Validation of laser scanner for the collection of anthropometric measurement

BACKGROUND: Laser imaging provides an alternative to manual measurements in the collection of general anthropometric surveys focused on 1-D measures. This study aimed to develop a systematic method of comparing manual and digital anthropometric measurements and validate a commercial three-dimensional laser scanner for anthropometric measurements. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this preliminary project is to validate a laser scanner for selected length and girth measurements. METHODS: A variety of linear and circumferential segmental measures from 20 participants were either extracted from a 3D commercial laser imaging device scans or measured manually. Error between manual and scan-extracted measurements was compared based on ISO20685, and clinical standards. Regression analysis improved the quality of the measurements and residuals were again compared to the standards. RESULTS: After regression, 7 of the 9 the measurements were within, or close to (two times standard), standards. Error was caused by a combination of image quality issues associated with the laser scanner, as well as algorithmic issues associated with larger participants. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the results are promising, and given the indicated population, a small number of minor improvements may very quickly allow the scanner to collect measurements on a clinical population.