An innovative project that lets heart patients undertake supervised exercise at home using a mobile phone, miniature heart monitor and GPS device, has been recognised in a prestigious international competition.
The "Cardiomobile" system, developed by scientists and engineers at Queensland University of Technology and Gold Coast-based company Alive Technologies, was the winner of the inaugural Australian leg of the fifth European Satellite Navigation Competition, this year.
The device went on to be named in the world's top five at the competition's global final, called the Galileo Masters, hedging out hundreds of entries from 13 regions.
The competition awards ideas that make novel use of global navigation satellite systems, and is sponsored by several space and satellite agencies in Europe, including the European Supervising Authority for the new "Galileo" Navigation system, which plans to enhance GPS systems in use today.
Entries covered a wide range of applications, from rescue and safety, through GPS-based entertainment, to transport, logistics, and driving safety.
Dr Charles Worringham of QUT's Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation said the unique Cardiomobile monitoring system allowed people who had been in hospital for a heart attack or heart surgery to undergo a six-week walking exercise rehabilitation program wherever it's convenient, while having their heart signal, location and speed monitored in real time.
"We are trying this approach because 80 per cent of cardiac patients never complete recommended hospital outpatient rehabilitation programs, despite the fact that these progrmas cut recurrent heart attacks by 17per cent, substantially reduce deaths, prevent re-hospitalisation, and improve both function and quality of life," Dr Worringham said.
"It's not because they don't want to take part, it's usually because they cannot get to the hospital's program easily, because there simply isn't one nearby, or because work or family commitments take priority."
Cardiomobile was funded by an ARC Linkage grant.
Dr Worringham was flown to Munich, Germany to receive the prize on behalf of the team last week.
Media contact: Rachael Wilson, QUT media officer, 07 3138 1150 or rachael.wilson@qut.edu.au.
**High res image of Dr Charles Worringham available for media use
