A method to measure cervical spine motion over extended periods of time.
METHODS
System validation study.


OBJECTIVE
To develop and validate a motion sensor system for measuring cervical spine motion over extended time periods.


BACKGROUND
Many studies using different methodologies have tried to estimate cervical spine motion. These have mostly been carried out in a laboratory setting performing active/passive range of motion or activities of daily living. However, cervical spine performance over extended periods of time in natural environments remains unknown.


METHODS
A novel motion sensor system, Wisconsin Analysis of Spine Motion Performance (WASP), was validated using 2 benchmarks: a materials testing machine (MTS) and optical motion tracking laboratory. Parameters tested included drift, frequency response, accuracy, effect of sensor orientation, and coupled motions. Applied motions from the MTS and measured motions in subject volunteers under various conditions were compared with WASP using correlation coefficients. Intersubject and intrasubject variability analyses for WASP were also performed.


RESULTS
The average WASP slopes for accuracy (compared with MTS) in flexion-extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation were 0.89, 0.93, and 0.38, respectively. The correlation coefficient was 0.99 in all cases. Compared with optical motion tracking, the WASP regression slopes were 1.1, 1.02, and 0.4 and the correlation coefficients were 0.98, 0.92, and 0.93 in the 3 axes of motion. Coupled motion was noted during all subject motions. WASP peak detection algorithm had a 0% error discounting boundary conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
WASP was accurate in flexion-extension and lateral bending. In axial rotation, WASP was less accurate. However, the system was highly reliable with low intersubject and intrasubject variability. WASP can be used in estimating cervical spine motion with high reliability while keeping in mind the decreased accuracy in measuring axial rotation.
Syed
Faiz I
FI
Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation and Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53792, USA.
Oza
Ashish L
AL
Vanderby
Ray
R
Heiderscheit
Bryan
B
Anderson
Paul A
PA
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000465:Algorithms; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000502:physiology*; D004867:Equipment Design; D019416:Head Movements; D006801:Humans; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009038:Motion; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013997:Time Factors