Project Background

Work Package 1 | Work Package 2 | Work Package 3
Work Package 4 | Work Package 5 | Work Package 6

Aims and Objectives

The proposed study aims to investigate the efficacy of a home-based therapy through the use of advanced sensor technology. It is recognised that for such a technology to be successful it must provide quantifiable, functional benefits for the patient.

The study objectives are:

  • Identify appropriate technology that can be used to enhance stroke rehabilitation in the patients own home.
  • Explore the potential of rehabilitation facilitated by technology as a means to improve functional outcomes
  • Develop prototype hardware and software that can monitor the quality and duration of therapy interventions in the home
  • Develop software that will offer user empowerment and provide decision support tools to monitor the progress and outcome of rehabilitation
  • Determine how this technology can be applied; its benefits and limitations and the technical support or infrastructure required.

Methodology

The research methodology will focus on the development of a SMART monitoring system for use in the home. It will focus on 2 systems, a versatile optical based system (CODA) and solid state motion sensors. Both will use wireless technology to link to a data processing module and a common decision support platform capable of installation in the home environment.

Research Programme

The study will be undertaken in a series of work packages. Each work package will have a designated lead person from within the consortia who will monitor work and provide formal reports to the PI. The project began by establishing formal communication links between partner sites and consortia members

Meetings were held quarterly with the venue rotated around the partner sites. Minutes and action plans were shared through a jiscmail site. A consortia agreement was developed regarding disputes, IPR and exploitation plan, and further research proposals were to be submitted in the final year of the study.