Pilot Study: Full-Body Postural Morphological Assessment Using a Non-Invasive Dual-Camera Structured Light System

Background: Postural assessment is fundamental for the diagnosis and monitoring of musculoskeletal disorders. Radiographic techniques, while being the gold standard, expose patients to ionizing radiation, limiting their use in repeated screenings. Structured light systems offer a non-invasive, safe, and repeatable alternative. This pilot study introduces a new-generation Spine3D system, with a dual-camera architecture, for a full-body morphological assessment. •Methods: An observational-descriptive study was conducted on 44 healthy male subjects (age 25–65 years). Posture was assessed using the Spine3D system, which utilizes two Time-of-Flight (ToF) cameras for instantaneous, radiation-free acquisition. Descriptive statistics and a Pearson correlation analysis (with FDR correction) were calculated for 38 postural parameters. •Results: The analysis identified 148 statistically significant correlations (p_FDR < 0.05). Among the most relevant were a strong positive correlation between cervical and lumbar lordosis (r = +0.666) and a moderate negative correlation between cervical lordosis depth and craniovertebral angle (r = -0.465), indicating that a more pronounced cervical curve is associated with a more protruded head posture. •Conclusions: The updated Spine3D system proved to be an effective tool for a global, rapid, and safe postural assessment. Its non-invasive nature and high repeatability make it ideal for longitudinal monitoring, screening, and evaluating therapeutic interventions. The data confirm the close interdependence between the various body segments, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach.