Seated Exercise Technology (SET) in an integrated solution for walking and balance rehabilitation
SET is an integrated solution for treatment and analysis of walking and balance, to assist with rehabilitation for elderly and neurologically impaired people. The solution incorporates monitors to assess balance with a device that allows the user to train for walking while seated – making it easier for rehabilitation professionals to optimise personal training.
Origins
In 2015 in the EU28, there were 46 million falls among older people. Falls and fall injuries are major predictors of loss of independence and admission to long-term care, which can double or triple a senior’s cost of care. In the EU, the direct cost of fragility fractures has reached €31.7 billion per year. By monitoring the risk of falls, and providing exercise to prevent them, SET’s integrated approach to fall prevention will contribute to reduction of this huge expenditure.
Team
Dr. Giulio Valenti, Research Scientist at Philips Research and SET leader, has a background in biomedical engineering and movement science, and has lead European collaborations to develop mobility monitoring solutions for people at high falls-risk. Prof. Cornelius Bollheimer, who chairs the geriatric clinic at RWTH Aachen and Prof. Dr. Steffen Leonhardt, head of the medical IT institute at RWTH Aachen, are responsible for SET clinical intervention and verification. Prof. Alon Wolf is responsible for SET’s lab evaluation at his Biomechanics Lab in the Technion, Haifa. Dr. Zicherman is responsible for SET marketing.
The project
SET combines two validated types of devices: Balanseat trains walking to those elderly who lack the power to exercise their walking, or those who need walking preservation training until they are allowed to walk again. GoSafe and IPANEMA are sensors that can monitor users in their daily routine. Monitoring aspects such as walking and balance quality can allow for control of outcomes and stratification of users, thus assisting the care professional to further optimise personalised training.
Users at risk of falling will be screened for walking quality with sensors, and referred to SET rehabilitation when it becomes relevant. During rehabilitation, outcomes will be constantly analysed by the SET solution. Modification and personalisation of rehabilitation will be proposed by SET, with the aim of improving the rehabilitation of the elderly and also increasing efficiency and reducing treatment costs, for the benefit of the users, caregivers and health systems.
EIT Health support will allow SET to validate this integrated solution. SET sensors for measuring walking quality will be validated in a walking laboratory on healthy users and on frail elderly. After this, the validated solution will be tested in nursing home inhabitants, to evaluate its clinical and economic value.
Impact
An integrated solution that allows monitoring of walking and personalised rehabilitation programmes would improve the lives of people who need this rehabilitation. By supporting rehabilitation and fall prevention, this solution might also help seniors to cope with frailty. Consequently, society and the healthcare system would benefit by reducing the high costs of frailty.
Why this is an EIT Health project
The SET project pursues the goals of the EIT Health Focus Area of Care Pathways by targeting treatment of walking problems and possibly changing the trajectory of an ageing person’s health and supporting fall prevention. In addition, it is in line with the Focus Area of Bringing Care Home by developing a rehabilitation solution that might be used at home in the future.
External partner
- Mopair Technologies
Assisted movement training such as SET represents a great potential to improve balance and gait ability of elderly people with high fall-risk.
Univ.-Prof.Dr. med. Cornelius Bollheimer, Chair and Director Internal Medicine and Geriatrics at Franziskushospital
Partners
CLC/InnoStars: Belgium-Netherlands
Partner classification: Business
Partner type: Associate Partner
At Philips, our purpose is to improve people’s health and well-being through meaningful innovation. We aim to improve 2.5 billion lives per year by 2030, including 400 million in underserved communities.
We see healthcare as a connected whole. Helping people to live healthily and prevent disease. Giving clinicians the tools they need to make a precision diagnosis and deliver personalized treatment. Aiding the patient's recovery at home in the community. All supported by a seamless flow of data.
As a technology company, we – and our brand licensees – innovate for people with one consistent belief: there’s always a way to make life better.
Philips Electronics Nederland B.V.
Philips Electronics Nederland B.V., Boschdijk 525, 5622 Eindhoven, Netherlands
Key Activities in Corporate Innovation
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CLC/InnoStars: Belgium-Netherlands
Partner classification: Education, Research
The Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, is a science and technology research university dedicated to the creation of knowledge and the development of human capital and leadership for the advancement of all humanity. The Technion is at the forefront of today's developments in the merger of engineering, life sciences, molecular analysis, and other leading topics in modern research. This is combined with the latest developments in fields of molecular biology in general, and the development of new drugs and medical technologies, backed by the rapid expansion in nanotechnology and the exponential increase in computing power. This position allows it to realize opportunities in accelerating the development of new imaging and analytical tools, new compounds, bridging between biological systems and technology, developing new biotechnological products, inventing diagnostic and therapeutic tools, and leading in the advance toward a better understanding of life processes in general. The Technion applies creative thought and deep scientific knowledge towards advancing Israel's life science industry for the good of the planet and mankind.
Key Activities in Research and Developement
Other research, Biomedical engineering, Life Sciences
Key Activities in Corporate Innovation
Med Tech, ICT
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Incubation, Technology Transfer, Business coaching
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Entrepreneurship training, Technical faculties, Healthcare professional education/training