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Temporal-spatial reach parameters derived from inertial sensors: Comparison to 3D marker-based motion capture
Katelyn Cahill-Rowley1, Jessica Rose2
1Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Motion & Gait Analysis Laboratory, Lucile Packard Children׳s Hospital, Palo Alto, CA, USA; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Redwood City, CA, USA.
Journal of Biomechanics
|December 25, 2016
Summary
Inertial sensors can reliably measure temporal-spatial reach parameters in adults and children. This technology offers a mobile and affordable method for assessing upper-extremity function in clinical settings.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Rehabilitation Engineering
- Wearable Technology
Background:
- Reaching is a fundamental daily activity.
- Temporal-spatial measures of reaching assess upper-extremity function in adults and children.
- Inertial sensors provide a portable and cost-effective solution for movement analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a method for measuring temporal-spatial reach parameters using inertial sensors.
- To compare inertial sensor measurements with traditional marker-based motion capture.
- To assess the reliability of inertial sensors for reach analysis in both adult and pediatric populations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized inertial sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers) to record 140 adult and 30 pediatric reaches.
- Implemented algorithms to remove gravitational offset and calculate velocity from acceleration data.
- Validated inertial sensor data against marker-based motion capture for temporal-spatial parameters.
Main Results:
- Consistent agreement was found between inertial sensor and motion capture methods for reach path length, distance, peak velocity, and acceleration at contact.
- Intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 0.61 to 1.00, indicating high reliability.
- The methods showed agreement for both adult and toddler reach data.
Conclusions:
- Inertial sensors can reliably measure key functional reach parameters.
- This technology offers a viable alternative to traditional motion capture for clinical assessments.
- Inertial sensors have the potential to enhance the evaluation of upper-extremity motor function.
