Dementia Research, Mid-Project Review at University of Stirling

The company confirmed it has been successful in securing funding from the Innovate UK Accelerated Knowledge Transfer (AKT) research programme to better understand dementia care and the use of clinical, therapeutic seating for improved client outcomes. The joint research project will be delivered with dementia-specialist University of Stirling as Seating Matters academic partner.

The Innovate UK programme is designed to create short-term collaborations between a business and an academic institution to rapidly inject innovation capacity. Innovate UK’s AKT concept is to deliver a rapid and targeted intervention to accelerate the development of an innovation project which will have a significant impact to clients and the healthcare industry.

Seating Matters was founded in 2008 by Occupational Therapist Martina Tierney to provide appropriate, clinical chairs for her patients. The business has gone from strength to strength and is now exporting globally to hospitals, long term care facilities and to patients at home from their headquarters in Northern Ireland.

Speaking at a recent review meeting, Martin Tierney, Clinical Director at Seating Matters said, “Patient care and clinical evidence are at the heart of everything we do at Seating Matters. For years we have been building a body of evidence to back up what we know to be true – that therapeutic seating when used correctly can help improve the lives of those living with dementia and their caregivers.

“This research opportunity and academic partnership will deliver new clinical insights, investigating the role of seating for people living with dementia and highlight opportunities for innovation.

“We have worked closely with University of Stirling and their Dementia Services Development Centre for two years since our therapeutic chairs went through their rigorous dementia product review process. Both Seating Matters chairs assessed, the Atlanta and Sorrento, received the highest level accreditation available - Class 1A, scoring 95% and 93% respectively.

“This funded research opportunity is allowing us to develop further evidence of the positive impact of therapeutic seating and is expected to be completed by August 2024.

From University of Stirling, the project is led by respected lecturer and dementia design architect, Dr Junjie Huang, B.Arch., M.Arch., PhD and Angela Pusram, the Research Associate.