We are working to find the best testing practices for spine biomechanics testing across multiple labs.
Interlaboratory studies allow for in-depth collaboration across multiple institutes and provide high quality testing validation and data comparison by incorporating results across multiple laboratories. However, a wide range of testing and data collection equipment are utilized by each biomechanical testing laboratory based on their individual needs. Moreover, experimental procedures, such as testing protocols, data collection and analysis tools, and data management systems, vary significantly across labs and could influence the calculated results. Managing the variability in equipment and experimental procedures is necessary to create interlaboratory studies with impactful findings. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop a data collection and management methodology focused on formation of best practices suitable for an international spine biomechanics study through the evaluation of synthetic spinal models.