Assistive technology research and development work: 2022 to 2023

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National Institute for Health Research
Last updated:
12 February 2025
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Summary

Assistive technology research and development: annual statutory report on government-funded research to improve the lives of disabled and older people. This data supports the most recent published report (2022-2023) from the Department of Health and Social Care’s Parliamentary report collection. 


Research current in 2022-23

This section is an account of the government-funded assistive technology (AT) research current to 2022-23 (Table tab). The research activity addresses a variety of challenges affecting the independence of older or disabled people and corresponds to the 16 focus areas listed in the left-hand side of the Table tab (which can be used for filtering studies by topic of interest). The funding activity and technologies developed under these focus areas are described below and include study highlights and links to projects’ funder webpages.  


Hearing impairment

A series of projects funded by Health Care Research Wales (HCRW), the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) tackle the challenges related to hearing impairment, focusing on a wide range of conditions and AT– from hearing aids to auditory testing methods. Innovative algorithms are being developed for those with hearing loss to improve speech perception in noisy environments, and researchers are also working on new hearing tests to predict speech-in-noise comprehension in real-world situations. For those with hyperacusis, a condition characterised by extreme sensitivity to everyday sounds, development of an online educational tool is underway and will offer self-help resources (e.g., to help with isolation or management). 


Study highlights: 

  • The COACH trial at the University of Nottingham is addressing a crucial gap in current NHS policy for assessing cochlear implant eligibility. It will evaluate whether cochlear implants are more effective than traditional hearing aids for adults who narrowly miss the criteria for implantation but are on the cusp of eligibility. This ‘grey area’ has the potential to influence future hearing-aid policy and offer the best possible treatment to all individuals with hearing loss.

  • Researchers at Edinburgh Napier University aim to reshape the future of hearing aids by drawing on sensor technology, and knowledge of the cognitive processes underlying normal hearing, to create 5G-enabled audio-visual (AV) aids. These aids not only amplify sounds but also utilise data from a variety of sensors to significantly improve speech intelligibility. 


Mobility and musculoskeletal health

The NIHR and UKRI are supporting numerous projects focused on cutting-edge technologies to enhance mobility and physical health among individuals with physical disabilities, such as paralysis and osteoarthritis. These aim to create accessible and affordable AT that can provide every-day support with movement, mobility and rehabilitation, and work in real-life scenarios so that individuals can be more independent and actively participate in society. The range of developing technologies includes a functional electrical stimulation device for individuals with tetraplegia (Tetragrip), a wearable robotic orthosis for upper limb rehabilitation, and knee braces for osteoarthritis. A number of research teams are also exploring innovative digital solutions: virtual reality (VR) for robotic wheelchair training and mobile health apps for behavioural training and management of chronic pain and rheumatoid arthritis. 


Study highlights 

  • The WESTERN (Walking, Exercise Snacking, Tai-chi, Edification, Relationships, Nutrition) study aims to develop a user-informed digital platform (the WESTERN plan) for holistic behavioural change therapy targeted at older adults in sheltered accommodation, assisted living, care homes, and those requiring outreach care. The project addresses the current lack of effective fall prevention therapies and involves collaboration with older people to create a comprehensive mobility dataset on a digital platform – ensuring the end-product is user-centred and maximises potential impact for millions living with physical disabilities. 

  • Using a different approach to fall prevention, a PhD studentship at the University of Salford is exploring the potential of sensory foot orthotics to enhance balance and movement in vulnerable and frail individuals at risk of accidents. The study focuses on improving ergonomics for material handling through mechatronic technologies and posture assessment. The goal is to enhance mobility, well-being, and quality of life in older adults across various care settings. It involves collaboration among academics, clinicians, and industry experts to establish the efficacy and safety of medical devices for musculoskeletal disorders and osteoarthritis. 


Prosthetics and orthotics

Several projects funded by the NIHR and UKRI aim to enhance functionality and accessibility of prosthetics (artificial devices replacing or augmenting missing body parts) and orthotics (devices designed to support, align, or correct musculoskeletal function) for disabled people and amputees. Novel technologies in development include a body-powered prosthetic fingertip, the flexible Roliner socket for stumps, adjustable and lightweight bespoke prosthetic hands for children (ExpHand, Rebel hand), and a handsfree control device for upper limb prostheses (Earswitch). 


Study highlights:

  • Researchers at the University of the West of England are addressing the challenges faced by above-knee amputees by developing a bio-inspired prosthetic knee joint that mimics the natural structure of the knee, allowing for a more human-like experience during various activities. The proof-of-concept joint shows improved energy consumption and gait efficiency in simulations compared to traditional designs and ongoing research aims to optimise the technology for various activities so that amputees are able to engage in more varied activities. 

  • Patients prescribed with a myo-electric prosthetic arm will have the opportunity to benefit from a virtual reality (VR) training system at home while waiting for their actual prosthetic. The NHS study aims to evaluate participants' proficiency in using the arm in VR, upon receiving the real prosthetic, and three months later. The intervention will involve repeated training sessions to enhance control and should ultimately reduce the need for clinic visits and associated costs. 


Neurological and cognitive health

A number of research projects funded by HCRW, NIHR and UKRI are developing a range of new home-based technologies to promote independence, and reduce reliance on caregivers, in people living with progressive dementia or stroke-related disabilities. These include a ‘human-like’ autobiographical memory model agent for people with Alzheimer's-related memory loss, a rhythm training tool (drumming app) for people with Huntington’s dyskinesia, functional electric stimulation (FES) to assist walking in people with Parkinson’s, and a physiotherapy support app for children recovering from traumatic brain injury. 


Study highlights:

  • Researchers at University College London (UCL) are developing a digital solution for people with reading difficulties caused by brain conditions that affect vision. This is able to manipulate text on reader devices to compensate for the brain damage and aims to be customisable to enabling reading in people with different severities of vision impairment. The project ultimately aims to create a universally accessible and commercially viable software with browser and app-based functions. The prototype will further undergo market research to evaluate desirability, feasibility, and viability through interactive testing with end-users.

  • A University of Glasgow PhD studentship is utilising functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) neurofeedback to map out the cognitive pathways underlying movement behaviour, so that people with poor cognitive-motor control will be able to visualise and regulate their own brain activity. While engaged in a planning and movement selection task within the MRI scanner, participants will work on behavioural tasks to improve interactions between various brain regions, with an aim to identify behavioural strategies that may work to improve mobility for home use.


Wearable devices

Wearable devices are a type of compact, portable AT that can be worn on the body and assists users with mobility and physical tasks, such as bending or walking. A series of projects, supported by multiple UK funders and the European Commission (EC), focus on innovation in wearable technology for individuals who are frailty or have physical disabilities to achieve improved range of motion, mobility, and independence in daily activities. The technologies being developed include a wearable bodysuit (ToneUp) that monitors joint movements, an armband that suppresses tremors through electrical stimulation, a textile electrode cuff for assisted walking, wearable movement technology to assess gait in stroke patients, a rehabilitation aid for post-stroke recovery (SaeboGlove), and smart insoles to support exercise and fall prevention.


Study highlights:

  • The EU-funded MOTION project is focused on integrating robotics with wearable technology to develop lower limb devices for children with mobility issues caused by Cerebral Palsy (CP). This study, conducted in multiple European countries, addresses the scarcity of such technology for children with mobility issues. The UK is leading a crucial part of this project, aimed at understanding the knowledge, experiences, and training needs of parents and caregivers regarding wearable technologies for children with CP. The insights gained will guide the development of training programs for parents and caregivers using the MOTION technology.

  • Orthoped Ltd are evaluating the feasibility of the OrthoPed splint for long-term use in young people aged 4 to 17 with moderate foot drop, a common effect of conditions such as CP and spinal cord injury which causes difficulty in lifting the foot around the ankle. The OrthoPed splint aims to preserve muscle strength by allowing greater ankle movement compared to traditional ankle foot orthosis (AFO) devices, and this feasibility study will inform a larger randomised controlled trial to assess the potential of the device for improving treatment and outcomes in this population group.


Adaptive and smart homes

The NIHR and UKRI are supporting innovations in accessible housing and ‘smart’ home solutions to ensure disabled people live better, more independent lives at home. Various tools in development include digitally accessible services and ambient assistive technologies (AATs) for landlords, tablet-based home monitoring for self-management, walk-in showers, and a remote Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (eCGA) service. Additionally, there is a focus on bioadaptive lighting to enable behavioural changes conducive to improved symptom management and quality of life (below).


Study highlights:

  • The Catalyst Nurolight study is working to address sleep disturbances in people living with mild Alzheimer's, for whom this issue can exacerbate cognitive and behavioural symptoms and impact on caregiving partners. Researchers are utilising ‘Nurolight’ technology, which employs off-the-shelf products and smart sensors, to assess the effectiveness of light therapy for improving sleep quality and symptoms in individuals, also assessing extended impact on carers (e.g., carer burnout) and the need for early admissions to care facilities.

  • Similarly, Circadian Lighting aim to develop a remote bioadaptive lighting solution (ElderEye) to bring the health benefits of circadian lights to people living with dementia, making use of best-in-class by integrating sensing technologies to slow the progression of neurodegenerative disease and onset of cognitive impairment through improved sleep/wake cycles. 


Vision impairment

The NIHR and UKRI are supporting AT developments to address loss of independence caused by vision impairments such as glaucoma, cataracts, or blindness. The home-based and cost-effective technologies include the Eyecatcher home-monitoring system to prevent avoidable blindness in people with glaucoma, prisms on glasses for children with homonymous hemianopia (field loss deficit), virtual reality (VR)-based software to expand field of view in adults, and near-vision glasses for infants at risk of cerebral visual impairment. 


Study highlights:

  • WeWALK Ltd is addressing the mobility challenges faced by visually impaired individuals in two UKRI-funded projects. In the first, they have developed a ground-breaking smart device that can be attached to traditional white canes, enhancing obstacle detection for users, and enabling audio-based smartphone navigation in busy urban areas. In parallel, the company is also testing a sensor-rich smart cane and smartphone app for helping people navigate the outdoors. This smart system collects motion data to analyse and monitor mobility patterns and will be further assessed for its ability to recognise mobility issues, ultimately helping healthcare professionals understand and address the progression of age-related mobility problems.

  • A University of Bristol study aims to empower visually impaired children using artificial intelligence (AI) and visual agent technology to improve their spatial-social awareness and social skills. The collaboration between Project Tokyo and the Bristol Interactive Group works in close partnership with individuals who are blind or have low vision and focuses on long-term evaluation and further development of this and similar social interaction technologies for better inclusivity. 


Exercise and rehabilitation

Projects funded by the NIHR and UKRI are concerned with improving wellbeing and mobility in frail or disabled people through exercise-based rehabilitation and daily training. The AT-based interventions in development include a home-based exercise program for recently discharged people with spinal cord injuries, mobile and desktop software to help reduce sedentary behaviour in young people with long-term disabilities, an interactive physiotherapy program to support strength-building in the elderly, and smartphone-based cardiac rehabilitation therapy for older cancer survivors.


Study highlights:

  • Elderly individuals who are hospitalised with acute illness often exhibit increased frailty upon discharge, which can hinder their ability to independently carry out everyday tasks. The HOPE program will provide these groups with a 12-week physiotherapist-led exercise regimen which they can follow from the comfort of their homes. The program comprises five in-person visits, seven telephone sessions, and a supplementary manual to help avoid frailty.

  • Researchers at the University of Leeds are developing a specialised knee device to support rehabilitation and remote monitoring in people with chronic pain and disability from knee osteoarthritis. This technology will help clinicians evaluate the progress of recovery in individuals, and ensure that they benefit from pain relief, better knee function, and avoid further disability. 


Carer support and training

With funding support from the EC and NIHR, four projects are currently focussed on designing digital training and interventions to support carers with AT as part of the wider plan to digitalise social care in the UK: 

  • Researchers at Bangor University are assessing the impact of the iSupport e-health intervention on reducing carer distress among dementia caregivers and explores the adaptability of this online program for young carers. 

  • At King’s College London, researchers are consulting with disabled people and social workers on how to enhance their experiences and interactions with existing digital communication technologies (e.g., email, video conferencing), with an ultimate aim to improve policy and practice in this area of AT. 

  • Researchers at the London School of Economics are evaluating the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) by unpaid adult carers of people with dementia – with a particular focus on the effects on carer wellbeing and developing an evaluation tool to help local authorities assess new technologies that cater to carers' needs.

  • An evaluation at Canterbury Christchurch University addresses the need for standardised learning in AT-based social care. The ADAPT Project is developing AT training packages in collaboration with partners in the UK and France, with input from AT users, carers, and specialists. These packages encompass foundational and specialised units to cater to various levels of expertise, and participants receive certificates to demonstrate Continuing Professional Development upon completing each unit.


Communication and speech

Four projects funded by the NIHR and UKRI are developing affordable AT solutions to support communication in adults and children with speech disabilities: 

  • Earswitch Ltd have created an earphone that is undergoing user-testing and development to help individuals operate communication devices (e.g., computers, keyboards) by tensing their middle ear muscle. The affordable for-home-use solution will primarily benefit people with conditions that limit movement – like motor neuron disease (MND) and cerebral palsy – but will be tested for other applications down the line. 

  • NHS researchers are addressing communication challenges faced by individuals with dysarthria (difficulty forming speech) by developing VocaTempo, a communication aid that can translate slow or slurred speech into a clearer, more articulated response to facilitate normal conversation. Health professionals will help identify those who are likely to benefit most from VocaTempo, as well as supporting further research into its effectiveness.

  • A UCL PhD studentship aims to develop a conceptual model of collaborative practice to enhance the interaction between speech and language therapists (SLTs) and parents of children with complex neurodisabilities. This model will inform a novel intervention for SLTs to improve augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) interventions.


Learning difficulties and autism

HCRW and the NIHR are funding four projects aimed at leveraging AT to enhance the lives of individuals with specific learning needs (such as autism) and behavioural difficulties.


