Design and validation of depth camera-based static posture assessment system

Postural abnormalities have become a prevalent issue affecting individuals of all ages, resulting in a diminished quality of life. Easy-use and reliable posture assessment tools can aid in screening for and correcting posture deviation at an early stage. In this study, we present a depth camera-based static posture assessment system to screen for common postural anomalies such as uneven shoulders, pelvic tilt, bowlegs and knock-knees, forward head, scoliosis, and shoulder blade inclination. The system consists of an Azure Kinect camera, a laptop, and evaluation software. Our system accurately measures skeleton and posture indexes and shows favorable agreement with a golden standard optical infrared motion capture system. The findings indicate that the system is a low-cost posture assessment tool with high precision and accuracy, suitable for initial screening of postural abnormalities in individuals of all ages.