Measurement validity of spine alignment in healthy young adults:comparison of sagittal measurements with the Spinal Mouse and radiographic assessment

Abstract

The Spinal Mouse is an external non­invasive device which measures the spinal curves and mobility of the spine in several planes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity of the Spinal Mouse to assess sagittal standing measurements of the spine in healthy young adults. Thirty young male and female volunteers took part in the present study. Angle data of vertebral inclination of each subject in sagittal view were measured by Spinal Mouse and standard lateral radiography for vertebral segments from T 2­3 down to L5­S1. Sagittal curvature of the thoracic spine was similar between the Spinal Mouse and standard radiographic measurements. Sagittal curvature of the lumbar spine was smaller for several segments in Spinal Mouse measurement compared with radiographic assessment. Measurement validity of the spinal alignment using Spinal Mouse was suggested to be high in thoracic spine but low in lumbar spine.