Computer-vision aided functional movement measurement in people with and without axial spondyloarthritis – validation and feasibility study protocol

Abstract

Back pain is a common form of disability worldwide,and one condition that causes chronic back pain is axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) which primarily affects spinal joints resulting in pain and joint stiffness. There have been several tools developed to assess joint mobility for the axSpA population, but each requires either a clinician for measurement or specialised equipment. Markerless human motion analysis uses a computer-vision (CV) aided system to automate human movement from videos. This study aims to estimate criterion validity and reliability of functional movement measurement using a CV-aided system by comparing it to a standard clinical measurement; secondarily, to assess the feasibility of the CV-aided system in the lab and home environments. An index of tests of functional movement,range of motion and posture will be captured on video and measured using the CV-aided system in the lab and home environments. The index of tests will be compared to measurement performed by an experienced physiotherapist.Bland-Altman plots will be used to determine agreement between the methods, and reliability and completion rates will be used to determine the feasibility of the CV-aided system