https://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/13040 2026-07-22T02:43:51Z 2026-07-22T02:43:51Z Nelson-Becker, H Pickard, JG https://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33583 2026-07-16T02:00:56Z 2026-01-30T00:00:00Z

Title: The Value of Religion, Spirituality, and Humanism to Older People Authors: Nelson-Becker, H; Pickard, JG Editors: Twigg, J; Martin, W Abstract: The sustaining bottom note of religion, spiritual and humanistic beliefs is set by the cultural tone. Older adults are likely to have matured in a spiritual/religious milieu and to display religious commitment. Their multidetermined religious and spiritual perspectives may influence a growth orientation that leads to wisdom or results in rigidity. This chapter points to ways culture integrates with spiritual, religious, and humanistic beliefs, ethics, behaviour, and sacred texts in the lives of older people. The role of suffering, ritual, and how death is honoured and remembered are briefly addressed.

2026-01-30T00:00:00Z Nelson-Becker, H https://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33581 2026-07-16T02:00:55Z 2026-06-16T00:00:00Z

Title: Spirituality and social work: theory and practice Authors: Nelson-Becker, H Editors: Fouche, C; Beddoe, L Abstract: Spirituality, religion, and meaning are human needs that are inscribed within international social work professional standards and ethical codes. Definitions used in the social work literature cover a complex spectrum resulting in a common, though fluid, understanding. Theories such as existentialism, a person-centred approach, and humanism all provide support and background for the way spirituality and/or religion may be addressed as coping strategies. It is important to acknowledge the role religious and spiritual perspectives or actions have had in providing support or harm to service users. The fluctuating history of rejection, followed by increasing acceptance of spirituality in the profession is ongoing. The nature of spirituality in practice with service users is briefly addressed and ethical practice issues are discussed. Spirituality may form an important part of a service user plan to maintain wellbeing and achieve resilience. Spiritual competence, like cultural competence, is a goal for all social workers.

2026-06-16T00:00:00Z Bailey, DP Norris, E LeWarne, MD Cerexhe, L Anokye, N Banstola, A Gwatsvaira, J Norris, M Ryan, M Stuart, B Thomson, A Kilbride, C https://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33574 2026-07-14T02:00:55Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Clinical and cost-effectiveness of the iStep-MS physical activity and sedentary behaviour intervention for managing fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis: Protocol for a multi-centre randomised controlled trial Authors: Bailey, DP; Norris, E; LeWarne, MD; Cerexhe, L; Anokye, N; Banstola, A; Gwatsvaira, J; Norris, M; Ryan, M; Stuart, B; Thomson, A; Kilbride, C Abstract: ... Description: ...

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Grilc, N Cocks, A Kal, E Ellmers, TJ Chembila Valappil, A Bruton, AM https://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33482 2026-06-22T02:00:57Z 2026-06-02T00:00:00Z

Title: Action Simulation as an Intervention to Improve Balance, Mobility and Gait in Healthy Older Adults: A Scoping Review Authors: Grilc, N; Cocks, A; Kal, E; Ellmers, TJ; Chembila Valappil, A; Bruton, AM Abstract: Falls in older adults are a significant public health concern. Action simulation interventions involving action observation and/or motor imagery have been proposed as alternative or adjunct strategies to physical exercise for reducing fall risk. These approaches may minimize barriers to physical practice and may specifically target deficits in motor planning that are linked to falls. The purpose of this scoping review is to examine how action simulation interventions have been applied and evaluated in healthy older adults, and assess their effectiveness in improving balance, mobility, and gait. A systematic search of six databases and repositories was conducted. Studies were included if they used action simulation interventions in healthy, community-dwelling adults aged 60+ years and examined movement outcomes related to balance, gait or functional mobility. Nineteen studies with 587 older adults were included. Motor imagery was the most common action simulation intervention (n = 11 [58%]), and most studies were randomized controlled trials (n = 14 [74%]). Only one study examined long-term effects on balance and gait performance (i.e., 1-month post-intervention). The examined outcomes varied widely, including static and dynamic balance, gait, and mobility. Most interventions (n = 17 [71%]) reported significant improvement in at least one domain, but findings were inconsistent across studies, and none assessed intervention implementability. Overall, this review highlights some promising effects of action simulation on balance, mobility and gait in older adults. However, if action simulation techniques are to be adopted as a fall prevention strategy, more studies examining acceptability are needed. Description: A preprint version of the article is available at PsyArxiv (https://osf.io/rt4jw_v2). It has not been certified by peer review.

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