Project overview
This feasibility study aims to provide the proof of concept for the development of both physical and biochemical markers of pressure ulcer risk in individuals with dementia. Robust markers of tissue status and activity can provide triggers to promote self-awareness of pressure ulcer risk. The combination of technologies will provide a platform for an early warning of deteriorating tissue viability, providing the means by which timely interventions can be employed. The sensing systems utilized in the study will be designed to provide robust, low-cost data, with algorithms developed to specify the link between inactivity levels and the inflammatory response at the skin. The analytical approach combining physical and physiological data will provide the basis to predict temporal trends in behavior and the associated risk of developing pressure ulcers. We will also aim to provide a protocol for a minimum data set, whereby robust data can be collected from individuals with the least impact on their daily living.
