The elderly population experiences a decline in upper extremity range of motion (ROM), impairing activities of daily living. The primary mode of quantification is by goniometer measurement. In this cross-sectional observation study, we investigate a sensor-acquired reachable workspace for assessing shoulder ROM decline in an elderly population in comparison to traditional measurements. Sixty-one healthy subjects aged ≥ 65 years were included and compared to a cohort of 39 younger subjects, aged 20 to 64. A sensor acquired reachable workspace using a Kinect motion capture camera measured the maximum reaching ability of both arms while in a seated position, measured in m² and normalized to arm length to calculate a novel score defined as a relative surface area. This score approximates range of motion in the upper extremity. This measurement was compared to goniometer measurements, including active ROM in shoulder flexion and abduction. Total RSA shows moderate to strong correlation between goniometer in flexion and abduction in the dominant arm (R = 0.790 and R = 0.650, P < .001, respectively) and moderate correlations for the nondominant arm (R = 0.622 and R = 0.615, P < .001). Compared to the younger cohort, the elderly population demonstrated significantly reduced total RSA in the dominant arm (mean_elderly = 0.774, SD = 0.09; mean_younger = 0.830, SD = 0.07, P < .001), with significant reductions in the upper lateral quadrant in both arms (dominant: mean_elderly = 0.225, SD = 0.04; mean_younger = 0.241, SD = 0.01; P < .001; nondominant: mean_elderly = 0.213, SD = 0.03; mean_younger = 0.228, SD = 0.01; P = .004). The test-retest reliability was strong for both dominant and nondominant total RSA (ICC > 0.762). The reachable workspace demonstrates promise as a simple and quick tool for clinicians to assess detailed and quantitative active shoulder ROM decline in the elderly population.

Background: Popular programs to combat the increased rates of falls and improve overall balance and strength in the aging population are limited by accessibility or focus on distal movements, thereby limiting gains from the programs. The use of an age‐appropriate, community‐based Pilates program focusing on core strengthening for improved balance is proposed.Objective: The primary objective was to test the feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of a mat‐based, core strengthening Pilates program (aka Pilates Gold). The secondary objective was to investigate changes in balance and core strength for participating seniors.Design: Prospective pre‐post, observational study.Setting: Classes were on site at two retirement community centers.Participants: Males and females (65 years old and older) were recruited from two different senior community centers on a first‐come first‐serve basis. Participants had to be (1) English speaking, (2) an existing resident at one of the retirement communities, and (3) considered healthy by common standards.Interventions: Mat‐based Pilates program for 8 consecutive weeks. Movement difficulty and pace were slowly increased over the 8‐week program, with a maximum of 17 different movements.Main Outcome Measures: Primary outcomes for feasibility of the Pilates program were the Acceptability of Intervention Measure, Intervention Appropriateness Measure, and Feasibility of Intervention Measure. Secondary outcomes included the Sitting‐Rising test, Activities Balance Confidence, and Patient Global Impression of Change.Results: The Pilates program was deemed appropriate, acceptable, and feasible by >80% of senior participants. Over 80% also reported some level of change in overall health due to the program. No significant differences were observed in balance outcomes, although there were individual improvements.Conclusions: Community‐based Pilates programs are highly desired, feasible, and acceptable. These results justify further studies, of longer training periods and perhaps increasing difficult levels, to determine if core strengthening mat‐based Pilates is truly capable of improving balance, strength, and fall risks in seniors.

Study Design: A total of 20 patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) and a plan for surgical decompression were recruited in this pilot study to assess a new outcome measure. Patients were evaluated preoperatively and 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively using a 3-dimensional motion-tracking application (reachable workspace) to calculate an upper extremity (UE) relative surface area (RSA) and standard measurements [modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (mJOA), 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), and visual analog pain (VAP) score]. Baseline demographic data were collected. Objective: To assess the validity and comparativeness of a new measurement tool in DCM. Summary of Background Data: Currently, no universally accepted outcome measure exists for DCM. Traditionally used assessment scales are subjective and lack sensitivity. The reachable workspace, a graphical representation of UE spatial surface area using motion-sensor technology, can be used as an objective adjuvant assessment tool in DCM. Methods: The Welch t test was performed to assess UE RSA differences between DCM patients and healthy controls (HC). Concurrent validity and effect size of the RSA were compared to the standard measurements. A P =0.05 was accepted as statistically significant. Results: DCM patients had significantly reduced RSA of all quadrants compared to controls, with the largest reductions in the upper quadrants ( P <0.0001). Total RSA was significantly associated with total mJOA score (ρ=0.48, P <0.0001), upper extremity mJOA score (ρ=0.44, P <0.0002), VAP score during movement (ρ=-0.40, P <0.0007), and the SF-12 mental component (ρ=0.34, P <0.005). Patients with symptoms <1 year before surgery showed improved function via significant increases in total RSA and mJOA score. A stronger effect size was seen with RSA. Conclusion: The reachable workspace shows potential to track DCM UE function with accuracy, reliability, and sensitivity to change. Given the promise of this pilot study, a larger study to increase power and substantiate our results will be performed in the future.