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Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this study was to show highly reliable normal values and three-dimensional characteristics for final range of motion during active movements of the upper extremity joints, and to develop a database from healthy participants, with the advantage of this database lying in the methods of defining shoulder axial rotation angle and of compensating for soft tissue artifacts. Methods: We used an electromagnetic tracking system (FASTRAK) to measure three-dimensional motions of the shoulder (thoracohumeral), elbow/forearm, and wrist in 20 healthy adults (age range: 18–34 years) during active joint motion tasks of the upper extremity. Results: Joint angles of the upper extremity at the final position of joint motion tasks were determined. Highly reliable data for shoulder axial rotation angle were obtained, using a new definition of joint angle and regression analysis to compensate for estimation errors. Conclusions: These results should be useful in setting goals for the treatment of upper extremity joint functions in the fields of rehabilitation, orthopedics, and sports medicine.
Implications for Rehabilitation
Complex joint motions that occur naturally (unconsciously) about some axes should be taken into account in interventions for range of joint motion (ROM).
The data obtained through this study simultaneously indicating multiple interrelated angles can be used as reference values for maximum active ROM.
ROM in the directions of motion involved in the various tasks (for example, elevation angle during shoulder flexion) may have a role to play in evaluating and setting goals for patients with impaired ROM of the arm joints.
Declaration of Interest: This study was supported by grants from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.