Kinematic analysis of the head by inertial sensors. Test-retest reproducibility and clinical use feasibility

The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproducibility of a protocol using inertial sensors in order to characterize primary and associated movements of the head. Twenty-two subjects were evaluated twice in the same experimental conditions (3 days interval). Two inertial sensors allowed the evaluation of the range of movement of the head. Three complete cycles of movements were realised in each plane. A patient suffering from cervical dystonia was also evaluated with the same protocol before and after self-training program. Results show a good reproducibility for all ranges of movement except for the associated movements realised in the sagittal plane. Thereafter, our protocol allowed us to notice an improvement of the kinematics of the head after the self-training program followed by the patient. These results show the reproducibility of the inertial sensors as evaluation tools for head movements, a change in the proposed method will allow a generalization to cervical movements