A novel system for the dynamic assessment of back shape

Area of Science:

• Biomechanical Engineering
• Rehabilitation Technology
• Clinical Biomechanics

Background:

• Poor posture, especially during prolonged sitting or standing, frequently worsens low back pain.
• Understanding individual posture through continuous back shape assessment may elucidate low back pain mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the accuracy and repeatability of the SpineDMS system.
• To determine the system's suitability for assessing back shape in patients with back pain.

Main Methods:

• The SpineDMS system, a portable device assessing lumbar and lower thoracic spine shape in six segments, was tested.
• Sensor strips were repeatedly bent over defined arcs to assess angle measurement accuracy and repeatability.
• Spinal curvature was measured in 10 volunteers during flexion/extension exercises, compared against reference marker data.

Main Results:

• The SpineDMS measurement sensors demonstrated high accuracy and excellent repeatability (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient >0.98).
• Test-retest reliability was also high, with ICCs exceeding 0.98.
• Volunteer data confirmed the system's ability to detect human back shape and movement in the sagittal plane.

Conclusions:

• The SpineDMS system is a highly accurate and repeatable tool for assessing back shape and movement.
• It shows potential as a reliable diagnostic tool for evaluating back posture and aiding in low back pain research and management.