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Background: The European Diabetes Prevention Study (EDIPS) is an RCT of diet and exercise interventions in people with impaired glucose tolerance. We undertook a qualitative study, nested within the EDIPS in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK, aiming to understand the experience of participants who maintained behaviour change, in order to inform future interventions.Methods: Participants were purposively sampled, according to success criteria for diet and physical activity change maintenance, and invited to attend individual semi-structured interviews. Fifteen participants completed an interview and reflected on their experience over three to five years. We used the Framework method to analyse the transcribed data.Results: Main themes were identified as factors that help (props) and those that hinder (burdens) behaviour change maintenance at different organisational levels: individual (both physical and psychological), social and environmental. Pre-existing physical conditions (such as arthritis) and social demands (such as caring for an ageing relative) hindered, whereas the benefits of becoming fitter and of having social and professional support helped, participants in maintaining behaviour change. Participants' long term experiences highlighted the salience of the continuous change in their physical, social and environmental conditions over time.Conclusion: The construct of props and burdens facilitates a holistic view of participants' behaviour. Efforts to encourage behaviour change maintenance should take account of context and the way this changes over time, and should include strategies to address these issues. The experience of participants who maintain behaviour change highlights the challenges for the wider implementation of diabetes prevention strategies.Trial Registration: (ISRCTN 15670600). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Individualised behavioural interventions are known to promote development, enhance skills and communication and reduce rigid and stereotypical patterns in children with autism spectrum disorder especially if they start in early pre-school age and are offered in high intensity. In many countries, however, these interventions are not available to families with autistic children. This may be due to lack of funding, lack of qualified staff and/or insufficient traditions of evidence-based procedures in institutions working with autistic children. Facing this situation, the European Union Leonardo Transfer of Innovation Programm funded the adaptation and localisation of a highly successful Northern Irish multimedia tool for England and Scotland, Norway, Spain and Germany. The multimedia package consists of a brochure with basic information on ASD, diagnostics and intervention. In addition, a DVD offers expert interviews, parents'' testimonials and an introduction to autism specific behavioural therapy, well established as Autism Applied Behaviour Analysis in the anglo-american countries. An accompanying CD-ROM contains additional background information and practical tools for therapy implementation. It can be used by parents, kindergarten and school special needs staff and therapeutic institutions for education and for therapy planning and evaluation. In Germany, Spain, Norway and the UK it is offered free of charge under EU funding. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]