Measuring lumbar back motion during functional activities using a portable strain gauge sensor-based system: A comparative evaluation and reliability study

Suter, Magdalena; Eichelberger, Patric; Frangi, Jana; Simonet, Edwige; Baur, Heiner; Schmid, Stefan (2019). Measuring lumbar back motion during functional activities using a portable strain gauge sensor-based system: A comparative evaluation and reliability study Journal of Biomechanics, 100, p. 109593. Elsevier 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2019.109593

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Quantifying lumbar back motion during functional activities in real-life environments may contribute to a better understanding of common pathologies such as spinal disorders. The current study therefore aimed at the comparative evaluation of the Epionics SPINE system, a portable device for measuring sagittal lumbar back motion during functional activities. Twenty healthy participants were therefore evaluated with the Epionics SPINE and a Vicon motion capture system in two identical separate research visits. They performed the following activities: standing, sitting, chair rising, box lifting, walking, running and a counter movement jump (CMJ). Lumbar lordosis angles were extracted as continuous values as well as average and range of motion (ROM) parameters. Agreement between the systems was evaluated using Bland-Altman analyses, whereas within- and between-session reliability were assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and minimal detectable changes (MDC). The analysis showed excellent agreement between the systems for chair rising, box lifting and CMJ with a systematic underestimation of lumbar lordosis angles during walking and running. Reliability was moderate to high for all continuous and discrete parameters (ICC ≥ 0.62), except for ROM during running (ICC = 0.29). MDC values were generally below 15°, except for CMJ (peak values up to 20° within and 25° between the sessions). The Epionics SPINE system performed similarly to a Vicon motion capture system for measuring lumbar lordosis angles during functional activities and showed high consistency within and between measurement sessions. These findings can serve researchers and clinicians as a bench mark for future investigations using the system in populations with spinal pathologies.

Item Type:	Journal Article (Original Article)
Division/Institute:	School of Health Professions School of Health Professions > Physiotherapy School of Health Professions > Physiotherapy > Spinal Movement Biomechanics
Name:	Suter, Magdalena; Eichelberger, Patric0000-0003-2223-6113; Frangi, Jana; Simonet, Edwige; Baur, Heiner0000-0002-4780-225X and Schmid, Stefan0000-0001-5138-9800
ISSN:	0021-9290
Publisher:	Elsevier
Language:	English
Submitter:	Stefan Schmid
Date Deposited:	07 Jan 2020 12:04
Last Modified:	18 Dec 2020 13:29
Publisher DOI:	10.1016/j.jbiomech.2019.109593
ARBOR DOI:	10.24451/arbor.9917
URI:	https://arbor.bfh.ch/id/eprint/9917