Range of motion required for Auslan: a biomechanical analysis

Auslan is used by the Australian deaf community and relies heavily on hand, wrist, and elbow movement. Upper limb injury or dysfunction may require surgical intervention to alleviate pain and provide a stable skeleton for function, leading to partial or complete reduction in motion. The aim of this study was to assess the wrist, forearm, and elbow motion required to communicate via Auslan, to tailor optimal interventions in this population.

A biomechanical analysis was conducted on two native Auslan communicators, who signed 28 pre-selected and common Auslan words and phrases.

Sagittal plane wrist and elbow motion was found to be of greater importance than axial plane forearm rotation. Relative elbow flexion and generous wrist motion was common for many of the words and phrases, while end-range elbow extension was not recorded.

The maintenance of wrist and elbow motion should be prioritized when selecting surgical interventions for patients who communicate using Auslan.