Healthtech

During the insight work and testing of the prototype, we have worked closely with children with cerebral palsy and their families to see how well the device works in everyday life and what the needs of the users are.

During the development process, we have identified possible new user groups that might benefit from the MoveMe technology. Cerebral Palsy patients are not a very large user group, but the solution can also potentially be useful to stroke patients, which is a significantly larger group of users. 

Physical movement is essential for our health and wellbeing – this also applies to people who have some form of mobility impairment. However, different forms of mobility aids are often big, heavy, old fashioned, expensive and not easy to use. In addition, traditional training programs are not always engaging or enjoyable. 

While caring for her young son with cerebral palsy, Lena discovered that sound motivated him to move more than he usually would.This sparked the idea of exploring how sound could be used to provide an accessible way of encouraging people with mobility impairment to become more mobile and increase their independence.

Making mobility training fun 

The first prototype was developed with the help of a cross disciplinary team of designers and developers. MoveMe uses motion sensors and IoT (Internet of Things) technology, connected to a mobile app to motivate movement.

A simple, low-cost device that encourages movement and facilitates communication

By applying user centric design methodology, we gather insights, explore and iterate continuously to ensure that MoveMe is relevant both to users and the market.    

workshop

The person and their family members or caregivers can both give and receive prompts through the device, based on the cause-effect-principle. If the person moves their hand, it can be set to emit a pre-set sound that the person enjoys, to encourage more movement. Moreover, the device can also be used as a simple form of communication tool, to answer questions through movement.

There is great potential in using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in the further development of MoveMe. ML could help train the device to recognise each patient’s movement patterns in order to tailormake training and to ensure that spasmic movements are not misinterpreted as prompts or commands. This is an algorithm from a master student at NTNU who wrote her master theses on MoveMe and Machine Learning. 

Throughout the development, we have worked in close collaboration both with the children and their families to test the prototype, as well as with healthcare professionals and researchers. As a result, newer versions of the prototype are exploring additional possibilities, such as connecting the app to users’ playlists, to use music that the children enjoy, as part of the training.

Apart from collaborating with the children and their families, we have also worked closely with health care professionals, such as physio and occupational therapist at Sunnaas Hospital and neurologists and researchers at Oslo University Hospital. It’s essential that we ensure that the tool is aligned with best practices and science-based advice on how training can best support this patient group.

Increasing the motivation for movement can bring a number of positive effects for people with mobility impairment. The overall positive effects of physical movement are associated with an increased sense of wellbeing, but also of independence. The possibility of being able to communicate with more ease, participate more in your own life, and making training a low-threshold activity associated with something enjoyable, can have a significant impact. It has the potential to improve the quality of everyday life for both the person and their family.


In the long term, the device has potential to be a low-cost tool that can be adapted to several types of user groups, in addition to children with cerebral palsy, such as: stroke patients, people with traumatic head injuries, ALS, MS, and elderly with mobility impairment.

Improved quality of life with small means

Currently, MoveMe is a prototype under testing, and will have to undergo the process of clearing of medical device before it can enter the market.

A digital device to encourage movement for people with neurological conditions