Aine Cronin

Introduction: Optimal glycaemic control in adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) is essential to prevent complications but remains challenging due to changing lifestyle behaviours. Objective: This pilot study aims to assess whether adolescents with T1D in Ireland meet current nutrition and physical activity (PA) guidelines and to explore the impact of nutrition and PA on glycaemic variability (GV). Methods: Seven adolescents with T1D recorded their PA, diet and blood glucose levels over seven consecutive days. GV was determined using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data. Results: The majority of participants demonstrated low levels of PA, with 72% falling below recommended levels, and 86% consuming excessive amounts of saturated fat. Blood glucose levels were in the very high and high ranges for 23.6% ± 25.2% and 22.6% ± 7.3% of the time, respectively, with only 52.6% ± 21.8% of the time spent within the target range. Although no significant associations were found between PA or nutrition and GV, participants who met or exceeded PA and protein guidelines and consumed less fat exhibited better GV parameters. Conclusion: Adolescents with T1D in Ireland are not meeting recommended PA and nutrition guidelines and show poor glycaemic control. As a pilot study, the small sample size limited statistical power, but observed trends suggest that adhering to lifestyle recommendations could improve glycaemic control in this population.

Background Public and patient involvement (PPI) is important in stroke research to ensure that research conducted reflects the priorities and needs of people after stroke. Several factors have been found to affect PPI, including location of the research and time requirements for participation. The incidence of stroke is rising, and can result in symptoms including fatigue, depression, and physical/cognitive impairments. Aims 1) Describe the development of a PPI panelpanel and a healthcare professional panelpanel for stroke rehabilitation research and 2) to explore the perspectives of the members of the PPI groups on being involved in the research process. Methods A stakeholder panel consisting of up to 20 people with stroke, members of the public and healthcare professionals will be formed. A pragmatic purposive sampling technique using snowball sampling will be used to recruit members. The PPI panel will meet four times and will be supported by the guidelines developed from the INVOLVE framework. The PPI panel will be involved as co-researchers in the conceptualisation of future stroke rehabilitation research, the delivery of such studies, the analysis and dissemination of findings. Following the development of the panel, we will conduct a semi-structured focus groups to collect qualitative data, examining the perspectives of members. Data will be transcribed and analysed using Braun and Clarke’s Reflexive Thematic Analysis. This will result in a set of themes and subthemes describing participants' opinions and experience of being on a PPI panel in stroke rehabilitation research. Conclusions PPI is an essential part of research in stroke. Stakeholders can provide key insights into the research processes. The results of this qualitative study will provide insight into the barriers and enablers of their participation in PPI in stroke rehabilitation research.