Purpose: The purpose of this study was to select standing posture parameters that have a significant difference according to the severity of spinal deformity, and to develop a novel Cobb angle prediction model for adolescent girls with idiopathic scoliosis. Methods: Five normal adolescents girls with no history of musculoskeletal disorders, 13 mild scoliosis patients (Cobb angle: 10°-25°), and 14 severe scoliosis patients (Cobb angle: 25°-50°) participated in this study. Six infrared cameras (VICON) were used to acquire data and 35 standing parameters of scoliosis patients were extracted from previous studies. Using the AN OVA and post-hoc test, parameters that had significant differences were extracted. In addition, these standing posture parameters were utilized to develop a Cobb-angle prediction model through multiple regression analysis. Results: Twenty two of the parameters showed differences between at least two of the three groups and these parameters were used to develop the multi-linear regression model. This model showed a good agreement (R2 = 0.92) between the predicted and the measured Cobb angle. Also, a blind study was performed using 5 random datasets that had not been used in the model and the errors were approximately 3.2 ± 1.8. Conclusions: In this study, we demonstrated the possibility of clinically predicting the Cobb angle using a non-invasive technique. Also, monitoring changes in patients with a progressive disease, such as scoliosis, will make possible to have determine the appropriate treatment and rehabilitation strategies without the need for radiation exposure.

Choi, S.H., Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea | Kim, H.J., Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea | Ahn, S.K., Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea | Hong, S.H., Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea | Cha, M.J., Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea | Kwon, O.E., Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea | Kim, S.C., LS Mtron LTD., Anyang, Republic of Korea | Kim, Y.J., LS Mtron LTD., Anyang, Republic of Korea | Choi, C.H., Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea | Kim, H.S., Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea