Understanding the presentation of frailty in those with multiple long-term conditions and the effect of rehabilitation

Proposed start date: 1 October 2023

Those with multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs) often suffer from a debilitating degree of frailty which includes severe muscle weakness (termed sarcopenia) which leads to reduced quality of life and poorer outcomes. With the nature of this population being highly complex, a holistic research strategy is required to conduct bench to bedside research in order to understand this phenomenon and develop therapeutic strategies to counter it. As such, this project will use a wide array of research techniques to firstly identify the prevalence of frailty and sarcopenia in this population. Which will then be followed up with a patient centred cohort study and work as part of the PERFORM trail, to allow for the detailed investigation of how sarcopenia (and its contribution to frailty) presents in this population, and how personalised rehabilitation programmes may alleviate such symptoms. As part of this work, the student will also be able to follow up lines of enquiry through laboratory-based analysis in order to identify molecular contributors to the sarcopenia displayed by this population. This project will provide a genuine opportunity to capture the knowledge required to begin to develop therapeutic interventions for genuine patient benefit.

Entry requirements:

Applicants are required to hold/or expect to obtain a UK Bachelor Degree 2:1 or better in a relevant subject. 

The University of Leicester English language requirements apply where applicable.

This programme is open to:

• allied health professionals
• nurses
• midwives
• junior doctors
• general practitioners

Fellows recruited to the programme must be practicing healthcare professionals and be registered with a national professional regulatory body (e.g. the General Medical Council, Health and Care Professions Council) in the UK/Republic of Ireland.

Medical graduates must be registered on a UK/Republic of Ireland specialist training programme or must be a registered GP.

All fellows must have completed their undergraduate degree and be registered with the relevant professional body.

Application advice:

Application help:  https://le.ac.uk/study/research-degrees/healthcare-inequalities/application-help.

To apply, please go to: https://le.ac.uk/study/research-degrees/funded-opportunities/leicestershire-healthcare-inequalities-improvement-dtp

With your application, please include:

• Full up to date CV
• Personal statement of 700 words (for detailed instructions on what we will be looking for in your personal statement and your CV, please review the guidance here: https://le.ac.uk/study/research-degrees/healthcare-inequalities/application-help).
• Degree Certificates and Transcripts of study already completed and if possible transcript to date of study currently being undertaken
• Evidence of English language proficiency if applicable
• In the reference section please enter the contact details of your two academic referees in the boxes provided or upload letters of reference if already available.

In the funding section please specify that you wish to be considered for Wellcome Trust LHII DTP

In the proposal section please provide the name of at least one or at most two of the projects you are interested in (please indicate title and name of supervisor). The first project you list will be taken to be your preferred choice.

Upload the Widening Participation form (found on the above link) to the proposal section.

Project / Funding Enquiries to: [Email Address Removed]

Application enquiries to [Email Address Removed]