Proceedings on Automation in Medical Engineering
Vol. 3 No. 1 (2026): Proc AUTOMED
https://doi.org/10.18416/AUTOMED.2026.2499

18th Interdisciplinary AUTOMED Symposium in Collaboration with the TC Medical Robotics, 2499

Correlation between torsobarography and surface topography for spinal analysis

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Nico Stecher (Institute of Biomedical Engineering, TUD Dresden University of Technology), Andreas Heinke (Institute of Biomedical Engineering, TUD Dresden University of Technology), Arkadiusz Łukasz Żurawski (Institute of Health Science, Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University), Hagen Malberg (Institute of Biomedical Engineering, TUD Dresden University of Technology)

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Abstract

Surface topography systems are used in radiation-free monitoring and screening of scoliosis. This study examines the correlations of anatomical landmarks and parameters between torsobarography in a supine position and conventional surface topography in a standing position in 40 subjects. Overall, moderate correlations were observed between the two approaches, with a maximum Pearson correlation coefficient |r| of 0.63. Nonetheless, surface differences persist, which may be linked to both measurement inaccuracies and the variation in gravitational load across postures. These findings indicate that torsobarography holds potential as a complementary or alternative tool for radiation-free scoliosis assessment.

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