Accuracy of Wearable Sensor Technology in Hand Goniometry: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background Wearable devices and sensor technology provide objective, unbiased range of motion measurements that help health care professionals overcome the hindrances of protractor-based goniometry. This review aims to analyze the accuracy of existing wearable sensor technologies for hand range of motion measurement and identify the most accurate one. Methods We performed a systematic review by searching PubMed, CINAHL, and Embase for studies evaluating wearable sensor technology in hand range of motion assessment. Keywords used for the inquiry were related to wearable devices and hand goniometry. Results Of the 71 studies, 11 met the inclusion criteria. Ten studies evaluated gloves and 1 evaluated a wristband. The most common types of sensors used were bend sensors, followed by inertial sensors, Hall effect sensors, and magnetometers. Most studies compared wearable devices with manual goniometry, achieving optimal accuracy. Although most of the devices reached adequate levels of measurement error, accuracy evaluation in the reviewed studies might be subject to bias owing to the use of poorly reliable measurement techniques for comparison of the devices. Conclusion Gloves using inertial sensors were the most accurate. Future studies should use different comparison techniques, such as infrared camera–based goniometry or virtual motion tracking, to evaluate the performance of wearable devices.

GonioPi: Towards Developing a Scalable, Versatile, Reliable and Accurate Handheld-Wearable Digital Goniometer

“…Over the past decade multiple studies focusing on wearable devices using sensor technology in physical therapy and rehabilitative science have been published [13]. The most used types of sensors in these studies were flex sensors, inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors, hall-effect sensors, magnetometers, and etextile and stitched sensors [5]. The studies presented that all these types of sensors have high accuracy and reliability when used for clinical goniometry.…”

“…To mitigate measurement errors in clinical goniometry, wearable digital goniometers using sensor technology has been designed and developed by some [4,5]. Wearable devices using sensor technology in physical therapy and rehabilitative science have shown high reliability and accuracy when used for the application of clinical goniometry.…”