IIH UK partners with 1FitLife to launch specialist online wellbeing videos

Volunteer-led charity, IIH UK, has partnered with digital workout creator, 1FitLife, to create specialist activity videos to encourage people living with Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH) to improve their wellbeing.

IIH is a rare neurological condition associated with raised fluid pressure around the brain, causing disabling daily headaches, brain fog, fatigue and visual loss, which can be permanent.

IIH is more often found in those with increased body weight and people with IIH are insulin and leptin resistant – and have fat programmed for making more fat.

An IIH UK survey found that 78% of people with IIH who were advised to lose weight were not offered support in achieving it and 84% of those who were offered support did not find it helpful and appropriate.

In response to these figures, IIH UK teamed up with 1FitLife to create bespoke wellness videos that offer the IIH community a beneficial, safe, expertled wellbeing programme that goes beyond just focusing on weight loss.

The videos feature Fionnuala Donovan, a physiotherapist for neurology outpatients at London’s Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital. Donovan’s IIH UK-funded research identified the need for physical activity opportunities specifically designed for those living with IIH – and how exercise can have a positive impact on their overall long-term wellbeing. The content and post-production were all produced at 1FitLife’s studios in Bournemouth.

Donovan says: “It was imperative that the content was relatable and achievable for the IIH community. So the videos feature manageable segments including a five-minute warm-up and cool down and 10-minute sections on cardio, strength, balance and core. We also created a video specifically to aid relaxation, which included meditation and breathing techniques.”