CoreCount: wearable myofeedback for self-management and prevention of lower back pain

Lower back pain affects roughly half the elderly population, impairing quality of life, mobility and independence. Costs of treatment and societal impact in the UK are estimated at >£10B annually. NICE guidelines state that exercise is first line treatment, before professional physiotherapy, analgesics and surgery. However, UK observational studies show that adherence to exercise is as low as 30%. While technologies may alleviate this treatment gap, there are no systems that can motivate and supervise appropriate physical therapy, whilst being scalable and affordable. Earlier clinical trials showed that muscle biofeedback improves exercise performance and reduces back pain, but requires laboratory based machines costing thousands of pounds. We developed a “smartbelt” that incorporates a novel sensor called MMG (mechano-myography) allowing for real-time biofeedback of trunk core muscle activity, that is both affordable and simple enough to use at home. The smartbelt communicates with a person’s phone, allowing for on-the-go exercise feedback, akin to widely used step counters. The app motivates via gamification, rewards, and social leaderboards. This transforms back exercises from a chore to an enjoyable activity, and empowers people to manage their health. The belt is relevant for treatment and prevention of back pain; and has a role in providing treatment both whilst awaiting referrals to NHS physiotherapy; and by supplementing therapy dose. Exercise dose is well-recognized to determine the extent to which pain is reduced. The CoreCount care model therefore moves back pain treatment into the community more, overcoming barriers of apathy, access, affordability, whilst increasing independence. Experiments we conducted in >100 volunteers show that the biofeedback smartbelt is scientifically valid, and motivates users to exercise more than standard exercise schedules where no biofeed; and improves exercise quality - which are all important to reduce back pain. In people aged over 60 years old, more than 80% found the smartbelt easy, comfortable and unintrusive whilst performing exercises. Two-thirds of research participants stated they would consider purchasing the device for self use when it becomes commercially available. In this project proposal we plan the following commercialization steps to allow CoreCount to become a reality: Optimizing design of CoreCount by trialling it in groups of elderly users, using their feedback to improve quality of the final product. This process includes trialling of both the wearable belt and its associated smartphone App. Conduct market research amongst groups of people who we foresee would be interested in purchasing CoreCount, e.g. patients, physiotherapists, hospitals. Develop a business strategy and financial model, including estimating an appropriate price, determining who our customers are, and the best sales method. Ensuring that the product meets regulatory requirements for it to be commercialized as a medical product. Gain legal advice to ensure the underlying technology is protected via relevant patents. Create promotional material including videos, website and social media channels, both for improving market awareness and for securing future investment. The project team endeavour to build a product, strategy and network over six months to enable a springboard for spinout. By the project end we expect to launch the product, securing our first customers and investors, in UK and subsequently USA. In parallel we shall run a clinical trial to determine CoreCount’s effectiveness and ability to integrate within conventional NHS care pathways for back pain.