Physiotherapy 'gaming' platform could help patient recovery

An Imperial medical student has created a new platform that gamifies physiotherapy and helps patients to recover.

Motics, co-founded by medical student Harvinder Power, is addressing challenges in the field of physiotherapy, connecting patients with physiotherapists and developing technology that monitors muscle function via a game to improve adherence to exercises.  

Through a series of wearable sensors, users get actionable insights into their muscle function while electrical signals help them understand which muscles to use during exercise. 

Harvinder was motivated to start Motics after seeing his father struggle with physiotherapy – he suffered from sciatica but found traditional physiotherapy non-engaging and therefore failed to exercise regularly. 

Tailor exercises 

On the Motics app, games make sessions competitive and fun, and recovery is tracked to allow people to see their progress and maintain motivation. Exercises are tailored to the individual user to optimise speed of recovery, and machine learning and predictive analytics allow the team to predict when a patient is likely to recover. 

Appointments through Motics can be done via video call, and the team hope the platform will reduce waiting times for in-person physiotherapy appointments. 

Global student entrepreneur 

Harvinder was recently named the Global Champion of the 2020 Global Student Entrepreneur Awards, receiving $25,000 to support his business. He intends to use his prize money to focus on Motics’ next challenge: manufacturing. 

Harvinder said: "I’m incredibly happy to be here, to meet incredible entrepreneurs from all over the world and have the chance to share our story." When asked to share advice for other entrepreneurs, he highlighted the importance of teamwork. "Try and find an amazing team to surround yourself with. I always find that with a team that has diverse skills, you really go far together." 

Each year the awards, held virtually for the first time this year, recognise and award the world’s future innovators and disruptors for combining two difficult roles: owning and operating a business while attending college or university.  

Entrepreneurs’ Organisation 

A total of 50 student entrepreneurs each representing their home countries made it to the semi-final round of the competition this year. The seven student entrepreneurs in the final round competed in front of a panel of judges. 

Entrepreneurs’ Organisation, the organisation behind the awards, is a support network of 14,000+ like-minded leaders across 61 countries. They help entrepreneurs achieve their full potential through the power of life-enhancing connections, shared experiences and collaborative learning. 

Main image credit: Shutterstock / Olga Strelnikova