Cardiff University’s Sensor Physiotherapy Intervention research group

Cardiff University have recently launched the Sensor Physiotherapy Intervention (SPIN) Research Group, which incorporates a team of Clinical Engineers and Physiotherapists specialising in clinical movement science. The group combines skills and and experiences from both disciplines to address challenges brought about by musculoskeletal knee conditions.

The goal of the SPIN research group is to excel in research and the use of digital technology in movement science and rehabilitation, finding innovative solutions to delivering even better quality of healthcare and outcomes for those living with musculoskeletal knee conditions.

Specific aims of the group include:

• To improve understanding of human movement strategies and the applications of biomechanical analysis to optimise movement assessments into clinical practice.
• To generate recommendations on how individuals with musculoskeletal knee conditions can benefit from physical exercise based on objective functional tests.
• To find innovative ways of treating individuals with musculoskeletal knee conditions using technology in the clinic and home settings, and helping NHS deliver more effective rehabilitation.

Facilities include:

The SPIN research group has access to laboratories with a number of state-of-the-art equipment, which enables the group to complete world-class research in clinical movement analysis and physiotherapy:

• The Motek GRAIL system is a state-of-the-art gait analysis facility for movement and rehabilitation assessments and research.
• Inertial Measurement Units (Xsens MVN) that allows users to accurately measure the kinematics and dynamics of the relevant joints and body segments involved in the functional and mote tasks.
• TRAK is web-based tool that help users to provide a patient-focused approach by sharing information, improving exercise prescription, accessing advice from a physiotherapist and monitoring progress.

Dr Mohammad Al-Amri, clinical engineering lead at Cardiff University, said: “Virtual reality has such a great application in helping patients to understand their clinical condition, as well as to help their clinicians to provide feedback and assist them objectively. It’s quite interesting to combine VR and movement analysis and present their movement in real time in front of them in context.”

Get in touch

To find out more about the research group’s work, or to explore collaboration opportunities with us, please contact Dr Mohammad Al-Amri at al-amrim@cardiff.ac.uk or visit their website.