Next Generation Rehabilitation Technologies
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Nottingham
Department Name: Faculty of Engineering
Abstract
This network will focus on developing the next generation of advanced technologies for rehabilitation, targeting musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory, neurological and mental health conditions. It will be connected to the new £70 million National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC), a major national investment in patient care, innovation and technology, due to open to patients in 2024. The NRC is being co-located with the specialist £300m+ Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre on the Stamford Hall Rehabilitation Estate so that the two centres can benefit from the sharing of a wealth of knowledge, expertise and facilities. This EPSRC networkplus is therefore an exceptionally timely opportunity to capitalise on this significant investment, actively involving the UK Engineering & Physical Science community in this initiative and embedding technology innovation at the earliest stage.
Advances in medicine have resulted in a significant increase in survival rates from trauma and injury, disorders and disease (acute and chronic). However, survival is often just the start, and the higher rates have led to an increase in rehabilitation needs, involving many patients with complex conditions. Technology has an increasingly important part to play in rehabilitation, to support a limited number of skilled healthcare professionals, reduce hospital stays, improve engagement with rehabilitation programmes, increase independence and improve outcomes. Speeding up recovery and helping patients get back to work and life has considerable personal, social and economic impact.
This network will bring together researchers, healthcare providers, patient & user groups, industrial partners and supporting organisations (e.g. policy makers, charities) to develop a world-class research community and infrastructure for advanced rehabilitation technologies. By connecting new innovative technologies and advanced materials with our growing understanding of mental and physical health, this network will support the provision of novel, transformative, affordable solutions that will address current issues, allowing patients to lead more independent and fulfilling lives and reducing the burden on limited NHS resources.
Supported by a core membership of experts from the rehabilitation field, this network aims to introduce researchers who are not typically involved in rehabilitation technology research into a network of rehabilitation experts. Central to the grant will be a series of Grand Challenge Blended Workshops and supported conversations designed to identify critical areas for research, with funding for feasibility projects to build those collaborations and drive forward innovation. The network will explore multimodal approaches that target both physical and mental rehabilitation. Technology innovation will focus around three key areas: 1) advanced functional materials, 2) patient-specific devices & therapy, and 3) closed loop measurement and rehabilitation.
Advances in medicine have resulted in a significant increase in survival rates from trauma and injury, disorders and disease (acute and chronic). However, survival is often just the start, and the higher rates have led to an increase in rehabilitation needs, involving many patients with complex conditions. Technology has an increasingly important part to play in rehabilitation, to support a limited number of skilled healthcare professionals, reduce hospital stays, improve engagement with rehabilitation programmes, increase independence and improve outcomes. Speeding up recovery and helping patients get back to work and life has considerable personal, social and economic impact.
This network will bring together researchers, healthcare providers, patient & user groups, industrial partners and supporting organisations (e.g. policy makers, charities) to develop a world-class research community and infrastructure for advanced rehabilitation technologies. By connecting new innovative technologies and advanced materials with our growing understanding of mental and physical health, this network will support the provision of novel, transformative, affordable solutions that will address current issues, allowing patients to lead more independent and fulfilling lives and reducing the burden on limited NHS resources.
Supported by a core membership of experts from the rehabilitation field, this network aims to introduce researchers who are not typically involved in rehabilitation technology research into a network of rehabilitation experts. Central to the grant will be a series of Grand Challenge Blended Workshops and supported conversations designed to identify critical areas for research, with funding for feasibility projects to build those collaborations and drive forward innovation. The network will explore multimodal approaches that target both physical and mental rehabilitation. Technology innovation will focus around three key areas: 1) advanced functional materials, 2) patient-specific devices & therapy, and 3) closed loop measurement and rehabilitation.
Organisations
- University of Nottingham (Lead Research Organisation)
- Beko PLC R&D Centre (Collaboration)
- NIHR MindTech MedTech Co-operative (Collaboration)
- Nottingham Trent University (Collaboration)
- Reckitt Benckiser (Collaboration)
- SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY (Collaboration)
- University of Salford (Collaboration)
- BAE Systems (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM (Collaboration)
- Ulster University (Collaboration)
- Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (Collaboration)
- Medical Technologies Innovation Facility (Project Partner)
- CHEATA Ctr Healthcare Equip & Tech Adopt (Project Partner)
- Society for Research in Rehabilitation (Project Partner)
- Asthma and Lung UK (Project Partner)
- EMAHSN East Midlands Academic Heath (Project Partner)
- Stroke Association (Project Partner)
- Steeper Group (Project Partner)
- Medilink Midlands (Project Partner)
- Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (Project Partner)
- DNRC (Defence and National Rehab Centre) (Project Partner)
- Blueskeye AI (Project Partner)
- Renfrew Group (Project Partner)
- Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) (Project Partner)
- Footfalls & Heartbeats (UK) Ltd (Project Partner)
- National Inst. Health & Care Research (Project Partner)
Publications
Buckley J
(2024)
Is breathing frequency a potential means for monitoring exercise intensity in people with atrial fibrillation and coronary heart disease when heart rate is mitigated?
in European Journal of Applied Physiology
Chen J
(2023)
fNIRS-EEG BCIs for Motor Rehabilitation: A Review.
in Bioengineering (Basel, Switzerland)
D'arco L
(2024)
Application of Smart Insoles for Recognition of Activities of Daily Living: A Systematic Review
in ACM Transactions on Computing for Healthcare
Dutta A
(2025)
'Hyperbinding' in functional movement disorders: role of supplementary motor area efferent signalling.
in Brain communications
Ercan R
(2024)
An Ultralow-Power Real-Time Machine Learning Based fNIRS Motion Artifacts Detection.
in IEEE transactions on very large scale integration (VLSI) systems
| Title | Audio recording of interview with Dr Luca Marciani |
| Description | Title of recording: The Importance of PPI & the MAGIC Project. Dr Luca Marciani goes through what PPI is and some real life examples from his own research giving tips and advise to others looking to involve PPI. |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2024 |
| Impact | Increased interaction with the network and the surrounding PPI networks. Help in producing a PPI resources page on the RTN+ website |
| URL | https://www.rehabtechnologies.net/media-1/v/magic |
| Title | Non-invasive Breathing Pattern Assessment, Monitoring and Retraining: Recording of webinar |
| Description | The webinar titled: Non-invasive Breathing Pattern Assessment, Monitoring and Retraining was recorded and uploaded to our website with closed captioning for accessibility. The webinar was given by Dr Sam Winter and Dr Tom Ward. |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2024 |
| Impact | Increased viewing of the webinar, increased interaction with the network. |
| URL | https://www.rehabtechnologies.net/media-1/v/noninvasive-breathing-pattern-assessment-monitoring-and-... |
| Description | We have held three Grand Challenge Workshops which has so far led to the following funded feasibility projects: 1. AI-empowered Mobile Application System for Amputee Gait Training and Assessment, led by Ulster University 2. Texo-Skeleton: transforming everyday clothing into self-adaptable exoskeleton for musculoskeletal rehabilitation, led by Nottingham Trent University 3. Wearable multimodal imaging and monitoring technology for cardiac functional assessment, led by UCL 4. Non-invasive breathing pattern assessment, monitoring and retraining, led by Loughborough University 5. R-SPEAK: Revolutionizing Speech Enhancement in Aphasia Using Knowledgeable-AI, led by Sheffield Hallam University 6. Co-production of a platform technology for VR biofeedback training under operant conditioning for functional lower limb weakness, led by Lincoln University |
| Exploitation Route | We envisage that the teams funded through the feasibility projects will be applying for larger grants from EPSRC and other funding bodies. |
| Sectors | Healthcare |
| URL | https://www.rehabtechnologies.net/fundedprojects |
| Description | BINUS University Guest Lectures |
| Geographic Reach | Asia |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Impact | As a result of the training around 6 new students per year are being sent to UK to continue their education. |
| Description | National Rehabilitation Centre PPI Network |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Impact | The new Network has opened the potential for more researchers to do more impactful research to a wider patient cohort. The Network also provides representation to a number of strategic groups within the National Rehabilitation Centre programme that will directly influence the care that patients within the new centre will receive. |
| URL | https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/research/nrc/patient-and-public-involvement-and-engagement.aspx |
| Description | Panelist for EPSRC Horizon CDT 'The PhD Experience' Panel Discussion and Q&A |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Description | 3D assays of vascularised and innervated human skeletal muscle injury for functional screening of pro-regenerative therapeutics |
| Amount | £799,961 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | NC/C020208/1 |
| Organisation | National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2022 |
| End | 01/2025 |
| Description | A platform to investigate multi-tissue crosstalk mediated by exercise induced soluble factors released from human skeletal muscle |
| Amount | £199,208 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | NC/X001970/1 |
| Organisation | National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 02/2023 |
| End | 06/2024 |
| Description | EPSRC [Neuromod+] Understanding mechanisms by which low intensity focussed ultrasound is able to modulate neural activity (Dr Anna Lion) |
| Amount | £78,783 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Imperial College London |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 06/2024 |
| End | 06/2025 |
| Description | Telangiectasia Pump Priming Funding (Dr Anna Lion) |
| Amount | £7,171 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Ataxia UK |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 06/2023 |
| End | 12/2023 |
| Description | Towards portable ultrasound stimulation interventions: Novel materials for flexible transducer design (Dr Anna Lion) |
| Amount | £13,289 (GBP) |
| Organisation | University of Nottingham |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2023 |
| End | 04/2024 |
| Description | [HEIF] Knowledge Exchange: Deliver innovative 3D printed acoustic lenses (Dr Anna Lion) |
| Amount | £3,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | University of Nottingham |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2025 |
| End | 06/2025 |
| Description | AI-empowered Mobile Application System for Amputee Gait Training and Assessment: FEASIBILITY FUNDING AWARDED |
| Organisation | Ulster University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Following one of our Grand Challenge Workshops on Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation the research team wrote an application for feasibility funding and were awarded £47,711.97 (@100%fEc, 80% from RTN+, 20% from host institution). Project title: AI-empowered Mobile Application System for Amputee Gait Training and Assessment. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Lead Institution: Ulster University Principal Investigator: Professor Huiru Zheng Co-Investigators: Dr Haiying Wang (Ulster University); Dr Jill Cudell (Ulster University); Ms Carolyn Wilson (Belfast Health and Social Care Trust); Dr Ezio Preatoni (University of Bath); Dr Elena Seminati (University of Bath); Dr Grant Trewartha (NURVV Ltd); Zheng will lead the project and oversee the technical development of the system. Wang will lead the development of gait assessment and rule-based decision support algorithms. Cudell will work with Wilson, who is an experienced therapist on amputee rehabilitation, to lead the user engagements, usability and feasibility studies at Northern Ireland. Preatoni will lead the research team at Bath and support the amputee gait data collection and data analysis. Seminati will lead the usability and feasibility study at Bath. Trewartha will support the project system design, test and evaluation. |
| Impact | The project is currently ongoing so no outcomes as of yet. Potential Impact: The aim of this research is to develop and evaluate an AI-empowered mobile application system for amputee gait training and assessment. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | BAE Systems |
| Organisation | BAE Systems |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Discussed robotics and shared control mechanisms to be applied on BAE applications, including remote healthcare delivery. |
| Collaborator Contribution | BAE has offered use of facilities and supported 3 EPSRC grant proposals with support letters. |
