Biomechanical markers of impaired motor coordination

Abstract

This study is devoted to movement analysis from a biomechanical perspective to evaluate coordination lesions. It aims to find the most characteristic biomechanical markers that would help to quantitatively evaluate impaired motor coordination without performing or supplementing clinical tests. A total of 54 (31 – multiple sclerosis (MS) and 23 – healthy (CO)) subjects performed the heel-to-shin test (HST) and correspondingly, kinematic parameters of lower extremity were measured by using six 9DOF wireless inertial sensors (IMUs). Three-dimensional data from IMUs was processed utilizing Madgwick's Attitude and Heading Reference Systems (AHRS) algorithm. MS group was compared to CO, as well as impaired body side with an intact among MS subjects. Obtained results revealed following meaningful parameters for coordination between MS and CO (p<0.01): motion time, range of motion (ROMs) of the ankle, knee in the sagittal plane; hip in frontal plane; variability and SD variation. Following biomechanical indices, namely ROMs of the ankle, knee in the sagittal plane; hip in frontal plane; hip in transverse plane, were used for the evaluation of MS body sides’ (p<0.01). Latter biomechanical markers clearly describe impaired motor coordination and enables distinguishing from the sound. New information precisely explain movement quality and it is useful for the assessment of the impairment.