Research

Research is Crucial

With a strong background in teaching and a passion for clinical excellence, the leadership team at Hobbs Rehabilitation provide extensive post-graduate training programmes and other opportunities for case studies and research projects. We encourage our clinicians to pursue their research and development opportunities and we present our papers and posters internationally.

Our therapists grow their own networks of medical and industry professionals and our patients are invited to take part in research studies – they tell us they feel they are making a difference in ways they did not consider possible! Industries value our contribution to their university projects and product development but for us, it’s about collaboration and creating opportunity for better outcomes for more patients, at a national and strategic level.

The MiNT Academy

The MiNT Academy was developed by clinicians at Hobbs Rehabilitation who are passionate about getting the best technology available to drive better outcomes for their patients. Our clinical experts get involved during the development stage to make the end products clinically relevant and benefit from the input of real patients.

Research projects can cover all stages from working on grant applications, devising protocols, undertaking the research and disseminating the results via clinical reports, academic posters and journal articles.

Their contribution to the development of clinically relevant new and existing neurotechnology devices is a testament to the ambitious and disruptive approach we take to bring the very best rehabilitation to our patients, now and in the future.

Muscle Stimulation & Virtual Reality

Internal

Hobbs Rehabilitation

Hobbs Rehabilitation, in collaboration with Valkyrie Industries, is running a research trial to investigate a new virtual reality–based treatment system that uses muscle stimulation to support arm recovery following stroke. Adults over 18 who have had a confirmed stroke more than two weeks ago and have partial but weak wrist movement are invited to take part in a single 2–3 hour visit at Hobbs Rehabilitation, where they will be asked about their arm movement difficulties, have electrodes placed on their forearm, use a virtual reality headset to play therapeutic games for up to 30 minutes, and provide feedback on their experience. All travel expenses will be reimbursed, and participation will help inform the development of new rehabilitation treatments for people living with arm impairment after stroke.

Interview for Crutch Users

External

University of Bath

Crutches

The study is seeking adults (18+) who currently use crutches or have used them within the past three years. Researchers want to learn about people’s experiences with crutches to improve their comfort, usability, and role in rehabilitation. Participation involves a one-hour interview conducted via Microsoft Teams.

Academic Posters

Explore a selection of academic posters presented by Hobbs Rehabilitation and The MiNT Academy at national and international conferences. These posters showcase our commitment to advancing neurological rehabilitation through evidence-based research, innovation, and clinical collaboration.

Online Papers

Browse published papers from Hobbs Rehabilitation and The MiNT Academy, highlighting our contributions to the field of neurological rehabilitation. These peer-reviewed and collaborative works reflect our ongoing dedication to research, clinical excellence, and knowledge-sharing within the wider academic and healthcare communities.

Effect of combined home-based, overground robotic-assisted gait training and usual physiotherapy on clinical functional outcomes in people with chronic stroke: A randomized controlled trial

Publication: Sage Journals

Wright, Amy, 1; Stone, Keeron, 2; Martinelli, Louis, 3; Fryer, Simon, 2; Smith, Grace, 4; Lambrick, Danielle, 5; Stoner, Lee, 6; Jobson, Simon, 1; Faulkner, James, 1;

1: University of Winchester, Winchester, UK; 2: University of Gloucestershire, Gloucester, UK; 3: Hobbs Rehabilitation, Winchester, UK; 4: University of Chester, Chester, UK; 5: University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; 6: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA;

Wearable Focal Muscle Vibration Device for Reducing Spasticity and Improving Upper Limb Function: Device Co-Design and Results From a Feasibility Study in People With Stroke

Publication: IEEE Xplore

Ashfaque, Moeez, 1; Mills, Elizabeth, 2; Grant, Jamie, 2; Vye, Charlotte, 2; Watt, Alison, 2; Dennis-Jones, Amy, 2;

1: University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK; 2: Hobbs Rehabilitation, Winchester, UK;

Technical feasibility of the implementation of an intensive upper-limb rehabilitation system (NeuroVirt) intervention for stroke survivors

Publication: Springer Nature

Mares, Kathryn, 1; del Rocio Hidalgo Mas, Maria; Watt, Alison, 2; Gregoriou, Evridiki, 3; Clark, Allan

1: University of East Anglia, UK; 2: Hobbs Rehabilitation, UK; 3: NeuroVirt, UK;

Effect of using home-based dynamic intermittent pneumatic compression therapy during periods of physical activity on functional and vascular health outcomes in chronic stroke: A randomized controlled clinical trial

Publication: PLOS One

Faulkner, James, 1; Paine, Eloise, 2; Hudson, Nick, 2; Hannah, Scott, 2; Dennis-Jones, Amy, 3; Martinelli, Louis, 3; Hobbs, Helen, 3;

1: University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; 2: University of Winchester, Winchester, UK; 3: Hobbs Rehabilitation, Winchester, UK;

Effect of home-based, overground robotic-assisted gait training on vascular health in people with chronic stroke

Publication: frontiers

Faulkner, James, 1; Wright, Amy, 1, 2; Stone, Keeron, 3; Fryer, Simon, 4; Martinelli, Louis, 5; Lambrick, Danielle, 6; Paine, Eloise, 1; Stoner, Lee, 7;

1: University of Winchester, Winchester, UK; 2: University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK; 3: Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, UK; 4: University of Gloucestershire, Gloucester, UK; 5: Hobbs Rehabilitation, Winchester, UK; 6: University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; 7: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA;

Effects of robotic-assisted gait training on the central vascular health of individuals with spinal cord injury: A pilot study

Publication: The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine

Faulkner, James, 1; Martinelli, Louis, 2; Cook, Kirsty, 2; Stoner, Lee, 3; Ryan-Stewart, Helen, 1; Paine, Eloise, 1; Hobbs, Helen, 2; Lambrick, Danielle, 4;

1: University of Winchester, Winchester, UK; 2: Hobbs Rehabilitation, Winchester, UK; 3: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA; 4: University of Southampton, Southampton, UK;

Psychometric Properties of 3 Functional Mobility Tests for People With Parkinson Disease

Publication: Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Journal (PTJ)

Verheyden, Geert, 1; S. Kampshoff, Caroline, 1; E. Burnett, Malcolm, 1; Cashell, Jessica, 1; Martinelli, Louis, 2; Nicholas, Alice, 1; L. Stack, Emma, 1; Ashburn, Ann, 1;