| Impact | Project ideas |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Beko Plc |
| Organisation | Beko PLC R&D Centre |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | We created a partnership with with Beko to start in the form of one joint PhD studentship to be part funded by the company. The company will benefit from our know how provided through outcomes of different projects to advance their domestic products. We have started discussions on long term autonomy, robotic failure management, and shared control in the device operations. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Beko has agreed to share their use cases. Beko will part-fund an international PhD studentship starting in 2023/2024, with agreement to be negotiated afterwards. |
| Impact | NA. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Can objective stability assessment of walking aid use outside the clinic facilitate stroke rehabilitation? FEASIBILITY FUNDING AWARDED |
| Organisation | University of Salford |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Following one of our Grand Challenge Workshops on Neurological Rehabilitation and a further use of our Membership Directory to build a collaboration the research team wrote an application for feasibility funding and were awarded £48,966.75 (@100%fEc, 80% from RTN+, 20% from host institution). Project title: Can objective stability assessment of walking aid use outside the clinic facilitate stroke rehabilitation? |
| Collaborator Contribution | Lead Institution: University of Salford, Principal Investigator: Dr Sibylle Thies Co-Investigators: Mrs Miriam Golding-Day (University of Nottingham); Mr Phillip Johnson (PPIE Lead); Dr Sean Cullen (Brunel University); Ass. Prof Hua Zhong (Nottingham Trent University); Prof. Huiru Zheng (Ulster University); Dr Thies is a newly promoted Associate Prof and a Biomedical Engineer with expertise in measurement of human movement. Her research focuses on understanding the biomechanics of walking aid users; she has developed novel measures of walking aid stability showing that older people are often putting themselves at risk. Mrs Golding-Day is a Research Fellow and an orthotist by clinical background specialising in neurological conditions particularly around stroke rehabilitation. As co-applicant on a NIHR School for Social Care Research study, she has worked as a PPI advocate and lead in co-design, ensuring the outcomes are driven by patients' clinical needs. Mr Phillip Johnson is a stroke survivor and co-chair of the Nottingham Stroke Research Partnership Group (NSRPG). He has comprehensive experience as a PPI collaborator and is passionate about supporting stroke research. Dr Cullen is Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering, in the early stage of his career. He has expertise in the conversion of motion capture data into clinical utility outcome measures that are conventionally observation based. Ms Zhong is an Associate Professor in Building engineering services. She has expertise in inclusive design, therapeutic environments, VR technology, and the impact of the built environment on health and wellbeing. Prof Zheng is a Professor of Computer Science, leading the Data Analytics Research Theme at the AI Research Centre at Ulster University. She has expertise in machine learning, digital health and gait analysis for supporting stroke rehabilitation and self-management. She has experience in managing interdisciplinary projects. She will support the project's technical development and data analysis and align with the AI-Amputee Gait project. |
| Impact | The project is currently ongoing so no outcomes as of yet. The aim of this project is to test the feasibility of an objective tool to classify stable walking aid use. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Co-production of a platform technology for VR biofeedback training under operant conditioning for functional lower limb weakness: FEASIBILITY FUNDING AWARDED |
| Organisation | University of Birmingham |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Following one of our Grand Challenge Workshops on Neurological Rehabilitation the research team wrote an application for feasibility funding and were awarded £49,357.68 (@100%fEc, 80% from RTN+, 20% from host institution). Project title: Co-production of a platform technology for VR biofeedback training under operant conditioning for functional lower limb weakness. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Lead Institution: University of Birmingham Principal Investigator: Dr Anirban Dutta Co-Investigators: Dr Ildar Farkhatdinov (Human Robotix Ltd.); Dr Abhijit Das (Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust); Ms Dawn Golder (FND Hope UK); Dr Alastair Buchanan (Nudge Reality Ltd); Dr Behnaz Sohani (University of Lincoln) Dr Anirban Dutta will lead the co-production of pilot study design as well as the operant conditioning platform technology design working with the rehabilitation roboticist co-I Dr. Farkhatdinov. Dr Ildar Farkhatdinov is esponsible for the co-development of his published haptic virtual reality platform. Dr Abhijit Das clinical needs guided our bid on functional limb weakness that can often look like symptom of a stroke. He is co-I responsible for co-implementation, ethics approvals, and patient-feedback. Dr Alastair Buchanan is responsible for the co-development of the VR-based operant conditioning gaming use cases with the industry RA, Takahiro Manabe, who worked earlier as summer intern. Dr Behnaz Sohani is responsible for the structured literature review to help with the co-production of the pilot study design. Ms. Dawn Golder is responsible for the Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement for the co-production activities. She will also raise awareness of digital healthcare technologies for possible self-management in FND and fostering international collaboration to share experiences and knowledge across countries. |
| Impact | The project is currently ongoing so no outcomes as of yet. The aim of this project is to co-produce a biofeedback training platform for home-based rehabilitation in functional weaknesses. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | NIHR Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust HRC |
| Organisation | Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | I am a Deputy Workstream Lead for the Working Age Theme. I supported the application development and contributed to the proposed activities within the Working Age Theme. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The two co-leads wrote the application and are leading this collaboration. |
| Impact | There have been no outcomes as yet, it starts in April 2024. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | NottinghamBRC Mental Health and Technology Theme PhD collaboration |
| Organisation | NIHR MindTech MedTech Co-operative |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | I have joined a collaboration with the NottinghamBRC as a co-supervisor on a PhD exploring Digital tools for visualisation of recovery and rehabilitation. This will start in October 2024 and is a collaboration spawned from the RTN. |
| Collaborator Contribution | I have contributed to the PhD design and clinical representation. |
