ChestVolume: An R package and shiny app for analyzing chest expansion using 3D coordinate data

Abstract

ChestVolume is an R package and Shiny web application developed to facilitate the analysis of chest expansion using three-dimensional (3D) coordinate data obtained from optical motion capture systems. This software provides an end-to-end solution for respiratory analysis, including data preprocessing, marker position adjustment, volume calculation, and interactive visualization. The package includes functions for reformating marker data, adjusting marker positions, and calculating chest segment volumes using convex hull algorithms. Visualization tools allow users to explore chest expansion across time, providing a dynamic view of respiratory motion. The interactive Shiny app integrated with ChestVolume offers a user-friendly interface for individuals without advanced programming expertise, making chest volume analysis accessible to a wider audience. Users can upload 3D motion capture data, define custom chest segments, select specific time ranges, and visualize chest expansion patterns in both static and animated formats. These features enable researchers and clinicians to assess regional chest expansion and detect asymmetries in respiratory motion, which are crucial for understanding respiratory mechanics and evaluating conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and spinal deformities. ChestVolume advances respiratory health research by providing an open-source, customizable, and accessible tool for the quantitative assessment of chest wall movement. The package supports personalized rehabilitation strategies by enabling the identification of asymmetric respiratory motion, facilitating targeted interventions to improve respiratory function, and ultimately contributing to enhanced clinical assessments and health outcomes.