Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease characterized by weakened and fragile bones. It often remains asymptomatic in its early stages but can lead to serious health problems, particularly fractures.The mechanostat theory explains that bone mass is regulated by mechanical loading. Increased activity stimulates bone formation, while decreased activity promotes bone resorption. The "bone reflex" concept further suggests that the nervous system plays a crucial role in this process by regulating both bone metabolism (osteoregulation) and muscle activity (myoregulation) in response to mechanical loading.
Background and Objectives:Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease characterized by weakened and fragile bone tissue. Typically asymptomatic in its early stages, it can lead to severe health consequences, particularly fractures. Bone mineral density (BMD) measurements, as defined by the World Health Organization, are considered the gold standard for diagnosing osteoporosis. The prevalence of osteoporosis is on the rise due to the aging population and the influence of lifestyle factors. Recently, the bone reflex has been defined, suggesting that the central nervous system controls the local regulatory mechanisms described by Wolf and Frost. The bone reflex describes how osteocytes are stimulated by mechanical loading, leading to the neural regulation of bone formation and resorption according to mechanical needs (bone osteoregulation reflex). Additionally, it describes a mechanism by which the nervous system reflexively regulates the activity of surrounding muscles to optimally position the bone to resist applied mechanical load (bone myoregulation reflex). Methods: This study employs a quasi-experimental design. The study will be conducted with a total of 22 patients aged 60-70, men. Diagnosis of osteoporosis was made according to the World Health Organization classification. Individuals with a T-score of -2.5 or below were classified as having osteoporosis. Participants will be divided into two groups: a group with osteoporosis (Group 1) and a group without osteoporosis (Group 2). Procedures: Bone myoregulation reflex activity of the soleus and tibialis anterior muscles will be assessed in both groups during whole-body vibration and jumping using surface electromyography. * Jumping Test: Participants will be instructed to jump in place 20 times, similar to rope skipping, with a 5-second rest interval between each jump. * Whole-Body Vibration: Participants will stand on the plate and undergo low-amplitude (1.2 mm) whole-body vibration at eight different frequencies (25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, and 39 Hz) using a Powerplate Pro5 (Netherlands) device. Each vibration session will last for 10 seconds, with a 5-second rest interval between frequencies. * The Achilles tendon will be percussed 10 times with an electronic reflex hammer.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
22
The subjects were first asked to jump in place 20 times, as if they were jumping rope. Then, whole-body vibration was applied. While the participants stood upright on the whole-body vibration device, low-amplitude (1.2 mm) vibrations were applied at eight different frequencies (25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39 Hz), each lasting for 10 seconds, with a 5-second rest period in between. The Achilles tendon will be percussed 10 times with an electronic reflex hammer.
Istanbul Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital
Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)
Bone myoregulation reflex latency
The measurement will be taken as the time difference between the moment of mechanical stimulation and the onset of the reflex response in the EMG. The unit of measurement for latency is milliseconds.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 8 weeks.
Bereitschafts (Readiness) Potential
It refers to the myoelectric activity in the tibialis anterior and soleus muscles just before jumping. The onset time of this myoelectric activity will be evaluated in milliseconds, and the amplitude of this activity will be measured in millivolts.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 8 weeks.
Soleus H-reflex
The soleus T-reflex elicited by percussing the Achilles tendon with an electronic reflex hammer will be recorded using EMG. The unit of measurement for latency is milliseconds.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 8 weeks
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