| Impact | none as yet |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | R-SPEAK: Revolutionizing Speech Enhancement in Aphasia Using Knowledgeable-AI: FEASIBILITY FUNDING AWARDED |
| Organisation | Sheffield Hallam University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Following one of our Grand Challenge Workshops on Neurological Rehabilitation the research team wrote an application for feasibility funding and were awarded £40,027.97 (@100%fEc, 80% from RTN+, 20% from host institution). Project title: R-SPEAK: Revolutionizing Speech Enhancement in Aphasia Using Knowledgeable-AI |
| Collaborator Contribution | Lead Institution: Sheffield Hallam University Principal Investigator: Dr Abdel-Karim Al-Tamimi Co-Investigators: Dr Jacob Andrews (University of Nottingham); Prof. Kate Redford (University of Nottingham); Dr Jacqueline Benfield (Royal Derby Hospital and the University of Nottingham); Ms Catherine Sweby (Northern Care Alliance); Dr Christopher Gilmartin (University of Nottingham). Abdel-Karim Al-Tamimi: has vast expertise in applying machine learning techniques to multidisciplinary research in the fields of natural language processing and digital health transformation. Kate Radford: is an occupational therapist, specialising in neurological rehabilitation, with expertise in stroke rehabilitation research, developing and evaluating complex rehabilitation interventions and assistive technologies. Research involves mixed methods, drawing on implementation theory and patient and public involvement. Jacob Andrews: brings 9 years of experience of working across disciplinary boundaries in the field of digital mental health, having conducted research to develop several technologies to support and manage mental health with input from clinicians, patients, carers and other stakeholders. Jacquline Benfield: is a clinical academic, speech and language therapist, and NIHR Clinical Lecturer, specialising in stroke rehabilitation. She is a clinical lead for Stroke with expertise in developing and validating tests for clinical use in the assessment of swallowing difficulties post-stroke. Cath Sweby: is a Clinical Physiotherapist, specialising in stroke and neurological rehabilitation. As a consultant AHP, Cath is a research facilitator, supporting the translation between clinical practice and research, driving innovation and ensuring research questions derive from real clinical problems (as in this study). As a member of the Northern Care Alliance, Cath will identify, HCPs to assist in the Co-design support dissemination and ensure the study maintains clinical relevance. Christopher Gilmartin: brings clinical neurology insight to this team, alongside considerable experience in patient and public involvement. He has a broad research background including in medical technologies, and will provide a fresh perspective as an early career researcher. |
| Impact | The project is currently ongoing so no outcomes as of yet. The aim of this project is to co-design a proof of concept AI solution to transform speech patterns of people living with mild-moderate expressive aphasia into fluent intelligible communication that will be accessible mon mobile devices. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Reckitt |
| Organisation | Reckitt Benckiser |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | We discussed our work in long term autonomy with Reckitt and will develop an inspection use case with a mobile quadruped robot. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Reckitt has agreed to part fund an international PhD studentship to work on the project and will share the facilities and the use case. |
| Impact | NA |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Texo-Skeleton: transforming everyday clothing into self-adaptable exoskeleton for musculoskeletal rehabilitation- FEASIBILITY FUNDING AWARDED |
| Organisation | Nottingham Trent University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Following one of our Grand Challenge Workshops on Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation the research team wrote an application for feasibility funding and were awarded £49,913.86 (@100%fEc, 80% from RTN+, 20% from host institution). Project title: Texo-Skeleton: transforming everyday clothing into self-adaptable exoskeleton for musculoskeletal rehabilitation. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Lead institution: Nottingham Trent University Principle Investigator: Dr Pasindu Lugoda Co-Investigators: Dr Ishara Dharmasena (Loughborough University); Dr Bernard XIan Wei Liew (University of Exeter); Dr Andy Kerr (University of Strathclyde); Dr Ezio Preatoni (University of Bath); Dr Ziyun Ding (University of Birmingham); PL: At NTU Pasindu has access to yarn manufacturing machines (MC/2 knit braiders, Rius, RU 1/24-80 suture braiders, Herzog) for creating the smart yarns and textile manufacturing equipment (ADF-3 E18, Stoll) for making the sleeve. ID: His lab at LU contains state-of-the-art facilities for triboelectric sensor fabrication and characterisation, which will be used for the project. ID was trained in nanofabrication and wearable systems (Advanced technology Institute (Surrey), Dr Wang's lab, Georgia Tech) and works with collaborators (University of Moratuwa, Exeter University). Therefore, will be able to provide access to additional fabrication facilities. BL: He will lead WP3 and contribute to the project in several ways. Firstly, he will provide expert input into the current state-of-the-art knowledge of the pathophysiological processes and evidence-based treatment pathways of common MSK disorders. Second, his expertise in biomechanics will enable him to co-design the apparel to optimise functionality. Third, through his close clinical (Dr McDonnell, orthopaedic surgeon, Addenbrooke's Hospital) and academic MSK networks (Prof Hill, Keele University), BL will be able to accelerate the development and clinical implementation of Texo-Skeletons. EP: His work combining data science and wearable technologies to enable the transition from lab-based to field testing will be used for devising the decision-making algorithms (WP1) and will assist with WP3. AK will bring experience of rehabilitation technology development including the co-creation process with patient groups (WP3). His understanding on rehabilitation principles will be used for preparing the questionnaire (WP3) ZD: will sit on WP1 and WP2 providing experience and expertise on in vivo experimentation; biological signal processing and the development of a human-machine interface to monitor/control the actuators and the resultant movements. |
| Impact | The project is currently ongoing so no outcomes as of yet. Potential Impact: The aim of this project is to develop a prototype exoskeleton textile sleeve for tennis elbow patients that can monitor and assist with wrist movement while monitoring inflammation. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Title | AI-empowered mobile application system for amputee Gait training and assessment - Huiru Jane Zheng, Ulster |
