BackgroundExisting motor pattern assessment methods, such as digital cameras and optoelectronic systems, suffer from object obstruction and require complex setups. To overcome these drawbacks, this paper presents a novel approach for biomechanical evaluation of newborn motor skills development. Multi-sensor measurement system comprising pressure mattress and IMUs fixed on trunk and arms is proposed and used as alternative to existing methods. Observed advantages seem appealing for the focused field and in general. Combined use of pressure distribution data and kinematic information is important also for posture assessment, ulcer prevention, and non-invasive sleep pattern analysis of adults.MethodsArm kinematic parameters, such as root-mean-square acceleration, spectral arc length of hand velocity profile, including arm workspace surface area, and travelled hand path are obtained with the multi-sensor measurement system and compared to normative motion capture data for evaluation of adequacy. Two IMUs per arm, only one IMU on upper arm, and only one IMU on forearm sensor placement options are studied to assess influence of system configuration on method precision. Combination of pressure mattress and IMU fixed on the trunk is used to measure trunk position (obtained from mat), rotation (from IMUs) and associated movements on surface (from both). Measurement system is first validated on spontaneous arm and trunk movements of a dedicated baby doll having realistic anthropometric characteristics of newborns. Next, parameters of movements in a healthy infant are obtained with pressure mattress, along with trunk and forearm IMU sensors to verify appropriateness of method and parameters.ResultsEvaluation results confirm that full sensor set, comprising pressure mattress and two IMUs per arm is a reliable substitution to optoelectronic systems. Motor pattern parameter errors are under 10% and kinematic estimation error is in range of 2 cm. Although, use of only forearm IMU is not providing best possible kinematic precision, the simplicity of use and still acceptable accuracy are convincing for frequent practical use. Measurements demonstrated system high mobility and usability.ConclusionsStudy results confirm adequacy of the proposed multi-sensor measurement system, indicating its enviable potential for accurate infant trunk posture and arm movement assessment.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1743-0003-11-133) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Early intervention programs aim at improving cognitive and motor outcomes of preterm infants. Intensive custom-tailored training activities are usually accompanied by assessment procedures, which have shortcomings, such as subjectivity, complex setups, and need for structured environments. A novel sensorized system, called CareToy, was designed to provide stimulation in the form of goal-directed activity training scenarios and motor pattern assessment of main developmental milestones, such as rolling activity, grasping, and postural stability. A group of 28 differently skilled preterm infants were enrolled. Acquired measurement data were analysed with dedicated sensor data processing algorithms, along with clinical evaluation of motor ability. High correlation among technically determined parameters and Alberta Infant Motor Scale values was determined by Pearson correlation coefficients. Due to good accuracy and possibility of single motor skill subfield analysis, results confirm system suitability for motor ability assessment. Statistical analysis of inter-motor ability group and inter-training goal data comparisons demonstrate system's appropriateness for goal-directed activity stimulation. The proposed system has evident potential of being an important contribution to the field of infant motor development assessment, expanding accessibility of early intervention programs and affecting rehabilitation effectiveness of preterm infants.
Infant posture and motor pattern development are normally analyzed by clinical assessment scales. Lately, this approach is combined with the use of sensor-supported systems, such as optical, inertial, and electromagnetic measurement systems, as well as novel assessment devices, such as CareToy. CareToy is a modular device for assessment and rehabilitation of preterm infants, comprising pressure mattresses, inertial and magnetic measurement units, and sensorized toys. Since such integrated sensor system combination is new to the field of sensor-supported infant behavior assessment and rehabilitation, dedicated methods for data analysis were developed and presented. These comprise trunk rotation, arm movement, forearm orientation, and head movement analysis, along with toy play and trunk posture stability evaluation. Methods were tested on case study data, evaluating suitability of developed algorithms for infant posture and activity analysis, regardless of behavioral responses. Obtained results demonstrate suitability of the proposed methods for successful use in studies of different motor pattern subfields. This represents an important step on the course towards objective, accurate, sensor-supported infant motor development assessment. Graphical abstract Posture and movement assessment of infants using analysis of sensory data, obtained with a dedicated sensorized gym with toys.
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