Methods: A repeated-measures design was used to evaluate the test–retest reliability of measuring spinal alignment with DEXA. Eighty-six women aged 18–20 years with a diagnosis of IS, who had undergone spinal radiography within the previous 3 months, underwent two DEXA scans (DEXA1 and DEXA2) 1 week apart. Cobb angles were measured on radiographs, DEXA1, and DEXA2 by two independent assessors. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated to assess test–retest reliability and inter-rater reliability. Concurrent validity was examined using Pearson’s correlation coefficients between Cobb angles obtained from radiographs and those from DEXA1 and DEXA2 images. Results: Cobb angle measurements from DEXA images had excellent test–retest and nter-rater reliability (ICC>0.90) and very strong concurrent validity with radiographs (r >0.90, p <0.001). The mean difference in Cobb angles between radiographs and DEXA images ranged from 2.37° to 2.91°, whereby the curves were less severe on DEXA images. Conclusions DEXA has consistent reliability and validity for evaluating spinal alignment and is potentially useful in monitoring curve progression in young populations.

Background: The sequelae of post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia on lung function, exercise capacity, and quality of life were observed in both shortterm and long-term. However, the study about the respiratory and locomotor muscle strength in severe and critically ill COVID-19 survivors are still limited. Therefore, we aimed to examine long-term pulmonary function, functional capacities, and respiratory and locomotor body muscle strength in severe to critically ill post-COVID-19 survivors. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in 22 post-COVID-19 pneumonia and healthy adults. Clinical characteristics during admission, pulmonary function, functional capacity, respiratory muscles, and locomotor muscles strength were examined at 1, 3, and 6 months after discharge from the hospital. Results: The generalized linear mixed model showed that percent predicted of forced expiratory volume in the 1 second (%FEV1), percent predicted of forced vital capacity (%FVC), maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), handgrip strength, 6-minute walk distance, and five times sit to stand (5TSTS) were significantly lower in post-COVID-19 pneumonia patients than in healthy subjects during the follow-up period. The percent predicted of maximal voluntary ventilation (%MVV), and locomotor muscle strength were not different between the two groups throughout the follow-up period. Among post-COVID-19 pneumonia patients, %FEV1, %FVC, %MVV, 5TSTS, locomotor muscle strength significantly improved at three months compared to baseline at 1 month. Conclusion Pulmonary function, functional capacity, respiratory, and locomotor muscle strength of survivors from COVID-19 were impaired and recovery was observed after three to six months. These emphasized the need to evaluate the long-term consequences of COVID-19.