title: Wireless orientation sensors: their suitability to measure head movement for neck pain assessment.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to verify the performance and suitability of new generation 3D wireless orientations sensors to measure cervical range of movement against a criterion standard instrument, an electromagnetic motion analysis system (Fastrak-Polhemus). The wireless orientation sensor (InertiaCube 3) consists of 9 motion-sensing elements: 3 accelerometers, 3 angular velocity rate transducers and 3 magnetometers. Measurements of cervical range of motion in each primary plane, left-lateral flexion, flexion and left rotation were directly compared from both systems in 10 normal asymptomatic subjects. Results showed very high cross-correlations (.99-.97) and low average root mean square errors (0.7-2.5 degrees). We conclude that orientation sensors are a valid, accurate and suitable device for obtaining cervical joint ranges of motion in the primary plane of movement.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia. j.jasiewicz@qut.edu.au
authors.forename: Jan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Jasiewicz
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Treleaven
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Condie
authors.forename: Gwendolen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jull
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004867:Equipment Design; D006257:Head / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000145:classification*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D012399:Rotation / Q000009:adverse effects