The validity of an objective measurement method using the leap motion controller for fingers wrist, and forearm ranges of motion

Abstract

The present study aimed to validate the Leap Motion Controller (LMC)-based Fizyosoft (R) HandROM System developed by our team to evaluate range of motion (ROM) for fingers, wrist, and forearm in a new clinical setting. Thirty-five healthy individuals participated in the study (all right-handed, 20-30 years old). The LMC-based Fizyosoft (R) HandROM System is a licensed software ROM-measurement developed by our team. Pronation/supination, wrist flexion/extension, ulnar/radial deviation and metacarpophalangeal (MCP) flexion/extension of all fingers were measured with both the Fizyosoft (R) HandROM System and a universal goniometer. No significant differences were found between the two measurement methods for almost all mean ROMs except for ulnar and radial deviation (p > 0.05). Highly significant correlations were found between all ROMs of the forearm, wrist, and thumb (p < 0.01). MCP flexion showed significant correlation only in the index finger (r = 0.516, p = 0.003) and little finger (r = 0.517, p = 0.004). Besides, for both measures, the intraclass correlations were good to excellent on all ROMs of the forearm, wrist, and fingers except for MCP of the middle and ring fingers (0.68-0.88). The present study results indicated that the LMC-based Fizyosoft (R) HandROM System could sensitively track changes in the active motion of the thumb, wrist, and forearm. It is a viable alternative for assessing ROMs of the forearm, wrist, and thumb in patient follow-up.L’objectif de la pre ?sente e ?tude e ?tait de valider le syste`me Fizyosoft1HandROM base ?sur le Leap MotionController (LMC) de ?veloppe ?par notre e ?quipe pour e ?valuer l’amplitude articulaire (ROM) des doigts, dupoignet et de l’avant-bras dans un nouveau contexte clinique. Trente-cinq personnes saines ont participe ?a`cette e ?tude. Le syste`me Fizyosoft1HandROM base ?sur LMC est un logiciel sous licence de ?veloppe ?parnotre e ?quipe pour mesurer l’amplitude articulaire. La mesure de l’amplitude de la pronation/supination,de la flexion/extension et de la de ?viation ulnaire/radiale du poignet, et de la flexion/extensionme ?tacarpo-phalangienne (MCP) de tous les doigts a e ?te ?re ?alise ?e avec le syste`me HandROM et ungoniome`tre universel. Aucune diffe ?rence significative n’a e ?te ?constate ?e lors de la comparaison depresque toutes les moyennes d’amplitude a`l’exception des de ?viations ulnaire/radiale entre deuxme ?thodes de mesure (p > 0,05). Des corre ?lations significatives e ?leve ?es ont e ?te ?trouve ?es pour toutes lesamplitudes de l’avant-bras, du poignet et du pouce, ainsi que la flexion MCP de l’index et de l’auriculaire, mesure ?e par le goniome`tre et via le syste`me HandROM (p < 0,01). En outre, pour les deux mesures, lesICC e ?taient bons a`excellents sur toutes amplitudes de l’avant-bras, du poignet et des doigts, a`l’exceptionde la MCP du majeur et de l’annulaire (0,68–0,88). Les re ?sultats de la pre ?sente e ?tude montrent que lesyste`me Fizyosoft1HandROM base ?sur le LMC peut suivre de manie`re sensible les changements dans lesmouvements actifs du pouce, du poignet et de l’avant-bras.