Abstract
For effective control and assessment of harmful hand-forearm motion at work, a valid goniometric system that produces reliable and accurate measurements is essential. The present study evaluated the WristCorderTM, a portable motion analyzer for flexion/extension (F/E), ulnar/radial deviation (U/R), and pronation/supination (P/S) of the hand-forearm, in terms of linearity, sensitivity, and reliability using the Triaxial Hand-Forearm Fixture. Eight participants having no history of musculoskeletal disorders were recruited for the evaluation. The motion analyzer produced sensor values linearly related to angular movements of the limb; sensitivity was less than 1° for F/E and U/R and between 2.5° and 3.5° for P/S; standard deviation due to measurement error was about 1° for F/E and U/R and about 2.4° for P/S; and standard error of measurement was less than 1° for F/E and U/R and 2.3° for P/S. The motion analyzer may be used as an effective tool to analyze unidimensional movements of the hand-forearm in industry. Continued study is needed to generalize the evaluation results in three-dimensional motion analysis.
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