title: A Non-Contact Measurement System for the Range of Motion of the Hand.
abstract: An accurate and standardised tool to measure the active range of motion (ROM) of the hand is essential to any progressive assessment scenario in hand therapy practice. Goniometers are widely used in clinical settings for measuring the ROM of the hand. However, such measurements have limitations with regard to inter-rater and intra-rater reliability and involve direct physical contact with the hand, possibly increasing the risk of transmitting infections. The system proposed in this paper is the first non-contact measurement system utilising Intel Perceptual Technology and a Senz3D Camera for measuring phalangeal joint angles. To enhance the accuracy of the system, we developed a new approach to achieve the total active movement without measuring three joint angles individually. An equation between the actual spacial position and measurement value of the proximal inter-phalangeal joint was established through the measurement values of the total active movement, so that its actual position can be inferred. Verified by computer simulations, experimental results demonstrated a significant improvement in the calculation of the total active movement and successfully recovered the actual position of the proximal inter-phalangeal joint angles. A trial that was conducted to examine the clinical applicability of the system involving 40 healthy subjects confirmed the practicability and consistency in the proposed system. The time efficiency conveyed a stronger argument for this system to replace the current practice of using goniometers.
authors.affiliation: School of Engineering, Faculty of Science, Engineering & Built Environment, Deakin University, 75 Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3216, Australia. hph@deakin.edu.au.
authors.forename: Trieu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pham
authors.affiliation: School of Engineering, Faculty of Science, Engineering & Built Environment, Deakin University, 75 Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3216, Australia. pubudu.pathirana@deakin.edu.au.
authors.forename: Pubudu N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Pathirana
authors.affiliation: School of Engineering, Faculty of Science, Engineering & Built Environment, Deakin University, 75 Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3216, Australia. hieu.trinh@deakin.edu.au.
authors.forename: Hieu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Trinh
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Social Development Occupational Therapy, Deakin University, 1 Gheringhap Street, Geelong, Victoria 3220, Australia. pearse.fay@deakin.edu.au.
authors.forename: Pearse
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fay
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D053587:Arthrometry, Articular / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005260:Female; D050278:Finger Phalanges / Q000502:physiology; D006225:Hand / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007596:Joints / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: hand; non-contact measurement; range of motion; total active movement