MUSE

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  To develop MUlti-SEnsory haptic technology aimed at reducing psychosocial distress in radiotherapy and imaging patients, utilizing advanced simulations and core biomedical engineering principles

• IRAS ID

  341973

• Contact name

  Helen McNair

• Contact email

  helen.mcnair@rmh.nhs.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

• Duration of Study in the UK

  1 years, 1 months, 31 days

• Research summary

  Patients often report feeling anxious during magnetic resonance image scanning (MRI) or radiotherapy treatments. Patients may decide to stop or cancel their scan and treatment.
  In England each year, over 70,000 patients cancel their MRI scan, or stop part-way through. Missed or incomplete MRI scans cost about 17 million pounds a year.
  Human touch is a simple and effective way of giving comfort and reducing anxiety. This is not possible during MRI or radiotherapy as carers cannot be in the room with patients. To solve this, we developed a device (SOFTLI) which is worn on the wrist and gives the sense that someone is with the patient. Patients helped us design SOFTLI. They told us what SOFTLI should look like, where to put it on the body, and how it should feel. A small number of patients tried it and told us it gave them comfort. We were not able to test SOFLI with more patients due to COVID restrictions
  This research protocol will use the current prototype on healthy volunteers in a simulated environment to record pre-clinical experience on the use of the device including both participant recorded outcomes and continuous pulse rate measurements, with comparison between participants undergoing a simulated procedure with and without the device (Stage 1). The simulation will be of MRI scans. As adoption of new technologies has been identified to face barriers in existing healthcare systems, such as the NHS, there will also be a qualitative element working with professionals, patients and carers to develop a scientifically grounded value proposition of clinical implementation of a wearable haptic device such as SOFTLI in the future (Stage 2). This stage will consist of interviews followed by intermediate focus group(s) and then final conclusive focus group(s).
  

• REC name

  Yorkshire & The Humber - South Yorkshire Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  24/YH/0261

• Date of REC Opinion

  6 Feb 2025

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion