Scientists from Nottingham Trent University, Newcastle University, and Axomics Medical Ltd. are developing a smart textile band to detect and monitor sarcopenia in older adults.
The Axoband, designed to be worn on the leg, will be low cost to manufacture, stretchable and washable.
Bespoke software will process signals recorded from the band during clinical tests and will provide a quantitative measure of muscle health and an app will indicate the probability that the patient has sarcopenia.
Having an accurate method of diagnosing sarcopenia and monitoring progression will enable clinicians to start treatment earlier, as well as identifying effective treatments, which can include nutritional, exercise and pharmaceutical interventions. This will help reduce the severity or delay the onset of clinical frailty.