James McMahon
Research Theme: Chronic Illness and Palliative care
Research Title: An eHealth intervention ‘Man-Guard’ to reduce cardiovascular risk in male taxi drivers: a pilot randomised controlled trial
Research Interests: Cardiovascular Disease prevention, Clinical Exercise Physiology, eHealth interventions, Health Behaviour Change Interventions
Supervisors: Professor David Thompson, Dr. Chantal Ski & Professor Kevin Brazil
Project Summary:
The focus of my research is on the co-design and pilot testing of an eHealth program, ‘Man-Guard’, aimed to improve physical activity and reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in male taxi drivers working in Northern Ireland. Previous research has demonstrated the increased risk of CVD in this target population which has been attributed to long periods of sitting, daily work stress and long working hours.
Firstly, a systematic review will be conducted to synthesise the evidence of eHealth interventions in improving cardiovascular risk in studies comprised of male only participants. Following this, co-design will be conducted alongside taxi drivers to ensure the program being developed is as acceptable as possible for this population. Finally, a small-scale pilot study will be conducted to assess usability, acceptability and potential efficacy of Man-Guard.
Conference & Publications
- Inaugural Doctoral Collaboration Conference (2nd May 2019) – Poster presentation
- QUB poster competition (30th May 2019) – Poster presentation
Personal Bio:
I attended Liverpool John Moores University between 2012-2016 where I completed both my undergraduate and master’s degree in Sport and Exercise Science (BSc) and Clinical Exercise Physiology (MSc). Following this, I took up a role as a Health & Wellbeing Physiologist, conducting health assessments and providing bespoke lifestyle advice to each client. Additional roles within this role included phlebotomy, spirometry, exercise stress testing and exercise ECG testing. I had the opportunity to work in this role across England including London, Manchester, Liverpool and Chester which gave me the opportunity to meet a wide variety of clients. I was then offered the opportunity to complete my PhD with Queen’s University Belfast and began this in September 2018.