Effectiveness of Physiotherapy for Osteoporotic Spinal Fracture

University of Melbourne

Status and phase

Completed

Phase 2

Conditions

Osteoporosis

Vertebral Fracture

Treatments

Other: Physiotherapy

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT00638768

010085.1

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of this pilot study was to determine the effect of physiotherapy on impairments and health-related quality of life in people with a painful osteoporotic spinal fracture. It is hypothesised that physiotherapy will reduce impairments and improve quality of life in this patient group.

Enrollment

20 patients

Sex

All

Ages

50+ years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

if female, at least five years post-menopause
aged > 50 years
primary osteoporosis defined as DXA T score < -2.5 at either the spine or proximal femur with at least one morphometric vertebral crush fracture sustained between 3 months to 2 years previously
back pain/discomfort in thoracic or lumbar region felt at least weekly within the last 6 months
stable dose of medication for treatment of osteoporosis (eg. hormone replacement therapy, bisphosphonates)
community dwelling and able to attend for treatment
English speaking

Exclusion criteria

secondary causes of bone loss such as osteomalacia, glucocorticoid medication etc.
co-morbidities that would interfere with participation in exercise such as severe heart or pulmonary disease, inflammatory joint disease, severe osteoarthritis, psychiatric condition
acute vertebral fracture in past 3 months
signs and symptoms arising from nerve root compression
back pain radiating into the lower limb
previous participation in a formal pain management program for back pain
physiotherapy for back pain in the past 6 months
allergic reaction to adhesive tape or poor skin condition that would prevent use of tape