Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the validity and diagnostic accuracy of the angle of trunk rotation (ATR) and the stiffness scoliosis test (SST) measured using a smartphone with a simple external device (binder clips) using the scoliometer as the reference standard; and (2) to evaluate the effect of the rater’s experience.
Methods: This was a diagnostic accuracy study. Each participant was evaluated by 2 raters using a scoliometer and a smartphone (applied using a very simple external device - binder clips). Exclusion criteria: spinal surgery, any diagnosable cause of scoliosis, and upper or lower limb amputation. The sequence of the 2 consecutive procedures of evaluation and the 2 raters were randomly chosen. For statistical purposes, the Spearman’s and Pearson’s correlation test, the root mean square (RMS) error, the Bland-Altman graphic analysis and the ROC curve analysis were conducted (P < .05).
Results: The sample consisted of 50 gibbosities of 38 participants, where 74% (n = 28) were girls and 26% (n = 10) boys, with a mean age of 13.4 ± 2.5 years. The correlations were excellent, ranging from 0.77 to 0.91 for ATR and SST, with RMS error of 2° to 5°. There was agreement between the measurements with a mean difference of 0.04° to 1.24°. The ROC curve presented an area under the curve of 95%.
Conclusion: The smartphone, when used with a simple external device (binder clips), is valid and accurate for ATR and SST measurement. Evaluator experience has no effect on the results.
Author Keywords: Scoliosis; Accuracy; Validation Study; Diagnosis; Measurement Properties
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