The objective of this study was to explore the effectiveness of Motor Control Exercise on pain, postural alignment and spinal curvatures in women with osteoporotic vertebral fractures.
Osteoporosis is a common metabolic bone disease that usually affects the aging population. It is an important public health problem, due to its association with vertebral and nonvertebral fractures leading to increased morbidity. Vertebral fractures are accompanied by kyphosis, reduced pulmonary function, loss of height, and are often associated with elevated pain while they may also lead to subsequent vertebral fractures. Osteoporotic individuals exhibit kyphosis in the erect standing position, which, in turn, is compensated by the deformation of other parts of the body. Improvement of postural alignment may lead to less stress on the spine, facilitate posture and proper body mechanics and may improve balance. The aim of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of Motor Control Exercise on pain, postural alignment and spinal curvatures in women with osteoporotic vertebral fracture against the results of a control group that received the basic therapies for osteoporosis.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
20
Participants of the exercise group were trained to consciously co-activate the transversus abdominis, pelvic floor and thoracic erector spinae muscle, relax the lumbar multifidus and use the diaphragmatic breathing pattern. They were encouraged to activate the specific muscles of the trunk regularly during daily activities, particularly in situations where they anticipated or experienced pain such as walking, twisting, lifting low-lying objects and working with the hands in sitting or standing positions
Hospital Thias Pronoias 'I Pammakaristos'
Athens, Attica, Greece
Pain
Pain was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) of 11 numerical points (0='no pain', 10='worst imaginable pain'). Participants were asked to verbalize the presence of pain in their trunk and lower limbs during the previous 2 weeks.
Time frame: Baseline
Pain
As described
Time frame: 3 months
Pain
As described
Time frame: 6 months
Photographic measurements
Two-dimensional posture photography was performed using a digital Video Camera. With participants in their underwear, self-adhesive patches of 1.5 cm were placed over the left-side lateral landmarks. Women were instructed to stand in a comfortable posture with feet 20 cm apart. The participants were photographed twice at each time point. The photographs were analyzed by measuring the angles between a perpendicular line transcending the lateral malleolus, head of fibula, great trochanter, shoulder and ear. The mean of each angle of both photographs was used for statistical analysis.
Time frame: Baseline
Spinal curvatures
These were measured using a Sounders digital inclinometer according to the instruction manual. Standing thoracic, lumbar, and lumbosacral angle were measured. The examiner repeated the procedure three times, and if the measurements differed by more than 5 degrees, they were repeated and the second set of measurements recorded.
Time frame: Baseline
Photographic measurements
As described
Time frame: 3 months
Spinal curvatures
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
As described
Time frame: 3 months
Photographic measurements
As described
Time frame: 6 months
Spinal curvatures
As described
Time frame: 6 month