you can use motion capture or simple goniometer, it is so clear which you need do some creativeness work to attach this device to body

good luck

First thing came to my mind was a goniometer but if you see the stretching position its all coupled movements one after other and the combined movement, i cant think of measuring it with goniometer.

Motion capture is a thinkable idea, but i will have to establish a scale to correlate with the actual measurements; but that is not possible in my present setup.

My question to you is whether you are measuring PROM or AROM and does the person on whom you are measuring have a specific dx that would preclude any positioning or need support of any kind while performing these measurement?

I am measuring the PROM in side lying. The subjects will be having a diagnosis of Periarthritis.

P.S. check the articles

Hi Nihhin, Think outside the Box . There are several smart phone apps that utilize the orientation gyroscope in the phone - the advantage is that it is always gravity based , so relative to the vertical or horizontal. you just need to attach and orient the phone on the arm.

Now this is what I am thinking even I have downloded an app, the first question came to my mind was how to generate the data based on the measurements, and the data was generated and but was unable to convert it into useful numbers, the developers agreed to help me with that. But the reliability of the divice will become an issue, the validation need to be done so I am working in that direction.

Secondly these devices are designed to measure a certain amount of tilt which is for gaming purposes, that's also confusing me.

I agree with Dr. McQuade, a smartphone application could be a very useful tool for your application. When looking for validation, try to see how they are using the phone's sensors, some solely use the phone's accelerometers, while some programs use multiple sensors to keep each other in check (possibly applying Kalman filter). Just some info to guide your search.

Thank you Dr. Craig for your valuable suggestion, I will direct my investigation based on the suggestions.

In the US, the standard is dual computerized inclinometry per the AMA Guides of Impairment. J-Tech, Myovision, and the less expensive option sold my Acumar are all good units.

Hi Nidhin,

You could use several approaches but it really depends on what instruments you have access to: from a goniometer to more complex (and expensive) solutions like 3D kinematic systems. Assuming that you do not have access to the latter; I would say to simply pick a smartphone, a velcro strap, download a gyro-related app and attach the smartphone directly to the segment.

For free you could even look at the data in real-time from Matab or Python. Here is one example; hope it helps:

http://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/profile/authors/4148222-mathworks-mobile-sensor-connectivity-team

I have used a gravity inclinometer, plurimeter in my project measuring PROM  in patients with adhesive shoulder capsulitis, which is a small light handy instrument. It is also a validated instrument. You may look into "Passive range of motion in patients with adhesive shoulder capsulitis, an intertester reliability study over eight weeks" in BMC Musculuskeletal disorders. Acumar is another similar instrument but digital.