Validation of motion tracking as tool for observational toothbrushing studies

Area of Science:

• Oral hygiene research
• Behavioral science
• Biomechanical analysis

Background:

• Video observation (VO) is a common but subjective method for assessing toothbrushing behavior.
• VO has limitations including the need for extensive training and potential difficulties in clearly identifying toothbrush position.
• Automated motion tracking (MT) presents a potential solution to overcome VO's disadvantages.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare motion tracking (MT) data with video observation (VO) data for toothbrushing behavior.
• To evaluate MT's ability to assess habitual and post-instructional toothbrushing.
• To determine MT's suitability for both manual and powered toothbrushes.

Main Methods:

• 103 subjects used manual (MB) or powered toothbrushes (PB) while being video-filmed and motion-tracked.
• 46 subjects received systematic brushing instruction and were re-assessed.
• Data analyzed for toothbrush position, brushing time, inter-area transitions (events), and the Toothbrushing Systematic Index (TSI).

Main Results:

• MT achieved high accuracy in classifying toothbrush positions (median 87.8%) compared to VO.
• MT recorded significantly more brushing events than VO, with moderate to high correlations between methods.
• Both MT and VO showed significant improvements in the TSI after instruction, irrespective of toothbrush type.

Conclusions:

• Motion tracking (MT) is a viable and objective tool for analyzing toothbrushing behavior.
• MT effectively measures improvements in brushing technique following instruction.
• MT is applicable to both manual and powered toothbrush usage, offering a reliable alternative to traditional VO.