Validity and Reliability of Upper Limb Kinematic Assessment Using a Markerless Motion Capture (MMC) System: A Pilot Study

Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigate the validity and test-retest reliability of a customized markerless motion capture (MMC) system that used iPad Pros with a Light Detection And Ranging scanner at two different viewing angles to measure the active range of motion (AROM) and the angular waveform of the upper-limb-joint angles of healthy adults performing functional tasks. DesignParticipants were asked to perform shoulder and elbow actions for the investigator to take AROM measurements, followed by four tasks that simulated daily functioning. Each participant attended 2 experimental sessions, which were held at least 2 days and at most 14 days apart. SettingA Vicon system and 2 iPad Pros installed with our MMC system were placed at 2 different angles to the participants and recorded their movements concurrently during each task. ParticipantsThirty healthy adults (mean age: 28.9, M/F ratio: 40/60). InterventionsNot applicable. Main Outcome MeasuresThe AROM and the angular waveform of the upper-limb-joint angles. ResultsThe iPad Pro MMC system underestimated the shoulder joint and elbow joint angles in all four simulated functional tasks. The MMC demonstrated good to excellent test-retest reliability for the shoulder joint AROM measurements in all 4 tasks. ConclusionsThe maximal AROM measurements calculated by the MMC system had consistently smaller values than those measured by the goniometer. An MMC in iPad Pro system might not be able to replace conventional goniometry for clinical ROM measurements, but it is still suggested for use in home-based and telerehabilitation training for intra-subject measurements because of its good reliability, low cost, and portability. Further development to improve its performance in motion capture and analysis in disease populations is warranted.