Reliability of two smartphone inclinometer apps in the measurement of dorsal kyphosis in three different positions.

The exploration of the spine in the sagittal plane is of great relevance in the health area. The inclinometer has proved to be reliable in the assessment of this sagittal plane. Due to the growth of technology, a number of smartphone apps which simulates the action of the inclinometer have been developed. Objectives: to analyze the reliability of two Smartphone Inclinometer Apps in the assessment of the dorsal kyphosis of the spine in three different positions when comparing it to a traditional inclinometer and determine if there are differences according to gender. Design: observational, cross-sectional study. 25 healthy voluntaries were included. A traditional inclinometer and two smartphone apps, Clinometer® and Rotating Sphere Inclinometer® were used. Dorsal kyphosis was measured in three different positions: relaxed standing, relaxing seated position and standing anterior flexion. no statistical differences were found between the measurements, and an excellent correlation was obtained comparing the tree devices, observing no differences according to gender The two apps are reliable and comparable to a traditional inclinometer as measuring sagittal curves of the spine. Besides, no variations in reliability according to sex were observed. • Reliability of two smartphone inclinometer apps was analyzed, and compared with a traditional inclinometer. • This two apps were used to measure three sagittal curves of the spine. • The apps obtained a high correlation when compared them to the traditional inclinometer. • There were not differences according to sex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]