Employing Shadow Moiré Topography to Register Spinopelvic Balance Parameters in Adolescents with Scoliosis

BACKGROUND: The aim of the research is to develop a method of registering spinopelvic balance parameters employing shadow moiré topography (SMT) and to use this diagnostic method while clinical observation of adolescents with functional and spine disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subject of the study was a group of adolescents aged 12-17 (n = 50) with the symptoms of mild or moderate scoliosis (according to Cobb). SMT was employed as a clinical diagnostic method. The obtained values were compared with the values provided by the analysis of the standard thoracic and lumbar spine radiographs. The Mann-Whitney U-test was used to evaluate the differences between the values provided by radiography and SMT (due to a small number of subjects). The differences were considered significant at the criterion level α = 0,05, α = 0,01. The data were processed using built-in functions and small self-documenting codes for the Microsoft Office Excel 2013 program. RESULTS: Follow-up data analysis showed no significant differences with the probability of 95% (α = 0,05) in thoracolumbar kyphosis, pelvic incidence, and sagittal vertical axis values, whereas the differences are significant with the probability of 99% (α = 0,01) in the Cobb angle, Lumbar lordosis (LL1), and sacral slope values and with the probability of 95% (α = 0,05) in thoracic kyphosis values. CONCLUSION: The research found that SMT employed as a diagnostic method in vertebrogenic pathology is reliable and valid and can be employed as a screening, diagnostic, and monitoring tool in the vertebral column state while medical rehabilitation of adolescents with scoliosis.