Management and oversight of the project (WP1) included: coordination of the Stakeholder Expert Panel, mechanisms for financial support and transfers, and data management and protection.
A comprehensive needs identification and analysis of end-users and stakeholders was completed (WP 2), along with obtaining ethical approval for studies, and development of Exercise and Behavioural Change content.
The key technology components were developed within WP3, including: ‘motion capturing’ and ‘exercise evaluation’, the decision support system, ExerClass and ExerGame interfaces, improved algorithms for recording vital signs signals, integration of a real-time Bluetooth enabled heart-rate system and an outdoor physical activity wrist-sensor, and development of an enjoyment level recognition system for each exercise.
The system architecture, Health Data Management System (HDMS) and main user interfaces (e.g. Patient progress feedback) were developed and implemented in WP4. Successful validation tests were completed. During the final reporting period maintenance updates/fine-tuning actions were completed in order to support PATHway platform during randomized clinical trial (RCT).
The RCT was developed and successfully implemented within WP5, allowing for testing within Belgium and Ireland on 120 patients (60 PATHway users and 60 controls). All clinical assessments and intervention evaluation debriefs were conducted, providing extremely valuable insight into the acceptability of PATHway by users and evidence of improvements in adherence to a physically active and healthy lifestyle, even over the short 6 month duration of use.
Exploitation, per-commercialisation and dissemination were the focus of WP6. An in-depth analysis of the existing market solutions was completed through continuous industry monitoring of eHealth and tele-rehabilitation markets and technological trends were reviewed, along with reviews of competitors. In addition, an exploitation plan was developed, which included potential business models and associated financial modelling.
As part of WP6, we also examined the requirements for migration of PATHway into healthcare services. This included both (i) an analysis of health care system developments across Europe (as well as China and the USA) to increase impact creation, and (ii) and a survey of patients, clinicians, advocacy groups and hospital and healthcare regulators to understand what is required to encourage the healthcare sectors to ‘adopt’ and ‘recommend’ PATHway in their Cardiac Rehabilitation centres.
In terms of dissemination and exploitation, the project has resulted in: 32 scientific publications in peer-review journals and peer-review International Conferences, 4 workshops co-located at International Conferences; along with 21 press coverages, and over 10,000 visitors the to PATHway website. In addition, we have present at 18 clinical networks, 8 hospitals and 14 tradeshows, and delivered 8 clinical workshops. Finally, we have 3 invention disclosures and 8 re-use of software/technologies in other projects. To ensure further reusability of PATHway core technologies, appropriate channels for their distribution were identified and given components were published in the RAGE marketplace.
