PhD Study : Immersive Virtual Reality Games For Assessing And Improving Cervical Motion In Spinal Conditions

Summary

Background:

Patients with the spinal condition axSpA suffer from neck pain and stiffness and over time their mobility can become severely and permanently restricted. Patients are usually advised to carry out frequent exercises to maintain mobility, but most patients do not carry out these exercises regularly. Performance of stretching exercises regularly at home is difficult to maintain in the long term, and patients often do not find this a natural way to move their head. In everyday situations, neck movement usually takes place in response to visual or auditory stimuli and the person is not conscious of having to perform a specific neck movement.

Doctors and physiotherapists who care for patients with axSpA try to monitor their patients’ spinal mobility using traditional goniometry – which is only used to test cervical rotation. Even in the best clinical centres these tests are only carried out once or twice a year by trained health professionals. The problem is that spinal mobility and symptoms of pain and stiffness in axSpA can fluctuate greatly between appointments. There is a need to find a way for patient to measure their spinal mobility accurately at home.

Context:

It has been shown that Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) sensors can be used to accurately measure cervical movement. However, this technology is still expensive and an attractive alternative is to use the IMU sensors embedded in most modern smartphones. When smartphones are clipped into a VR headset, the patient can watch a VR simulation, listen to music/instructions, and move their head in response to visual or auditory cues. Such a system is likely to be more affordable and usable long-term. One previous study by Sarig-Bahat et al (2010) has documented acceptable accuracy and reliability of a bespoke VR system in healthy individuals without neck pain.

In this study we will test whether or not a smartphone enabled system will be feasible in measuring cervical movement in patients with axSpA. Virtual Reality systems have been developed to aid relaxation and pain relief through mindfulness. If it is possible to simulate a relaxing scene and invite the participant to slowly and deliberately explore the scene it may be possible to achieve both meditation and exercises in a relaxed state. Relaxation techniques such as Yoga and Tai Chi have combined relaxation with exercise successfully for many years. If this development proved successful, patients with axSpA would be able to use their own smartphones with a cheap headset to perform daily exercises which would help to ease pain and anxiety and potentially improve their range of movement.

Impact:

The clear focus of this proposal is to sustain communities through progress in healthcare using intelligent technologies.  Hence this PhD proposal aligns to Ulster’s 5&50 strategic research themes.  The project has significant potential for impact.  This project also has long-term potential to be developed out with regional SMEs to further create new technologies for healthcare support.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree
• Masters at 70%
• For VCRS Awards, Masters at 75%
• Publications - peer-reviewed

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living