An electronic inclinometer technique for measuring lumbar curvature

Abstract

A technique for measuring the curvature of the lumbar spine is described and evaluated. Two small electronic inclinometers are attached to the skin overlying the spinous processes of L1 and S1. The signal from these inclinometers is stored and then processed to give a record of lumbar curvature against time. Tests showed that recordings from the inclinometers were reproducible and correlated well (r=0.91) with flexion angles measured from X-rays. The dynamic response of the system was good enough to measure lumbar curvature during typical bending and lifting movements.