Head up ; an interdisciplinary, participatory and co-design process informing the development of a novel neck support for people living with progressive neck muscle weakness

REED, Heath, LANGLEY, Joe, STANTON, Andrew, HERON, Nicola, CLARKE, Zoe, JUDGE, Simon, MCCARTHY, Avril, SQUIRE, Gill, QUINN, Ann, WELLS, Oliver, TINDALE, Wendy, BAXTER, Susan, SHAW, Pamela J and MCDERMOTT, Christopher J (2015). Head up ; an interdisciplinary, participatory and co-design process informing the development of a novel neck support for people living with progressive neck muscle weakness. Journal of Medical Engineering & Technology, 39 (7), 404-410.

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Abstract

This paper presents the Head-Up project that aims to provide innovative head support to help improve posture, relieve pain and aid communication for people living with progressive neck muscle weakness. The initial focus is motor neurone disease. The case study illustrates collaborative, interdisciplinary research and new product development underpinned by participatory design.

The study was initiated by a two-day stakeholder workshop followed by early proof-of-concept modeling and patient need evidence building. The work subsequently led to a successful NIHR i4i application funding a 24-month iterative design process, patenting, CE marking and clinical evaluation.

The evaluation has informed amendments to the proposed design we refer to here as the Sheffield Support Snood (SSS). The outcome positively demonstrates use and performance improvements over current neck orthoses and, the process of multidisciplinary and user engagement has created a sense of ownership by MND participants, who have since acted as advocates for the product.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Published online: 09 Oct 2015 TMET-2015-0056Z
Research Institute, Centre or Group - Does NOT include content added after October 2018:	Cultural Communication and Computing Research Institute > Art and Design Research Centre
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.3109/03091902.2015.1088092
Page Range:	404-410
Depositing User:	Heath Reed
Date Deposited:	29 Jun 2015 15:23
Last Modified:	18 Mar 2021 04:40
URI:	https://shura.shu.ac.uk/id/eprint/10620

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