Aug 12
CogiMotion: Single-Session Feasibility Study
Exploring the use of EEG-based brain activity monitoring, robotic hand rehabilitation and interactive feedback following stroke.
Type: Single-session feasibility study
Device: Cogitat's EEG decoding software with Amadeo (Tyromotion)
Device: Cogitat's EEG decoding software with Amadeo (Tyromotion)
Participants: Five stroke patients
Location: Hobbs Rehabilitation Bristol
Focus: Comfort, safety, usability, and clinical relevance
Location: Hobbs Rehabilitation Bristol
Focus: Comfort, safety, usability, and clinical relevance
Watch the CogiMotion study
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About The MiNT Academy
The MiNT Academy was developed by clinicians at Hobbs Rehabilitation who are passionate about getting the best technology available to drive better outcomes for their patients. It brings together the clinical expertise and experience of neurological rehabilitation professionals to support the development and evaluation of emerging rehabilitation technologies.
For the CogiMotion Project, The MiNT Academy drew on the expertise of experienced clinicians from Hobbs Rehabilitation Bristol, who supported the evaluation of Cogitat’s technology within a specialist neurological rehabilitation setting.
About CogiMotion
The CogiMotion project used pioneering EEG decoding software alongside an existing robotic device, aiming to support hand rehabilitation after stroke. It combines brain activity monitoring, robotic hand rehabilitation and interactive visual feedback.
During the study, participants wore a non-invasive EEG headset while a Tyromotion Amadeo robotic rehabilitation device was used to passively move their affected hand. Brain activity was monitored during the assisted movements and used to provide real-time feedback through an interactive computer game using virtual building blocks.
The technology is intended to provide additional information about a person's motor intent while they undertake rehabilitation activities, potentially giving patients and therapists another way of understanding engagement with movement.
Why was the study undertaken?
Before rehabilitation technologies are evaluated in larger studies, it is important to understand how they perform in a clinical environment and how they are experienced by the people using them.
The CogiMotion study was therefore designed to explore three key questions:
- Is it comfortable?
- Is it safe and well tolerated?
- Do patients and therapists find it easy and worthwhile to use?
This was an early, single-session feasibility study. It was not designed to measure changes in recovery following rehabilitation. Instead, it explored the initial experience with Cogitat’s technology and its potential relevance in clinical practice.
What did the study involve?
Five people who had previously experienced a stroke took part in the study at Hobbs Rehabilitation Bristol.
Participants used the EEG headset alongside the Tyromotion Amadeo, which initiated and guided finger movements. The brain activity detected during the session was used to provide feedback through the interactive game.
Participants were supported by a specialist neurological Occupational Therapist and Physiotherapist. Standardised assessments, including the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) and Fugl-Meyer Assessment, were completed before the session for understanding of patient presentations, alongside feedback about their experience after the session.
Therapists also provided feedback on the relevance of the movements to rehabilitation, safety, usability, and potential integration into clinical practice.
Who took part?
The five participants included four men and one woman, with an age range of 28 to 83 years. All participants had experienced an ischaemic stroke, with a range of stroke locations and time since the stroke.
This represented a small but varied group of people with different experiences and stages of stroke recovery.
What did participants tell us?
Participants rated different aspects of their experience on a scale of 1–10. Overall, the feedback was positive:
Comfort
No Safety Concerns
Integration into Daily Routine
Overall Satisfaction
Participants generally found the headset and robotic interface comfortable and were positive about the experience.
Several participants also described the technology as interesting and engaging.
What could be improved?
The study also provided useful feedback about where Cogitat’s technology could be developed further.
The clearest theme for improvement from participants was the clarity of the interactive game.
Some participants found it difficult to understand:
- what the building blocks represented;
- why they changed colour; and
- how the game related to their own movement and rehabilitation.
Perceived effectiveness for rehabilitation was the lowest-rated participant measure, with an average rating of 5.4/10.
