title: Effectiveness of balance training programme in reducing the frequency of falling in established osteoporotic women: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of a 12-month sensomotor balance exercise programme on postural control and the frequency of falling in women with established osteoporosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled trial where the intervention group was assigned the 12-month Balance Training Programme and the control group did not undertake any intervention beyond regular osteoporosis treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 100 osteoporotic women - at least with one osteoporotic fracture - aged 65 years old and above.
  
  
  METHODS
  Balance was assessed in static and dynamic posture both with performance-based measures of balance, such as the Berg Balance Scale and the Timed Up and Go Test, and with a stabilometric computerized platform.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients in the intervention group completed the 12-month sensomotor Balance Training Programme in an outpatient setting, guided by physical therapists, three times a week, for 30 minutes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Berg Balance Scale and the Timed Up and Go Test showed a statistically significant improvement of balance in the intervention group ( p = 0.001 and p = 0.005, respectively). Balance tests using the stabilometer also showed a statistically significant improvement in static and dynamic postural balance for osteoporotic women after the completion of the Balance Training Programme. As a consequence, the one-year exercise programme significantly decreased the number of falls in the exercise group compared with the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Balance Training Programme significantly improved the balance parameters and reduced the number of falls in postmenopausal women who have already had at least one fracture in the past.
authors.affiliation: 1 National Institute of Rheumatology and Physiotherapy, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Ibolya
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mikó
authors.affiliation: 2 Uzsoki Hospital, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Imre
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Szerb
authors.affiliation: 3 The London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Szerb
authors.affiliation: 1 National Institute of Rheumatology and Physiotherapy, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Gyula
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Poor
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon / Q000379:methods; D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D058866:Osteoporotic Fractures / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011379:Prognosis; D012016:Reference Values; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Established osteoporosis; balance training programme; prevention of falls; stabilometer