TECHNIQUES FOR QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF INFANTS’ SPONTANEOUS MOVEMENTS IN CLINICAL STUDIES WITH CAMERA-BASED SYSTEMS

This work presents a new motion tracking method to evaluate spontaneous movements in preterm infants using an RGB depth sensor (Xtion Pro Live Asus). The assessment of motor repertoire in preterm infants is a diagnostic tool for an early identification of neurodevelopmental disorders, like cerebral palsy. Nowadays the assessment is based on observations and experiences of the clinicians. It is evident that a motion tracking system that can support clinicians is needed for an objective assessment. However, available motion tracking systems are marker-based, invasive and need a controlled environment. In this context, the aim of this thesis is the validation of a markerless system compared to the optoelectronic system, the gold standard for motion tracking. In addition, the new system has been adopted in a clinical experimental study