UEA researchers developing revolutionary new stroke recovery app
By: Communications
Researchers at UEA are developing a new app to help stroke survivors suffering from a condition called spatial neglect - in collaboration with industry partner Animorph and with funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research.
When people have spatial neglect, they lose attention to one side, usually the same side they may have lost their movement on.
The new ‘EyeFocus’ tablet app aims to help stroke survivors regain their independence by improving their awareness and attention to the impaired side.
Now, the team are looking for people in East Anglia, who have suffered a stroke, to trial the new app.
It is hoped that the app could one day help millions of stroke survivors around the world overcome spatial neglect, as well as patients suffering other brain disorders caused by cancer, dementia and traumatic brain injury.
Lead Researcher Dr Stephanie Rossit, from UEA’s School of Psychology, said: “Spatial neglect is a condition that affects one in three stroke survivors, causing them to ignore or be unaware of objects, people, or events on one side of their body.
“This can lead to difficulty with activities of daily living, such as dressing, eating, and mobility.
“When somebody has spatial neglect, they tend to have poorer recovery and long-term disability.
“Currently there is no effective treatment for the condition and clinicians tell us that they lack the tools to help people both in clinic and in patients’ homes.”
The research team are collaborating on the app with software development co-operative Animorph, thanks to £150,000 in funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research.
The EyeFocus app uses eye-tracking technology using the tablet web cam to train stroke survivors to pay attention to objects on their neglected side.
It includes a range of exercises that aim to improve awareness and attention, such as following moving targets.
And unlike traditional rehabilitation, it means that patients can access their programme from the comfort of their own homes.
Dr Rossit said: “We developed the EyeFocus app by working closely with stroke survivors, carers, and therapists. The app delivers therapy in a personalised way, either in a clinical setting or in people’s own homes, without the need for a therapist to be present.
“Recent research shows that people with spatial neglect can be helped with training to look to their affected side by showing them fast moving objects on a screen - a therapy called ‘smooth pursuit training’.
“But this approach requires 30-60 minutes of daily practice for a month in a clinic with a therapist always present.
“We want to overcome this challenge by providing patients with a comprehensive, easy-to-use rehabilitation program that can be used from the comfort of their own home.
“One of the key features of the app is its gamification elements, which aim to make the rehabilitation process more engaging and enjoyable.
“Users can earn rewards as they progress through the program, providing a sense of achievement and motivation,” she added.
It is hoped that the app will be rolled out across the NHS, to help reduce disability and improve quality of life for stroke survivors, as well as to decrease NHS costs.
Szczepan Orlowski, software architect and developer at Animorph, said: “At Animorph we are extremely excited about the opportunity to advance the EyeFocus app, in particular to improve its eye tracking functionality.
“The funding will also allow us to progress our efforts towards commercialising the solution in a sustainable and accessible way. We have a wonderful team working on EyeFocus and we simply cannot wait to kick off the project!”
The research team are looking for people in East Anglia with spatial neglect to trial the new app. For more information contact neurolab@uea.ac.uk.
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