title: Effect of low-intensity back exercise on quality of life and back extensor strength in patients with osteoporosis: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Department of Neuro and Locomotor Science, Akita University School of Medicine, 1-1-1 Hondo, Akita 0108543, Japan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hongo
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Itoi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sinaki
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Miyakoshi
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shimada
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maekawa
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Okada
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mizutani
mesh_terms: 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