HIHI Clinical Evaluation Supports Development of Innovative XR-Based Assessment Platform for Neck Pain and Whiplash
Health Innovation Hub Ireland (HIHI) has completed a clinical evaluation study with Kinematic Tracing Ltd., providing valuable clinical insights to support the development and market readiness of its innovative KineTrax assessment platform.
Neck pain, whiplash-associated disorders (WAD), cervical dizziness and other post-traumatic neck conditions represent a significant burden within musculoskeletal healthcare. Despite advances in treatment approaches, clinicians continue to face challenges in objectively assessing and monitoring these conditions, often relying on subjective examinations and traditional range of motion assessments.
To address this challenge, Kinematic Tracing Ltd., an Irish health technology company based in Clarecastle, Co. Clare, has developed KineTrax, an extended reality (XR)-enabled assessment platform designed to objectively measure cervical movement quality and sensorimotor function.
Through HIHI’s Clinical Evaluation study, the company was connected with experienced clinical experts who assessed the technology’s potential role within musculoskeletal rehabilitation pathways and provided independent feedback on its clinical relevance, usability and implementation considerations.
KineTrax is built on established research in cervical sensorimotor control, proprioception, cervico-ocular integration and biomechanics. The platform measures movement accuracy, smoothness, symmetry, variability and task adaptation using XR-guided tracking technology. It also evaluates head repositioning accuracy, multi-planar drift, gaze stability and cervico-ocular coordination, providing clinicians with objective data that may complement traditional assessment methods.
The clinical evaluation generated strong interest among participating physiotherapists, who recognised the potential value of objective assessment tools in spinal rehabilitation. Feedback highlighted opportunities for KineTrax to enhance clinical documentation, support patient engagement and strengthen existing assessment pathways, particularly when integrated into efficient pre-consultation workflows.
The evaluation also identified key considerations for future implementation. Clinicians emphasised the importance of presenting results in a clear and intuitive format, ensuring outputs are descriptive rather than diagnostic, and aligning the technology with a biopsychosocial model of care. Discussions also highlighted the need for careful positioning of the platform within clinical and medico-legal contexts, supported by strong governance and user education.
Overall, the study provided valuable early validation of KineTrax’s clinical relevance while identifying practical recommendations to guide product development, future research and market deployment.
Commenting on the collaboration, Baldur Johnsen, Co-Founder and President of Kinematic Tracing Ltd., said:
“HIHI’s clinical evaluation gave KineTrax something we could not have sourced ourselves: candid, expert feedback from highly credible Irish physiotherapists, delivered in a neutral, well-structured setting. The interviews tested our assumptions, sharpened our positioning as a measurement platform rather than a diagnostic tool, and surfaced practical guidance on workflow design, reporting format and clinical framing that is directly shaping our next phase of development.”
Geraldine O’Flynn, Manager of Health Innovation Hub Ireland Galway, said:
“One of HIHI’s core objectives is to connect innovative companies with healthcare expertise that can help strengthen products and accelerate their path to adoption. This evaluation provided Kinematic Tracing with valuable clinical insights while giving healthcare professionals an opportunity to contribute to the development of a technology that could enhance assessment and rehabilitation pathways for patients experiencing neck pain and whiplash-related conditions.”
HIHI continues to support Irish and international innovators by facilitating access to healthcare expertise, generating meaningful clinical feedback and helping companies develop solutions that address real-world healthcare challenges.
Read the full case study here: https://hih.ie/downloads/case-studies/HIHI-case-study_Kinematic.pdf