Monitoring the Relationship between the Humerus and Clavicle Angles as Indicators for Neuromuscular Disorders

Abstract

To predict neuromuscular disorders, we are interested in monitoring upper limb movements continuously using wearable sensors. Shoulder muscle coordination is complex and for those with neuromuscular disorders, this coordination often fails. As monitoring the entire kinematics of the shoulder complex is nearly impossible to do continuously, we propose to simply track the humerus and clavicle angles using wearable and portable sensors as a way to continuously monitor and/or predict neuromuscular disorders. For healthy subjects, we found that the relationship between the elevation angles of the humerus and the clavicle are correlated with second order polynomials. Furthermore, this relationship is consistent for a given individual and is repeatable. Although the fits obtained differ slightly from subject to subject, the general shape of the fit is consistent across different individuals. Knowing the relationship between the elevation angles of the humerus and the clavicle for healthy shoulder movement, we will be able continuously to identify abnormal shoulder movements while patients participate in everyday activities.