Pedometers can help people get more active as part of an exercise programme.

The studyHodkinson A, Kontopantelis E, Adeniji C, et al. Accelerometer- and pedometer-based physical activity interventions among adults with cardiometabolic conditions: a systematic review and meta-analysis JAMA Network Open 2019;2:e1912895.This study was funded by the NIHR School for Primary Care Research (project number 390 ESWG Workstream 3).To read the full NIHR Signal, go to: https://discover.dc.nihr.ac.uk/content/signal-000880/pedometers-can-help-people-get-more-active-as-part-of-an-exercise-programme.

Online patient feedback is positive, but not used effectively.

The studyPowell J, Atherton H, Williams V, et al. Using online patient feedback to improve NHS services: the INQUIRE multimethod study. Health Serv Deliv Res 2019;7:38.This project was funded by the NIHR Health Services and Delivery Research programme (project number HS&DR 14/04/48).To read the full NIHR Signal, go to: https://discover.dc.nihr.ac.uk/content/signal-000861/online-patient-feedback-is-mostly-positive-but-is-not-being-used-effectively.

Tranexamic acid is safe to use following mild-to-moderate traumatic brain injury.

The studyThe CRASH-3 Trial Collaborators. Effects of tranexamic acid on death, disability, vascular occlusive events and other morbidities in patients with acute traumatic brain injury (CRASH-3): a randomised, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet 2019;394:1713-23.This trial was funded by NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme (project number 14/190/01), JP Moulton Charitable Trust, Department of Health and Social Care, Department for International Development, Global Challenges Research Fund, Medical Research Council, and the Wellcome Trust (Joint Global Health Trials scheme).To read the full NIHR Signal, go to: https://discover.dc.nihr.ac.uk/content/signal-000870/tranexamic-acid-following-mild-to-moderate-traumatic-brain-injury-is-safe-and-reduces-deaths.

Group cognitive behavioural courses may reduce fatigue from rheumatoid arthritis.

The studyHewlett S, Almeida C, Ambler N, et al. Reducing arthritis fatigue impact: two-year randomised controlled trial of cognitive behavioural approaches by rheumatology teams (RAFT). Ann Rheum Dis 2019;78:465-72.Hewlett S, Almeida C, Ambler N, et al. Group cognitive behavioural programme to reduce the impact of rheumatoid arthritis fatigue: the RAFT RCT with economic and qualitative evaluations. Health Technol Assess 2019;23:57.This project was funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme (project number 11/112/01).To read the full NIHR Signal, go to: https://discover.dc.nihr.ac.uk/content/signal-000860/group-cognitive-behavioural-courses-may-reduce-fatigue-from-rheumatoid-arthritis.

Computerised speech and language therapy can help people with aphasia find words following a stroke.

The studyPalmer R, Dimairo M, Cooper C, et al. Self-managed, computerised speech and language therapy for patients with chronic aphasia post-stroke compared with usual care or attention control (Big CACTUS): a multicentre, single-blinded, randomised controlled trial. Lancet Neurol 2019;18:821-33.This project was funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme (project number 12/21/01) and the Tavistock Trust for Aphasia.To read the full NIHR Signal, go to: https://discover.dc.nihr.ac.uk/content/signal-000864/after-a-stroke-computerised-speech-and-language-therapy-can-help-people-find-words.

Twenty miles per hour speed zones reduce the danger to pedestrians and cyclists.

The studyCleland LC, McComb L, Kee F, et al. Effects of 20 mph interventions on a range of public health outcomes: a meta-narrative evidence synthesis. J Transp Health 2019. doi:10.1016/j.jth.2019.100633This project was funded by the NIHR Policy Research Programme (project number 17/149/19).To read the full NIHR Signal, go to: https://discover.dc.nihr.ac.uk/content/signal-000853/twenty-mph-speed-zones-reduce-the-danger-to-pedestrians-and-cyclists.

Losing weight following diagnosis of type 2 diabetes boosts chance of remission.

The studyDambha-Miller H, Day AJ, Strelitz J, et al. Behaviour change, weight loss and remission of Type 2 diabetes: a community-based prospective cohort study. Diabet Med 2019. doi:10.1111/dme.14122This project was funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme (project number 08/116/300) as well as the Wellcome Trust (grant number: G061895), the Epidemiology Unit programme (MC_UU_12015/4), and the National Health Service R&D support funding.To read the full NIHR Signal, go to: https://discover.dc.nihr.ac.uk/content/signal-000841/weight-loss-after-type-2-diabetes-diagnosis-boosts-chance-of-remission.

Planned earlier delivery for late pre-eclampsia may be better for mothers.

The studyChappell LC, Brocklehurst P, Green ME, et al. Planned early delivery or expectant management for late preterm pre-eclampsia (PHOENIX): a randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2019;394:1181-90.This project was funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme (project number 12/25/03).To read the full NIHR Signal, go to: https://discover.dc.nihr.ac.uk/content/signal-000838/mothers-benefit-from-a-planned-earlier-delivery-for-late-pre-eclampsia.

Clinicians prescribe antibiotics for childhood respiratory tract infection based on assessment, rather than parental expectation.

The studyCabral C, Horwood J, Symonds J, et al. Understanding the influence of parent-clinician communication on antibiotic prescribing for children with respiratory tract infections in primary care: a qualitative observational study using a conversation analysis approach. BMC Fam Pract 2019;20:102.This project was funded by the NIHR School for Primary Care Research Programme (project number SPCR204).To read the full NIHR Signal, go to: https://discover.dc.nihr.ac.uk/content/signal-000829/gps-assessment-not-parental-expectation-drives-antibiotic-prescribing.

Keyhole hysterectomy is effective for women with heavy menstrual bleeding.

The studyCooper K, Breeman S, Scott NW, et al. Laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy versus endometrial ablation for women with heavy menstrual bleeding (HEALTH): a parallel-group, open-label, randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2019;394:1425-36.The study was funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme (project number 12/35/23).To read the full NIHR Signal, go to: https://discover.dc.nihr.ac.uk/content/signal-000837/keyhole-hysterectomy-is-effective-for-women-with-heavy-menstrual-bleeding.

Telephone or internet delivered talking therapy can alleviate irritable bowel symptoms.

The studyEveritt H, Landau G, Little P. Therapist telephone-delivered CBT and web-based CBT compared with treatment as usual in refractory irritable bowel syndrome: the ACTIB three-arm RCT. Health Technol Assess 2019;23:1-154.This project was funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme (project number 11/69/02).To read the full NIHR Signal, go to https://discover.dc.nihr.ac.uk/content/signal-000784/irritable-bowel-syndrome-helped-by-telephone-or-internet-cbt.

Antimicrobial central venous catheters do not reduce infections in pre-term babies.

The studyGilbert R, Brown M, Rainford N et al. Antimicrobial-impregnated central venous catheters for prevention of neonatal bloodstream infection (PREVAIL): an open-label, parallel-group, pragmatic, randomised controlled trial. Lancet Child Adolesc Health 2019;3:381-90.The study was funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme (project number 12/167/02).To read the full NIHR Signal, go to https://discover.dc.nihr.ac.uk/content/signal-000782/antimicrobial-central-venous-catheters-for-pre-term-babies-do-not-reduce-infections.

Levetiracetam is a useful alternative to phenytoin for epileptic seizures in children.

The studyLyttle MD, Rainford NEA, Gamble C, et al. Levetiracetam versus phenytoin for second-line treatment of paediatric convulsive status epilepticus (EcLiPSE): a multicentre, open-label, randomised trial. Lancet 2019;393:2125-34.This trial was funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme (project number 12/127/134).To read the full NIHR Signal, go to https://discover.dc.nihr.ac.uk/content/signal-000790/levetiracetam-vs-phenytoin-in-stopping-childrens-prolonged-epileptic-seizures.

