• Kieran O'Sullivan, Sabine Verschueren, Steven Pans, David Smets, Karel Dekelver, and Wim Dankaerts.
• Physiotherapy Department, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland. kieran.osullivan@ul.ie
• Eur Spine J. 2012 Dec 1;21(12):2633-9.

PurposeA novel, minimally invasive posture monitor which can monitor lumbar postures outside the laboratory has demonstrated excellent reliability, as well as concurrent validity compared to a surface marker-based motion analysis system. However, it is unclear if this device reflects underlying vertebral motion.MethodsTwelve participants performed full range sagittal plane lumbo-pelvic movements during sitting and standing. Their posture was measured simultaneously using both this device (BodyGuard™) and digital videofluoroscopy.ResultsStrong correlations were observed between the two methods (all r (s) > 0.88). Similarly, the coefficients of determination were high (all r (2) > 0.78). The maximum mean difference between the measures was located in the mid-range of motion and was approximately 3.4° in sitting and 3.9° in standing.ConclusionThe BodyGuard™ appears to be a valid method for analysing vertebral motion in the sagittal plane and is a promising tool for long-term monitoring of spinal postures in laboratory and clinical settings in people with low back pain.

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