Upper Limb Three-Dimensional Reachable Workspace Analysis Using the Kinect Sensor in Hemiplegic Stroke Patients: A...

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Biomedical Engineering
• Neuroscience

Background:

• A novel upper limb outcome measure, reachable workspace evaluation using the Kinect sensor, has been established for neuromuscular and musculoskeletal conditions.
• Its utility in hemiplegic stroke patients, a specific population with significant upper limb deficits, requires investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the usefulness of Kinect-based reachable workspace analysis as an outcome measure in patients with hemiplegic stroke.
• To correlate reachable workspace parameters with established measures of upper limb impairment and disability.

Main Methods:

• Forty-one hemiplegic stroke patients participated in the study.
• Kinect-based reachable workspace analysis was conducted on both paretic and nonparetic upper limbs.
• Upper limb impairment was assessed using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and Motricity Index (MI), and disability was measured by the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire.

Main Results:

• The relative surface area of the paretic upper limb, particularly in quadrants 1, 3, and 4, was significantly reduced compared to the nonparetic side.
• Total relative surface area of the paretic side showed significant correlations with FMA, MI for Upper Extremity, and DASH scores.
• Quadrant 3 of the reachable workspace emerged as the most significant determinant of upper limb impairment and disability.

Conclusions:

• Reachable workspace evaluation using Kinect is a potentially valuable and alternative outcome measure for assessing upper limb function in hemiplegic stroke survivors.
• This sensor-based approach offers a relatively quick and unobtrusive method for quantifying functional deficits.