Master thesis : A Market, Technical and Design Framework for the LumbaCure Rehabilitation Software (including introduction to research methodology)

Abstract

Low back pain affects 619 million people worldwide and constitutes the leading cause of disability globally, generating both significant personal suffering and an estimated $216 billion in annual economic losses. Despite the recognized importance of physiotherapy in its treatment, rehabilitation remains largely disconnected from objective movement data: therapists rely on clinical observation, and patients receive little feedback on their own progress. This thesis is carried out in collaboration with ODIX, a medtech startup based in Liège, which has developed the LumbaCure, a robotic seat designed for active lumbar rehabili- tation. The existing software prototype is currently limited to session parameterization. ODIX aims to evolve it into a complete software solution serving two distinct users: therapists, through a dedicated patient monitoring and session management interface, and patients, through a guided, biofeedback-enabled experience that supports progress tracking. Working within a startup environment shaped the methodology of this work: the project was in active development throughout, requiring continuous adaptation and iteration rather than a linear research process. The work is structured around three complementary axes. The technical axis identifies suitable motion sensors and defines a progress tracking pipeline. The market axis, guided by EKLO, an entrepreneurial support organization, gathers user needs and benchmarks competing solutions. The visual design axis translates both into interactive mockups for the two interfaces. This integrated approach – simultaneously technical, market-driven, and user-centered – aims to provide ODIX with a validated foundation for the next development phase of their software.