J. Cross - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by J. Cross

Research paper thumbnail of Environmental factors and hospitalisation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a rural county of England

Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 2009

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a major global cause of morbidity and... more Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a major global cause of morbidity and mortality. Studies in urban areas have shown associations between air pollutants and hospital admissions for COPD. We investigated if temporal variations in air quality are associated with hospital admissions for COPD in a rural region with lower concentrations of air pollutants than previously studied. Methods: Daily COPD admissions were recorded for patients attending 3 hospitals in the county of Norfolk, England, between January 2006 and February 2007. Records were combined with daily information on concentrations of 6 air pollutants (carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, ozone and fine particulates), airborne pollens, temperature, and influenza incidence. A case-crossover analysis was used to examine the association between air pollution and daily admissions. Results: There were 1,050 admissions for COPD over the study period. After adjustment for temperature, pollen and respiratory infections, each 10 μ g/m 3 increase in CO was associated with a 2% percent increase in the odds of admission. Values of 17%, 22%, and 9% were observed for NO, NO 2 and NO x respectively. No associations were observed with O 3 or PM 10. Conclusion: Amongst a population of a less urbanised area than previously investigated, this study found evidence that ambient pollutant concentrations were still associated with the risks of hospital admission for COPD.

Research paper thumbnail of The FeSTivaLS trial protocol: A randomized evaluation of the efficacy of functional strength training on enhancing walking and upper limb function later post stroke

International Journal of Stroke, 2012

Rationale Functional Strength Training may enhance motor function of people who are more than six... more Rationale Functional Strength Training may enhance motor function of people who are more than six months post stroke. Aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy of enhancing upper and lower limb motor function with FST to explore participants' views (expectations and experiences) of FST, and to determine what cost-effectiveness data to collect in a subsequent Phase III trial. Design Randomized, observer-blind trial with embedded qualitative investigation of participants' views of FST ( n = 6, purposive sampling). Study Participants ( n = 58), six months to five years after stroke with difficulty using their paretic upper (UL) and lower limbs (LL) for everyday functional activity. All will be randomized to either FST-UL or FST-LL delivered in their own homes for fours days each week for six weeks. FST involves repetitive progressive resisted exercise during goal directed functional activities. The therapist's main input is to provide verbal prompting and feedback. Outcomes Me...

Research paper thumbnail of Development of a computer-assisted educational resource

Medical Teacher, 1998

ABSTRACT

Research paper thumbnail of On-call competence: developing a tool for self-assessment

Physiotherapy, 2008

Thirty-eight questionnaire items were compiled and tested (12 assessment and 10 treatment compete... more Thirty-eight questionnaire items were compiled and tested (12 assessment and 10 treatment competencies, 10 range and six confidence items). There were 222 responses (86% overall response rate). Cronbach's alpha found internal consistency for all items (α > 0.9). There ...

Research paper thumbnail of Optimizing rehabilitation in dementia with acute illness: Project PERFECTED

Alzheimer's & Dementia, 2013

Research paper thumbnail of Environmental factors and hospitalisation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a rural county of England

Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 2009

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a major global cause of morbidity and... more Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a major global cause of morbidity and mortality. Studies in urban areas have shown associations between air pollutants and hospital admissions for COPD. We investigated if temporal variations in air quality are associated with hospital admissions for COPD in a rural region with lower concentrations of air pollutants than previously studied. Methods: Daily COPD admissions were recorded for patients attending 3 hospitals in the county of Norfolk, England, between January 2006 and February 2007. Records were combined with daily information on concentrations of 6 air pollutants (carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, ozone and fine particulates), airborne pollens, temperature, and influenza incidence. A case-crossover analysis was used to examine the association between air pollution and daily admissions. Results: There were 1,050 admissions for COPD over the study period. After adjustment for temperature, pollen and respiratory infections, each 10 μ g/m 3 increase in CO was associated with a 2% percent increase in the odds of admission. Values of 17%, 22%, and 9% were observed for NO, NO 2 and NO x respectively. No associations were observed with O 3 or PM 10. Conclusion: Amongst a population of a less urbanised area than previously investigated, this study found evidence that ambient pollutant concentrations were still associated with the risks of hospital admission for COPD.

Research paper thumbnail of The FeSTivaLS trial protocol: A randomized evaluation of the efficacy of functional strength training on enhancing walking and upper limb function later post stroke

International Journal of Stroke, 2012

Rationale Functional Strength Training may enhance motor function of people who are more than six... more Rationale Functional Strength Training may enhance motor function of people who are more than six months post stroke. Aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy of enhancing upper and lower limb motor function with FST to explore participants' views (expectations and experiences) of FST, and to determine what cost-effectiveness data to collect in a subsequent Phase III trial. Design Randomized, observer-blind trial with embedded qualitative investigation of participants' views of FST ( n = 6, purposive sampling). Study Participants ( n = 58), six months to five years after stroke with difficulty using their paretic upper (UL) and lower limbs (LL) for everyday functional activity. All will be randomized to either FST-UL or FST-LL delivered in their own homes for fours days each week for six weeks. FST involves repetitive progressive resisted exercise during goal directed functional activities. The therapist's main input is to provide verbal prompting and feedback. Outcomes Me...

Research paper thumbnail of Development of a computer-assisted educational resource

Medical Teacher, 1998

ABSTRACT

Research paper thumbnail of On-call competence: developing a tool for self-assessment

Physiotherapy, 2008

Thirty-eight questionnaire items were compiled and tested (12 assessment and 10 treatment compete... more Thirty-eight questionnaire items were compiled and tested (12 assessment and 10 treatment competencies, 10 range and six confidence items). There were 222 responses (86% overall response rate). Cronbach's alpha found internal consistency for all items (α > 0.9). There ...

Research paper thumbnail of Optimizing rehabilitation in dementia with acute illness: Project PERFECTED

Alzheimer's & Dementia, 2013