The Experience
Lab, a GSA Institute of Design Innovation (InDI) initiative developed as part of the Digital Health Institute,
has supported research by Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) to create an innovative
insole device using sensors to establish if
older people are at risk of falls.
Lab, a GSA Institute of Design Innovation (InDI) initiative developed as part of the Digital Health Institute,
has supported research by Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) to create an innovative
insole device using sensors to establish if
older people are at risk of falls.
DHI Experience
Labs provide environments where users, businesses and researchers can
collaborate to respond to health and care challenges. They use current and
emerging design practice to create settings which replicate real life practice, and so provide a safe and innovative environment in which to trial new
technology, services, processes and behaviours.
Labs provide environments where users, businesses and researchers can
collaborate to respond to health and care challenges. They use current and
emerging design practice to create settings which replicate real life practice, and so provide a safe and innovative environment in which to trial new
technology, services, processes and behaviours.
Through an Experience Lab workshop, designed by InDI, the research team has been working with
fallers and falls experts to improve the prototype and to establish when fallers
would receive most benefit from the device. Longer term trials will determine
the effectiveness of the insole.
fallers and falls experts to improve the prototype and to establish when fallers
would receive most benefit from the device. Longer term trials will determine
the effectiveness of the insole.
Professor Lynne Baillie, group lead for Interactive and Trustworthy Technologies research at GCU, said: “This has great
potential to help with many gait related conditions like stroke and Parkinson’s
Disease. Sensors are revolutionising how healthcare is delivered.”
potential to help with many gait related conditions like stroke and Parkinson’s
Disease. Sensors are revolutionising how healthcare is delivered.”
Jeroen Blom from the Experience Lab team
said: “The Experience Labs allowed the
team to establish understanding and insight from the perception of fallers and
professionals in terms of how this new technology could add value on a day to
day basis.”
said: “The Experience Labs allowed the
team to establish understanding and insight from the perception of fallers and
professionals in terms of how this new technology could add value on a day to
day basis.”
Nearly half of people over 65 have a fall,
and around 400,000 people over the age of 75 will have to
go to hospital as a result of a fall every year, with costs to UK healthcare
services estimated at £2billion a year. Many elderly people who have suffered a
fall are worried about further injury and therefore stop or limit physical
activities that otherwise might help them regain confidence and their original
quality of life.
and around 400,000 people over the age of 75 will have to
go to hospital as a result of a fall every year, with costs to UK healthcare
services estimated at £2billion a year. Many elderly people who have suffered a
fall are worried about further injury and therefore stop or limit physical
activities that otherwise might help them regain confidence and their original
quality of life.
Gait analysis – the study of human motion –
is currently the primary method of assessing the risk of falls by an elderly
person. Balance and gait disturbances act as a good indicator of the risk of
falls. However, gait analysis can usually only be conducted in research
environments, which include 3D motion capture, ultrasound techniques, force and
pressure analysis, and metabolic and physical activity monitoring.
is currently the primary method of assessing the risk of falls by an elderly
person. Balance and gait disturbances act as a good indicator of the risk of
falls. However, gait analysis can usually only be conducted in research
environments, which include 3D motion capture, ultrasound techniques, force and
pressure analysis, and metabolic and physical activity monitoring.
Researchers at GCU have developed a
prototype insole which can be worn on the foot and which can measure the force
and movement of a person walking, capturing data within a normal living
environment. The data from the sensors will be saved to memory embedded within
the insole or transmitted wirelessly for real-time processing.
prototype insole which can be worn on the foot and which can measure the force
and movement of a person walking, capturing data within a normal living
environment. The data from the sensors will be saved to memory embedded within
the insole or transmitted wirelessly for real-time processing.
Poor balance and gait are treatable through
exercise programmes, so researchers believe the insoles will help people who
have already had a fall to readjust their walking patterns. The insoles may also
be used by physiotherapists, GPs and other healthcare providers
exercise programmes, so researchers believe the insoles will help people who
have already had a fall to readjust their walking patterns. The insoles may also
be used by physiotherapists, GPs and other healthcare providers
Led by Professor Lynne Baillie, group lead
for Interactive and Trustworthy Technologies research at GCU, the project has
been funded by the Digital Health Institute, a Scottish Funding Council
initiative to bring together health professionals, academics and industry
partners to work together on innovative digital technologies. Professor Baillie
is working with GCU Professor of Ageing and Health Dawn Skelton, and biomedical
engineer Dr Philip Smit on the project.
for Interactive and Trustworthy Technologies research at GCU, the project has
been funded by the Digital Health Institute, a Scottish Funding Council
initiative to bring together health professionals, academics and industry
partners to work together on innovative digital technologies. Professor Baillie
is working with GCU Professor of Ageing and Health Dawn Skelton, and biomedical
engineer Dr Philip Smit on the project.
For
further information on the GSA contact
further information on the GSA contact
Lesley
Booth
Booth
0779 941 4474
press@gsa.ac.uk
For more
information on the insole device/GCU , please contact:
information on the insole device/GCU , please contact:
Fiona Ramsay
Tel: 0141 331
3125
3125
Email:
Fiona.ramsay@gcu.ac.uk
Fiona.ramsay@gcu.ac.uk