As this was a single-session feasibility study, participants had limited opportunity to understand the technology and experience its potential longer-term benefits. However, their feedback highlighted the importance of making the relationship between brain activity, movement, and visual feedback clearer.
The participant feedback is already helping to inform the ongoing development of CogiMotion.
Safety and tolerability
Safety and tolerability were important areas of the feasibility study.
Three of the five sessions were completed in full, lasting between 15 and 27 minutes.
One session was paused by the research practitioner to adjust the robot's range of movement after an increase in finger movement was observed. The session was then recommenced using the progressed settings.
One participant chose to end their session after approximately 15 minutes because of fatigue.
No serious adverse events, pain, or device-related injuries were reported. Participants tolerated the EEG headset and robotic interface well.
These findings provide an encouraging initial indication of tolerability in a supervised clinical setting. However, the small number of participants and single-session design mean that further research is needed to explore this in larger groups and over repeated sessions.
What have we learned?
The study provided several encouraging early findings.
Comfort and tolerability
Participants generally found the technology comfortable, with high comfort ratings and no reported safety concerns.
Positive experience
Overall satisfaction was high, and both participants and therapists responded positively to the technology.
Potential clinical value
Therapists identified the ability to monitor motor intent as a potentially useful additional source of information during rehabilitation.
Clear opportunities for development
Participant and therapist feedback highlighted ways in which the technology could be made easier to understand and more useful within clinical practice.
Importantly, these are feasibility findings rather than evidence that CogiMotion improves recovery.
The study provided several encouraging early findings.
The study provided several encouraging early findings.
What did therapists tell us?
Therapists were also positive about the technology.
Safety
Rehabilitation Relevance
Workflow Integration
Therapists identified a particular interest in the ability to monitor motor intent through EEG.
This could provide clinicians with additional information about whether a person is attempting to engage with a movement, particularly when visible movement is limited.
One therapist highlighted that this information could provide reassurance about a participant's engagement with the task that might otherwise be difficult to observe.
Therapists also identified opportunities for further development, including:
- clearer clinician-facing data;
- improved patient-review information;
- a familiarisation period for users;
- greater flexibility in the game for people with different levels of hand function; and
- further refinement of signal stability.
What happens next?
The findings from this study are being used to support the continued development of CogiMotion.
The main areas identified for further development include:
1. Clearer patient feedback
Making the relationship between the user's effort, movement, and the interactive game, easier to understand.
2. Better information for clinicians
Developing clearer data outputs and patient-review tools to help therapists understand what happens during a session.
3. Continued technical development
Further refining the technology, including signal stability and other areas identified through participant and therapist feedback.
Making the relationship between the user's effort, movement, and the interactive game, easier to understand.
2. Better information for clinicians
Developing clearer data outputs and patient-review tools to help therapists understand what happens during a session.
3. Continued technical development
Further refining the technology, including signal stability and other areas identified through participant and therapist feedback.
The study will also provide a baseline for future research involving larger groups and multiple sessions. These studies will be important in exploring the potential longer-term clinical benefits of the technology.
The role of The MiNT Academy
The MiNT Academy brings together the clinical expertise and experience of neurological rehabilitation professionals to support the development and evaluation of emerging rehabilitation technologies.
For the CogiMotion Project, The MiNT Academy drew on the expertise of experienced clinicians from Hobbs Rehabilitation, who supported the evaluation of Cogitat’s technology within a specialist neurological rehabilitation setting. The clinical team also contributed to the design of the study protocol, helping to ensure that clinically relevant outcome measures were included and that session lengths were appropriate for the participants. Alongside supporting the feasibility study, the clinical team provided clinical consultancy before and after the intervention period, to support the ongoing development of the CogiMotion technology, providing insight into its use within rehabilitation, clinical relevance, and opportunities for further development. Consultancy also focused on commercialisation, routes to market, and device regulation, supporting consideration of how the technology could progress beyond the feasibility stage.
