CLINICAL USE OF PREDICTION REGIONS FOR MOTION ANALYSIS

This study assesses the diagnostic capability of statistically defined prediction regions, developed by a 'bootstrap' method, for assessing the curves of angular rotation of joints in children as they walk. The prediction regions had been previously developed in the authors' labo ratory from a study of 309 normal children. The goal of tile present s tudy was to determine whether these computer-generated prediction regi ons could be used as a screen in clinical gait analysis, to determine whether a movement falls outside the normal range of variability. Kine matic analysis of 38 consecutive children referred to the: motion anal ysis laboratory fur clinical gait assessment provided 912 curves of lo wer-extremity joint angle dynamics. An experienced observer first insp ected the patients' curves with mean normal curves superimposed and de signated the curves as normal or abnormal. The performance of the comp uter-generated prediction regions was judged by comparison with the ex perienced observer's designations. The prediction regions were found t o have a high sensitivity (81%), indicating that they can be used as a n initial screen to identify deficits in lower Limb function.