Determination of shoulder global range of motion

Abstract

The human shoulder joint is renowned for its exceptional rotational capability and flexibility, which are crucial elements in human anatomy. This joint plays a vital role in enabling individuals to perform activities of daily living (ADLs). However, it is also the most susceptible to sports injuries, musculoskeletal disorders, etc., which can significantly impact routine tasks. Therefore, it is essential to understand the relationship between shoulder range of motion (ROM) and other factors that may affect the results of shoulder functional assessments.

This study explores the use of a markerless motion capture system developed by the Rehabilitation Research Institute of Singapore (RRIS) and inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors to determine if they provide comparable ROM readings to marker-based motion capture systems (considered the gold standard). Ten healthy young adults were recruited, with six completing five ROM tasks and three global ROM tasks using both marker-based and markerless systems. The remaining four participants performed the same five ROM tasks using marker-based systems and IMU sensors.

The markerless motion capture system demonstrated high accuracy, with average errors within the acceptable range for all axes and joint angles (±5° to ±10°). However, the initial exploration of IMU sensors for ROM measurement encountered limitations due to technical issues. Potential sensor limitations, including frame misalignment and gimbal lock, require further investigation to improve data accuracy.

Future efforts will focus on exploring the potential of remote monitoring and algorithmic assessment for evaluating the necessity of surgery or rehabilitation, addressing the challenge of shoulder ROM measurement.