Routine use of progesterone does not prevent miscarriage.

The studyCoomarasamy A, Devall AJ, Cheed V, et al. A randomised trial of progesterone in women with bleeding in early pregnancy N Engl J Med 2019;380:1815-24.This project was funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme (project number 12/167/26).To read the full NIHR Signal, go to https://discover.dc.nihr.ac.uk/content/signal-000792/miscarriage-not-prevented-by-routine-use-of-progesterone.

National quality improvement programmes need time and resources to have an impact.

The studyPeden CJ, Stephens T, Martin G et al. Effectiveness of a national quality improvement programme to improve survival after emergency abdominal surgery (EPOCH): a stepped-wedge cluster-randomised trial. Lancet 2019;393:2213-21.This project was funded by the NIHR Health Services and Delivery Research Programme (project number 12/5005/10).To read the full NIHR Signal, go to https://discover.dc.nihr.ac.uk/content/signal-000789/national-quality-improvement-programmes-need-time-and-resources-to-have-impact.

Cardiac rehabilitation for heart failure can improve quality of life and fitness.

The studyTaylor RS, Walker S, Ciani O, et al. Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation for chronic heart failure: the EXTRAMATCH II individual participant data meta-analysis. Health Technol Assess 2019;23:1-98.This project was funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme (project number 15/80/30).To read the full NIHR Signal, go to https://discover.dc.nihr.ac.uk/content/signal-000803/cardiac-rehabilitation-for-heart-failure-can-improve-quality-of-life-and-fitness.

Whole body MRI is effective for identifying metastatic disease in colorectal cancer patients.

The studyTaylor S, Mallett S, Beare S et al. Diagnostic accuracy of whole-body MRI versus standard imaging pathways for metastatic disease in newly diagnosed colorectal cancer: the prospective Streamline C trial. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019;4:529-37.This project was funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme (project number 10/68/01).To read the full NIHR Signal, go to https://discover.dc.nihr.ac.uk/content/signal-000797/identifying-metastatic-disease-in-colorectal-cancer-with-whole-body-mri.

Antiretroviral treatment can reduce the risk of HIV transmission between male partners to 'zero'.

The studyA Rodger, V Cambiano, T Bruun, et al. Risk of HIV transmission through condomless sex in serodifferent gay couples with the HIV-positive partner taking suppressive antiretroviral therapy (PARTNER): final results of a multicentre, prospective, observational study. Lancet 2019;393:2428-38.This project was funded by the NIHR Research for Patient Benefit Programme (project number PB-PG-1013-32069).To read the full NIHR Signal, go to https://discover.dc.nihr.ac.uk/content/signal-000785/antiretroviral-treatment-can-reduce-the-risk-of-hiv-transmission-between-male-partners-to-zero.

Smartphones can improve adherence rates for TB treatment.

The studyStory A, Aldridge R, Smith C, et al. Smartphone-enabled video-observed versus directly observed treatment for tuberculosis: a multicentre, analyst-blinded, randomised, controlled superiority trial. Lancet 2019;393:1216-24.The study was funded by the NIHR Programme Grants for Applied Research programme (project number RP-PG-0407-10340).To read the full NIHR Signal, go to https://discover.dc.nihr.ac.uk/content/signal-000777/smartphones-for-tb-treatment-observation.

Steps to better understanding resistant behaviours in hospitalised patients with dementia.

The studyFeatherstone K, Northcott A, Harden J, et al. Refusal and resistance to care by people living with dementia being cared for within acute hospital wards: an ethnographic study. Health Serv Deliv Res 2019;7.This study was funded by the National Institute for Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research Programme (project number 13/10/80).To read the full NIHR Signal, go to https://discover.dc.nihr.ac.uk/content/signal-000779/understanding-dementia-care-in-hospitals.