Validity and Reliability of Non-invasive Methods for Evaluating Kyphosis and Lordosis Curvatures: A Literature Review

Hamidreza  Zanguie; Mohammad Yousefi; Saeed  Ilbiegi; Abbas Farjad Pezeshk

doi:10.18502/jmr.v17i3.13065

Hamidreza Zanguie Department of Corrective Exercise and Sport Injuries, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
Mohammad Yousefi Department of Sports Biomechanic, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran.
Saeed Ilbiegi Department of Sports Biomechanic, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran.
Abbas Farjad Pezeshk Department of Sports Biomechanic, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jmr.v17i3.13065

Keywords: Reliability; Validity; Non- invasive; Kyphosis; Lordosis

Abstract

Introduction: A few instruments are accessible for clinical estimation of the thoracic and lumbar curvatures. This methodical survey aims to identify the validity and reliability of non- invasive thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis measurements.

Materials and Methods: This research is a literature review. The process was performed on articles in credible databases, such as Medline, Embase, AMED, CINAHL, PubMed, and Biomedical Reference Collection, Expanded, Sport Discus, Science Direct, Web of Science, searching for the terms thoracic kyphosis, lordosis, spinal curvature, lordosis and reliability, lordosis and validity, kyphosis and reliability, kyphosis and validity, test, measure, flexi curve, radiograph, spinal mouse, inclinometer, kyphometer, image processing, Cobb, during 1960 to 2020.

Results: The result of the systematic search revealed that ten methods among all related papers have inclusion criteria, 3D ultrasound, Arco meter, DE Brunner’s kyphometer, digital inclinometer, electro goniometer, goniometer, flexi curve angle, image processing, pantograph, and spinal mouse.

Conclusion: The validity and reliability of non-invasive methods for estimating kyphosis and lordosis curvatures were indicated in 26 papers. Based on the current little evidence, non- invasive procedures have high to very high reliability and moderate to high validity.