates of GP interactions, emergency department attendances, hospital admissions, outpatient attendances, rates of multimorbidity (0, 1, 2+ conditions), and top five specific LTCs between carers and matched non-carers in NPT and Swansea.
Conclusion We demonstrate the novel use of local authority-held data linked to national anonymised data sources to provide locally informative evidence for this priority population. Results will provide novel insight into the health and health service usage of unpaid carers at a LA level, assisting evidence-informed local support for unpaid carers.