Reliability of Spino-Pelvic and Sagittal Balance Parameters Assessed During Walking in Patients with Back Pain

This study aimed to establish and assess the reliability of spino-pelvic and sagittal balance parameters measured during walking in patients with back pain, some of whom had radiological signs of sagittal imbalance, reflecting real-world clinical conditions. Dynamic assessment offers an alternative...

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Main Authors: Armand Dominik Škapin, Janez Vodičar, Nina Verdel, Matej Supej, Miha Vodičar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Sensors
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/6/1647
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author Armand Dominik Škapin
Janez Vodičar
Nina Verdel
Matej Supej
Miha Vodičar
author_facet Armand Dominik Škapin
Janez Vodičar
Nina Verdel
Matej Supej
Miha Vodičar
author_sort Armand Dominik Škapin
collection DOAJ
description This study aimed to establish and assess the reliability of spino-pelvic and sagittal balance parameters measured during walking in patients with back pain, some of whom had radiological signs of sagittal imbalance, reflecting real-world clinical conditions. Dynamic assessment offers an alternative to conventional static measurements, potentially improving the evaluation of sagittal balance. Ten patients aged 56–73 years completed a six-minute walking assessment while being monitored by the optoelectric Qualisys Motion Capture System. Forty-nine reflective markers were placed to measure the spino-pelvic and sagittal balance parameters across five gait phases: pre-walk, initial-walk, mid-walk, end-walk, and post-walk. Test–retest reliability was evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The results showed excellent reliability for thoracic kyphosis angle (ICC = 0.97), C7-L5 sagittal trunk shift (ICC = 0.91), and global tilt angle (ICC = 0.99); good reliability for auditory meatus-hip axis sagittal trunk shift (ICC = 0.85); and moderate reliability for pelvic angle (ICC = 0.57), lumbar lordosis angle (ICC = 0.72), and sagittal trunk angle (ICC = 0.73). Despite minor marker placement inconsistencies and variations in body movement across trials, the findings support the use of this dynamic assessment method in research settings. Its clinical application could also enhance diagnostic accuracy and treatment planning for patients with sagittal balance disorders, allowing for better-tailored therapeutic interventions.
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spelling doaj-art-da3472060bdb4ebb917c0ff0e18b5bf42025-08-20T03:44:05ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202025-03-01256164710.3390/s25061647Reliability of Spino-Pelvic and Sagittal Balance Parameters Assessed During Walking in Patients with Back PainArmand Dominik Škapin0Janez Vodičar1Nina Verdel2Matej Supej3Miha Vodičar4Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Zaloška cesta 9, 1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaFaculty of Sport, University of Ljubljana, Gortanova ulica 22, 1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaFaculty of Sport, University of Ljubljana, Gortanova ulica 22, 1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaFaculty of Sport, University of Ljubljana, Gortanova ulica 22, 1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Zaloška cesta 9, 1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaThis study aimed to establish and assess the reliability of spino-pelvic and sagittal balance parameters measured during walking in patients with back pain, some of whom had radiological signs of sagittal imbalance, reflecting real-world clinical conditions. Dynamic assessment offers an alternative to conventional static measurements, potentially improving the evaluation of sagittal balance. Ten patients aged 56–73 years completed a six-minute walking assessment while being monitored by the optoelectric Qualisys Motion Capture System. Forty-nine reflective markers were placed to measure the spino-pelvic and sagittal balance parameters across five gait phases: pre-walk, initial-walk, mid-walk, end-walk, and post-walk. Test–retest reliability was evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The results showed excellent reliability for thoracic kyphosis angle (ICC = 0.97), C7-L5 sagittal trunk shift (ICC = 0.91), and global tilt angle (ICC = 0.99); good reliability for auditory meatus-hip axis sagittal trunk shift (ICC = 0.85); and moderate reliability for pelvic angle (ICC = 0.57), lumbar lordosis angle (ICC = 0.72), and sagittal trunk angle (ICC = 0.73). Despite minor marker placement inconsistencies and variations in body movement across trials, the findings support the use of this dynamic assessment method in research settings. Its clinical application could also enhance diagnostic accuracy and treatment planning for patients with sagittal balance disorders, allowing for better-tailored therapeutic interventions.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/6/1647degenerative spine diseasesagittal balancegait analysisdynamic assessmentmotion capture
spellingShingle Armand Dominik Škapin
Janez Vodičar
Nina Verdel
Matej Supej
Miha Vodičar
Reliability of Spino-Pelvic and Sagittal Balance Parameters Assessed During Walking in Patients with Back Pain
Sensors
degenerative spine disease
sagittal balance
gait analysis
dynamic assessment
motion capture
title Reliability of Spino-Pelvic and Sagittal Balance Parameters Assessed During Walking in Patients with Back Pain
title_full Reliability of Spino-Pelvic and Sagittal Balance Parameters Assessed During Walking in Patients with Back Pain
title_fullStr Reliability of Spino-Pelvic and Sagittal Balance Parameters Assessed During Walking in Patients with Back Pain
title_full_unstemmed Reliability of Spino-Pelvic and Sagittal Balance Parameters Assessed During Walking in Patients with Back Pain
title_short Reliability of Spino-Pelvic and Sagittal Balance Parameters Assessed During Walking in Patients with Back Pain
title_sort reliability of spino pelvic and sagittal balance parameters assessed during walking in patients with back pain
topic degenerative spine disease
sagittal balance
gait analysis
dynamic assessment
motion capture
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/6/1647
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