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Validity and Reliability of Upper Limb Kinematic Assessment Using a Markerless Motion Capture (MMC) System: A Pilot
Winnie W T Lam1, Kenneth N K Fong1
1Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR.
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
|November 19, 2023
Summary
This study found that an iPad Pro markerless motion capture system showed good reliability for measuring active range of motion (AROM) in shoulder and elbow joints during functional tasks. However, it underestimated joint angles compared to traditional methods.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Rehabilitation Technology
- Human Motion Analysis
Background:
- Markerless motion capture (MMC) systems offer potential for remote and accessible movement analysis.
- Assessing active range of motion (AROM) and joint kinematics is crucial in rehabilitation and clinical settings.
- Validating new technologies against established methods is essential for clinical adoption.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the validity and test-retest reliability of a custom iPad Pro-based MMC system for upper-limb joint motion analysis.
- To compare measurements from the MMC system with a gold-standard Vicon system during functional tasks.
- To determine the suitability of the MMC system for clinical and home-based rehabilitation applications.
Main Methods:
- Thirty healthy adults performed shoulder and elbow AROM tasks and simulated daily functional activities.
- Measurements were taken using a Vicon system and a custom MMC system on iPad Pros from two viewing angles.
- Two experimental sessions were conducted for each participant, separated by 2 to 14 days, to assess reliability.
Main Results:
- The iPad Pro MMC system consistently underestimated shoulder and elbow joint angles across all functional tasks.
- The system demonstrated good to excellent test-retest reliability for shoulder joint AROM measurements.
- A comparison revealed consistently smaller maximal AROM values from the MMC system compared to goniometry.
Conclusions:
- The iPad Pro MMC system shows promise for telerehabilitation and home-based training due to its reliability, portability, and cost-effectiveness.
- It may not fully replace conventional goniometry for precise clinical ROM measurements.
- Further research is needed to enhance the system's accuracy, particularly for patient populations.
