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

• Published in: Muscle & nerve Vol. 53; no. 2; pp. 234 - 241
• Main Authors: Oskarsson, Bjorn, Joyce, Nanette C., De Bie, Evan, Nicorici, Alina, Bajcsy, Ruzena, Kurillo, Gregorij, Han, Jay J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.02.2016; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Aged; ALS; Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - pathology; Biomechanical Phenomena - physiology; Female; Functional Laterality - physiology; Humans; Imaging, Three-Dimensional; Kinect; Middle Aged; Movement - physiology; outcome measure; Psychomotor Performance - physiology; Range of Motion, Articular - physiology; reachable workspace; Severity of Illness Index; upper extremity; Upper Extremity - physiopathology; Workplace; Kinect; ALS; reachable workspace; outcome measure; upper extremity
• ISSN: 0148-639X; 1097-4598; 1097-4598
• DOI: 10.1002/mus.24703

ABSTRACT 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. The data were normalized by each individual's arm length to obtain a reachable workspace relative surface area (RSA). Concurrent validity was assessed by correlation with scoring on the ALS Functional Rating Score—revised (ALSFRSr). Results: The Kinect‐measured reachable workspace RSA differed significantly between the ALS and control subjects (0.579 ± 0.226 vs. 0.786 ± 0.069; P < 0.001). The RSA demonstrated correlation with ALSFRSr upper extremity items (Spearman correlation ρ = 0.569; P = 0.009). With worsening upper extremity function, as categorized by the ALSFRSr, the reachable workspace also decreased progressively. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the feasibility and potential of using a novel Kinect‐based reachable workspace outcome measure in ALS. Muscle Nerve 53: 234–241, 2016