Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 5, 2025
Subjective Refraction Test Using a Smartphone for Vision Screening
Published on: October 18, 2024
The smartphone as a tool to screen for scoliosis, applicable by everyone
H M van West1, J Herfkens2, J P H J Rutges2
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Room NC-414, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. h.vanwest@erasmusmc.nl.
Purpose (Main Purposes And Research Question):
The purpose of this study is to assess the accuracy and precision of the smartphone with application and casing (Scolioscreen) compared to the Scoliometer.
Methods:
The Axial Trunk Rotation (ATR) was measured in adolescent scoliosis patients visiting the outpatient clinic while performing the Adam Forward Bending Test. The Scolioscreen measurements were performed by the orthopedic surgeon and a parent. They were compared to the measurement with the Scoliometer by the orthopedic surgeon, the gold standard. The accuracy was determined with the Pearson's correlation coefficient, and precision was determined by assessing the intra- and inter-variability with the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC).
Results:
Fifty patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (44 girls) were included with a mean age of 14.1 years and a mean Cobb angle of 38.5°. The accuracy of both the parents and orthopedic surgeon was excellent with a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.92 and 0.97, respectively. All the ICC's, both intra- and inter-observer, were over 0.92 demonstrating excellent precision.
Conclusion:
This study confirms the accuracy and precision of the Scolioscreen when measuring the ATR on patients with AIS. Therefore, the Scoliometer can be replaced by the more easily available Scolioscreen which can be used by both physician and parents.
