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Validity of an Interactive Functional Reach Test
Sujay S Galen1, Vicky Pardo1, Douglas Wyatt1
1Physical Therapy Program, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Care Sciences, Wayne State University , Detroit, Michigan.
Games for Health Journal
|July 17, 2015
Summary
The Kinect sensor, with new software, can accurately measure balance using the interactive functional reach test (I-FRT). This technology offers a valid clinical tool for rehabilitation and gaming platforms.
Area of Science:
- Rehabilitation Technology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Clinical Assessment
Background:
- Videogaming platforms like Microsoft Kinect are increasingly used in physical rehabilitation.
- Current platforms lack built-in clinical measures for meaningful data.
- New software enables Kinect to assess balance via an interactive functional reach test (I-FRT).
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the concurrent validity of the I-FRT using Kinect.
- To establish the feasibility of implementing I-FRT in clinical settings.
- To evaluate the I-FRT's potential as a rehabilitation tool.
Main Methods:
- Concurrent validity tested on 20 healthy adults comparing I-FRT with Optotrak Certus 3D motion capture.
- Feasibility assessed in 10 outpatients with mild balance impairments.
- Participant feedback collected using the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) questionnaire.
Main Results:
- Moderate to good agreement between I-FRT and Optotrak (ICC=0.786 at 2.5m).
- Optimal agreement achieved with Kinect sensor at 2.5m distance.
- Participants with balance impairments reported favorable experiences, low frustration, and reduced demand.
Conclusions:
- Kinect sensor with I-FRT software provides a valid clinical measure for balance assessment.
- This technology is suitable for integration with existing gaming platforms in rehabilitation.
- I-FRT demonstrates feasibility and positive user feedback in a clinical context.
