To address this, researchers at Bangor University are developing novel, self-administered rehabilitation tools that allow stroke survivors to accelerate their recovery independently.
This project, supported by the British Academy’s BA/Leverhulme Small Research Grants Programme, aims to design, manufacture, and test affordable, age-appropriate, and engaging rehabilitation prototypes. Guided by motor learning theories and patient feedback, these tools will empower stroke patients to take control of their rehabilitation outside supervised therapy sessions, improving long-term outcomes and reducing strain on clinical services.
Dr Ayelet Sapir, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, leading this work said, "Stroke survivors face motor impairments that hinder their ability to perform daily tasks. Existing rehabilitation exercises can be repetitive and disengaging without constant clinician oversight. Our goal is to design, manufacture and test prototypes of novel, self-administered rehabilitation tools to hasten the recovery of patients with motor impairments after stroke.”
Working on the project alongside her is Dr Gavin Lawrence, Senior Lecturer in Motor Control, Talent Development and Expertise who adds "By integrating motor learning principles into the design of these rehabilitation tools, we aim to enhance the recovery process for stroke survivors in a way that is both engaging and effective. These tools will not only facilitate self-directed therapy but also address critical gaps in current rehabilitation practices."
Working closely with three Stroke Rehabilitation Centres in North Wales to identify clinical practice and needs; the team will develop and test prototypes on site and collect feedback from both clinicians and patients.
“Stroke rehabilitation poses significant challenges, the establishment of three NHS inpatient stroke rehabilitation units in North Wales marked a significant step forward for stroke patients. By collaborating closely with these units, we can ensure that patient needs remain at the heart of this research" says Dr. Giovanni d'Avossa, a neurology consultant involved in the project.
The study will follow three key stages. First, in the needs assessment phase, rehabilitation therapists and stroke survivors will be interviewed to identify their needs and expectations. This phase will also evaluate existing resources and barriers to tool usage, considering factors like cognitive impairments, motivation, engagement challenges, and individual differences. In the second stage, insights from the needs assessment will inform the design and manufacture of prototypes, either developing new tools or adapting existing ones into age-appropriate, gamified rehabilitation tools, with careful attention to functionality, safety, and sensory stimulation. Finally, the prototypes will undergo testing and refinement, using feedback from users to guide improvements for final deployment.
This study is expected to significantly advance stroke rehabilitation by supporting non-supervised practice, allowing patients to take a more active role in their recovery. To encourage widespread implementation, all resources developed will be open source, free from intellectual property restrictions, and easily accessible to rehabilitation units across the UK.
