Use of the kinect sensor as a clinical tool for functional evaluation in subjects with shoulder dysfunction

Self-report measures and objective motion capture are some of the methods to evaluate upper extremity (UE) function. The Kinect camera offers portable and low-cost motion capture capabilities. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between actual UE functional movement obtained by the Kinect and four self-report UE functional assessment measures: SPADI, SST, DASH, and Quick-DASH. Methods: 20 volunteers with unilateral shoulder pathology completed self-report assessments and a movement test to capture the total functional reaching spatial volume (FRV) of the arm recorded using a Kinect. Results: A positive correlation was obtained for SST (R2 = 0.655) and negative for Quick-DASH (R2 = -0.552), SPADI (R2 = -0.777) and DASH (R2 = -0.737). Statistical significance was found for all the evaluated data. Conclusions: The FRV is a useful and practical metric to assess the functionality and mobility of the upper extremity.