Spinal curvature: comparison of frontal measurements with the Spinal Mouse and radiographic assessment

AIM: The Spinal Mouse is an external non-invasive device which measures the spinal shape and mobility of the spine in several planes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the reliability and the validity of the Spinal Mouse to assess frontal standing measurements of the spine in a sample of young healthy volunteers. METHODS: Twenty-six young volunteers of both sex took part in the study. Angle data of vertebral inclination of each subject in frontal view were measured by Spinal Mouse and standard radiography for vertebral segments from T1-T2 down to L5-S1. RESULTS: Repetition of the measurements by Spinal Mouse performed by two examiners in different days resulted in no significant difference for the parameter examined, as well as measurements performed by the two examiners in the same day (P<0.05). The ICC values showed no correlation between the two devices in the following pairs of vertebrae: T2-T3, T4-T5, T5-T6, T7-T8, T8-T9, T9-T10, T11-T12, T12-L1, L1-L2, L3-L4, L4-L5. CONCLUSION: The Spinal Mouse results, concerning the standing frontal curvature of the spine, even if reliable, were poor when compared with the standard radiography.