An Investigation into the Accuracy of LiDAR Technology for In-Home Rehabilitation Planning: A Proof-of-Concept Study

Background : Accurate home assessment is essential for safe hospital discharge and aging-in-place, yet staff shortages create significant delays. The integration of technology into discharge pathways could augment occupational therapy services and optimize health system resources. Methods : This proof-of-concept study had three aims: (1) identify priority occupational therapy home assessment components through expert survey (n=30 occupational therapists); (2) evaluate consumer LiDAR device accuracy (iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPad Pro 11-inch, Leica BLK360 G1) against tape measurement (±0.1 cm) across varying light conditions (54-1051 LUX); and (3) determine which assessment components can be objectively measured by LiDAR versus requiring clinical evaluation. Results : Survey respondents identified 59 priority assessment items across six domains. LiDAR devices demonstrated high measurement reliability: iPad Pro (ICC=0.989-1.000), iPhone (ICC=0.967-0.999), and Leica (ICC=0.998-1.000). Analysis of measurability revealed that 50.8% of assessment items (n=30) can be measured by LiDAR technology, while 49.2% (n=29) require clinical assessment through questionnaires or in-person evaluation. Notably, lower-priority items demonstrated higher measurability (61.1%) compared to highest-priority items (50.0%), indicating that critical assessment domains involve complex person-environment interactions beyond spatial measurement capabilities. Conclusions : Consumer LiDAR technology offers accurate measurement of home dimensions for rehabilitation planning. A hybrid assessment model combining automated LiDAR measurement with clinical expertise is recommended, potentially reducing assessment time while maintaining quality and targeting in-person visits to items requiring professional judgment.