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Improving Care through Soft Robotic Tactile Intervention (SOFTLI)
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This part of our research has now finished. Thank you to everyone who contributed.
Towards a smarter, more compassionate experience in cancer treatment
Background
With over 50% of cancer patients potentially benefiting from radiotherapy it is important that any additional stress during the treatment plan is minimised.
Anxiety and psychological stress during cancer treatment can occur in up to 49% of cancer patients and their families. This can be attributed to a sense of isolation experienced by the patient in the treatment or imaging rooms, separated from their carers and families.
Existing interventions are either remotely administered, e.g. verbal communication or music which do not overcome the lack of physical presence and support or include the use of costly invasive sedation methods.
We aim to develop a haptic (touch) technology enabled by soft robotics to improve patient experience during radiotherapy and imaging sessions.
Our novel approach will harness the development of wearable haptic (simulated touch) technology enabled by soft robotics and information technology to improve the experience of cancer patients. The benefit is the potential to reduce cost due to cancelled procedures, reduce drug prescription and invasive methods that are currently employed to address patient anxiety.
Objectives of our research
To identify the most impactful combination of parameters to form a design brief for a soft robotic tactile intervention (SRTI) to meet the patients’ needs
To prototype and manufacture, the initial test SRTI via an iterative process based on user and patient need
To investigate the feasibility and acceptability of using the SRTI
How we have worked with patients so far
REC and HRA approval was obtained in November 2019.
Patients, care givers and health care professionals were recruited for focus groups conducted from December 2019 to February 2020.
This research is funded by Cancer Research UK Convergence Science Centre
Towards a smarter, more compassionate experience in cancer treatment
Background
With over 50% of cancer patients potentially benefiting from radiotherapy it is important that any additional stress during the treatment plan is minimised.
Anxiety and psychological stress during cancer treatment can occur in up to 49% of cancer patients and their families. This can be attributed to a sense of isolation experienced by the patient in the treatment or imaging rooms, separated from their carers and families.
Existing interventions are either remotely administered, e.g. verbal communication or music which do not overcome the lack of physical presence and support or include the use of costly invasive sedation methods.
We aim to develop a haptic (touch) technology enabled by soft robotics to improve patient experience during radiotherapy and imaging sessions.
Our novel approach will harness the development of wearable haptic (simulated touch) technology enabled by soft robotics and information technology to improve the experience of cancer patients. The benefit is the potential to reduce cost due to cancelled procedures, reduce drug prescription and invasive methods that are currently employed to address patient anxiety.
Objectives of our research
To identify the most impactful combination of parameters to form a design brief for a soft robotic tactile intervention (SRTI) to meet the patients’ needs
To prototype and manufacture, the initial test SRTI via an iterative process based on user and patient need
To investigate the feasibility and acceptability of using the SRTI
How we have worked with patients so far
REC and HRA approval was obtained in November 2019.
Patients, care givers and health care professionals were recruited for focus groups conducted from December 2019 to February 2020.
This research is funded by Cancer Research UK Convergence Science Centre
We are working towards choosing a final design so we can start the manufacturing process. We have a few designs and we would patients, carers and staff members to pick their favourite.
This part of our research has now finished. Thank you to everyone who contributed.
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