Evaluation of the metrecom and its use in quantifying skeletal landmark locations

Several factors can be involved in evaluating a motion analysis system. The purposes of this study were to evaluate: 1) the accuracy, repeatability, and linearity of the Skeletal Analysis System (Metrecom System) and 2) the reliability of bony landmark identification with a method using the Metrecom Skeletal Analysis System (Metrecom Method) to obtain coordinates for human skeletal landmarks. A calibration control object with 20 known three-dimensional coordinates in a rectangular field was used as the gold standard for evaluating the Metrecom System for measuring X, Y, and Z spatial coordinates. The Metrecom Method was then evaluated using a test-retest approach for 10 bony landmarks on each of 10 normal subjects examined by two different examiners. Relative to the Metrecom System, the results demonstrated that the hysteresis was minimal (1.8 mm), and linearity was excellent. The differences between the true and measured distances for the 20 known points were not statistically significant (p >/= .05). The variability for any point within the field of measurement was homogeneous (p /= .05). The mean intrarater reliability (ICC) for identification of coordinates for 10 bony landmarks was .95 for one examiner and .96 for the other examiner. The mean interrater ICC was .87, with all coefficients being above .80. In conclusion, use of the Metrecom System is affected by controllable human factors, in which case valid and reliable measurements for skeletal landmarks can be obtained. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1992;16(4):182-188.