- TrackActive publicly launches its AI-powered Android and iPhone application to allow people to assess and self-manage musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions in their own home.
- MSK conditions such as back pain affects the bones, joints and muscles, and are the leading cause of disability in the UK.
- Developed by an experienced group of clinicians with the support of London South Bank University to validate the accuracy and safety of the application.
- Working with the NHS, Sport England and General Reinsurance Group to reduce pressure on healthcare systems and reach millions across different markets.
TrackActive, a London-based digital healthcare company, today announces the public launch of its AI-powered application that will change the way people seek help for pain in their joints, necks and backs. During six years of research and development, TrackActive has captured the attention of the NHS, Sport England and General Reinsurance Group, due to the potential of the company to reduce healthcare costs and positively impact the lives of millions of people affected by musculoskeletal conditions.
Their product, TrackActive Me, uses a chatbot and artificial intelligence to diagnose problems and deliver personalised exercise programs, taking users on the journey to recovery. Essentially a ‘Physio in your pocket’, it combines clinical intelligence and proven treatment methods in one application.
Ian Prangley, Health Director of TrackActive, is an experienced international physiotherapist and strength and conditioning coach. Ian and his technology co-founder, Michael Levens, self-funded the company before raising £250,000 in seed funding that would help them bring together a bigger team to accelerate their product development.
Founder and Health Director Ian said: ‘In March 2015 we launched our clinical software, TrackActive Pro. Seeing the great uptake from physiotherapists and patients, we then wanted to create something that could help millions of people.’
‘It was a big task to develop another product as sophisticated as TrackActive Me, but it’s our passion and it can have a huge impact on people in pain. That’s what has driven us to continue working so hard these last few years.’
Of all health conditions in the UK, musculoskeletal conditions are the leading cause of people living for years with disability. It also has strong links to mental health – people in persistent pain are four times more likely to suffer from depression than the general population.
The current health crisis has drastically reduced accessibility for face-to-face appointments with physiotherapists, which was already overburdened with waiting lists of up to 132 days through the NHS. Providing people with the means to self-manage their own recovery is now key. TrackActive Me is the tool to fulfill this need, and over the last four months has been trialed by an NHS Medical Centre before the public release. Prominent players in the health and insurance industries have also backed the company.
In 2017, TrackActive established a partnership with General Reinsurance Group, the largest health and life reinsurer worldwide. Ross Campbell, their chief underwriter, explains why:
‘The application can provide policyholders with ways to avoid injury or to regain their health and fitness if that happens. With musculoskeletal problems being an important cause of lost work time and disability claims, TrackActive is a clever use of new AI technology.’
‘Gen Re is collaborating with TrackActive to help them reach the right people and to have some real impact into markets on an international basis.’
In 2018, TrackActive won The Digital Insurer Europe Start-up InsurTech award, demonstrating their potential in the insurance industry.
The company received their first investment in May 2019 through Seedrs, a leading European equity crowdfunding platform, and HR Tech Partnership, a group of FTSE 100 HR executives who recognise the extent of these problems amongst employees, and the cumulative effects they have on their physical and mental health.
