PhD student Macy Fan

Macy's project asks:

How can technology support mobility and functioning in people living with Lewy body dementia?

Lewy body dementia is a progressive condition that affects both cognitive and motor functions, leading to problems with memory, attention, mobility and visual understanding. Around 85% of people with Lewy body dementia also develop parkinsonian symptoms such as tremor and rigidity.

This unique combination of challenges makes everyday life difficult and places great demands on families, but it also highlights a powerful opportunity for innovation.

Tell us about your project

Technology is already transforming care in dementia and Parkinson’s disease. Wearable devices, virtual tools and remote programmes have been shown to improve mobility and balance, reduce fear of falls and support independence. They are feasible, cost-effective and supportive of sustainable healthcare delivery. Recent research shows that people with dementia are often happy with digital treatments, suggesting technology can be engaging as well as effective.  

Despite these promising findings, very little research has focused specifically on people with Lewy body dementia. My project aims to investigate how technology might best support mobility and functioning in Lewy body dementia. Published studies will be reviewed to identify what works, for whom and in what settings. The findings will provide clearer guidance on which technologies are safe, effective and practical in daily life.  

The goal is to show how the right technologies can help people with Lewy body dementia stay mobile, independent and connected, while reducing falls, easing demands on carers and promoting meaningful participation. In doing so, the work will lay the foundations for person-centred approaches that improve quality of life and accelerate innovation in one of the most overlooked areas of dementia care.

What does it mean to you to be a part of this Doctoral Training Centre?

The Doctoral Training Centre represents an invaluable opportunity to engage with a diverse group of early career researchers. 

We are all working towards the shared goal of improves quality of life of people living with dementia. It provides a platform to combine collaboration, training and direct engagement.