Mental and social health

The NIHR is supporting four projects aimed at enhancing mental health interventions through innovative AT-based approaches.

  • London-based researchers are evaluating therapist-supported cognitive remediation (CR) therapy delivered remotely via digital platforms. This approach is currently being tested for acceptability and feasibility.

  • Imperial College London is working to define engagement in digital health interventions and assess its impact on outcomes in trial analysis. The study addresses clinically important, as well as methodological questions, that will help trialists to evaluate various digital interventions for mental health.

  • Manchester-based researchers aim to improve psychological interventions delivered over the telephone by exploring Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT) data. Specifically, they’ll be using the data to identify the issues currently experienced by intervention users and address these to enhance future services (e.g., by providing staff with more training). 

  • The Project About Loneliness and Social networks (PALS) aims to evaluate the acceptability, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of implementing the GENIE intervention - an online tool that allows people to map their social networks, to help adults within a community setting reduce loneliness and social isolation 


Breathing and sleep

Three projects funded by the NIHR aim to enhance wellbeing and quality of life in individuals with disordered sleep caused by breathing difficulties (e.g., sleep apnoea) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).


Gaming

Three projects, funded by the NIHR and UKRI, are harnessing digital and game-based technology to develop scalable and cost-effective solutions for empowering adults and children with diverse disabilities (physical and learning). 

  • Ear_gym Ltd aims to address the correlation between age-related hearing loss, social isolation, and cognitive impairment by offering an affordable and personalised game-based digital auditory training program. Aligned with UKRI’s Healthy Ageing challenge, Ear_gym will empower individuals to proactively manage their hearing health, providing both health benefits for users and cost-saving benefits for the NHS.

  • Lifted, an innovative tech-enabled regulated home care provider, is developing the ‘Complete Care Companion’ – a digitally enabled home care service that combines gamification, machine learning, and automation. This innovative approach aims to support individuals in remaining socially connected, independent, and active, while providing a seamless digital experience for carers and linking it to clinically validated outcomes for older people. 

  • The E-PLAYS-2 project is developing a fun computer game to be played by children in pairs, with teacher supervision. The novel technology aims to benefit children with language and social communication disorders, and the impact of this on classroom behaviour and peer relations will be evaluated in a trial. 


Robotics

Three UKRI-funded studies are focussing on innovations in robotics to address multiple challenges affecting older or disabled people, from immobility to dementia. 

  • University of Cambridge researchers are testing the ‘Third Thumb’, a supernumerary robotic device designed to reproduce the motor abilities of a fully functional hand in people with temporary immobilisation or limited hand function (e.g., from orthopaedic injury). The extra thumb prosthetic will enable individuals to perform complex daily tasks that typically require bimanual coordination.

  • A project at Imperial College London seeks to harness the potential of AI to enhance dementia care by developing a family of robotic devices. These will engage and assist individuals living with dementia, improving safety at home, and enhancing overall quality of life. Once activated, robots will be able to interact with the individual and mitigate risks by guiding them to address potential hazards or deploying automated support tools. 

  • The University of Nottingham’s EMERGENCE network aims to establish a sustainable ecosystem for building knowledge and capabilities related to development of healthcare robots. The ecosystem will comprise of researchers, businesses, end-users, health and social care commissioners, practitioners, policy makers, and regulatory bodies, and will focus on applying robots to support individuals in the community living with frailty.


Catheters

The NIHR and UKRI are each funding a project on urinary catheters, each of which aims to differentially enhance the functionality of catheters for long-term use, while reducing infection risk.  

  • Ingenion Medical Ltd are addressing a significant unmet need by introducing an affordable and reliable urinary catheter specifically designed for the female anatomy. This innovative solution aims to decrease infections, allowing users to lead more physically active lives. Furthermore, it is expected to contribute to cost savings for the NHS by reducing the need for in-hospital stays.

  • Bristol-based researchers are conducting a first-in-human study of the ‘Flume’ bladder catheter. This represents a novel approach to indwelling catheters, designed to alleviate many risks associated with existing long-term indwelling catheters. With a focus on reducing bladder irritation, lowering infection rates, and enhancing bladder drainage, the design of the Flume catheter aims to improve overall patient outcomes.


Historical data caveat

The historical data included in this spreadsheet dates from 2011, to be consistent with other data available on the NIHR Open Data Platform; it has been extracted from the reports on the Department of Health and Social Care website page for Assistive technology research and development reports https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/assistive-technology-research-and-development-reports.


The National Institute for Health and Care Research can only validate the data from 2018 when they took responsibility for data collection and analysis. As a result, there are some incomplete data fields in the spreadsheet prior to 2018, e.g. URL’s, funding amounts are no longer available.

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