UNIPHY Hybrid exercise therapy

Abstract

In the Netherlands 23% of the population (3.9 million people) has been treated by one of the 21.000 physical or practice therapists, in order to recover from a physical complaint. Of these patients, 80% needs to exercise in order to rehabilitate from their complaint. However, a large problem arises since 50-70% of the patients do not do as they are instructed. This project focuses on creating a business viable solution, aiming to increase the amount that patients exercise.

This project originated from problems that the researcher experienced, personally as a patient. A first step to a solution was sought within the Ready to Start up course (Q2, 2016). The project continued as an entrepreneurial graduation in collaboration with Rik Burger, a TU Delft alumnus. Rik Burger had developed a technology to improve the exercise execution quality. This formed the starting point of this project.

The project has taken an integral approach by focusing on the aspects of: human (desirability), business (viability), technology (feasibility) and society (responsibility). Extensive desk research regarding the market, literature study and qualitative research, have been conducted. Altogether: 50 patients were surveyed and 9 patients, 25 therapists, 2 care purchasers (Dutch: zorginkoper), 2 financial chiefs of two large healthcare institutions and 1 paramedical advisor of an insurance company were all interviewed.

Through literature study and qualitative research a model was established which depicts 17 means to increase the amount that patients exercise. After internal and external ideation, 13 different functionalities were sketched and proposed to patients. The 9 selected functionalities formed one concept, named UNIPHY, which was proposed to therapists. Through their feedback the concept was enhanced. Subsequently, a high fidelity prototype was created, which was once again proposed to therapists.

The problem of not exercising as recommended, has been identified as complex, and to be one of the elements that harms healthcare quality. The designed product service system has evolved into an integral approach towards the improvement of exercise therapy quality and thereby the amount that patients exercise. Through a patient application and therapist dashboard, UNIPHY offers digital tools (figure on the right) which enable remote: support, evaluation, and management. With the help of these tools, the product service system facilitates the physical rehabilitation process which is expected to become faster, safer and delightful. Through qualitative research, patients and therapists have indicated to expect an increase in quality and thereby compliance.

Using UNIPHY, it is expected that the quality of life for 1 million patients can be increased and that healthcare costs related to exercise therapy will be reduced. Both aspects are considered to be a benefit for the insurance companies as well as to Dutch society. Research has indicated that the therapy market is competitive and that therapists are underpaid, and are therefore in need for a differentiating service. With the help of UNIPHY, they are expected to be able to do so and thereby increase their market share.

However, regarding the design, several aspects of the product still need to be developed further. The usage of sub goals, which plays a large role in drastically reducing the amount of time spent by a therapist, requires more detail through usage of actual use cases. Furthermore, currently patients are still able to falsely register their physical activity. Although attempts are made to obstruct this, research will still be required to investigate its impact. Lastly, several aspects of the posture feedback functionality need to be developed further. This can be done once the required technology is developed further to realize feedback that is sufficiently accurate.

According to the first estimations, €75K seed funding will be required in order to take this project further. The process of attracting funding can be initiated as soon as the business plan is finalized. With seed funding at hand, the product should be evaluated as a whole with the help of a second generation prototype. Once this is positively evaluated, the UNIPHY minimum viable product (MVP) needs to be designed, tested for its usability and validated through a clinical trial. To do the latter, a healthcare institution partnership will be essential. After validation of the essence, it is expected that the concept can grow further. With the help of another round of funding, more functionalities can be included.