A Biofidelic Testing Platform and Protocol for Evaluating and Classifying Spinal Orthoses

The process of selecting an appropriate spinal orthosis for treating specific low back pain symptoms largely remains subjective. A more scientific method of evaluating back orthoses by their biomechanical impacts on the spine is needed. Responsive to that need, a novel physiologic analogue of a human upper torso, lumbar spine, and pelvic girdle assembly was developed that attached to a multi-axis research robot programmed to simulate upper body load and movement patterns. The combination of the human analogue and robotic testing platform was used to determine the biomechanical effects of a commercially available spinal orthosis on lower back mechanics. Outcomes from this study provide the basis for developing a technical standard for ranking and classifying spinal orthotic devices.