An evaluation of the Adams forward bend test and the scoliometer in a scoliosis school screening setting

We examined the ability of the Adams forward bend test and the scoliometer to detect truncal rotation or asymmetry in a school screening setting. Of 954 sixth graders examined with each test independently, 123 and 13 [using an angle of trunk rotation (ATR) of > 5 and 7 degrees, respectively] were found to be abnormal on scoliometer examination but appeared normal on the Adams test. Selecting children for scoliometer examination on the basis of the Adams test is not supported by our data and may not be consistent with generally accepted principles of public health screening.