Inference on the Joint Center of Rotation by Covariance Pattern Models

Objective: In a statistical linear model estimating the center of rotation of a human hip joint, which is the parameter related to the mean of response vectors, assumptions of homoscedasticity and independence of position vectors measured repeatedly over time in the model result in an inefficient parameter. We, therefore, should take into account the variance-covariance structure of longitudinal responses. The purpose of this study was to estimate the efficient center of rotation vector of the hip joint by using covariance pattern models. Method: The covariance pattern models are used to model various kinds of covariance matrices of error vectors to take into account longitudinal data. The data acquired from functional motions to estimate hip joint center were applied to the models. Results: The results showed that the data were better fitted using various covariance pattern models than the general linear model assuming homoscedasticity and independence. Conclusion: The estimated joint centers of the covariance pattern models showed slight differences from those of the general linear model. The estimated standard errors of the joint center for covariance pattern models showed a large difference with those of the general linear model.