The use of inertial sensors system for human motion analysis

TLDR

This systematic review evaluates inertial sensor systems for human motion analysis by comparing them to established gold‑standard measurement tools such as electrogoniometry, optoelectronic, and electromagnetic systems. The authors searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PEDRo, and SCOPUS from 2000 to 2010, selected studies with two independent reviewers, assessed quality using the CASP Español tool, and compared the reliability of inertial sensors to gold‑standard systems. Fourteen of 242 studies demonstrated good agreement between inertial sensors and gold‑standard methods across tasks and anatomical regions, but accuracy and reliability varied by site and task, with common validity threats related to sample selection and operator blinding.

Abstract

The aim of this article is to review systematically and appraise critically the literature surrounding the research, comparing inertial sensors with any kind of gold standard; this gold standard has to be a tool for measuring human movement (e.g. electrogoniometry, optoelectronic systems, electromagnetic systems, etc.).A MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PEDRo and SCOPUS search of published English language articles was conducted, which focused on articles that compared inertial sensors to any kind of gold standard (e.g. electrogoniometry, optoelectronic systems, electromagnetic systems, etc. ), from 2000 to 2010. Two independent reviewers completed the study selection, quality appraisal and data extraction. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Español tool was used to assess study quality, and a reliability comparison between the systems was made.Fourteen out of 242 articles were reviewed, which displayed a similar threat to validity, relating to sample selection and operator blinding. Other study limitations are discussed. A comparison between the different systems showed good agreement across a range of tasks and anatomical regions.This review concludes that inertial sensors can offer an accurate and reliable method to study human motion, but the degree of accuracy and reliability is site and task specific.