Validity and Reliability Study of Head-Neck Motion and Postural Tracking Using Neck watch- A Wearable Device Prototype

Sharon MH Tsang^1*, Grace PY Szeto², Mary LS Chan³, Andrea CK Choi³, Kate LK Lou³, Hillary HY Wong³, Tiom ZC Xu³ and Raymond YW Lee⁴

¹Assistant Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hunghom, Hong Kong

²Professor, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Tung Wah College, Hong Kong

³BSc Physiotherapy student, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University; Hong Kong

⁴Professor of Biomechanics and Associate Dean, Faculty of Technology, University of Portsmouth, the United Kingdom

*Corresponding Author : Sharon MH Tsang
Assistant Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hunghom, Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 27664332
Fax: (852) 27641435
E-mail: Sharon.Tsang@polyu.edu.hk

Received: December 30, 2019 Accepted: January 17, 2020 Published: January 24, 2020

Citation: Tsang SMH, Szeto GPY, Chan MLS, Choi ACK, Lou KLK, Wong HHY, Xu TZC, Lee RYW (2020) Validity and Reliability Study of Head-Neck Motion and Postural Tracking Using Neck Watch: A Wearable Device Prototype. J Ergon Res 3:1. doi: 10.37532/jeor.2020.3(1).109

This study examined the validity and reliability of an inertial measurement unit prototype, Neck Watch in measuring headneck kinematics. Head-neck kinematics was acquired simultaneously by Neck Watch and Noraxon systems in 14 healthy young adults whilst performing 4 types of movements or postures. Validity of measurement was determined using Coefficient of Multiple Correlations (CMC), Pearson’s r and Limits of Agreement (LOA), while reliability of measurements was assessed by Intra-class Correlation Coefficients (ICC). Good to excellent CMC and r values were found for standard and combined movements. Large variability for width of LOA was revealed across different movements/postures. Excellent internal consistency shown in Neck Watch indicates minimal within-subject variability. Modest to excellent ICC results found for intra- and inter-rater reliability with standard. Neck Watch prototype is valid and reliable in measuring single-plane movements. Yet, improvement is needed for recording static postures and functional movements.