A Comparison and Validation of Traditional and Three-Dimensional Anthropometric Methods for Measuring the Hand through Reliability, Precision, and Visual Analysis

Abstract

This study examines the reliability and precision of three (3) different tools for collecting anthropometric data of the hand, traditional anthropometric tools (caliper and tape measure) and two (2) full-color hand-held three-dimensional scanners (Occipital Structure Sensor and Artec Leo). A visual analysis of the three-dimensional models provided from the two (2) full-color hand-held three-dimensional scanners (Occipital Structure Sensor and Artec Leo) took place during the post-processing stage to determine the three-dimensional visual reliability and precision. Twelve (12) three-dimensional hand scans, from a more extensive database taken by the Human Dimensioning Lab at the University of Minnesota, were three-dimensionally printed. Eight (8) defined measurements were analyzed for Anthropometric Tool Reliability Analysis and Anthropometric Tool Precision Analysis. This study found that the Artec Leo scanner was more reliable than traditional methods (caliper and tape measure) and the Occipital Structure Sensor. The Occipital Structure Sensor was more reliable than traditional methods (caliper and tape measure) and less reliable than the Occipital Structure Sensor. Within the Anthropometric Tool Precision Analysis, the Artec Leo captured comparable measurements to those collected using traditional methods (caliper and tape measure). The Occipital Structure Sensor captured comparable measurements, except for Index Finger Length and Index Finger Circumference at the Distal Interphalangeal Joint measurements compared to traditional methods (caliper and tape measure) and the Artec Leo. The Anthropometric Tool Precision Analysis included independent identification of landmarks at Fingertips of Digit 2 and 3 for six (6) out of twelve (12) Occipital Structure scans, which impacted two (2) measurements, Hand Length and Index Finger Length. Due to this, a Secondary Anthropometric Tool Precision Analysis took place for the six (6) participants with complete landmarks. During the Secondary Anthropometric Tool Precision Analysis, no statistical significance was found when comparing scans that did not require independent landmark identification. The scans provided by the two (2) three-dimensional scanners (the Occipital Structure Sensor and Artec Leo) were analyzed during the post-processing stage for the Three-Dimensional Visual Reliability Analysis and Three-Dimensional Visual Precision Analysis using a Post-Processing Visual Analysis Likert Scale (Juhnke, Pokorny, and Griffin, 2021). Three-Dimensional Visual Reliability and the Three-Dimensional Visual Precision Analysis found that the Occipital Structure Sensor and Artec Leo are comparable for all locations, except for the Visibility of Landmark location. This study validates the Artec Leo for use in further anthropometric data collection for the hand. The results provided by the Occipital Structure Sensor were promising compared to those collected using traditional methods (caliper and tape measure) when visible landmarking is used. The use of visual analysis as a form of evaluation for the validation of three-dimensional scanners was crucial to understanding where the scan’s quality might affect the data collection outcomes and should be considered within future studies.