| Description | Development and evaluation of an AI-empowered mobile application system for amputee gait training and assessment, specifically to address weight asymmetry issues in lower limb prosthetic gait training. Results show that the proposed system can provide real time feedback on the weight distribution and balance, which is critical for amputte gait training. Algorithms have been developed to detect gait events, activities and provide in-depth analysis of the gait patterns, such as step, stride, stance, swing, vertical ground reaction force (vGRF), pressure distributions and centre of pressure. |
| Type Of Technology | Software |
| Year Produced | 2024 |
| Impact | The proposed AI-empowered mobile application system, using smart insoles, provides a potential solution to support prosthesis users re-learning normal walking, especially on balance and weight shifting control. It can also provide objective measurements and more detailed information to clinicians in gait assessment. |
| Title | Hoop hustle - Anirban Dutta, Bham |
| Description | Reaction-based game that tests precision, timing, and skill. Players twist their wrist to control a basketball hoop, catching falling balls. Difficulty increases with faster ball drops and wider movement arcs. Includes dynamic obstacles, power-ups, and multiple game modes (Arcade, Challenge, and Training). |
| Type Of Technology | New/Improved Technique/Technology |
| Year Produced | 2025 |
| Impact | Immersive rehabilitation game designed for Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) patients with limited arm movement. This game utilises a robotic arm with haptic feedback and variable resistance. |
| Title | Ring Master - Anirban Dutta, Bham |
| Description | Strategy and reaction-based puzzle game using wrist-twisting motion. Players control a claw to place coloured rings on poles, aiming for match-3 combinations. Progressive difficulty adds more colours, faster movement, and strategic elements like special rings and barriers. Includes Classic, Challenge, and Puzzle modes. |
| Type Of Technology | New/Improved Technique/Technology |
| Year Produced | 2024 |
| Impact | Immersive rehabilitation game designed for Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) patients with limited arm movement. This game utilises a robotic arm with haptic feedback and variable resistance. |
| Title | Texo-Skeleton: transforming everyday clothing into self-adaptable exoskeleton for musculoskeletal rehabilitation - Pasindu Lugoda, NTU |
| Description | Development of an unobtrusive method to deliver quality MSK rehabilitation in everyday life settings using self-adaptive smart textiles. |
| Type Of Technology | Systems, Materials & Instrumental Engineering |
| Year Produced | 2025 |
| Impact | 1) Prototype exoskeleton textile sleeve for tennis elbow patients (completed); 2) Self-powered triboelectric sensor design (completed); 3)Investigation into textile designs for supportive structures (completed); 4) A miniature interface hardware unit to capture sensor measurements (completed); 5) Development of the algorithm to detect wrist movements using sensor data (ongoing). |
| Title | Twist'n'Ring (VR-based ring-throwing game) - Anirban Dutta, Bham |
| Description | VR-based ring-throwing game focused on precision and technique. Players twist their wrist to adjust angle, strength, and direction before throwing rings at targets. Targets increase in difficulty, adding moving elements, obstacles, and environmental effects. Features special rings with unique effects, a realistic physics engine, and instant feedback for technique improvement. |
| Type Of Technology | New/Improved Technique/Technology |
| Year Produced | 2025 |
| Impact | Immersive rehabilitation game designed for Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) patients with limited arm movement. This game utilises a robotic arm with haptic feedback and variable resistance. |
| Title | Wearable multimodal imaging and monitoring technology for cardiac functional assessment - Hubin Zhao, UCL |
| Description | Through this funded project, UCL's team developed a functional prototype for a new-generation wearable multimodal imaging system, which can provide regular, long-term monitoring of progression and/or response to therapeutic intervention for cardias function assessment and rehabilitation. The complete prototype has been successfully characterised and validates on-bench and on phantom. The AI-hardware-based processing unit has been proposed and implemented to achieve the real-time detection of motion artefacts. |
| Type Of Technology | Detection Devices |
| Year Produced | 2024 |
| Impact | - Functional prototype - New-gen intelligent AI-hardware processing unit - Attendance of conferences for dissemination, with further opportunities for collaborations. |
| Description | 'Rehabilitation Matters' articles published on the NRC website and various social media channels (Twitter, LinkedIn) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Rehabilitation Matters is a series of stories and perspectives from people who care about effective clinical rehabilitation and the benefits it provides. Started in Spring 2021 with an article by NRC Programme Director Miriam Duffy, the series includes viewpoints from patients, clinicians, surgeons, academic partners and others. Various members of the Rehabilitation Technologies Network team have been featured. See below: Co-I Prof Mark Lewis - 2nd June 2021 - Tech, science, awareness, opportunity - it's 100% the right time for the NRC. Co-I Prof Pip Logan - 10th December 2021 - Why I'm excited about the NRC: research, application, impact. PI Prof Ruth Goodridge - 30th March 2022 - Applying new technology to rehabilitation can be transformative for people's lives. Future Leader Dr Andy Capel - 30th June 2022 - The opportunity for the UK to be a world-leader in rehabilitation is real - and R&D and innovation have an enormous role to play. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.nationalrehabilitationcentre.nhs.uk/latest-news/rehabilitation-matters |
| Description | Ai driven technology in smart rehabilitation and self-management (sub-awardee, Dr Huiru Jane Zheng) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Dr Zheng presented the outcomes of her funded project ''AI-empowered mobile application system for amputee Gait training and assessment'' at Yang-Min University, Taiwan |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | BAE Systems strategic planning workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Discussions with BAE systems started. Research collaboration links are established with BAE providing support letters to 3 bids currently being evaluated. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Creation of a Researcher Directory |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | A Member Directory was created and launched on the Rehabilitation Technologies Network website to enable members of the network to collaborate and find expertise in the field of rehabilitation. Created in January 2023. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.rehabtechnologies.net/member-directory |
