Static and dynamic validation of kinect for ergonomic postural analysis using electro-goniometers as a gold standard:A preliminary study

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Bhatia, Vibha^{a; *} | Vaishya, Rahul O.^{a; *} | Jain, Ashish^b | Grover, Vishakha^b | Arora, Suraj^c | Das, Gotam^{d; *} | Algarni, Youssef A.^c | Baba, Suheel Manzoor^c | Khateeb, Shafait Ullah^c | Saluja, Priyanka^e | Bavabeedu, Shashit Shetty^c

Affiliations: [a] Department of Production and Industrial Engineering, Industrial and Product Design (CoE), Punjab Engineering College (Deemed to be University), Chandigarh, India | [b] Dr. Harvansh Singh Judge Institute of Dental Sciences and Hospitals, Punjab University, Chandigarh, India | [c] Department of Restorative Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia | [d] Department of Prosthodontics, College of Dentistry, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia | [e] Department of Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding authors: Vibha Bhatia and Rahul O. Vaishya, Department of Production and Industrial Engineering, Industrial and Product Design (CoE), Punjab Engineering College (Deemed to be University), Chandigarh, India. E-mails: [email protected] and [email protected]. Gotam Das, Department of Prosthodontics, College of Dentistry, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia. E-mails: [email protected] and [email protected].

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Evaluation of the working postures and development of new techniques are paramount in reducing the awkward postures and occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The Kinect sensor, a portable and cost-effective device, appears to be a promising alternative to study work postures. OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to evaluate the validity of Kinect against the gold-standard instrument (electro-goniometers) for body joint angle measurements. METHODS: A unique software application was developed to measure the critical body joint angles for postural evaluation by using the Kinect’s skeletal tracking feature. The body joint angle data of ten volunteers were measured simultaneously by both Kinect and electro-goniometers. The validation analysis was conducted in both static and dynamic domains of application. RESULTS: Minimal variation was observed between the two techniques, and the Kinect correlated well for upper-arm joint angles of 45∘, 60∘ and 90∘; lower-arm joint angles of 30∘, 45∘, 60∘, and 90∘; straight neck position, neck joint angle at maximum possible flexion; straight trunk position, trunk bend angle at full flexion. In dynamic analysis, four out of five ICC values were > 0.75 except for the upper arm. Discrepancies in the results indicated the disapproval of Kinect for only wrist measurements. CONCLUSION: The results of the static and dynamic studies gave a sufficient basis to consider the Kinect tool as an alternative to contemporary posture-based ergonomic evaluation methods.

Keywords: Postures, kinect, motion analysis, joint angles, musculoskeletal disorders, ergonomics, electro-goniometers

DOI: 10.3233/THC-220727

Journal: Technology and Health Care, vol. 31, no. 6, pp. 2107-2123, 2023