PROJECTS AND PUBLICATIONS

Projects

Examples of ERN projects include:

LIMBS PROJECT - A STEP CHANGE IN LMIC PROSTHETICS PROVISION THROUGH COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN, ACTIMETRY AND DATABASE TECHNOLOGIES

With funding from the UK Engineering Physical Sciences and Research Council and led by the University of Southampton, in partnership with Salford University and Exceed Worldwide, this project carried out applied research in Cambodia, using data-technology and ethnographic quality of life research to develop tools to improve P&O service access, improve efficiency of service funding use and increase research capacity by training P&O clinicians and others.

More information is available on the project website.


TAKEUP – DEVELOPMENT OF A LOW-COST, THROUGH KNEE PROSTHESIS

This project aimed to address the societal needs of the large number of through-knee amputees in low and middle income countries through the design, development and translation of novel frugal technologies. The project was led by Imperial College London, in partnership with Exceed

Worldwide and Salford University and was supported by the UK Engineering Physical Sciences and Research Council.


SUPPORTING THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN CAMBODIA

Led by Queen’s University Belfast, with support from Department for the Economy (Northern Ireland) Global Challenge Research Fund, this pilot project included a multi-partner, preparatory workshop, mental health screening for people with disabilities, training for local staff and the delivery of online and face-to-face mental health interventions. Other partners and contributors included the Royal University of Phnom Penh; Pannasastra University of Cambodia; the Transcultural Psychosocial Organization, Phnom Penh and Jönköping University, Sweden.


CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOP

Internal funding from University College Dublin enabled Dr Hasheem Mannan, in partnership with Exceed Worldwide, to deliver a capacity building workshop for P&O professionals in Southeast Asia. The five-day workshop covered a range of topics including Research Proposal Writing, Drafting Research Proposals, Disability Policy Analysis, Disability Statistics and Measurement and the Monitoring and Evaluation of CBR Programs.


SUPPORTING THE MENTAL HEALTH OF PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENTS IN THE KINGDOM OF CAMBODIA

This work, which is in progress, is supported by the Swedish Research Council. It aims to develop and implement a sustainable mental health screening and support program for individuals with physical disabilities who have comorbid mental health problems, thereby improving their health and wellbeing, increasing the opportunity for them to participate equitably in society and reducing the risk of them living in multidimensional poverty. The project is led by Jönköping University, Sweden, in partnership with Exceed Worldwide, EMDR Association Cambodia, Queen’s University Belfast and University College Dublin.


ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR P&O RESEARCH IN LOWER RESOURCE SETTINGS

A sub-group of 12 ERN members worked with the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics on this important project, which established an ethical framework for good quality P&O research in lower-resource settings, while protecting the rights, safety and health of participants. A paper describing these ethical considerations has been published in partnership with the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics.


HEALTH ECONOMICS IN PROSTHETICS AND ORTHOTICS

This work, still in progress, is looking at the application of health economics methods to Prosthetics and Orthotics. It is being carried out by David Scott, a health economist working at the University of Southampton and Professor Nachiappan Chockalingam from Staffordshire University.


P&O OUTCOME MEASURES FOR LOWER RESOURCE SETTINGS

An ERN Outcome Measures working group, coordinated by Chantel Ostler of Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, is investigating this issue, which will build upon work carried out by the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics in its Lead and Compass project.


Publications

LIMBS Proeject:

Activity, socket fit, comfort, and community participation in lower limb prosthesis-users: A Cambodian cohort study

From outcome measurement to improving health outcomes following lower limb amputation - A narrative review exploring outcome measurement from a clinical practice perspective

Technology for monitoring everyday prosthesis use: a systematic review

Selecting Appropriate 3D Scanning Technologies for Prosthetic Socket Design and Transtibial Residual Limb Shape Characterisation

Technologies to Enhance Quality and Access to Prosthetics & Orthotics: the importance of a multidisciplinary, user-centred approach

Basics To Bionics - ISPO 17th World Congress

Other publications available on the LIMBS project website

P&O ETHICAL RESEARCH

Ethical considerations and approaches for conducting clinical research studies related to prosthetics, orthotics and wheelchair technology in low- and middle-income countries.

Andrysek, Jan; Berthaume, Michael; Boone, David; Chang, Sarah; Chockalingam, Nachiappan; Dickinson, Alexander; Gard, Steve; Harte, Carson; Healy, Aoife; Kenney, Laurence; Metcalf, Cheryl and Ostler, Chantel Marie. (2021)