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Health Innovation and Technology Trials (HITT)

Group Leader(s): Dr Ben Weedon

Contact: b.weedon@brookes.ac.uk

About us
Leadership
Membership
Projects

About us

In the era of digitisation, adopting cutting-edge technology and innovative approaches to promote public health and wellbeing are of paramount importance. Therefore, this new cross-disciplinary theme has been established at MOReS Centre to bring practical, cost-effective and pioneer solutions to the health system.

With over a decade of knowledge-based activities, our dedicated team of scientists has developed strong capabilities in the areas of health and rehabilitation, providing a wide range of services from clinical trials and public health interventions, for instance, to remote services.

With a broad specialised skill set, our team at HITT is committed and ready to contribute to this much-needed area of support, mainly through entrepreneurial and innovative approach.

Use of Virtual Reality to improve recovery after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or head injuries

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Leadership

Ben Weedon

Dr Ben Weedon

Post Doctoral Research Assistant

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Membership

Staff

Name Role Email
Dr Shelly Coe Senior Lecturer in Nutrition scoe@brookes.ac.uk
Dr Johnny Collett Reader in Clinical Exercise and Rehabilitation jcollett@brookes.ac.uk
Professor Fabio Cuzzolin Professor of Artificial Intelligence fabio.cuzzolin@brookes.ac.uk
Professor Helen Dawes Honorary Professor hdawes@brookes.ac.uk
Dr Patrick Esser Reader in Sport and Rehabilitation Technology pesser@brookes.ac.uk
Dr Tjeerd Olde Scheper Reader in Computer Science tvolde-scheper@brookes.ac.uk

Collaborators

Name Role Organisation
Professor Carlos Bandeira de Mello Monteiro Professor Universidade de São Paulo
Professor Holly Bridge Professor of Neuroscience University of Oxford
Professor Tim Denison Professor of Engineering Science University of Oxford
Dr Ali Kashi Research & Post Graduate Affairs Deputy Sport Sciences Research Institute
Professor Nancy Mayo Professor of Epidemiology and Physical therapy; President of PhysioBiometrics Inc McGill University
Dr Zhidao Xia Lecturer in Regenerative Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Swansea University

Projects

Active projects

Project title and description Investigator(s) Funder(s) Dates

Computer-vision aided community back pain physiotherapy services

This collaborative industrial research project with Good Boost will build on existing work, part funded by Innovate UK, to develop an AI rehabilitation exercise service using the computer vision system, accessible at home on a personal mobile device. The outcome will significantly improve users' quality of life, generate health cost savings and reduce car travel. This research project will enable the remote screening of serious back pain conditions, following the best practice in physiotherapy movement assessment in screening and monitoring AxSpa.
 Professor Helen Dawes Innovate UK From: October 2020
Until: October 2021

Effects of VR on neuromuscular control of the lower body in patients with neurological disorder

The damage of neural elements of the thoracic, lumbar or sacral neurological segments of the spinal column can result in the impairment or loss of motor/sensory functions. The growing abilities of the VR technology predict an innovative approach to treatment opportunities within the medical and healthcare field such as patients with neurological disorders. This study evaluates the impact of the virtual reality intervention as an adjuvant therapy to improve the quality of care and decrease the treatment time in patients with the neurological disorder.
 Professor Helen Dawes From: April 2020
Until: April 2023

Transcranial direct current stimulation to improve motor function in children with cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy is the most common cause of childhood physical disability. Many children with cerebral palsy experience lifelong difficulties with their movement, affecting their ability to engage with daily activities. Transcranial direct current stimulation (TDCS) is a safe, painless and non-invasive type of brain stimulation which has the potential to increase the ability of the brain to adapt and could be effective at improving movement and function when combined with therapy.
 Professor Helen Dawes CSP, AMR From: May 2020
Until: May 2023

Completed projects

Project title and description Investigator(s) Funder(s) Dates

Relationship between lifestyle and health factors with the environment in young people (IOT project)

IOT (internet of things) is a project mainly focusing on the health of primary school children. In this project, we (MOReS/OxCATS) are cooperating with the Osteopathic Centre for Children (OCC), Oxford Academic Health Science Centre (OAHSC)/Oxford University Hospital (OUH) and University of Oxford. We are going to evaluate physical activity level/intensity, obesity level, eating habits, gait and motor development in children aged 7-11. Study results will be incorporated into a map currently under construction by Oxfordshire County Council, as part of the Pitch-In project, in order to ascertain the proximity of fast food/unhealthy food shops to schools and their relationship with health factors in children.
 Professor Helen Dawes Pitch-In From: October 2019
Until: July 2020