Validity and Reliability of a Depth Camera–Based Quantitative Measurement for Joint Motion of the Hand

PURPOSE: Quantitative measurement of hand motion is essential in evaluating hand function. This study aimed to investigate the validity and reliability of a novel depth camera–based contactless automatic measurement system to assess hand range of motion and its potential benefits in clinical applications. METHODS: Five hand gestures were designed to evaluate the hand range of motion using a depth camera–based measurement system. Seventy-one volunteers were enrolled in performing the designed hand gestures. Then, the hand range of motion was measured with the depth camera and manual procedures. System validity was evaluated based on 3 dimensions: repeatability, within-laboratory precision, and reproducibility. For system reliability, linear evaluation, the intraclass correlation coefficient, paired t-test and bias were employed to test the consistency and difference between the depth camera and manual procedures. RESULTS: When measuring phalangeal length, repeatability, within-laboratory precision, and reproducibility were 2.63%, 12.87%, and 27.15%, respectively. When measuring angles of hand motion, the mean repeatability and within-laboratory precision were 1.2° and 3.3° for extension of 5 digits, 2.7° and 10.2° for flexion of 4 fingers, and 3.1° and 5.3° for abduction of 4 metacarpophalangeal joints, respectively. For system reliability, the results showed excellent consistency (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.823; P < .05) and good linearity with the manual procedures (r = 0.909–0.982, approximately; P < .001). Besides, 78.3% of the measurements were clinically acceptable. CONCLUSIONS: Our depth camera–based evaluation system provides acceptable validity and reliability in measuring hand range of motion and offers potential benefits for clinical care and research in hand surgery. However, further studies are required before clinical application. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study suggests a depth camera–based contactless automatic measurement system holds promise for assessing hand range of motion in hand function evaluation, diagnosis, and rehabilitation for medical staff. However, it is currently not adequate for all clinical applications.