Remote monitoring & gaming technology for children with CF
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Project Fizzyo: Remote monitoring and gaming technology for improving physiotherapy prescription, adherence and prediction of clinical outcomes in children with cystic fibrosis.
IRAS ID
228625
Contact name
Eleanor Main
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
CEA010, Cystic Fibrosis Trust Clinical Excellence and Innovation Awards 2017; KEI2017-01-04, Higher Education Innovation Fund, Knowledge Exchange and Innovation Fund
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 6 months, 13 days
Research summary
Airway clearance treatments (ACTs) and physical activity can mitigate the progression of CF lung disease, but these routine physiotherapy treatments are burdensome and adherence is low. Traditional research methods have failed to produce credible evidence to guide practice, partly because ‘blinding’ isn’t possible and patient preference can confound results.
We have worked with engineers and designers to develop an electronically chipped sensor (Fizzyo sensor) which mounts onto standard widely used airway clearance devices. This sensor monitors breathing during routine airway clearance. Additionally wearable activity trackers can monitor physical activity. We can now facilitate automatic transmission of ACT and physical activity data to clinicians and researchers caring for children with CF. Industry partners (Microsoft) and UCL computer science experts have helped us build an airway clearance and physical activity feedback dashboard app for patients and carers. This team has also developed computer games driven by breathing through an airway clearance device for this app (to enhance treatment enjoyment and adherence).
The project will use this technology for passive remote capture and transmission of daily longitudinal data during airway clearance and physical activity to assess impact of different adherence levels on clinical outcomes. Innovative big data analysis methods will be used to find out whether:
1) Children with CF should do regular ACTs or physical activity, and what the minimum effective dose is
2) Physical activity levels have an impact on clinical outcomes
3) Airway clearance or physical activity is more effective in different children (and how to choose)
4) Some ACTs are better than others
5) Airway clearance gaming helps children do treatments more regularly, and whether better adherence improves health
6) Remote monitoring and big data analysis can provide a valuable alternative to traditional research methods and help identify sensitive composite outcome measures for children with mild signs and symptoms.REC name
London - Brighton & Sussex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/1038
Date of REC Opinion
16 Aug 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion