Detection of Scoliosis

Early Detection of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Using Machine Learning on Plantar Pressure Data

This study aims to evaluate whether plantar pressure data collected during standing and walking can be used with machine learning to support early detection of scoliosis in young people. Patients with scoliosis and healthy volunteers aged 10-18 will undergo a short assessment using a pressure mat.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS)

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 500

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Young people aged 10-18 years will be recruited from scoliosis clinics at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (patients with a confirmed diagnosis of scoliosis) and through community recruitment for healthy volunteers. Eligible participants must be able to stand and/or walk on a pressure mat.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy Controls: Adolescents without any spinal condition or significant musculoskeletal issues, and with no prior history of scoliosis, to provide normal plantar pressure data for comparison.
• Scoliosis Diagnosis: Adolescents diagnosed with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) by a healthcare professional (through clinical evaluation and/or radiographic assessment) are eligible.
• Age: Participants must be between the ages of 10 and 18 years at the time of recruitment.
• Willingness to Participate: Participants and their parent(s)/guardian(s) must provide informed consent/assent prior to participation.
• Ability to Complete Study Procedures: Participants must be able to complete the plantar pressure measurement test, which requires standing on a pressure mat for a few minutes.

Exclusion Criteria

• Severe Pain or Discomfort: Participants unable to stand or walk comfortably due to pain or musculoskeletal issues.
• Non-cooperation: Participants who are unable or unwilling to follow instructions or consent/assent procedures.
• Uncontrolled Medical Conditions: Adolescents with uncontrolled conditions (e.g., cardiovascular or endocrine disorders) compromising participation.
• Recent Foot Injuries or Conditions: Participants with foot injuries or conditions (e.g., wounds, infections) that may interfere with plantar pressure measurement.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
healthy volunteers
scoliosis patients

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
A classification model based on ML using plantar pressure data to distinguish between scoliosis patients and healthy volunteers.	6 months after data collection

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University College, London
• Collaborators: Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): June 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2028

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 5, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 5, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): May 12, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 12, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 5, 2026
• Last Verified: May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: IRAS: 357368

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: YES
• IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type: ANALYTIC_CODE

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No