Dr Angela McNelly is a clinical researcher at the ISEH and the UCL Centre for Human Health and Performance. She gained a degree in Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge, and her PhD in Cellular Chemotherapy from the University of London. A post-doctoral project studying T-cell function in Multiple Sclerosis in the UCL Departments of Immunology and Neurochemistry followed, and after spending time abroad and working in medical publishing, Angela returned to UCL in 2010 to develop her ongoing interest in the contribution of physical activity to health.
Dr McNelly has worked on two clinical research projects:
1) With UCL’s Professor Alastair Forbes and Dr George Grimble, an interventional randomised controlled pilot study investigating the effect of increasing physical activity and/or omega-3 supplementation on fatigue in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The exercise intervention comprised one 15-minute session of individualised exercise advice from a personal trainer to help set and achieve goals during a 12-week program.
Results from 52 IBD inpatients are here. Exercise was safe and well-tolerated, and results suggested that regular moderate exercise might improve IBD-related fatigue. Further investigation into specific levels of activity beneficial for IBD patients is warranted.
2) With UCL’s Professor Hugh Montgomery, a follow-up study of physical activity levels in 30 community-based survivors of critical illness up to 18 months post-critical illness. Three different methods, including the first use of activity monitors in such a group, showed reduced physical activity levels, worse in those with prior chronic disease. This may explain the lack of successful rehabilitation trials post-critical illness, and future trials will require compensation for the presence of previous chronic disease.
Dr McNelly is now coordinating a randomised controlled pilot study investigating the effect of intermittent versus continuous nasogastric feeding on muscle mass and function in intensive care unit survivors.