Preliminary Validity and Acceptability of Motion Tape for Measuring Low Back Movement: Mixed Methods Study

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Rehabilitation Technology
• Wearable Sensors

Background:

• Low back pain (LBP) presents a significant public health challenge, leading to disability and economic burden.
• Physical therapy is effective for LBP management but lacks objective tools for evaluating posture, movement, and exercise outside clinical settings.
• A fabric-based wearable sensor, Motion Tape (MT), was developed to address this gap for low back applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate Motion Tape (MT) for accurate measurement of low back posture and movement.
• To assess the acceptability and usability of MT by individuals undergoing physical therapy.

Main Methods:

• Concurrent validation of MT strain measurements against a 3D optical motion capture system for low back kinematics.
• Testing involved 10 participants without LBP performing various low back movements in sagittal, frontal, and axial planes.
• User acceptability was evaluated through semistructured interviews and qualitative analysis.

Main Results:

• Motion Tape demonstrated the ability to differentiate between various low back movement directions.
• Cross-correlation coefficients between MT strain and motion capture kinematics ranged from -0.915 to 0.983, indicating moderate to high correlation.
• Participants found MT acceptable and potentially beneficial for remote LBP interventions, offering suggestions for enhancement.

Conclusions:

• Motion Tape shows potential as a valid tool for measuring low back movements, correlating well with gold-standard motion capture.
• Preliminary validation supports MT's use in physical therapy for LBP management, with potential for remote monitoring.
• Further research and testing in free-living conditions are recommended for device refinement and broader application.