Biplanar Measurement of Thoracolumbar Curvature in Older Adults Using an Electromagnetic Tracking Device

Abstract

Singh DK, Bailey M, Lee R. Biplanar measurement of thoracolumbar curvature in older adults using an electromagnetic tracking device. Objectives To develop a new biplanar method of thoracolumbar curvature measurement by using an electromagnetic tracking device and to study the effects of aging on the thoracolumbar curvature. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Human movement laboratory. Participants Healthy (N=52, 26 younger and 26 older) volunteers. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures An electromagnetic tracking device was used to trace the thoracolumbar curvature by recording the positions of the spinous processes of the spine. The coordinates of the curvature were fitted with polynomial equations, and the magnitudes of thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, and lateral thoracic and lumbar curves were determined. Results The present technique was shown to be highly reliable in measuring thoracolumbar curvature with an intraclass correlation coefficient of more than .90. The mean thoracic kyphosis (−46.95°±11.41°) in the older adults was significantly larger than that in the younger adults (−38.82°±9.86°) ( P<.01). However, there were no significant differences in lumbar lordosis and lateral curvatures between the 2 subject groups. Conclusions The present study provided evidence of an increase in thoracic kyphosis in older adults. The method of measurement presented in this study was found to provide reliable biplanar data that will be useful in a clinical setting.