Postural evaluation of patients with idiopathic scoliosis through telehealth: A systematic review

Abstract

Background

The increasing use of remote patient care for individuals with scoliosis has created opportunities for the development and utilization of different tools and methods of evaluation. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical postural variables evaluated in patients with scoliosis through telehealth.

Methods

Systematic searches were conducted by two independent reviewers in the PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and IEEE databases using the MeSH terms “scoliosis” and “telemedicine” and their synonyms. This study followed the MOOSE guideline (Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology). The methodological quality assessment was performed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP).

Findings

136 studies were found in the databases, and 20 were found through manual search of references. After removing duplicates (n = 41), 81 studies were excluded, leaving 14 for full-text reading. Of these, six studies were included for qualitative synthesis, with a total of 1002 subjects. Were identified: angle of trunk rotation (ATR), angle between body segments (in development), movement - oscillations per second (Hz/s), impedance (Ohms/mm), synchronous postural observation, and aesthetic deformity. Only two studies provided validity and reproducibility coefficients, however, it was not possible to conduct a meta-analysis because the presented coefficients were different.

Interpretation

The angle of trunk rotation, angle between body segments, movement - oscillations per second (Hz/s), impedance (Ohms/mm), synchronous postural observation, and aesthetic deformity were the clinical postural variables evaluated through telehealth. Further research is needed to focus on the development, validation, and reproducibility of assessment instruments for patients with scoliosis through telehealth.