Moire topography as a screening and diagnostic tool-A systematic review

Diagnostic investigation can be carried out using non-radiological and non-contact methods. Moire topography (MT) seems to be a viable alternative to radiographic research in evaluating the spine and/or trunk deviations. The aim of this systematic review was to analyze the current knowledge regarding the reliability and validity of Moire topography as a screening and diagnostic tool. The systematic review was performed from 2010 until March 2021 in the PubMed, EBSCO, Web of Science, and Scopus databases, according to the eligibility criteria. This review fulfilled the following criteria according to the PICO system: population (children and adolescents), intervention (MT measurement), comparison (repeated MT measurements, MT compared to Cobb angle or scoliometer), outcome (reliability and validity of MT). Eight studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria for further analysis. All the studies were assessed to be of high quality. Included studies found that MT had high repeatability and high intraobserver and interobserver correlation, and correlation between MT parameters and radiographic Cobb angle ranged from moderate to high. The authors reported difficulty in defining the cut-off values for MT parameter (Surface Trunk Rotation-STR), and unsatisfactory sensitivity and specificity of MT examination. The studies did not reveal the advantage of MT as a screening method in the detection of idiopathic scoliosis in comparison to radiograph. Based on the evidence from eight studies, the results indicated moderate evidence for reliability and validity of Moire topography as a screening and diagnostic tool. There is still no strong evidence for the accuracy of MT.

Automated summary

Moire topography shows moderate evidence of reliability and validity as a screening and diagnostic tool for evaluating spine and trunk deviations. However, defining cut-off values for MT parameters and achieving satisfactory sensitivity and specificity remain challenging. Compared to radiographic methods, Moire topography does not demonstrate significant advantages in the detection of idiopathic scoliosis.