“I heard about the MOTION Study from a friend who had recently joined the study.

The MOTION study is about understanding the ageing process from a physical and mental perspective. The study is not just a snapshot in time, but it’s over a period of five years. Information from that would help shape future treatment of conditions like dementia.

I was looking at the Quadram Institute website and was horrified to read that by 2025 there could be a million people with dementia.

I thought if I could make a contribution to the understanding of the factors that affect the ageing process both physically and mentally, that’s got to be a good thing. Particularly if the research goes on to improve the treatment and therapy for people in the ageing process.

I signed up straight away. I was one of the first participants in the study.

An enjoyable process

I found the process very comfortable, easy and enjoyable. You are always greeted with a smile at the reception.

Taking part in the MOTION study has involved a two hour session every six months, which alternates between a session with physical tests and a session with cognitive tests.

It’s something that I’ve genuinely enjoyed, I’ve looked forward to and found it interesting. Except for the supermarket cognition game! I’m sure a ten-year-old could do much better than I did.

I found it useful having continuity with the people I was seeing on my study visits, because you become more relaxed and feel more comfortable.

What I’ve been particularly pleased with is the appreciation shown. It’s just those little touches, someone saying, “Thanks, Derek, for coming along, spending a couple of hours here, we really appreciate that.”

Benefits to your health

Being involved in the MOTION study has created an awareness about the ageing process. By going through the questionnaire asked as part of the study, it makes you reflect. Have I changed in the last year? You become more aware of your day-to-day activities.

With the physical tests we have as part of this study, we know that the study team will feed back to our respective GPs if there are any issues. I think all the individuals taking part probably feel the same, in that you feel that’s a benefit from taking part in the MOTION study too.

The value of taking part in research

I understand the value of research studies.

During my business career, I engaged with research. I understand how important it is to engage people and understand their thoughts and feelings to help shape products and services.

I hope that in the future we hear about the findings of the MOTION study. Obviously, we can’t know findings about us as individuals, but it will be interesting to learn about the findings from the study as a whole.

A few years ago, I participated in a shorter-term study with the University of Cambridge that was focused more on lifestyle.

I would say to someone thinking of taking part in research that it is your opportunity to make a contribution to future generations who hopefully will enjoy the benefit of research, in terms of the possible treatments and therapies that might be developed from research.”

• Find out more about taking part in human studies at the Quadram Institute and our NIHR Clinical Research Facility