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Without clinical research, breakthroughs in care would not be possible.
Today is International Clinical Trials Day which marks the anniversary of the very first clinical trial conducted by James Lind on board HMS Salisbury in 1747 that tested the hypothesis that scurvy could be cured by eating citrus fruits.
Fast forward to modern times and clinical trials helps us discover better ways to care for the people we look after, preventing illness and improving outcomes in the here and now.
Below we share some of our key research moments from the past year and the difference they have made to our patients' lives.
New hope for MS patients
Liz (centre) is taking part in Horizon, a groundbreaking vaccine trial for patients newly diagnosed with MS.
The trial is investigating whether an mRNA jab, designed to target Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), could offer a novel treatment pathway for the relapsing-remitting form of MS.
Researchers are exploring this avenue given that EBV, best known for causing glandular fever, is present in almost all individuals with MS and is believed to play a significant role in the condition's development.
The trial might one day play a role in MS prevention.
Liz, who has watched her mother battle the primary progressive form of the disease for more than 20 years, said its worsening impact was a key motivator for her to sign up to the trial:
"My mum's mobility is pretty poor and her physical abilities have declined, but I was seeing all the issues she had and seeing the same with me. So, joining the trial was an obvious choice. Anything that may help researchers explore new ways to manage the progression of MS has to be a good thing."
Technology gives Amanda her freedom back
Amanda participated in a nationwide NHS trial testing a new "at home" device that it's hoped could help stroke survivors regain hand and arm movement.
She suffered a stroke six years ago whilst doing the dishes at home. Within hours, she had lost the ability to speak and move her right arm. She would later have to relearn how to talk, read and carry out everyday tasks.
During the Triceps trial, she used the device for up to an hour a day as part of her rehab over 12 weeks, combining it with exercises and everyday tasks.
"At first I didn't think it was going to work at all," she told BBC Tech Now. "But after a couple of weeks, I started to see changes in my hand." One of the biggest milestones for her was returning to sewing - a passion she could not initially pursue after her stroke.
"It's about freedom," Amanda said. "It's given me my freedom back."
The Triceps technology uses a small electrical device which sits inside the ear and stimulates the vagus nerve - a major nerve connecting the brain and abdomen - while carrying out rehabilitation exercises. The trial is double blinded, meaning neither the participants nor the researchers know whether the brain stimulant or a placebo has been given.
Triceps is in its last stages of recruitment. It is running at 19 NHS centres across the country.
Restoring life-saving warning signs for diabetes patients
Sue is helping researchers understand if people with type 1 diabetes can regain crucial warning signs of dangerously low blood sugar levels.
CLEAR is an international trial, with Sheffield acting as lead study site for the north of England.
During the trial, researchers will compare three cutting-edge approaches to restoring the body's natural ability to detect low blood glucose levels.
These include an 'artificial pancreas' system that continuously monitors glucose and automatically adjusts insulin delivery and two specialist education programmes designed to help patients recognise subtle symptoms and better manage their condition
Sue, who lives with type 1 diabetes, said using the artificial pump as part of the trial has helped reduce her severe hypos which had been occurring weekly:
"The pump helps to monitor my glucose levels 24/7, ensuring I have the right amount. I've always found it extremely difficult to tell when I might be about to experience a severe hypo so I'm extremely happy to be on this trial and would encourage others to take part too. Anything which can help to manage my diabetes - whether through a pump or education - has got to be good."
'Our decision to join the Generation Study has changed Freddie's life phenomenally'
Thousands of families have taken part in the Generation study.
One family's decision to take part at Jessop Wing enabled earlier detection of a rare eye cancer in their newborn, giving doctors the best chance to minimise the impact on his vision.
Little Freddie's parents enrolled him into the Generation Study, a study led by Genomics England where newborn babies have their blood sampled which is usually taken from the umbilical cord shortly after birth and tests for over 200+ conditions. At just four weeks old, Freddie was diagnosed with hereditary retinoblastoma, a rare and aggressive form of eye cancer.
Since his diagnosis, Freddie, who was born at Sheffield's Jessop Wing Maternity Hospital, has undergone a mixture of chemotherapy and laser treatment and will need ongoing treatment and monitoring for the foreseeable future.
Dad Joey said: "Our decision to join the Generation Study has changed Freddie's life phenomenally. We were told that the first six months is vital in diagnosing and treating the condition. There's no telling at what point it would have been discovered if we hadn't taken part and what might have happened.
"The care that Freddie has received, and us as parents as well, has been second to none. We can't thank everyone enough for all that they're doing for Freddie."
Improving quality of lives
Cynthia took part in the DISCUS trial, which has led to a change in NHS guidelines, with advanced bladder cancer patients now able to have three cycles of chemotherapy followed by the immunotherapy drug avelumab.
This will dramatically improve quality of life for patients.
Two years ago, Cynthia was given only nine to twelve months to live following a diagnosis of advanced bladder cancer.
But thanks to the trial, her cancer remains under control.
"I've been extremely lucky to be on the trial. It's certainly improved my standard of life. The cancer's still there but it's not got worse over the last few scans so that's the main thing. I can't praise the team at Weston Park Cancer Centre enough for their constant care and support. Without the trial I would not be here now. If it has helped others too, that's a nice feeling as well."
In the trial, led by Queen Mary University of London, patients were randomised into two groups: receiving either six cycles of chemotherapy or three cycles followed by the immunotherapy drug avelumab.
Researchers found that patients in the three-cycle group were less likely to experience severe side effects and had the same average survival rate as patients in the six-cycle group.
Weston Park Cancer Charity contributed to the trial by funding vital research nurses, who onboarded patients and supported them throughout the research process.
To find out about more about getting involved in research, visit Be Part of Research.