The MiNT Academy has also supported Cogitat in developing connections with other potential partners and has been named as a collaborator on future grant applications. These activities demonstrate how a feasibility study can provide the foundation for an ongoing collaboration, extending beyond the initial evaluation of the technology.
Through its network of experienced rehabilitation professionals, The MiNT Academy aims to support the development and evaluation of innovative technologies across different clinical settings, helping to connect emerging solutions with the realities of neurological rehabilitation practice.
A small study with important next steps
This feasibility study represents an early step in exploring how emerging technologies could provide new ways of supporting neurological rehabilitation.
The feedback from both participants and therapists has helped identify what works well, what needs to improve and what questions need to be explored next.
Larger and longer-term studies will be needed to understand the potential impact of Cogitat’s technology on rehabilitation and recovery. For now, the findings provide useful early insight into how EEG-based feedback and robotic rehabilitation could be brought together within clinical practice.
Study resources
🎥 Watch the CogiMotion video
📄 Participant feedback
CogiMotion Study — Participant & Therapist Feedback
A plain-English summary of the study and findings shared with the participants who took part.
Read the participant feedback →
📊 Full post-market clinical analysis
A plain-English summary of the study and findings shared with the participants who took part.
Read the participant feedback →
📊 Full post-market clinical analysis
CogiMotion — Post-Market Clinical Analysis
The detailed analysis of participant and therapist feedback, including quantitative ratings, qualitative findings, safety and tolerability information, and implications for future product development.
Connect with us
Copyright© 2022 Hobbs Rehabilitation LTD
Alison Watt
Head of Clinical Operations
Alison is Head of Clinical Operations for The MiNT Academy. With over 10 years of clinical experience within specialist neurological services, Alison previously worked in the NHS specialising in stroke and neurorehabilitation.
As a previous NHS AHP Ward Manager, Alison has always worked within innovative therapy roles. This continues at The MiNT Academy, a growing neurotechnology platform combining clinical education and product development.
As a previous NHS AHP Ward Manager, Alison has always worked within innovative therapy roles. This continues at The MiNT Academy, a growing neurotechnology platform combining clinical education and product development.
Alison coordinates research, development and education activities to enable increased accessibility to clinically effective devices.
As Principle Investigator in technology trials, she has aided the development of devices from concept to market, with recent focusses on Virtual Reality and Exoskeletons. Alison has presented at and organised numerous national and international conferences, including as MiNT Chair at RehabWeek 2022. She has also completed a Post-Graduate Certificate in Medical Education and lectures at multiple UK academic institutions.
Alongside this, Alison works clinically at Hobbs Rehabilitation Intensive Neurotherapy Centre in Bristol, combining the use of therapy devices with conventional hands-on treatment, for outpatients with a variety of neurological conditions. Alison uses all of her roles to passionately drive forward the use of neurotechnology in clinical practice to optimise opportunities and outcomes for patients.
As Principle Investigator in technology trials, she has aided the development of devices from concept to market, with recent focusses on Virtual Reality and Exoskeletons. Alison has presented at and organised numerous national and international conferences, including as MiNT Chair at RehabWeek 2022. She has also completed a Post-Graduate Certificate in Medical Education and lectures at multiple UK academic institutions.
Alongside this, Alison works clinically at Hobbs Rehabilitation Intensive Neurotherapy Centre in Bristol, combining the use of therapy devices with conventional hands-on treatment, for outpatients with a variety of neurological conditions. Alison uses all of her roles to passionately drive forward the use of neurotechnology in clinical practice to optimise opportunities and outcomes for patients.
Helen Hobbs
The MiNT Academy Development Team
Helen is a specialist neurological physiotherapist with over 25 years of specialist clinical experience and extensive clinical skills including advanced Bobath training. She has a special interest inclinical education, training and research. Helen has held postgraduate clinical training roles at both Kings College NHS Hospital London Neuroscience Centre and Southampton University Hospital NHS Trust before establishing Hobbs Rehabilitation in 2005.
