An Inertial Measurement Unit-Based Wireless System for Shoulder Motion Assessment in Patients with Cervical Spinal Cord Injury: A Validation Pilot Study in a Clinical Setting

Sensors

Riccardo Bravi¹  Stefano Grasso¹  ErezJames Cohen¹  Diego Minciacchi¹  Eros Quarta¹  Sara Jayousi²  Alessio Martinelli²  Lorenzo Mucchi²  Lorenzo Biotti²  Stefano Caputo²  Gabriele Righi³  Ilaria Nannini³  Giacomo Lucchesi³  Giulio Del Popolo³ 

[1] Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy;Department of Information Engineering, University of Florence, via di S. Marta 3, 50139 Florence, Italy;Spinal Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, Largo Piero Palagi 1, 50139 Florence, Italy;

关键词: inertial measurement unit;    wireless sensors network;    motion tracking;    kinematics;    range of motion;    shoulder;   

DOI  :  10.3390/s21041057

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Residual motion of upper limbs in individuals who experienced cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) is vital to achieve functional independence. Several interventions were developed to restore shoulder range of motion (ROM) in CSCI patients. However, shoulder ROM assessment in clinical practice is commonly limited to use of a simple goniometer. Conventional goniometric measurements are operator-dependent and require significant time and effort. Therefore, innovative technology for supporting medical personnel in objectively and reliably measuring the efficacy of treatments for shoulder ROM in CSCI patients would be extremely desirable. This study evaluated the validity of a customized wireless wearable sensors (Inertial Measurement Units—IMUs) system for shoulder ROM assessment in CSCI patients in clinical setting. Eight CSCI patients and eight healthy controls performed four shoulder movements (forward flexion, abduction, and internal and external rotation) with dominant arm. Every movement was evaluated with a goniometer by different testers and with the IMU system at the same time. Validity was evaluated by comparing IMUs and goniometer measurements using Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and Limits of Agreement (LOA). inter-tester reliability of IMUs and goniometer measurements was also investigated. Preliminary results provide essential information on the accuracy of the proposed wireless wearable sensors system in acquiring objective measurements of the shoulder movements in CSCI patients.

【 授权许可】

Unknown