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Investigation to analyse the correlation between ‘human plumbline distance’, ‘formetric plumbline distance’ and ‘inclinometry’ in a clinical setting: a pilot correlational study
Scoliosis volume 9, Article number: O4 (2014)
Background
Sagittal plane measures are an important aspect of evaluation of patients with both Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) and Hyperkyphosis. It is currently advised that the sagittal profile of AIS patients is measured clinically using Plumbline Distance (PD), yet competence of its use in clinical practice has not been regularly evaluated [3].
Aims
To determine the correlation between Human PD (HPD), Formetric PD (FPD) and Inclinometry measured clinically.
Design
Pilot correlational study.
Methods
27 consecutive female AIS patients aged 11-18 were measured prior to commencement of ScolioGold physiotherapy treatment with HPD, FPD and Inclinometry with measures repeated on completion of treatment. All measures were taken by one therapist (JM). FPD data considered was Cervical Apex (CA), Vertebral Prominence (VP), Lordotic Apex (LA) and Dimple Middle (DM).
Correlation was studied between singular measures of HPD vs. FPD, between predicted Kyphosis (C7+L3 vs VP+LA) and between both HPD and FPD vs. Inclinometry (C7+L3 or VP+LA vs Angle A+B).
Results
An initial analysis for normality (‘Shapiro-Wilk’ and ‘Skew and Kurtosis’) showed normal distributions in all variables except VP as measured by FPD and S1 as measured by HPD. Thus Pearson’s correlation was used in all cases except C7 vs. VP and S1 vs DM which utilised Spearman’s Correlation.
A strong positive correlation was shown between measures of HPD and FPD (Cervical vs. CA [r=0.574], C7 vs. VP [r=0.542], L3 vs. LA [r=0.683], S1 vs. DM [r=0.570]). A very strong correlation was demonstrated between kyphosis predictors in HPD and FPD (C7+L3 vs. VP+LA [r=0.782]). Similarly, Inclinometry showed a strong correlation with kyphosis predictors in both HPD and FPD (A+B vs. C7+L3 [r=0.563] or VP+LA [r=628]).
Investigative analysis of data demonstrated pre-treatment Inclinometer Kyphosis (A+B) as 24 degrees (SD 7.96) and FPD (VP+LA) as 50.77mm (SD 19.04).
Conclusion
This study has justified the use of HPD or Inclinometry in the absence of FPD in clinical settings to evaluate sagittal profiles in female patients with AIS for this small patient group. Future studies should be done to evaluate clinical correlation between radiographic kyphosis and HPD or Inclinometry, as well as considering the potential effect of inter-rater error.
References
Zaina F, Negrini S, Romano M, Aulisa A: Repeatability of different methods to collect in everyday clinics the sagittal profile of patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Scoliosis. 2007, 2 (Suppl1): S44-
Kotwicki T, Negrini S, Grivas TB, Rigo M, Maruyama T, Durmala J, Zaina F: Members of the international Society on Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment (SOSORT): Methodology of evaluation of morphology of the spine and the trunk in idiopathic scoliosis and other spinal deformities – 6th SOSORT Consensus Paper. Scoliosis. 2009, 4: 26. 10.1186/1748-7161-4-26.
Zaina F, Negrini A, Atanasio S, Fusco C, Pizzetti P, Saveriqa F, Ziliani V, Negrini S: Validity of distances from the plumbline in sagittal plane deformities: repeatability, correlation with kyphosis angles and normative values. Scoliosis. 2009, 4 (Suppl 2): O11. 10.1186/1748-7161-4-S2-O11.
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Black, J., Maude, E., Mayes, J. et al. Investigation to analyse the correlation between ‘human plumbline distance’, ‘formetric plumbline distance’ and ‘inclinometry’ in a clinical setting: a pilot correlational study. Scoliosis 9 (Suppl 1), O4 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1186/1748-7161-9-S1-O4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1748-7161-9-S1-O4