Advent Calendar - first half summary

We’re already halfway through the CATCH Advent Calendar and Christmas is fast approaching. In case you missed any of the days here’s a summary for your perusal.

Day 1: A mobile diagnostic and screening toolkit for urban slum settings

CATCH investigators are leading this project which aims to outline the development of a multifunctional and modular diagnostic and screening toolkit to be used in the urban slums of India and other low resource areas and be operated by non-medically trained people.

Day 2: Emego

In collaboration with GSPK Design, Barnsley Hospital’s Assistive Technology Team and Devices for Dignity, the Emego project is developing and evaluating an innovative new EMG switch which senses muscle activity and has the potential to give people with severe physical disabilities control and independence.

Day 3: Technology for Healthy Ageing and Well-being (THAW)

The project is focused on developing technology to support good mental health in later life by increasing availability and accessibility of technology for this segment of the population.

Day 4: CloudVent

CloudVent is a project in collaboration with Therapy Box which will provide a cloud-based speech recognition technology for people with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). Those with such an injury are hugely dependent on carers, family and friends. CloudVent will provide a proof-of-concept that Sheffield’s cloud-based speech recognition technology can be adapted to work for people with SCI that use ventilators to breathe.

Day 5: STAR (Speech Therapy Articulation Rehabilitation)

In collaboration with Barnsley Hospital and Therapy Box, STAR will deliver new computer-based articulation therapy using apps for tablet computers, which patients can use to administer their own therapy. The apps developed by STAR will allow patients to receive more speech therapy without increasing demands on speech therapists’ time.

Day 6: Collaboration Aiming to Build Occupational Therapy research (CABOT)

The CABOT project confronted researchers with real world clinical issues and problems to solve. In the second phase, project teams comprising OTs from the Sheffield NHS Foundation Trust and CATCH academics were formed to get these ideas into a stage where research funding could be applied for.

Day 7: SMART Clothing

SMART Clothing is a Falls and Fracture Prevention programme in collaboration with Armourgel Medical Ltd who are developing a new line of preventative and predictive medical products. CATCH are currently working with older adults in Abbeyfield supported living schemes to co-design hip protectors and test adherence and feasibility of the garments.

Day 8: SMART Stroke

The SMART 2 Personalised Self-Management Rehabilitation System uses a set of sensors to capture motion while stroke survivors practise vital rehabilitation exercises. The system instantly relays feedback on how fast they are walking, distance travelled, steps taken and whether there is equal weight distribution in their step and balance.

Day 9: AcTo Dementia

PhD project AcTo Dementia is focused on improving the accessibility of touchscreen apps for people living with dementia. Devices featuring touchscreen interfaces are considered to be intuitive and therefore ideally suited for use by people with a dementia diagnosis. The challenge is in identifying suitable and accessible apps on these devices from the vast range available.

Day 10: Valuing Active Life in Dementia (VALID)

VALID is a project looking at the possible benefits of a programme of occupational therapy for people who have been diagnosed with dementia and those who regularly support them. Occupational therapists assist people to continue to participate in activities despite the difficulties that they might be experiencing.

Day 11: Neural Response Control

This project is exploring the detection of neural responses for use in robotic technology as a new controlling signal. Brain signals will be recorded while the user monitors the actions of a robot arm to see if the desired actions are performed.

Day 12: IN-LIFE

IN-LIFE is a Horizon 2020 European project which aims to prolong and support independent living of older adults with cognitive impairment, through interoperable, open, personalised and seamless ICT solutions. This project will address the challenge of turning existing research efforts into reality for real people across Europe.

Don’t forget to join us tomorrow: look out for the newsletter, #CATCHadvent Tweets and Facebook posts.