Article

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 degrees +/-11.41 degrees ) in the older adults was
significantly larger than that in the younger adults (-38.82 degrees +/-9.86
degrees ) (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.
CI - Copyright (c) 2010 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS