AutoMCA: A Robust Approach for Automatic Measurement of Cranial Angles

Head posture assessment commonly involves measuring cranial angles, with photogrammetry favored for its simplicity over CT scans or goniometers. However, most photo-based measurements remain manual, making them time-consuming and inefficient. Existing automatic measuring approaches often requires specific markers and clean backgrounds, limiting their usability. We present AutoMCA, a robust automatic measurement system for cranial angles using accessible markers and tolerating typical indoor backgrounds. AutoMCA integrates MediaPipe Pose, a machine-learning solution, for head–neck segmentation and applies color thresholding and morphological operations for marker detection. Validation tests demonstrated Pearson correlation coefficients above 0.98 compared to manual Kinovea measurements for both the craniovertebral angle (CVA) and cranial rotation angle (CRA), confirming high accuracy. Further validation on individuals with neck disorders showed similarly strong correlations, supporting clinical applicability. Speed comparison tests revealed that AutoMCA significantly reduces measurement time compared to traditional photogrammetry. Robustness tests confirmed reliable performance across varied backgrounds and marker types. In conclusion, AutoMCA measures head posture efficiency and lowers the requirements for instruments and space, making the assessment more versatile and applicable.