Effectiveness of Two Treatments on Posture and Balance in Elderly Women With Osteoporosis

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study was compare the efficacy of two exercise programs - the first consisting of balance training and muscle strength and the second consisting of balance training and muscle stretching exercises - to improve postural control in elderly women with osteoporosis.

Detailed Description
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The decrease in postural control and muscle strength in lower limbs have been identified as major risk factors for falls in older people. Exercises have proven effective in decreasing risk factors in healthy elderly, but little is known about the effects of interventions with exercise in the elderly with osteoporosis. Objective: To compare the efficacy of two exercise programs - the first consisting of balance training and muscle strength and the second consisting of balance training and muscle stretching exercises - to improve postural control in elderly women with osteoporosis. Methods: Fifty elderly aged 65 or older, with a diagnosis of osteoporosis, were randomized into 3 groups: Strength Group (n = 17) performed balance training with muscle strengthening; Stretching Group (n = 17) performed balance training with stretching; and Control Group (n =16) did not do activity. The groups trained for 8 weeks, with sessions of about 60 minutes, twice a week. Postural control was evaluated by Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction for Balance (CTSIBm) and Limits of Stability test (LOS) in Balance Master force plate, the functional balance by Berg Balance Scale (BBS), muscle strength by dynamometry, the shortening of the hamstrings by goniometry and posture by PAS/SAPO (Postural Assessment Software).

Official Title
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Effectiveness of Two Treatments on Posture and Balance in Elderly Women With Osteoporosis: a Randomized Clinical Trial

Conditions
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Osteoporosis

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Strengthening and balance exercises
* Other: Stretching and balance exercises


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: women from 65 to 80 yrs of age diagnosis of osteoporosis classified according to the criteria of the World Health Organization, with bone mineral densitometry reduced by at least 2.5 SD when compared with young adults (region of lumbar spine) Exclusion Criteria: severe visual deficiency physically incapable of participating in the tests neurological disorders, amputations, or prostheses individuals with regular physical activity (twice or more per week) or who had recently participated in exercise programs for muscular strength or balance

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 65 Years
Maximum Age: 80 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Strengthening Group<br>Performed balance training with lower limbs muscle strengthening. | Other: Strengthening and balance exercises<br>* The group trained for 8 weeks, with sessions of about 60 minutes, twice a week.<br>* Other names: Balance Master;|
| Experimental: Stretching Group<br>Performed balance training with stretching | Other: Stretching and balance exercises<br>* The group trained for 8 weeks, with sessions of about 60 minutes, twice a week.<br>* Other names: Balance Master;|
| No Intervention: Control Group<br> | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Postural Control | Postural control was evaluated by Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction for Balance (CTSIBm) and Limits of Stability test (LOS) in Balance Master force plate | eight weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Postural alignment | Postual alignment (thoracic kyphosis and forward head) measured by PAS/SAPO (Postural Assessment Software) | eight weeks | 
| Lower limb muscle strength | The muscle strength in knee extension and knee flexion was evaluated by dynamometry. | eight weeks | 
| Shortening of the hamstrings | The shortening of the hamstrings was evaluated by goniometry. | eight weeks | 
| Berg Balance Scale |  | Eight weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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elderly, postural balance, musculoskeletal equilibrium, posture, muscle strength, muscle stretching exercises