ScoliosisJournal have just recently reportyed about the evaluation of the iPhone with an acrylic sleeve versus the Scoliometer for rib hump measurement in Scoliosis
Authors: Maree T Izatt, Gary R Bateman, Clayton J Adam
Background
Vertebral rotation found in structural scoliosis contributes to trunkal asymmetry
which is commonly measured with a simple Scoliometer device on a patient's thorax
in the forward flexed position. The new generation of mobile 'smartphones' have an
integrated accelerometer, making accurate angle measurement possible, which provides
a potentially useful clinical tool for assessing rib hump deformity. This study aimed
to compare rib hump angle measurements performed using a Smartphone and traditional
Scoliometer on a set of plaster torsos representing the range of torsional deformities
seen in clinical practice.
Methods
Nine observers measured the rib hump found on eight plaster torsos moulded from scoliosis
patients with both a Scoliometer and an Apple iPhone on separate occasions. Each observer
repeated the measurements at least a week after the original measurements, and were
blinded to previous results. Intra-observer reliability and inter-observer reliability
were analysed using the method of Bland and Altman and 95% confidence intervals were
calculated. The Intra-Class Correlation Coefficients (ICC) were calculated for repeated
measurements of each of the eight plaster torso moulds by the nine observers.
Results
Mean absolute difference between pairs of iPhone/Scoliometer measurements was 2.1
degrees, with a small (1 degrees) bias toward higher rib hump angles with the iPhone.
95% confidence intervals for intra-observer variability were +/- 1.8 degrees (Scoliometer)
and +/- 3.2 degrees (iPhone). 95% confidence intervals for inter-observer variability
were +/- 4.9 degrees (iPhone) and +/- 3.8 degrees (Scoliometer). The measurement errors
and confidence intervals found were similar to or better than the range of previously
published thoracic rib hump measurement studies.
Conclusions
The iPhone is a clinically equivalent rib hump measurement tool to the Scoliometer
in spinal deformity patients. The novel use of plaster torsos as rib hump models avoids
the variables of patient fatigue and discomfort, inconsistent positioning and deformity
progression using human subjects in a single or multiple measurement sessions.
Download the whole article as a PDF. iPhone vs Scoliometer