Helen's teaching and leadership skills resulted in international scholarships and fellowships taking Helen to the USA and South Africa. She has presented both nationally and internationally. Helen has close links with several academic institutions including Southampton, Imperial College, Loughborough , Portsmouth and Winchester Universities to provide clinical leadership for the design of future healthcare technologies and research projects.
Her publications have included the effects of robotic assisted gait training on vascular health in strokes and spinal cord injured patients and the European rehabilitation guidelines for MS patients post stem cell transplant.
Amy Dennis-Jones
The MiNT Academy Research Lead
Amy has over 20 years experience working within the field of Neurological rehabilitation. She has worked with a variety of settings capturing the full rehabilitation pathway from acute through to the community.
Since working for Hobbs Rehabilitation in 2015, Amy has worked with an array of neurotechnologies and is a trained Rewalk exoskeleton clinician. She has presented at varying conference and study days, and is on the local committee for ACPIN, a specialist interest group for physiotherapists working in Neurology.
Amy's position within Hobbs Rehabilitation has evolved into a split clinical and research role. She is part of the core development team working on MiNT, an innovative neurotechnology platform combining clinical education and product development as well as leading on research projects and further collaborations.
Outside of physiotherapy, Amy is a qualified yoga teacher and combines her experience with rehabilitation to teach chair/adaptive yoga classes.
Chrissy Bibby
The MiNT Academy Events Lead
Chrissy has worked in the field of adult acquired neurological speech and language therapy for over 15 years, initially in the NHS before joining Hobbs Rehabilitation, where she leads the Speech & Language therapy team. Clinically, she has a special interest in motor speech disorders and rehabilitation of the facial nerve.
Chrissy trained as a teacher before embarking on her career in neurological rehabilitation and enjoys using her teaching skills in all areas of her work with Hobbs Rehabilitation and MiNT.
As Events Lead for The MiNT Academy, Chrissy is embracing the opportunity to discuss with fellow clinicians, academics and industry partners the benefits of using neurotechnology with our communication impaired clients, while encouraging further development in this vital area.
Outside of speech and language therapy, Chrissy enjoys swimming, singing with her local rock choir, baking, sewing, and camping with her family.
Chrissy trained as a teacher before embarking on her career in neurological rehabilitation and enjoys using her teaching skills in all areas of her work with Hobbs Rehabilitation and MiNT.
As Events Lead for The MiNT Academy, Chrissy is embracing the opportunity to discuss with fellow clinicians, academics and industry partners the benefits of using neurotechnology with our communication impaired clients, while encouraging further development in this vital area.
Outside of speech and language therapy, Chrissy enjoys swimming, singing with her local rock choir, baking, sewing, and camping with her family.
Laura Marriott
The MiNT Academy Education Lead
Laura is a specialist Neurological Occupational Therapist with 15 years of experience, over 12 years of which is in the neurological sector. Laura has worked in the NHS from acute care through to community rehabilitation and outpatients and now works in the private sector where she is the lead Occupational Therapist for Hobbs Intensive outpatient rehabilitation service, coordinating intensive rehabilitation packages and treating patients with complex neurological requirements.
Her role within Hobbs has evolved and she has split clinical and research responsibilities. She is part of the MiNT Academy Development Team who have delivered an innovative neurotechnology platform combining clinical education and product development. Her role also involves leading on research projects and further collaborations. Laura has expert clinical skills used to implement neuro assistive and rehabilitation technology into functional contexts building the links between the companies and the patients. Laura presented at Virtual RehabWeek 2021 and is excited to be presenting at RehabWeek 2022 in Rotterdam, showcasing the merits and application of collaboration between skilled clinicians and engineers to create a device that has longevity with both clinicians and patients alike.
Outside of Hobbs Laura enjoys a busy family life, hiking, roller skating and painting.
