JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Around 70% of stroke survivors have problems with arm function. Physiotherapists assess arm functional range of motion (ROM) either with a goniometer or functional questionnaires, which lack objective accuracy and require a skilled physiotherapist. We developed the Track-UL algorithm based on a markerless motion capture system to measure arm ROM.

Objective:

This study aimed to measure the agreement between our novel Track-UL algorithm and Kinovea in assessing arm ROM during functional tasks in the lab and home settings.

Methods:

Videos were recorded while 27 chronic stroke survivors performed four functional tasks (e.g. forward reaching) in the lab and at home. Videos were analysed by two independent raters using the Track-UL algorithm and Kinovea. Limit of Agreement (LoA) and Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC) were calculated.

Results:

We found no clinically significant systematic bias in shoulder and elbow angle, with good agreement between the Track-UL and Kinovea (assessed by Bland-Altman plots). The 95%LoA = -3.18 to 6.41 degrees for the shoulder joint, -5.35 to 8.78 degrees for the elbow joint in the lab, and -6.21 to 3.62 degrees for the shoulder joint, -4.06 to 2.53 degrees for the elbow joint at home. There was excellent absolute agreement between the measurement tools across all tasks and joints; ICC = 0.97 to 0.99; p < 0.001 for both lab and home measurements.

Conclusions:

The novel Track-UL algorithm is an accurate, valid, and easy tool that can be used to assess upper limb ROM in stroke survivors at clinics and potentially at home. This will support physiotherapists to remotely monitor and adapt rehabilitation programs.