Abstract
BackgroundThere is a lack of evidence-based quantitative clinical methods to adequately assess posture. Our team developed a clinical photographic posture assessment tool (CPPAT) and implemented this tool in clinical practice to standardize posture assessment. The objectives were to determine the level of acceptance of the CPPAT and to document predictors as well as facilitators of and barriers to the acceptance of this tool by clinicians doing posture re-education.MethodsThis is a prospective study focussing on technology acceptance. Thirty-two clinician participants (physical therapists and sport therapists) received a 3–5 h training workshop explaining how to use the CPPAT. Over a three-month trial, they recorded time-on-task for a complete posture evaluation (photo - and photo-processing). Subsequently, participants rated their acceptance of the tool and commented on facilitators and barriers of the clinical method.ResultsTwenty-three clinician participants completed the trial. They took 22 (mean) ± 10 min (SD) for photo acquisition and 36 min ± 19 min for photo-processing. Acceptance of the CPPAT was high. Perceived ease of use was an indirect predictor of intention to use, mediated by perceived usefulness. Analysis time was an indirect predictor, mediated by perceived usefulness, and a marginally significant direct predictor. Principal facilitators were objective measurements, visualization, utility, and ease of use. Barriers were time to do a complete analysis of posture, quality of human-computer interaction, non-automation of posture index calculation and photo transfer, and lack of versatility.ConclusionThe CPPAT is perceived as useful and easy to use by clinicians and may facilitate the quantitative analysis of posture. Adapting the user-interface and functionality to quantify posture may facilitate a wider adoption of the tool.
Highlights
There is a lack of evidence-based quantitative clinical methods to adequately assess posture
Fortin et al BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders (2018) 19:366 reported that most of the new computer-based methods proposed in the literature to assess posture in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis focussed only on the back view and that the methodology of these studies was of low quality
Our team has developed a software program for quantitative analysis of whole body posture from digital photographs in youth with idiopathic scoliosis [18, 19]. Measures obtained using this software-based method showed excellent test-retest and inter-rater reliability for marker placement as well as good concurrent validity with spinal angles measured on radiographs and 3D trunk posture indices measured from a topography system in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis [18, 19]
Summary
There is a lack of evidence-based quantitative clinical methods to adequately assess posture. Fortin et al BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders (2018) 19:366 reported that most of the new computer-based methods proposed in the literature to assess posture in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis (four on 2D photogrammetry and 11 on laser or structured light, ultrasound and moiré scanner projection) focussed only on the back view and that the methodology of these studies was of low quality. These authors pointed out the importance of measuring posture of the whole body in patients with idiopathic scoliosis because the posture alterations may be extended to the whole body. The CPPAT could be used to standardize posture assessment in persons with scoliosis or other musculoskeletal pathologies
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