Seating Matters Announces Dementia Research Project With University Of Stirling

Seating Matters is a Northern Irish company which manufactures clinical, therapeutic seating used in hospitals, acute care settings and long term care facilities around the world.

Today the company confirmed it has been successful in securing funding from the Innovate UK Accelerated Knowledge Transfer (AKT) research programme to further the knowledge base around dementia and clinical, therapeutic seating. The joint research project will be delivered with dementia-specialist University of Stirling as 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 of the announcement 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, 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 with University of Stirling and their Dementia Services Development Centre since our therapeutic chairs went through their rigorous dementia product review process. Both chairs assessed, the Atlanta and Sorrento, received the highest level accreditation available - Class 1A, scoring 95% and 93% respectively.

“This funded research opportunity will allow us to develop further evidence of the positive impact of therapeutic seating. It is a four-month project with a requirement to commence by 25^th March 2024.

“University of Stirling are currently recruiting for the Research Associate and we are keen to support with this. If you feel you meet the requirements below and would like to be considered please email a copy of your CV to martin@seatingmatters.com”

The project will be led by respected Dr Junjie Huang, B.Arch., M.Arch., PhD. Jasmine McAllister of the Research, Innovation & Business Engagement department highlighted some of the key capabilities the Research Associate should have:

“The AKT associate will ideally have an MSc in Occupational Therapy and/or an MSc in Dementia Studies and/or MSc in Gerontology (or similar).

“We are looking for experience of writing research protocols, conducting literature reviews, publishing research, planning and organising knowledge exchange activities. Additionally, ideal candidates will have an interest in 24-hour postural care, product design and how innovation in seating can assist people with dementia. The following capabilities will enable success:

Critical Thinking: Ability to critically evaluate research literature.

Knowledge of Literature Review: Understand the procedure of conducting literature review and grey literature review studies. Ability to identify relevant research literature databases and conduct literature search effectively and meet review criteria.

Teamwork and Collaboration: Ability to work effectively as part of a team.

Attention to detail: Thoroughness in data collection, analysis and reporting.

Communication skills: Clear and effective communication, both writing research publications and presenting results.

Time Management: Ability to plan the project and efficiently manage time to meet project timelines.

Problem-Solving: Overcome challenges which may arise during the cause of the project.

Ethical conduct: A commitment to ethical research practices.

IT skills: Sound skill in using relevant office, presentation, reference management and literature review software.”

For more information on Seating Matters visit seatingmatters.com