Multidimensional signal exploration using multiple correspondence analysis. An example of a load lifting study.

Most empirical studies concerning rehabilitation yield numerous multidimensional signals (dozens of time variables are obtained for dozens of empirical situations). The purpose of this paper is to suggest a statistical analysis procedure based on: 1) space-time fuzzy windowing; 2) signal behavior characterization within the windows using membership value averages (MVA); and 3) MVA analysis using the multiple correspondence analysis (MCA). A load lifting study provided an example of 78 multidimensional signals including 89 time variables (forces, energy indicators, linear and angular positions, speeds, and accelerations). The main goal of MCA was to compare and contrast biomechanical signals from two lifting modes: "free" and "isokinetic." In the first mode, three loads were tested--light, medium, and heavy. In the second, three speeds were tested--slow, medium, and fast. Thirteen male individuals without disabilities participated in this study. The MCA showed that most of the free load-lifting strategies cannot be used in isokinetic lifting because the constraints of the subject and the environment are different. In addition, as the level of difficulty increases, free lifting became more economical while isokinetic lifting became less economical. These results would appear to indicate that movement strategies used for free lifting cannot be learned using an isokinetic machine during rehabilitation sessions for chronic low back pain. MCA was also suggested as a tool for comparing patients with control individuals. To achieve this aim, the notion of "supplementary data" was introduced.