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. 2019 Nov 15;20(1):546.
doi: 10.1186/s12891-019-2930-4.

Wearable systems for shoulder kinematics assessment: a systematic review

Arianna Carnevale  1 , Umile Giuseppe Longo  2 , Emiliano Schena  3 , Carlo Massaroni  3 , Daniela Lo Presti  3 , Alessandra Berton  1 , Vincenzo Candela  1 , Vincenzo Denaro  1
Affiliations

Wearable systems for shoulder kinematics assessment: a systematic review

Arianna Carnevale et al. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. .

Abstract

Background: Wearable sensors are acquiring more and more influence in diagnostic and rehabilitation field to assess motor abilities of people with neurological or musculoskeletal impairments. The aim of this systematic literature review is to analyze the wearable systems for monitoring shoulder kinematics and their applicability in clinical settings and rehabilitation.

Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar and IEEE Xplore was performed and results were included up to July 2019. All studies concerning wearable sensors to assess shoulder kinematics were retrieved.

Results: Seventy-three studies were included because they have fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The results showed that magneto and/or inertial sensors are the most used. Wearable sensors measuring upper limb and/or shoulder kinematics have been proposed to be applied in patients with different pathological conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, osteoarthritis, rotator cuff tear. Sensors placement and method of attachment were broadly heterogeneous among the examined studies.

Conclusions: Wearable systems are a promising solution to provide quantitative and meaningful clinical information about progress in a rehabilitation pathway and to extrapolate meaningful parameters in the diagnosis of shoulder pathologies. There is a strong need for development of this novel technologies which undeniably serves in shoulder evaluation and therapy.

Keywords: Inertial sensors; Shoulder kinematics; Smart textile; Upper limb; Wearable system.

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Conflict of interest statement

UGL and AB are members of the Editorial Board of BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. The remaining authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
PRISMA 2009 flow diagram
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Placement of sensing units (NOTE One study [90] is not included because the specific position of each sensor nodes is not so clear. Legend: N = number of studies, U = Unilateral, B = Bilateral)
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
a Anatomy of the Upper limb; b Anatomy of the Shoulder complex
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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