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Measuring upper limb function in children with hemiparesis with 3D inertial sensors

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Abstract

Purpose

Upper limb assessments in children with hemiparesis rely on clinical measurements, which despite standardization are prone to error. Recently, 3D movement analysis using optoelectronic setups has been used to measure upper limb movement, but generalization is hindered by time and cost. Body worn inertial sensors may provide a simple, cost-effective alternative.

Methods

We instrumented a subset of 30 participants in a mirror therapy clinical trial at baseline, post-treatment, and follow-up clinical assessments, with wireless inertial sensors positioned on the arms and trunk to monitor motion during reaching tasks.

Results

Inertial sensor measurements distinguished paretic and non-paretic limbs with significant differences (P < 0.01) in movement duration, power, range of angular velocity, elevation, and smoothness (normalized jerk index and spectral arc length). Inertial sensor measurements correlated with functional clinical tests (Melbourne Assessment 2); movement duration and complexity (Higuchi fractal dimension) showed moderate to strong negative correlations with clinical measures of amplitude, accuracy, and fluency.

Conclusion

Inertial sensor measurements reliably identify paresis and correlate with clinical measurements; they can therefore provide a complementary dimension of assessment in clinical practice and during clinical trials aimed at improving upper limb function.

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Funding

This study was supported by grants from the Swiss National Science Foundation (Bern, CH, grant no. 32003B_141167/1) and Fondation Pierre Mercier pour la Science (Lausanne, CH). The funding sponsors had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; and in the decision to publish the results.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Paediatric Neurology and Neurorehabilitation Unit, Lausanne University Hospital, Hôpital Nestlé–CHUV, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland

    Christopher J. Newman, Roselyn Bruchez, Sylvie Roches & Marine Jequier Gygax

  2. Laboratory of Movement Analysis and Measurement, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland

    Cyntia Duc, Farzin Dadashi, Fabien Massé & Kamiar Aminian

Authors
  1. Christopher J. Newman
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  2. Roselyn Bruchez
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  3. Sylvie Roches
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  4. Marine Jequier Gygax
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  5. Cyntia Duc
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  6. Farzin Dadashi
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  7. Fabien Massé
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  8. Kamiar Aminian
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Christopher J. Newman.

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Conflict of interest

Christopher J. Newman and Kamiar Aminian are shareholders of Gait Up SA. The other authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Newman, C.J., Bruchez, R., Roches, S. et al. Measuring upper limb function in children with hemiparesis with 3D inertial sensors. Childs Nerv Syst 33, 2159–2168 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-017-3580-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-017-3580-1

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