Role of joint interactions in upper limb joint movements: a disability simulation study using wearable inertial sensors for 3D motion capture

Abstract Background Restriction of movement at a joint due to disease or dysfunction can alter the range of motion (ROM) at other joints due to joint interactions. In this paper, we quantify the extent to which joint restrictions impact upper limb joint movements by conducting a disability simulatio...

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Main Authors: Nishtha Bhagat, Preeti Raghavan, Vikram Kapila
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-11-01
Series:Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-024-01480-0
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author Nishtha Bhagat
Preeti Raghavan
Vikram Kapila
author_facet Nishtha Bhagat
Preeti Raghavan
Vikram Kapila
author_sort Nishtha Bhagat
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Restriction of movement at a joint due to disease or dysfunction can alter the range of motion (ROM) at other joints due to joint interactions. In this paper, we quantify the extent to which joint restrictions impact upper limb joint movements by conducting a disability simulation study that used wearable inertial sensors for three-dimensional (3D) motion capture. Methods We employed the Wearable Inertial Sensors for Exergames (WISE) system for assessing the ROM at the shoulder (flexion–extension, abduction–adduction, and internal–external rotation), elbow (flexion–extension), and forearm (pronation-supination). We recruited 20 healthy individuals to first perform instructed shoulder, elbow, and forearm movements without any external restrictions, and then perform the same movements with restriction braces placed to limit movement at the shoulder, elbow, and forearm, separately, to simulate disability. To quantify the extent to which a restriction at a non-instructed joint affected movement at an instructed joint, we computed average percentage reduction in ROM in the restricted versus unrestricted conditions. Moreover, we performed analysis of variance and post hoc Tukey tests (q statistic) to determine the statistical significance (p < 0.05 denoted using *) of the differences in ROM of an instructed joint in the unrestricted versus restricted conditions. Results Restricting movement at the shoulder led to a large reduction in the average ROM for elbow flexion–extension (21.93%, q = 9.34*) and restricting elbow movement significantly reduced the average ROM for shoulder flexion–extension (17.77%, q = 8.05*), shoulder abduction–adduction (19.80%, q = 7.60*), and forearm pronation-supination (14.04%, q = 4.96*). Finally, restricting the forearm significantly reduced the average ROM for shoulder internal–external rotation (16.71%, q = 3.81*) and elbow flexion–extension (10.01%, q = 4.27*). Conclusions Joint interactions across non-instructed joints can reduce the ROM of instructed movements. Assessment of ROM in the real-world using 3D motion capture, for example using the WISE system, can aid in understanding movement limitations, informing interventions, and monitoring progress with rehabilitation.
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spelling doaj-art-34a7ac4eaf93407a86d35905823cc8fb2025-08-20T02:13:37ZengBMCJournal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation1743-00032024-11-0121111110.1186/s12984-024-01480-0Role of joint interactions in upper limb joint movements: a disability simulation study using wearable inertial sensors for 3D motion captureNishtha Bhagat0Preeti Raghavan1Vikram Kapila2Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, NYU Tandon School of EngineeringPhysical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Neurology Departments, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineMechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, NYU Tandon School of EngineeringAbstract Background Restriction of movement at a joint due to disease or dysfunction can alter the range of motion (ROM) at other joints due to joint interactions. In this paper, we quantify the extent to which joint restrictions impact upper limb joint movements by conducting a disability simulation study that used wearable inertial sensors for three-dimensional (3D) motion capture. Methods We employed the Wearable Inertial Sensors for Exergames (WISE) system for assessing the ROM at the shoulder (flexion–extension, abduction–adduction, and internal–external rotation), elbow (flexion–extension), and forearm (pronation-supination). We recruited 20 healthy individuals to first perform instructed shoulder, elbow, and forearm movements without any external restrictions, and then perform the same movements with restriction braces placed to limit movement at the shoulder, elbow, and forearm, separately, to simulate disability. To quantify the extent to which a restriction at a non-instructed joint affected movement at an instructed joint, we computed average percentage reduction in ROM in the restricted versus unrestricted conditions. Moreover, we performed analysis of variance and post hoc Tukey tests (q statistic) to determine the statistical significance (p < 0.05 denoted using *) of the differences in ROM of an instructed joint in the unrestricted versus restricted conditions. Results Restricting movement at the shoulder led to a large reduction in the average ROM for elbow flexion–extension (21.93%, q = 9.34*) and restricting elbow movement significantly reduced the average ROM for shoulder flexion–extension (17.77%, q = 8.05*), shoulder abduction–adduction (19.80%, q = 7.60*), and forearm pronation-supination (14.04%, q = 4.96*). Finally, restricting the forearm significantly reduced the average ROM for shoulder internal–external rotation (16.71%, q = 3.81*) and elbow flexion–extension (10.01%, q = 4.27*). Conclusions Joint interactions across non-instructed joints can reduce the ROM of instructed movements. Assessment of ROM in the real-world using 3D motion capture, for example using the WISE system, can aid in understanding movement limitations, informing interventions, and monitoring progress with rehabilitation.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-024-01480-0Range of motionUpper limbJoint movementRestriction conditionDisability simulationJoint interactions
spellingShingle Nishtha Bhagat
Preeti Raghavan
Vikram Kapila
Role of joint interactions in upper limb joint movements: a disability simulation study using wearable inertial sensors for 3D motion capture
Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation
Range of motion
Upper limb
Joint movement
Restriction condition
Disability simulation
Joint interactions
title Role of joint interactions in upper limb joint movements: a disability simulation study using wearable inertial sensors for 3D motion capture
title_full Role of joint interactions in upper limb joint movements: a disability simulation study using wearable inertial sensors for 3D motion capture
title_fullStr Role of joint interactions in upper limb joint movements: a disability simulation study using wearable inertial sensors for 3D motion capture
title_full_unstemmed Role of joint interactions in upper limb joint movements: a disability simulation study using wearable inertial sensors for 3D motion capture
title_short Role of joint interactions in upper limb joint movements: a disability simulation study using wearable inertial sensors for 3D motion capture
title_sort role of joint interactions in upper limb joint movements a disability simulation study using wearable inertial sensors for 3d motion capture
topic Range of motion
Upper limb
Joint movement
Restriction condition
Disability simulation
Joint interactions
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-024-01480-0
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