In 2019-20 I worked collaboratively with Jacob Harrison and the arts charity CW+ on the development of a new musical instrument designed specifically to support upper limb exercises and rehabilitation. CW+ are an organisation that run a programme of arts and engagement events at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital trust where the instrument was first trialled on the Neil Gwynne neurological ward.

Upper limb rehabilitation through music

According to the Neurological Alliance’s ‘Neuro Number 2019’ report, in England there were 80,000 newly diagnosed incidences of stroke in the year 2016-17. Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body is a common side-effect, with The Stroke Association reporting that over three quarters of stroke survivors have arm weakness. CW+ believe that engagement with the arts can help alleviate some of the challenges faced patients, and research suggests that this is also the case for stroke patients, with a study in 2013 indicating that piano playing can have benefits in the recovery of upper extremity function.

The design of the new instrument evolved through regular meetings with the stroke specialist therapy teams at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, and was finally developed into the playable prototype which can be seen here. It is played simply by touching the brass rods on the surface, each of which produces a different note. Its size and shape allow it to be accessible to patients with a wide range of upper-limb ability, incorporating full arm extensions and intricate finger work, and it is compliant with hospital infection control protocols.