Effect of low-intensity back exercise on quality of life and back extensor strength in patients with osteoporosis: a randomized controlled trial.
Randomized controlled study in 80 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis was conducted to investigate the effect of a home-based, simple, low-intensity exercise. Low-intensity back-strengthening exercise was effective in improving the quality of life and back extensor strength.


OBJECTIVE
Back-strengthening exercise is effective in increasing back extensor strength and decreasing risk of vertebral fractures. We hypothesized that a home-based, simple, low-intensity exercise could enhance back extensor strength and improve the quality of life and/or spinal range of motion in postmenopausal women in a short-term follow-up.


METHODS
Eighty postmenopausal women with osteoporosis were randomly assigned to a control group (n = 38) or an exercise group (n = 42). Subjects were instructed to lift their upper trunk from a prone position antigravity and maintain the neutral position. Isometric back extensor strength, spinal range of motion, and scores for quality of life were evaluated at baseline and 4 months.


RESULTS
Back extensor strength significantly increased both in the exercise group (26%) and in the control group (11%). Scores for quality of life increased in the exercise group (7%), whereas it remained unchanged in the control group (0%). There was a significant difference in quality of life score between the groups (p = 0.012).


CONCLUSIONS
Low-intensity back-strengthening exercise was effective in improving the quality of life and back extensor strength in patients with osteoporosis.
Hongo
M
M
Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Department of Neuro and Locomotor Science, Akita University School of Medicine, 1-1-1 Hondo, Akita 0108543, Japan.
Itoi
E
E
Sinaki
M
M
Miyakoshi
N
N
Shimada
Y
Y
Maekawa
S
S
Okada
K
K
Mizutani
Y
Y
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007738:Kyphosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome