Elizabeth Sparkes

Coventry University | CU · Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences

The aim of this study was to examine the lived experience of an eight week or equivalent three–four day mindfulness and compassion course using participant diary entries to explore participant’s thoughts, feelings and emotions during the course. Sixteen participants (n = 14 females, n = 2 males; age group = between forty-five and fifty-four years o...

To identify the relationship between fears of compassion and stress during a Mindfulness and Compassion Intervention using a non-clinical population. See link for full text. https://www.nationalwellbeingservice.org/volumes/volume-5-2021/volume-5-article-11/

Objectives This systematic review seeks to establish the effectiveness of mindfulness and compassion-based programs for reducing shame and psychological distress in heterogeneous adult populations and identify potential issues of salience towards adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse.MethodsA systematic review, undertaken to establish the curre...

In the summer of 2019, a postgraduate researcher from Coventry University placed an advert looking for people with endometriosis and/or adenomyosis to be co-researchers in a photograph-based research study that would assess the psychological needs and coping strategies of those living with these conditions. This photobook contains some of the raw...

Objectives Empathy and compassion are important components of prosocial behaviour which can lead to greater peer acceptance and positive relationships in children and adolescents. As mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been shown to be effective in increasing empathy and compassion among adults, we aimed to systematically review the current...

Purpose: To systematically review how effective non-surgical, non-pharmacological interventions are at improving the quality of life for women with chronic pelvic pain (CPP) caused by adenomyosis and endometriosis. Background: The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (N...

The aim of this pilot study was to: investigate the relationship between an 8-week mindfulness and compassion course with brain activation. An electroencephalogram (EEG) test was used on staff taking part in an 8 week Mindfulness and Compassion course at Coventry University at pre, post and follow up stages.

This systematic review aims to assess the effect of mindfulness-based interventions carried out during pregnancy exploring mindfulness and mental health outcomes. A systematic review was conducted to appraise the current literature on the subject area. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were agreed and after reviewing titles, abstracts and full paper...

The correlation between mindfulness practice and the physiological measures of heart rate and blood pressure

The aim of this prospective study was to investigate whether spinal cord stimulation (SCS) significantly reduces pain intensity for up to 18-month follow-up in patients with chronic neuropathic pain. Forty-eight patients were recruited. Patients rated their pain using a Visual analog scale (VAS) and pain-related disability using the Oswestry Disabi...

Psychological factors are recognised as influencing the outcome of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) although there is currently no consensus as to which factors impact upon SCS efficacy. To identify psychological characteristics that may impact the efficacy of SCS. Prospective evaluation. Single secondary care center in Dudley, United Kingdom. Patient...

Background: Around 300 men are diagnosed annually with breast cancer in the UK. In comparison to the wealth of information on breast cancer in women there is a paucity of literature regarding the psychological consequences of being a man with breast cancer. Due to the small incidence and strong identity as a female-specific disease having breast ca...

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and includes manifestations of both nociceptive and neuropathic mechanisms. Intravenous lignocaine, a sodium channel blocker and neuronal membrane stabiliser, has been shown in controlled trials to be effective in neuropathic pain; however, the outcome of intravenous lignocaine in osteoarthritis p...

Introduction: Women who continue to smoke during pregnancy are at risk of smoking-related diseases, maternity complications and expose the foetus to risks of perinatal mortality and morbidity. The number of women smoking at the time of delivery is estimated at 13.5% in England and 15.8% in the West Midlands. However, the prevalence can be elevated...

BACKGROUND: Obesity prevalence has shown a marked increase in recent years. Strategies designed to manage the trend are not always effective in the long term. This qualitative study investigated perceived causes of weight gain in a group of female slimmer's. Understanding beliefs about the causes of a problem can help explain behaviour and find sol...

Background: Obesity prevalence has shown a marked increase in recent years. Strategies designed to manage the trend are not always effective in the long term. This qualitative study investigated perceived causes of weight gain in a group of female slimmer's. Understanding beliefs about the causes of a problem can help explain behaviour and find so...

Background and aim: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a last resort treatment for chronic pain consisting of an implantable pulse generator connected to leads placed in the epidural space of the spinal cord. Effective in reducing chronic pain, however, efficacy has been found to decrease over time. Psychological factors affecting outcome of SCS hav...

Chronic pain of nonmalignant origin requires effective long-term treatments, as for many patients pain management will be necessary throughout the rest of their lives. Intrathecal drug delivery systems (IDDS) have become a recognized therapy for the management of severe and otherwise intractable chronic pain. However, it is still not clear whether...

Psychological factors are deemed important when considering patients for suitability for Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS). However, there is to date no consensus on which psychological characteristics or tests to undertake. This review analyses the literature to determine findings concerning the psychological characteristics observed and their impact...

Objective: This discussion document about the management of cancer pain is written from the pain specialists' perspective in order to provoke thought and interest in a multimodal approach to the management of cancer pain, not just towards the end of life, but pain at diagnosis, as a consequence of cancer therapies, and in cancer survivors. It rela...

This discussion document about the management of cancer pain is written from the pain specialists' perspective in order to provoke thought and interest in a multimodal approach to the management of cancer pain, not just towards the end of life, but pain at diagnosis, as a consequence of cancer therapies, and in cancer survivors. It relates the scie...

Objective. This discussion document about the management of cancer pain is written from the pain specialists' perspective in order to provoke thought and interest in a multimodal approach to the management of cancer pain, not just towards the end of life, but pain at diagnosis, as a consequence of cancer therapies, and in cancer survivors. It relat...