Versatile clinical movement analysis using statistical parametric mapping in MovementRx

Clinical gait analysis is an important biomechanics field that is often influenced by subjectivity in time-varying analysis leading to type I and II errors. Statistical Parametric Mapping can operate on all time-varying joint dynamics simultaneously, thereby overcoming subjectivity errors. We present MovementRx, the first gait analysis modelling application that correctly models the deviations of joints kinematics and kinetics both in 3 and 1 degrees of freedom; presented with easy-to-understand color maps for clinicians with limited statistical training. MovementRx is a python-based versatile GUI-enabled movement analysis decision support system, that provides a holistic view of all lower limb joints fundamental to the kinematic/kinetic chain related to functional gait. The user can cascade the view from single 3D multivariate result down to specific single joint individual 1D scalar movement component in a simple, coherent, objective, and visually intuitive manner. We highlight MovementRx benefit by presenting a case-study of a right knee osteoarthritis (OA) patient with otherwise undetected postintervention contralateral OA predisposition. MovementRx detected elevated frontal plane moments of the patient's unaffected knee. The patient also revealed a surprising adverse compensation to the contralateral limb.

Automated summary

Clinical gait analysis is prone to subjectivity errors, but Statistical Parametric Mapping can overcome these errors by analyzing all time-varying joint dynamics simultaneously. MovementRx is a versatile and user-friendly application that accurately models joint deviations in 3 and 1 degrees of freedom, providing color maps for easy interpretation by clinicians. It offers a holistic view of lower limb joints and allows for specific analysis of individual movement components.