The Potential of Computer Vision-Based Marker-Less Human Motion Analysis for Rehabilitation

BACKGROUND: Several factors, including the aging population and the recent corona pandemic, have increased the need for cost effective, easy-to-use and reliable telerehabilitation services. Computer vision-based marker-less human pose estimation is a promising variant of telerehabilitation and is currently an intensive research topic. It has attracted significant interest for detailed motion analysis, as it does not need arrangement of external fiducials while capturing motion data from images. This is promising for rehabilitation applications, as they enable analysis and supervision of clients’ exercises and reduce clients’ need for visiting physiotherapists in person. However, development of a marker-less motion analysis system with precise accuracy for joint identification, joint angle measurements and advanced motion analysis is an open challenge. OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this paper is to provide a critical overview of recent computer vision-based marker-less human pose estimation systems and their applicability for rehabilitation application. An overview of some existing marker-less rehabilitation applications is also provided. METHODS: This paper presents a critical review of recent computer vision-based marker-less human pose estimation systems with focus on their provided joint localization accuracy in comparison to physiotherapy requirements and ease of use. The accuracy, in terms of the capability to measure the knee angle, is analysed using simulation. RESULTS: Current pose estimation systems use 2D, 3D, multiple and single view-based techniques. The most promising techniques from a physiotherapy point of view are 3D marker-less pose estimation based on a single view as these can perform advanced motion analysis of the human body while only requiring a single camera and a computing device. Preliminary simulations reveal that some proposed systems already provide a sufficient accuracy for 2D joint angle estimations. CONCLUSIONS: Even though test results of different applications for some proposed techniques are promising, more rigour testing is required for validating their accuracy before they can be widely adopted in advanced rehabilitation applications.