Here you can rewatch the recorded ESB Webinar motivating the need for this survey.

SURVEY AIMS
This Survey aims to explore the current practises and open challenges in construction, validation, and application of Musculoskeletal Spine Models in both biomechanical and clinical contexts, covering various computational strategies (multibody, finite element, coupled, hybrid) and specific modelling assumptions.

In the context of this Survey, Musculoskeletal Spine Models are defined as computational or 'in silico' techniques that describe the biomechanical behavior of the musculo-skeletal system of the spine —including  muscles, bones, tendons, intervertebral discs, facet joints, and ligaments—to analyze movement, loads, and muscle function.

SURVEY STRUCTURE AND TIME COMMITMENT
The Survey has two parts:
1. Section A – about 5' to complete – general questions addressed to any model user, including non-experts and clinicians,
2. Sections B-L – about 30' to complete – detailed questions addressed to more expert modellers and advanced model users.
Note: you can stop your Survey at any point and resume it later.

RIGHTS AND DATA PROTECTION
Conditions: participation is voluntary and responses will be analyzed anonymously and in aggregate.
Data Sharing: responses are stored securely on Google Forms platform and they will only be shared within the ESB MSM-WG and its authorised partners in a fully anonymised format.
Data Retention: all personal data will be deleted upon completion of the Research Paper, or anyway deleted after 5 years.
Your Rights: you can withdraw from this Survey at any time before submitting. For data removal, correction requests, and/or questions about this Survey, please, contact luigi.labarbera@polimi.it.

YOUR INPUT MATTERS
Your insights will help understanding current practices, identifying community priorities for benchmarks, validation datasets, and reproducibility standards.
Publication: selected responses will be published as an original Research Paper in a dedicated Special Issue. Moreover, results will be disseminated during dedicated ESB events and/or Webinars.
Acknowledgements: your contribution to this Survey will be acknowledged by listing your name and affiliation in the planned publication, if you indicate you wish so.

Thank you for your kind support in growing our field together!

The ESB MSM-WG Coordinators:
Dr. Tito Bassani, IRCCS Galeazzi-Sant’Ambrogio Hospital, Milan, Italy
Prof. Marwan El Rich, Khalifa University Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Dr. Dominika Ignasiak, ETH Zürich, Switzerland
Prof. Luigi La Barbera, Politecnico di Milano, Italy