| Description | Developing AI-empowered wearable gait training and assessment system (sub-awardee, Dr Huiru Jane Zheng) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Dr Zheng presented the outcomes of her funded project ''AI-empowered mobile application system for amputee Gait training and assessment'' at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taiwan |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | EPSRC Rehabilitation Technologies Network+ Launch Event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This was the official launch event for our project, held as a webinar and reached around 120 delegates from the research, clinical and PPIE community internationally. This encouraged membership to our project and applications to future events. The aim was for attendees to meet the team, and find out more about our Network. We welcomed registrations from all interested parties, including research staff, healthcare professionals, industry, and patient and user groups. There were presentations outlining the aims of the network, the National Rehabilitation Centre at Stanford Hall, our priority clinical and technical themes, future funding opportunities, and how members can get involved. We held a Q&A at the end of the event. This virtual event was a Teams webinar and was recorded and made available on our website. The event ran from 12:00pm - 13:30pm. The agenda: Welcome & Network Overview The Network & EPSRC The National Rehabilitation Centre, Industry, Clinical, Patient & Public Involvement Clinical & Technical Priority Areas Network events and funding, including Early Career Researcher activities Q&A |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.rehabtechnologies.net/network-launch |
| Description | Event how and when to involve the public in your research? |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | The Rehabilitation Technologies Network+ (RTN+) hosted an in person workshop aimed at early career researchers (ECRs) on how to involve patients and the public in their research. Date: 27th April 2023, Location: Jubilee Campus, University of Nottingham. Attendees: 22. Led by Dr Anna Lion, Dr Ayse Kucukyilmaz and Ms Ginny Birney. Speakers included Adele Horobin, Freya Shepherd, Michael Prior and Stevie Vanhegan. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Grand Challenge Workshop - Cardiorespiratory Rehabilitation Technologies |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Rehabilitation Technologies Network+ (RTN) invited Members to apply to attend an in-person Grand Challenge Workshop on "Transformative Technologies for Cardiorespiratory Rehabilitation". Participants helped identify research priorities and questions of central interest, as well as potential disruptive technologies and solutions to clinical challenges. Up to £100,000 of RTN funding was made available to fund interdisciplinary feasibility studies arising from this workshop. Date: 6th & 7th July 2022 Location: The Orchard Hotel, University Park, University of Nottingham Attendees: 45 Project Team Involvement: Led by Prof Ruth Goodridge, supported by Dr Andy Capel, Prof Pip Logan Outputs: New research collaborations and potential feasibility funding applications. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Grand Challenge Workshop - Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Technologies |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Rehabilitation Technologies Network+ (RTN) invited Members to apply to attend an in-person Grand Challenge Workshop on "Transformative Technologies for Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation". Participants helped identify research priorities and questions of central interest, as well as potential disruptive technologies and solutions to clinical challenges. Up to £100,000 of RTN funding was made available to fund interdisciplinary feasibility studies arising from this workshop. Date: 11th & 12th January 2023 Location: Burleigh Court, Loughborough University Attendees: 45 Project Team Involvement: Led by Dr Andy Capel, supported by Prof Ruth Goodridge, Prof Mark Lewis, Dr Ayse Kucukyilmaz Outputs: New research collaborations and potential feasibility funding applications. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Grand Challenge Workshop - Neurological Rehabilitation Technologies |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Rehabilitation Technologies Network+ (RTN) invited Members to apply to attend an in-person Grand Challenge Workshop on "Transformative Technologies for Neurological Rehabilitation". Participants helped identify research priorities and questions of central interest, as well as potential disruptive technologies and solutions to clinical challenges. Up to £100,000 of RTN funding was made available to fund interdisciplinary feasibility studies arising from this workshop. Date: 5th & 6th July 2023 Location: Jubilee Conference Centre, University of Nottingham Attendees: 38 Project Team Involvement: Led by Prof Ruth Goodridge, supported by Dr Andy Capel, Prof Pip Logan Outputs: New research collaborations and potential feasibility funding applications. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | IN-PERSON EVENT Rehabilitation Technologies: Supporting innovation through Multi-Stakeholder Networks (Medilink) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Date: Tues 29th March 2022 Event description: Technology has an increasingly important role to play in rehabilitation where it can support skilled healthcare professionals, reduce hospital stays and improve engagement with rehabilitation programmes. The East Midlands is well placed to support growth in this sector with the new £70 million National Rehabilitation Centre due to open at Stanford Hall, Nottinghamshire in 2024 and three new EPSRC funded networks being launched in the region to support the development and adoption of rehabilitation technologies. The session provided an update on the vision and delivery of the National Rehabilitation Centre and explained how researchers, clinicians and industry partners can join and benefit from the three new NetworkPlus EPSRC funded initiatives. Members of the networks would be able to draw on the knowledge and expertise of academics, clinicians, industry and other stakeholders to develop new, disruptive technologies for rehabilitation including innovations in advanced materials, patient-specific devices and therapy, closed loop & autonomous systems, robotic solutions for healthcare as well as assisted living products and services. Schedule: 9.30am Registration with coffee 10.00am Medilink Intro 10.05am Mark Lewis and Pip Logan - update on the NRC (20 mins) 10.25am Ruth Goodridge about the EPSRC HT Rehab Tech Network (10 mins) 10.35am Richard Bibb -EPSRC HT Tidal Network (10mins) 10.45am Coffee break (15 mins) 11.00am Praminda Caleb-Solly about the EPSRC HT Assistive Robotics Network (15 mins) 11.15am Simon McMaster - Footfalls and Heartbeats (UK) Limited (10 mins) 11.25am Kate Walker - ExpHand Prosthetics (10mins) 11.35 Panel discussion (all speakers on the panel, possibly a couple of others) (25 mins) 12.00pm Lunch and networking 1.00pm Finish The vent was attended by around 40 researchers, industry partners and and clinicians from the East Midlands region. This event triggered interest in our project and attendees of this event went on to apply (and attend) our Grand Challenge Workshops. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.medilinkuk.com/medilink-midlands/ |
