Movemates

Abstract

COPD is the fourth largest cause of mortality in the world. Most commonly the result of long-term smoking, its symptoms are characterised by difficulties breathing making it hard for patients to perform the simplest of tasks without becoming short of breath. While exercising is difficult for these patients, maintaining good levels of physical activity is one of the most effective methods in prolonging the severity of the disease and maintaining a good health related quality of life. Current treatment for COPD is via pulmonary rehabilitation which typically involves an exercise component conducted through regular physiotherapy classes. In line with the World’s aging population, the number of COPD is predicted to increase by over 50% in the next 30 years, placing substantial demand on an already understaffed medical industry. However research suggesting the same health benefits of physiotherapy can be achieved through small increases in daily activity during free living conditions is presenting a new hope for tackling these predictions. Over the past three years the UMC Groningen have been experimenting with such programs and approached Evalan to explore the potential of incorporating pervasive technologies into the system. As such this work looks to build on the UMCG’s existing proposal to explore the potential and opportunities for adding value to such a rehabilitation program once pervasive technologies have been incorporated. The project was conducted over a 5 month period in cooperation with Evalan, an external company specialised in the development of IT based solutions for the medical industry, and explored the development of a Product-Service System (PSS) to aid in the Pulmonary Rehabilitation of patients with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). The report follows the structure of the project with the three main sections corresponding to the main phases of the project; Research, concept and embodiment. During the Research phase of the project an internal and external analysis was conducted, alongside primary and secondary research into the areas of COPD and Activity monitoring for physical activity. The results of this research phase were use to construct a ‘vision’, which became the basis for the concept generation phase. Before beginning concept generation, further research into Persuasive technology and its application in encouraging physical activity and context mapping techniques were used to gain deeper insights into users requirements for such a program. The results of this work were used to construct a list of required functionalities which was used to develop three concepts. These concepts were further detailed before, in cooperation with Evalan and the project supervisory team, one concept was deem to best meet the required functionality and selected for further development. As full embodiment of the entire system was not deemed out-of-scope for such a project, the system was embodied to a level at which expert feedback sessions with the medical professional who would potentially be using the device could be conducted. The feedback was used to implement changes in the proposal before the full embodiment of the physical monitoring device and the feedback was completed. Prototypes of both these aspects were created and tested with a group of COPD patients. The results and responses of which were used to construct a final list of recommendations for further development of the project. Finally a business model and plan were constructed for the company and further development of the project.