Use of the Kinect sensor measured three-dimensional reachable workspace to assess the upper extremity function in older adults.

Background: We explored the utility of Kinect sensor-based upper extremity reachable workspace measure in healthy adults aged over 65 years.

Methods: Forty-three healthy older subjects (19 men and 24 women) aged over 65 years and 22 healthy young subjects (11 men and 11 women) were included. All participants were ambulatory and perform the activities of daily living independently.

The Black Box of Technological Outcome Measures: An Example in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Background: Outcome measures for non-ambulant Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients are limited, with only the Performance of the Upper Limb (PUL) approved as endpoint for clinical trials.

Objective: We assessed four outcome measures based on devices developed for the gaming industry, aiming to overcome disadvantages of observer-dependency and motivation.

Methods: Twenty-two non-ambulant DMD patients (range 8.

Evaluating the Accuracy of the Azure Kinect and Kinect v2.

The Azure Kinect represents the latest generation of Microsoft Kinect depth cameras. Of interest in this article is the depth and spatial accuracy of the Azure Kinect and how it compares to its predecessor, the Kinect v2. In one experiment, the two sensors are used to capture a planar whiteboard at 15 locations in a grid pattern with laser scanner data serving as ground truth.

Motion sensor-acquired reachable workspace correlates with patient-reported upper extremity activities of daily living (ADL) function in facioscapulohumeral dystrophy.

Background: This study examines the correlation, and clinical meaningfulness, between reachable workspace outcome and reported activities of daily living (ADL) function of individuals with facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD).

Methods: Twenty-one FSHD subjects with various disease severity (clinical severity scores 1-4) underwent reachable workspace evaluation and completed the Quality of Life in Neurological Disorders (NeuroQoL) upper extremity questionnaire. Spearman and receiver operator curve analyses were performed.

Reachable Workspace and Proximal Function Measures for Quantifying Upper Limb Motion.

There are a lack of quantitative measures for clinically assessing upper limb function. Conventional biomechanical performance measures are restricted to specialist labs due to hardware cost and complexity, while the resulting measurements require specialists for analysis. Depth cameras are low cost and portable systems that can track surrogate joint positions.

Upper Limb Three-Dimensional Reachable Workspace Analysis Using the Kinect Sensor in Hemiplegic Stroke Patients: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study.

Objective: A reachable workspace evaluation using the Kinect sensor was previously introduced as a novel upper limb outcome measure in neuromuscular and musculoskeletal conditions. This study investigated its usefulness in hemiplegic stroke patients.

Design: Forty-one patients with hemiplegic stroke were included.

Longitudinal study of upper extremity reachable workspace in fascioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.

Facioscapulohumeral Dystrophy (FSHD) results in slowly progressive strength impairment, especially the upper extremities. Recent discoveries regarding pathophysiology have led to exciting novel therapeutic strategies. To further facilitate drug development, improved FSHD outcome measures that are functionally-relevant and sensitive to longitudinal change will be critical.

Usefulness of Kinect sensor-based reachable workspace system for assessing upper extremity dysfunction in breast cancer patients.

Purpose: Recently, the utility of the Kinect sensor-based reachable workspace analysis system for measuring upper extremity outcomes of neuromuscular and musculoskeletal diseases has been demonstrated. Here, we investigated its usefulness for assessing upper extremity dysfunction in breast cancer patients.

Methods: Twenty unilateral breast cancer patients were enrolled.

The Feasibility and Usability of RunningCoach: A Remote Coaching System for Long-Distance Runners.

Studies have shown that about half of the injuries sustained during long-distance running involve the knee. Cadence (steps per minute) has been identified as a factor that is strongly associated with these running-related injuries, making it a worthwhile candidate for further study. As such, it is critical for long-distance runners to minimize their risk of injury by running at an appropriate running cadence.

Longitudinal evaluation of upper extremity reachable workspace in ALS by Kinect sensor.

Our objective was to evaluate longitudinal changes in Microsoft Kinect measured upper extremity reachable workspace relative surface area (RSA) versus the revised Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R), ALSFRS-R upper extremity sub-scale and Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) in a cohort of patients diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Ten patients diagnosed with ALS (ages 52-76 years, ALSFRS-R: 8-41 at entry) were tested using single 3D depth sensor, Microsoft Kinect, to measure reachable workspace RSA across five visits spanning one year. Changes in RSA, ALSFRS-R, ALSFRS-R upper extremity sub-scale, and FVC were assessed using a linear mixed model.

Remote health coaching for interactive exercise with older adults in a home environment.

Optimal health coaching interventions are tailored to individuals' needs, preferences, motivations, barriers, timing, and readiness to change. Technology approaches are useful in both monitoring a user's adherence to their behavior change goals and also in providing just-in-time feedback and coaching messages. User models that incorporate dynamically varying behavior change variables with algorithms that trigger tailored messages provide a framework for making health interventions more effective.

Recognizing the intensity of strength training exercises with wearable sensors.

In this paper we propose a system based on a network of wearable accelerometers and an off-the-shelf smartphone to recognize the intensity of stationary activities, such as strength training exercises. The system uses a hierarchical algorithm, consisting of two layers of Support Vector Machines (SVMs), to first recognize the type of exercise being performed, followed by recognition of exercise intensity. The first layer uses a single SVM to recognize the type of the performed exercise.

Reachable workspace and performance of upper limb (PUL) in duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Introduction: The Kinect-based reachable workspace relative surface area (RSA) is compared with the performance of upper limb (PUL) assessment in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

Methods: 29 individuals with DMD (ages: 7-23; Brooke: 1-5) underwent both Kinect-based reachable workspace RSA and PUL assessments. RSAs were also collected from 24 age-matched controls.

