Computer supported thermography monitoring of hand strength evaluation by electronic dynamometer in rheumatoid arthritis - a pilot study

This paper describes the implementation of a new dynamometer system with thermography monitoring of heat dissipation, and the implications of this new system in physiatry, rheumatology and neurology. The system includes a single data processing algorithm and the concept of motor hand function evaluation involving the determination of quantitative indicators. In rehabilitation medicine, muscle function is assessed during the physical examination of a patient. Although a simple computer supported approved dynamometer instrument improves the assessment of static strength, it is rarely used in clinical practice where dynamic measurements are preferred. A computer-assisted electronic dynamometer has been developed to enable a clinician to measure dynamic muscle function in standardized manner Dynamometer comprises a force transducer and a movement transducer interfaced to a personal computer In the study, dynamic measurement protocols were used that are based on biomechanical analysis. During the execution of test exercise used the method of thermographic recording of heat dissipation using dedicated software for analysis of characteristic parameters. The results obtained showed the possibility of objectification biomechanical properties and heat dissipative characteristics of the hand. The results of data analysis from calculated characteristic parameters show the correlation with patients' clinical status, i.e. the motor status of the hand and efficiency of temperature monitoring (standard deviation 0.92.). From the results of this pilot-study it can be concluded that computer supported dynamometer might be suitable for use in diagnostics in physical and rehabilitation medicine, possibily in conjuction with thermography. Further studies on larger numbers of participants are needed to evaluate these preliminary results.