| Description | Invited Speaker at ICRA 2024 Workshop Towards Collaborative Partners: Design, Shared Control, and Robot Learning for Physical Human-Robot Interaction |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | 40-50 participants attended the ICRA workshop (top robotics conference), followed by a panel. The talk sparked questions and discussion afterwards, and the attendees reported increased interest in related subject areas. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://sites.google.com/view/icra24-physical-hri |
| Description | Invited Speaker at University of Leicester CMS Seminar Series |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | The talk was given in person at the University of Leicester, 60 people attended the event, which sparked questions and discussion afterwards, creating potential opportunities for further collaboration. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | Invited Talk at AgriFoRwArdS Seminar Series |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | A research seminar was given at the EPSRC AgriFoRwArdS CDT Seminar Series. A mix of undergraduate and postgraduate students and research staff attended the Zoom seminar, which focused on shared control and roles for human-robot teamwork. The talk is followed by a discussion session, where participants displayed great interest in the subject area. The talk is streamed on youtube. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJPcGfoLEpHH37TdbdwZUCA |
| Description | Invited speaker at the Pint of Science public engagement event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Pint of Science is a grassroots non-profit organisation that has grown astronomically over the few years since two people decided to share their research in the pub. The aim of the event is to to provide a space for researchers and members of the public alike to come together, be curious, and chat about research in a relaxed environment outside of mysterious laboratories or daunting dark lecture theatres. The event was attended by the public in a casual environment, where our work on robotic wheelchairs and robotics in general is discussed and disseminated. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://pintofscience.co.uk/about/ |
| Description | Invited talk at CHI-WORK Online conversations: How Human-Robot Interaction is changing the way work is done |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | An online conversation with the HCI community in the CHIWork series. A mix of professionals attended a panel organised over Zoom, which focused on how robotics will change the future of work. The talk is followed by a discussion session, where participants displayed great interest in the subject area. The talk is streamed on youtube. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.chiwork.org/uncategorized/chiwork-conversation-with-ayse-kucukyilmaz-hosted-by-max-wilso... |
| Description | National Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine, Loughborough University - Rehabilitation research in practice event : Motivation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hosted by Loughborough University and facilitated and talks delivered by Prof Pip Logan and Prof Mark Lewis (Co-Investigators) This was the first in a series of NRC research events on rehabilitation into practice. The aim was to showcase the research of the NRC (including the Rehabilitation Technologies Network+) in a range of areas, this first session looked at the topic of motivation and adherence. This event was aimed at healthcare professionals but was open to anyone with an interest in the topic. Attendees: 50 (capacity & 30 on the waiting list) Talk recording views: 48 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.ncsem-em.org.uk/events/rehabilitation-research-in-practice-motivation/ |
| Description | News article published on the NRC website and various social media channels (Twitter, LinkedIn) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Article: Technology developed by new network could be "transformative" for rehabilitation Featuring: Prof Ruth Goodridge (PI) Date: 13th April 2022 Location: The NRC website An article advertising the new Network and outlining the aims over the next three years. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.nationalrehabilitationcentre.nhs.uk/latest-news/news-updates/1613-technology-developed-b... |
| Description | Newsletter |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Rehabilitation Technologies Network send out a semi-regular newsletter (every couple of months as needed). This newsletter is sent to all subscribed members of the RTN+ (currently 439 members) giving updates from within the network (including from the National Rehabilitation Centre), upcoming events, funding calls and job vacancies. The outcomes include increased engagement within the network, increased attendance at events and requests for posts within the next newsletter. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023,2024 |
| Description | Reckitt collaboration meeting |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Day visit to Reckitt where discussions around future collaboration was made. The company has agreed to fund 2 PhD studentships to start integration of robotic technologies in their factory. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Rehabilitation Technologies Network Early Career Researcher Forum |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Forum was launched on 16th February 2023 and hosted by: Dr Ayse Kucukyilmaz - Co-I Dr Anna Lions - Research Associate/ECR on Rehabilitation Technologies Network+ The Rehabilitation Technologies Network+ (RTN) appealed to early career researchers (within eight years of gaining PhD award) with an interest in rehabilitation technologies to join its new Early Career Researcher (ECR) Forum. The forum launched through an in-person workshop on 16th February 2023 at The University of Nottingham's Jubilee Campus. The forum gave researchers an opportunity to benefit from RTN activities. As a member of the network, researchers will have the opportunity to create multidisciplinary connections, get access to targeted workshops, networking initiatives and awards for travel and collaborations. The Forum will become a reference point for early career researchers with an interest in rehabilitation to support them in successfully navigating and progressing their career. 11 attendees. Outputs: Identified problems/solutions for ECRs were under the following headings - funding, mentorship, from lab to patient, clinical engagement This event is intended to be the first in a series of events to support ECRs over the lifetime of this project. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.rehabtechnologies.net/early-career-researcher-forum |
| Description | Royal Society Summer Exhibition |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The event at the Royal Society Summer Exhibition reached an internal public audience where I engaged directly with a variety of individuals about rehabilitation and our research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://royalsociety.org/science-events-and-lectures/summer-science-exhibition/ |
| Description | Science in the Park Exhibition |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Science in the Park was organised to provide a range of exciting family friendly activities at Wollaton Park on Saturday 5th March. A robotic stand was created for the day. A total of 856 visitors joined the event on the day. Interactions with children and young people of all ages increased interest in robotic technologies, including teleoperation and social and touch-based experiences. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://wollatonhall.org.uk/science-in-the-park-2022/ |
| Description | UKSPA Autumn Conference 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This was a UK Science Parks Association - Charnwood Campus Cluster event, part of a series of events to support the growth and success of the life science organisations clustered around Charnwood Campus Science, Innovation and Technology Park in Loughborough. Co-Investigator Prof Mark Lewis spoke at this event about the National Rehabilitation Centre and related research opportunities which included the Rehabilitation Technologies Network+. Over 100 business leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, and stakeholders gathered to hear how local business are innovating to drive business productivity, as part of the 2023 Leicestershire Innovation Festival. The talks covered a wide and varied range of evidence-based innovations that have been deployed to improve business resilience and productivity; from supporting employee mental health, delivering innovations to improve patient wellbeing and improve NHS productivity, to business planning process changes and the importance of intellectual property protection. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.ukspa.org.uk/ukspa-conference-charnwood-campus-2022/ |
| Description | UoN / NUH National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) Networking and Ideas Generation Event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Introduction Professor Ruth Goodridge was awarded £10,966 by the UoN NRC Research Fund to fund the following activities: • Establish a UoN network of researchers, academics, and technicians with an interest in developing innovative technologies to accelerate and improve rehabilitation. • Organise a 1-day workshop to encourage new multidisciplinary partnerships, focusing on outlining one or more funding proposals on closed loop wearable rehabilitation devices. • Identify and liaise with healthcare and community partners to establish Open-sourced Assistive Devices (OPAD) projects for staff groups, with the expectation that this leads to REF impact studies and future research proposals. Activities completed From 1st April to 31st July the following activities were completed: • Promotion and advertising of a University of Nottingham and Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) 'Special Interest Group for Rehabilitation Technologies' aligned to the NRC. • Survey of interested parties to understand: • Research networking event for UoN and NUH researchers held at The Nottingham Belfry Hotel on Friday 1st July 2022. Main outcomes Survey The survey was completed by 35 UoN and NUH colleagues, the outputs were shared with the NRC Project Manager and included: • 21 suggestions for possible PhD projects aligned to the NRC. • 24 suggestions for NRC laboratory facilities. • 28 colleagues interested in attending a networking event. • 33 colleagues agreeing to be added to NRC rehabilitation technologies mailing list. Networking event An event was held at The Nottingham Belfry on Friday 1st July 2022. The 23 Attendees were given the opportunity to network and discuss potential unmet needs and solutions in the area of rehabilitation technology. A number of connections were made which have already resulted in research collaborations. These include: • Dr Michael Craven (UoN) and Dr Paula Almeida (UoN) resulting in a feasibility funding application to the EPSRC Rehabilitation Technologies Network+ grant in September 2022. • Dr Samuel Smith (UoN), Dr Alison Cowley (UoN/NUH) and Dr Vicky Booth (UoN/NUH) resulting in a possible NIHR RFPB grant for early 2023. • Dr Alison Cowley (UoN/NUH) and Prof Praminda Caleb-Solly. AI, technology and walking frames, early stages and currently identifying funding streams. Those who attended the event and agreed to be part of the mailing list will now be added to the growing list of researchers interested in the area of rehabilitation technologies marketed through the Rehabilitation Technologies website. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Webinar Non-Invasive Breathing Pattern Assessment, Monitory and Retraining |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Rehabilitation Technologies Network+ (RTN+) hosted and led a webinar on 9th February 2024 from Dr Samantha Winter (Loughborough University) who recently completed her RTN+ funded feasibility project. In this webinar Dr Winter, alongside Dr Tom Ward (University of Leicester) went through the aim and outcomes of their project with the key lessons learnt and next steps. They then answered questions from those online. This webinar was recorded (not including the questions) for those that could not attend and is listed as a separate output. Following the questions for the speakers the q&a was opened up to allow participants to pose questions for anyone in the RTN+ panel present (Dr Ruth Goodridge, Dr Anna Lion, Dr Jacqueline Hicks, Dr Vickey Booth, Dr Kris Clements) as a drop in session. 41 participants registered with 21 attended. Outcomes: Request for future events, networking of members and collaboration around the theme of the webinar. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Website and social media pages |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Rehabilitation Technologies Network+ (RTN+) host a website alongside a LinkedIn Page and Twitter page that regularly interacts with network members and the general public. The website hosts information on upcoming events (both RTN+ and external events), resource pages such as on public and patient involvement (PPI) and information on current funding availabilities. The LinkedIn and Twitter pages interact with a public audience posting updates on the network, the National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) and partner institutions. The outcomes from these include sparking ongoing conversations on rehabilitation technologies, engaging network members to interact more with network and NRC activities and requests for what members would like the network to do next. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023,2024 |
| URL | https://www.rehabtechnologies.net/ |
| Description | Workshop- Take the TRAM: Travelling the Innovation Pathway from Bench to Bedside |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | The Rehabilitation Technologies Network+ (RTN+) invited early career researchers from within the network to attend an in person workshop on how to use the NIHR TRAM Toolkit in writing applications for grant funding. This workshop was aimed at simplifying and streamlining the grant application process using this toolkit making it accessible for both new and experienced researchers. Date: 22nd November. Location: Burleigh Court, Loughborough University. Attendees: 20. Project Team Involved: Dr Anna Lion, Dr Jacqueline Hicks, Professor Ruth Goodridge, Outputs: Participation in the network, requests for further information/similar events, guidance on how to run similar events in the future. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.rehabtechnologies.net/events/ecr-event |