Reliability of kinematic parameters during unilateral upper limb reaching tasks using a portable motion tracking system

J Med Eng Technol. 2010 Apr;34(3):200-8. doi: 10.3109/03091900903518363.

Abstract

The reliability of a portable computer based system (Motor Task Manager; MTM) used for the assessment of motor dysfunction needs to be assessed before being used clinically. Nine healthy males, aged 24-55 years (mean = 31.4, SD +/- 9.84) performed three unilateral MTM-prescribed reaching task paradigms. Tasks were completed three times in random order during three separate testing sessions. Speed characteristics showed excellent (Intra-class correlation coefficient; ICC 0.78-0.92) and inter-session (ICC 0.86-0.92) reliability for all three tasks. Temporal parameters had fair to good reliability in the first session (ICC 0.42-0.78) which improved in sessions 2 and 3 (ICC 0.64-0.96). Inter-session reliability for temporal characteristics was better for movement time (ICC 0.57-0.84) than onset time (ICC 0.14-0.53). Spatial characteristics demonstrated poor intra- (ICC -0.09-0.63) and inter-sessions (ICC 0.15-0.61) reliability. Speed characteristics were the most robust results for the healthy population studied and recommended for measuring performance, particularly if only one test session is possible.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arm / physiology*
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Movement / physiology*
  • Physical Examination / instrumentation*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Task Performance and Analysis*