Mobile Applications in Evaluations of Knee Joint Kinematics: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Because medical professionals lack the means to monitor exercises performed by patients in their home environment directly, there is a strong case for introducing technological solutions into this domain. They include methods that use wireless inertial sensors, which emit signals recorded and processed by special applications that work with mobile devices. This paper’s aim is (a) to evaluate whether such sensors are suitable for qualitative and quantitative motion analysis, and (b) to determine the repeatability of results over a few recordings. Knee joint activity was analysed using a system of inertial sensors connected through a Wi-Fi network to mobile devices. The tested individuals did eight different activities, all of which engaged the knee joint. Each excercise was repeated three times. Study results did not reveal any statistically significant differences between the three measurements for most of the studied parameters. Furthermore, in almost every case, there were no statistically significant differences between the results of the right and left lower limb (p > 0.05). This study shows that easy use and repeatability of results combined with the feature of quantitative and qualitative analysis make the examined method useful for functional evaluations of the knee joint.

Manual Therapy Versus Closed Kinematic Exercises—The Influence on the Range of Movement in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Study

“…Our tests were based on inertial sensors to evaluate the range of motion irrespective of the position or type of the patient's activity. A number of other studies are available in which inertial sensors were used to evaluate the range of motion [12,22,23]. Approaches using camera-based motion capture systems are another method with similar measurement potential to inertial sensors.…”

“…Subsequently, all positions between the sensors in relation to each other are calculated and then stored in the online database. The Orthyo system has been discussed in detail in an article by Lisi ński et al [12].…”

Wireless Motion Sensors—Useful in Assessing the Effectiveness of Physiotherapeutic Methods Used in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis—Preliminary Report

“…In our study, we determined JPS under open kinematic chain conditions using two inertial wireless sensors in conjunction with a mobile application, which permitted unhindered joint movement. Additionally, proprioception can be assessed through one's ability to maintain knee joint stability in the frontal plane [32]. We measured this frontal plane stability under closed kinematic chain conditions by assessing the degree of knee joint deviation from its correct trajectory in the frontal plane during flexion.…”

“…We measured this frontal plane stability under closed kinematic chain conditions by assessing the degree of knee joint deviation from its correct trajectory in the frontal plane during flexion. We expressed it via the MSE parameter [32]. The literature search yielded no studies citing the use of this parameter in relation to specific disease entities.…”

“…The archiving and retrieving system provides access to cloud-stored data, enabling web-based tracking of results. The detailed specification of the Orthyo ® system is described in the previous article [32].…”