Lizzie Williams
The MiNT Academy Development Team
Lizzie is a Specialist Neurological Physiotherapist working at Hobbs Rehabilitation since May 2020. She also has a background in orthopaedics, frailty and inpatient rehabilitation. Lizzie jumped at the opportunity to be involved in The MiNT Academy to combine her interest in technology and love for providing high quality rehabilitation for patients. Lizzie brings the perspective of a physiotherapist who routinely utilises neurotechnology with patients as well as teaching and supporting other clinicians in embedding it into practice.
Rachael Edwards
The MiNT Academy Development Team
Rachael Edwards developed a specialist interest in the role of technology in upper limb neurorehabilitation, whilst working as an Occupational Therapist on the upper limb program at The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square.
Rachael has relocated to Bristol and is setting up an Occupational Therapy service at Hobbs Rehabilitation Intensive Neurotherapy Centre, where she continues to explore the use of technology to support delivering intensive upper limb rehabilitation.
Louis Martinelli
The MiNT Academy Development Team
With degrees in Sport & Exercise Science (BSc) and Physiotherapy (MSc pre-registration), Louis has over 15 years’ experience of working in neurological rehabilitation.
Trained in the Ekso GT, ReWalk and the Able Exoskeleton, Louis has 10 years’ of hands-on experience with these types of devices with a variety of medical conditions at Hobbs Rehabilitation. In this time, he also trialed a number of other exoskeletons on the market with the aim of exploring what fits the clinical and functional needs of the patient.
Louis has helped establish a research partnership between Hobbs Rehabilitation with The University of Winchester, which in 2019 published an article on the effects exoskeleton rehabilitation can have on the vascular system in the Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine. Louis has also contributed to publications for the Bionic Leg (Clinical Rehabilitation, 2020) and more recently the GMove Suit (PLOS One, 2025) with the University of Southampton.
In 2022 Louis was on the expert panel for the M.O.T.I.O.N project, exploring mechanical orthosis for children with neurological disorders. He is currently project managing the UK government funded, multi centered, Eurostars Project FREEDOM which looks to establish the first exoskeleton designed for people with Multiple Sclerosis.
Trained in the Ekso GT, ReWalk and the Able Exoskeleton, Louis has 10 years’ of hands-on experience with these types of devices with a variety of medical conditions at Hobbs Rehabilitation. In this time, he also trialed a number of other exoskeletons on the market with the aim of exploring what fits the clinical and functional needs of the patient.
Louis has helped establish a research partnership between Hobbs Rehabilitation with The University of Winchester, which in 2019 published an article on the effects exoskeleton rehabilitation can have on the vascular system in the Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine. Louis has also contributed to publications for the Bionic Leg (Clinical Rehabilitation, 2020) and more recently the GMove Suit (PLOS One, 2025) with the University of Southampton.
In 2022 Louis was on the expert panel for the M.O.T.I.O.N project, exploring mechanical orthosis for children with neurological disorders. He is currently project managing the UK government funded, multi centered, Eurostars Project FREEDOM which looks to establish the first exoskeleton designed for people with Multiple Sclerosis.
Barry Richards
Head of Commercial Operations
Barry brings extensive expertise in the medical device industry and healthcare markets from across Europe, North America, and Asia Pacific. Renowned as a subject matter expert, he possesses deep knowledge of exoskeleton technology and the neurological MedTech rehabilitation sector.
With over a decade of commercial experience, Barry has worked with leading neurological rehabilitation MedTech companies in various roles, including clinical, business development, market access, and commercial operations. He has successfully assisted multiple organisations in shaping their business development, sales, marketing, and clinical strategy plans at different stages of commercialisation.
With over a decade of commercial experience, Barry has worked with leading neurological rehabilitation MedTech companies in various roles, including clinical, business development, market access, and commercial operations. He has successfully assisted multiple organisations in shaping their business development, sales, marketing, and clinical strategy plans at different stages of commercialisation.
Barry has held director-level and senior management positions at both global and European levels. He also has a strong clinical background in physiotherapy, with significant experience in the neurological rehabilitation field, and demonstrates a high level of competency in operating advanced technologies.
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