Output details

Investigating the Use of Visualisations of Biomechanics in Physical Rehabilitation

What are the design considerations for visualisation software, which shows people details of their own movements, to be suitable for different rehabilitation scenarios (i.e. home, community and hospital)?

The project investigated the use of visualisation software tools to support the analysis, interpretation and communication of biomechanical data relevant to specific rehabilitation scenarios. In this output, the design parameters for the different rehabilitation scenarios of home, community and hospital were assessed in terms of: possibilities and limitations of technology; biomechanical parameters of movement which could be used; and implications for the patient experience. This output represents the key design parameters which informed the development of visualisation software for different possible rehabilitation scenarios. The work was an essential component of the pre-trial design of software which was then investigated in five different Randomised Controlled trials, covering the range of rehabilitation scenarios described in the paper. The output was presented at the Health and Social Care Information Systems and Technology international conference, Villamoura, Portugal in October 2011.

The envisage project was a three and a half year multidisciplinary research project funded by the Medical Research Council Lifelong Health and Wellbeing programme (Grant No. G0900583). The work is a follow-on to the New Dynamics of Ageing ‘Envision’ project (Grant No. RES-352-25-0005), in which the potential was explored of visualisations of biomechanical data to facilitate understanding and communication of mobility issues between lay older adults and professionals from healthcare - described more fully in output 857. In 2011, the work received the Nexxus Innovation award (West of Scotland).

MRC Project website: http://www.envisagerehab.co.uk

NDA Project website http://www.idealstates.co.uk/biomechvisuals/