Upper extremity 3-dimensional reachable workspace assessment in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis by Kinect sensor.

Introduction: Reachable workspace is a measure that provides clinically meaningful information regarding arm function. In this study, a Kinect sensor was used to determine the spectrum of 3-dimensional reachable workspace encountered in a cross-sectional cohort of individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Methods: Bilateral 3D reachable workspace was recorded from 10 subjects with ALS and 17 healthy controls.

Reachable workspace reflects dynamometer-measured upper extremity strength in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.

Introduction: It is not known whether a reduction in reachable workspace closely reflects loss of upper extremity strength in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). In this study we aimed to determine the relationship between reachable workspace and quantitative upper extremity strength measures.

Methods: Maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) testing of bilateral elbow flexion and shoulder abduction by hand-held dynamometry was performed on 26 FSHD and 27 control subjects.

Upper extremity 3-dimensional reachable workspace analysis in dystrophinopathy using Kinect.

Introduction: An innovative upper extremity 3-dimensional (3D) reachable workspace outcome measure acquired using the Kinect sensor is applied toward Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD/BMD). The validity, sensitivity, and clinical meaningfulness of this novel outcome measure are examined.

Methods: Upper extremity function assessment (Brooke scale and NeuroQOL questionnaire) and Kinect-based reachable workspace analyses were conducted in 43 individuals with dystrophinopathy (30 DMD and 13 BMD, aged 7-60 years) and 46 controls (aged 6-68 years).

Design and Evaluation of an Interactive Exercise Coaching System for Older Adults: Lessons Learned.

Although the positive effects of exercise on the well-being and quality of independent living for older adults are well accepted, many elderly individuals lack access to exercise facilities, or the skills and motivation to perform exercise at home. To provide a more engaging environment that promotes physical activity, various fitness applications have been proposed. Many of the available products, however, are geared toward a younger population and are not appropriate or engaging for an older population.

Reachable workspace in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) by Kinect.

Introduction: A depth-ranging sensor (Kinect) based upper extremity motion analysis system was applied to determine the spectrum of reachable workspace encountered in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD).

Methods: Reachable workspaces were obtained from 22 individuals with FSHD and 24 age- and height-matched healthy controls. To allow comparison, total and quadrant reachable workspace relative surface areas (RSAs) were obtained by normalizing the acquired reachable workspace by each individual's arm length.

Tele-MFAsT: Kinect-Based Tele-Medicine Tool for Remote Motion and Function Assessment.

We present work-in-progress on framework for 3D Kinect-based remote motion and function assessment. Tele-MFAsT facilities streaming of data (video, depth, skeleton, and audio) from network-connected Microsoft Kinect cameras that can be utilized to observe a patient remotely during function assessment by a physician or therapist, measure motion trajectories, and joint angles, while taking advantage of tele-presence in a 3D virtual environment. The network architecture also allows for integration with wireless sensors in the future.

Validity, Reliability, and Sensitivity of a 3D Vision Sensor-based Upper Extremity Reachable Workspace Evaluation in Neuromuscular Diseases.

Introduction: One of the major challenges in the neuromuscular field has been lack of upper extremity outcome measures that can be useful for clinical therapeutic efficacy studies. Using vision-based sensor system and customized software, 3-dimensional (3D) upper extremity motion analysis can reconstruct a reachable workspace as a valid, reliable and sensitive outcome measure in various neuromuscular conditions where proximal upper extremity range of motion and function is impaired.

Methods: Using a stereo-camera sensor system, 3D reachable workspace envelope surface area normalized to an individual's arm length (relative surface area: RSA) to allow comparison between subjects was determined for 20 healthy controls and 9 individuals with varying degrees of upper extremity dysfunction due to neuromuscular conditions.

Evaluation of upper extremity reachable workspace using Kinect camera.

Background: In clinical evaluation of upper extremity, there is a lack of assessment methods that are quantitative, reliable, and informative of the overall functional capability of an individual.

Objective: We present new methodology for the assessment of upper extremity impairments based on the concept of 3-dimensional reachable workspace using Microsoft Kinect.

Methods: We quantify the reachable workspace by the relative surface area representing the portion of the unit hemi-sphere that is covered by the hand movement.

mHealth application for upper extremity range of motion and reachable workspace.

We present mobile health (mHealth) applications utilizing embedded phone sensors as an angle-measuring device for upper-limb range of motion (ROM) and estimation of reachable workspace to assist in evaluation of upper limb functional capacity. Our results show that the phone can record accurate measurements, as well as provide additional functionalities for clinicians.

Architecture of an automated coaching system for elderly population.

We present an automated coaching system for elderly population living in assisted homes. The system guides its users through a sequence of exercises and tests. Each exercise is demonstrated by a pre-recorded video of a coach, checked for correct execution and qualitatively evaluated.

Upper extremity reachable workspace evaluation with Kinect.

We propose a novel low-cost method for quantitative assessment of upper extremity workspace envelope using Microsoft Kinect camera. In clinical environment there are currently no practical and cost-effective methods available to provide arm-function evaluation in three-dimensional space. In this paper we examine the accuracy of the proposed technique for workspace estimation using Kinect in comparison with a motion capture system.

Accuracy and robustness of Kinect pose estimation in the context of coaching of elderly population.

The Microsoft Kinect camera is becoming increasingly popular in many areas aside from entertainment, including human activity monitoring and rehabilitation. Many people, however, fail to consider the reliability and accuracy of the Kinect human pose estimation when they depend on it as a measuring system. In this paper we compare the Kinect pose estimation (skeletonization) with more established techniques for pose estimation from motion capture data, examining the accuracy of joint localization and robustness of pose estimation with respect to the orientation and occlusions.