Volunteers are essential for research in HMRU and very much appreciated. The facilities are purpose built for volunteers to participate in our research studies in safety but with comfort.

A study may last from 8 to 36 hours in a Whole Body Calorimeter room. We recruit for many different studies and each have their own selection criteria. In the past year we have recruited healthy, overweight and obese women between ages of 18-50 years as well as diabetic and overweight men.

General requirements for volunteers to take part in an experiment in the Whole Body Calorimeter rooms are that they :

• Are self caring- able to live independently for up to 36 hours
• Are mobile- able to use the step into the room, rise from low bed and chair and be able to turn the handles to open the hatches
• Have no problems with claustrophobia - The rooms are approx 2.5m x 3m and the doors are not locked but must only be opened in emergencies during a study. There are 3 small windows in the room to the external area and adjacent room
• Have no problems with isolation- Frequent contact is made throughout the stay via an intercom and telephone. Volunteers occupy both rooms overnight

A study may require frequent blood tests, changes in food intake, exercise plans or other interventions in order to measure their effect on the energy the body uses throughout the stay. All volunteers are fully briefed on the plan for their stay and are invited to view the facilities before the start of any study.

For a more detailed description please read the HMRU patient info leaflet .

All research within HMRU is overseen by UHCW NHS Trust Research, Development and Innovation Department.

If you would like further information or to volunteer for our research studies please contact HMRU at uhcw dot nhs dot uk. We can add you to our contact list for future research that you may be eligible to participate in.

Each room has facilities for independent living

Located within UHCW NHS Trust