Research
Our approach to digital hand assessment is grounded in peer-reviewed research. Explore the published work of Dr. Caitlin Symonette and the Digits Health team.
Publications
Peer-reviewed papers on digital hand assessment and computer vision for rehabilitation.
Software-Based Finger Joint Range of Motion Analysis: Current Concepts, Considerations, and Challenges
Létourneau, S., Symonette, C.
Journal of Hand Therapy · 2025
This paper provides knowledge translation of available and prospective technologies from developer to clinician literature. It defines the landscape of current software-based ROM analysis systems, discusses considerations and challenges inherent in the development of software-based technologies, and proposes future directions for integration of software-based ROM analysis systems into clinical practice.
Download PDFA Novel Technique for Digital Assessment of Hand Volume
Katouzian, N., Parent, C. A., Eagleson, R., Symonette, C.
Journal of Hand Therapy · 2025
This study develops a webcam-based method using computer vision technology for digital hand volume assessment and compares its results with those from conventional water displacement and figure-of-eight techniques to evaluate its feasibility in healthy hands. A novel algorithm was developed to process hand images captured through a webcam, computing digital hand volume using both palmar and lateral view area calculations.
Download PDFAugmented Reality-Based Finger Joint Range of Motion Measurement: Assessment of Reliability and Concurrent Validity
Létourneau, S. G., Jin, H., Peters, E., Grewal, R., Ross, D., Symonette, C.
Journal of Hand Surgery · 2024
This study aimed to determine the reliability and concurrent validity of finger joint range of motion measurement using augmented reality-based hand tracking in a sample of healthy hands. All joints demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability (ICC > 0.75) in all views in flexion. AR-based flexion measurements were within 10° of goniometry in ulnar views across multiple joints.
Download PDFAssessment of Finger Dexterity Through the DIGITS Joint Tracking Web Application — An Evaluation Study with Comparison to the Nine-Hole Pegboard Test
Kuchtaruk, A., Dong, H., Jin, H., Kang, J., Wilson, C., Davidson, J., Eagleson, R., Symonette, C.
Journal of Hand Therapy · 2024
This study identifies dexterity outcomes using the web application DIGITS and compares these outcomes to the nine-hole pegboard test (NHPT). A two-part study with a pilot of a remote dexterity design using DIGITS was followed by a validation study comparing DIGITS to the gold-standard metric of dexterity. The study recruited healthy subjects to perform remote finger tapping exercises.
Download PDFTelerehabilitation Technology Used for Remote Wrist/Finger Range of Motion Evaluation: A Scoping Review
Kuchtaruk, A., Yu, S. S. Y., Iansavichene, A., Davidson, J., Wilson, C. A., Symonette, C.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery — Global Open · 2023
This scoping review identifies telerehabilitation technologies that can be feasibly used in a patient's home to objectively measure finger/wrist ROM. Twenty-eight studies were reviewed, including smartphone angle measurement applications, smartphone photography, videoconference, and wearable or external sensors. Telerehabilitation can be used as a reliable substitute to in-person goniometer measurements.
Download PDFNext-Generation Remote Hand Assessments: Cross-Platform DIGITS Web Application
Dong, H., Shin, H., Ho, E., Jin, H. J., Letourneau, S., Banerjee, T., Masschelein, G., Davidson, J., Wilson, C., de Ribaupierre, S., Eagleson, R., Symonette, C. J.
Journal of Hand Surgery Global Online · 2023
This study evaluates the DIGITS platform across different devices with varied operating systems and camera resolutions. The web application makes DIGITS accessible on any device equipped with a camera. Findings indicated that differences in measurements between devices ranged from 2° to 3° for extension and 3° to 8° for flexion, demonstrating cross-platform reliability.
Download PDF'DIGITS' App — Smartphone Augmented Reality for Hand Telerehabilitation
Dong, H., Ho, E., Shin, H., Banerjee, T., Masschelein, G., Davidson, J., de Ribaupierre, S., Eagleson, R., Symonette, C.
Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering: Imaging & Visualization · 2022
DIGITS application utilises the front smartphone camera to measure finger ROM in a reliable and rapid assessment protocol. Beta-phase testing showed 6 to 9 degrees of difference between smartphone application data and in-person measurements, within the acceptable 7 to 9 degree tolerance for inter-rater goniometry. The ICC was 0.98 for extension and 0.78–0.81 for flexion across different environmental conditions.
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We partner with academic institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and orthopedic hardware manufacturers on research studies using digital hand assessments. Our Research Connect platform makes it easy to integrate Digits assessments into your study protocol.
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