Motion and colour amplified video to detect vital signs version 1

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    A feasibility pilot of using motion colour amplified video to detect changes in vital signs

  • IRAS ID

    231198

  • Contact name

    Lis Neubeck

  • Contact email

    l.neubeck@napier.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    Edinburgh Napier University

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 2 months, 23 days

  • Research summary

    Monitoring subtle changes in vital signs is a critical component to providing appropriate and timely care. Two common cardiac conditions, atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) account for significant health care expenditure. In 2008 AF-related hospital costs were estimated to be £162.5 million and in 2000, the ‘direct’ cost of HF was estimated to be £716 million.

    AF affects more than 92,000 people in Scotland. Up to 30% of all strokes are AF related. Symptoms vary from debilitating palpitations, breathlessness and fatigue, to no symptoms at all, meaning that people with AF may be unaware of it. The condition is readily prevented with medication, therefore early detection is important. Guidelines recommend opportunistic screening for AF in over 65s by pulse checking, but manual checks have lower accuracy than newer technology.

    HF affects almost 43,000 people in Scotland and this is increasing. Despite significant improvements in management, rates of hospital readmission and in-hospital deaths remain high. One key clinical sign in monitoring heart failure is jugular venous pressure (JVP). Elevated JVP on physical examination is associated with subsequent hospitalization for heart failure and an increased risk of condition progression. Assessing JVP is a challenging clinical skill, so developing technology that would reliably measure this could lead to heart failure patients being safely managed in multiple healthcare settings.

    This study will pilot the capability of algorithms developed to amplify video film and visualise heart rate through capturing and amplifying skin colour change on the forehead and JVP through capturing and amplifying motion of the neck. The non-invasive prototype will be tested on consenting patients during routine cardiology care at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh by videoing their forehead and neck during medical examinations. Results will be compared with existing assessment tools (12-lead electrocardiograms and interpretation by skilled clinical cardiologists and nephrologists).

  • REC name

    West of Scotland REC 4

  • REC reference

    18/WS/0002

  • Date of REC Opinion

    2 Feb 2018

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion