Concurrent validity of DorsaVi wireless motion sensor system Version 6 and the Vicon motion analysis system during...

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Rehabilitation Engineering
• Wearable Technology

Background:

• Wearable sensor technology offers potential for accurate, out-of-clinic spine movement monitoring.
• Concurrent validity of wearable sensors for multiplane tasks like lifting remains largely unestablished.
• This study validates DorsaVi Version 6 sensors against Vicon motion analysis for lumbar flexion during lifting.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the concurrent validity of DorsaVi Version 6 wearable sensors compared to the Vicon motion analysis system.
• To measure lumbar flexion during symmetrical and asymmetrical lifting tasks.
• To determine the accuracy and reliability of wearable sensors for spine movement analysis in a clinical context.

Main Methods:

• Twelve participants (with and without back pain) wore DorsaVi sensors at T12 and S2 spinal levels.
• Participants performed symmetrical and asymmetrical lifting tasks.
• Data were analyzed using multilevel mixed-effects regression and Bland-Altman methods to compare sensor and Vicon system measurements.

Main Results:

• Root mean squared errors for through-range lumbar flexion were below 1.34° for symmetrical lifts and 1.90° for asymmetrical lifts.
• Mean differences and limits of agreement for peak flexion demonstrated acceptable variability across lift types.
• All measured errors were lower than previous research and within clinically acceptable thresholds.

Conclusions:

• DorsaVi Version 6 sensors demonstrate good concurrent validity with the Vicon system for measuring lumbar flexion during lifting.
• The root mean squared errors are below clinically acceptable thresholds, supporting sensor use.
• These findings support the application of these wearable sensors for assessing multi-plane lifting movements in populations with low back pain.