Home-based trunk-strengthening exercise for osteoporotic and osteopenic postmenopausal women without fracture--a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether a 12-week home-based programme of trunk-strengthening exercise could benefit spinal mobility, function and quality of life for osteoporotic and osteopenic postmenopausal women without fracture.


METHODS
Randomized controlled clinical trial.


METHODS
Department of Physical Therapy in National Taiwan University Hospital.


METHODS
Twenty-eight postmenopausal women (mean age 60.3+/-9.3 years) diagnosed with osteoporosis or osteopenia without fracture history were recruited for this study. Subjects were randomly assigned into exercise or control groups, each consisting of 14 subjects.


METHODS
The 12-week exercise programme included strengthening routines for the trunk extensor and flexor muscles. The subjects performed three sets of 10 repetitions for each of the exercises, with programmes carried out three times per day at home.


METHODS
Muscular strength, spinal range of motion (ROM) and motion velocity, Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (ODQ) and quality of life (QOL) were measured before the start and after completion of the exercise programme.


RESULTS
Statistically significant improvements were demonstrated in spinal ROM and motion velocity in the sagittal and frontal planes for the exercise group (p<0.05). Further, the strength of the trunk flexors and extensors increased after exercise training (p<0.05). ODQ measure was significantly reduced in the exercise group (p<0.05), while the controls showed no significant change. Subjects in the exercise group showed better satisfaction in some domains of the Short-Form-36 Health Survey quality of life questionnaire (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
This 12-week home-based trunk-strengthening exercise programme could improve trunk mobility and strength, and enhance QOL in osteoporotic and osteopenic postmenopausal women without vertebral fracture. Future study should recruit more cases or more severe subjects to verify the results.
Chien
M Y
MY
School and Graduate Institute of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
Yang
R S
RS
Tsauo
J Y
JY
D001851:Bone Diseases, Metabolic / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011788:Quality of Life; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D016037:Single-Blind Method