The Team

Dr Lulu Xu, Loughborough University

Dr Niki Chouliara, Loughborough University

Ms Zhen Liang

Partners:

• Dr Lal Russell, Nottingham University Hospitals Trust, National Rehabilitation Centre

• Mr Volker Teweleit, National Rehabilitation Centre

• Mr Simon McMaster, Footfalls & Heartbeats Ltd

• Professor William Whittow, Loughborough University

• Professor Steph Forrester, Loughborough University

• Ms Mary Corcoran, Loughborough University

Project Summary

East Midlands residents are unequally affected by cardiovascular diseases and stroke. The NHS Long Term Plan identifies community stroke rehabilitation as a priority area for improvement to ensure equitable access to intensive rehabilitation at home. Digital and wearable technologies could support remote therapy and assessment, but their use is often limited by cognitive and communication difficulties and low digital literacy. RehaSock is a smart sock designed to provide a low-cost and accessible solution for monitoring lower limb motions at home. To promote adoption in clinical practice, its functions must be aligned with the needs of end-users, including people from minoritised communities. The team will work with stroke survivors, clinicians, technology experts, and an industry partner to co-design RehaSock and conduct an initial assessment of its feasibility in the home setting.

The project will achieve impact by: a) optimising a commercial available smart sock technology for stroke patients; b) identifying key factors influencing the use of RehaSock in routine care to help inform implementation strategies; c) disseminating case studies demonstrating its role in supporting home-based rehabilitation while addressing potential ethical and safety issues; and d) providing preliminary evidence of usability and acceptability to guide development for a broader population.

Contact: l.xu@lboro.ac.uk