A Game-based Automatic AROM Measurement System for Older Adults

Abstract

Currently, the aging problem is getting worse, which undoubtedly attracts people's attention to the life quality of older adults. Active range of motion (AROM) is a significant parameter on the judgement of older individuals’ ability to perform daily functional activities. Therefore, to obtain the data of older adults’ AROM quickly and accurately is particularly important. The traditional method of range of motion (ROM) measurement is to measure passive range of motion (PROM) by nurse, which cannot exactly reflect the older adults' active ability in the daily life, and a subjective difference exists in the results. To overcome the flaws of traditional method, AROM measurement systems have been developed. However, in the current AROM measurement systems, older people are instructed into several specific poses, which neglect the positive role of interest in stimulating elderly to participate in ROM measurement. Herein we propose an auto-measurement system which measures AROM through the wiping-game. In this auto-system, the joint coordinates of the player are measured by depth sensor, then the AROM is automatically and objectively calculated by using the coordinates. From the experimental results, we found the average value measured by our system is 21.6 degrees larger than the average value of goniometer measured by nurse. This result implies our measurement system through a game can help the elderly to be stretched better. To encourage the elderly to participate in this game more, a questionnaire survey of the elderly’ views on this game was performed. From the analysis results, we found the game function factor and the game interesting factor greatly affect the experience of players in the game. The results provide an idea to improve our measurement system in future.