Abstract
BackgroundExercise is recommended for individuals with vertebral fractures, but few studies have investigated the effect of exercise on outcomes of importance for this population. Post-intervention effects of exercise are even less studied. The objective of this study was to evaluate habitual walking speed and other health-related outcomes after cessation of a 3-month exercise intervention.MethodsThis follow-up study was conducted 3 months post-intervention of a randomised controlled trial. A total of 149 community-dwelling Norwegian women aged 65 years or older, diagnosed with osteoporosis and vertebral fracture were randomised into either exercise or control group. Primary outcome was habitual walking speed at 3 months. Secondary outcomes were other measures of physical fitness – including the Four Square Step Test (FSST), functional reach, grip strength and Senior Fitness Test – measures of health-related quality of life and fear of falling. Herein we report secondary data analysis of all outcomes at 6 months (3 months post-intervention). Data were analysed according to the intention-to-treat principle, linear mixed regression models were employed.ResultsFor the primary outcome, habitual walking speed, there was no statistically significant difference between groups (0.03 m/s, 95%CI − 0.02 to 0.08, p = 0.271) at the 3-month post-intervention follow-up. For secondary outcomes of physical fitness, statistically significant differences in favour of the intervention group were found for balance using the FSST (− 0.68 s, 95%CI − 1.24 to − 0.11, p = 0.019), arm curl (1.3, 95%CI 0.25 to 2.29, p = 0.015), leg strength using the 30-s sit to stand (1.56, 95%CI 0.68 to 2.44, p = 0.001) and mobility using the 2.45-m up and go (− 0.38 s, 95%CI − 0.74 to − 0.02, p = 0.039). There was a statistically significant difference between the groups regarding fear of falling in favour of the intervention group (− 1.7, 95%CI − 2.97 to − 0.38, p = 0.011). No differences between groups were observed for health-related quality of life.ConclusionThe results show the improved effects of a multicomponent exercise programme on outcomes like muscle strength, balance and mobility as well as fear of falling in a group of older women with osteoporosis and vertebral fracture 3 months post-intervention.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02781974. Registered 25.05.16. Retrospectively registered.
Highlights
Exercise is recommended for individuals with vertebral fractures, but few studies have investigated the effect of exercise on outcomes of importance for this population
Vertebral fractures are associated with increased mortality and morbidity [3, 4] and contribute to back pain, impaired physical function and lower health-related quality of life (HRQoL) [5,6,7,8]
The results from a limited number of studies examining follow-up after cessation of exercise in older women with osteoporosis and vertebral fracture were promising. In these individual studies, the sustained effects of exercise were reported on QoL [16]; maximum walking speed, mobility and HRQoL [15]; functional leg muscle strength [18]; and fear of falling [17]
Summary
Exercise is recommended for individuals with vertebral fractures, but few studies have investigated the effect of exercise on outcomes of importance for this population. The objective of this study was to evaluate habitual walking speed and other health-related outcomes after cessation of a 3-month exercise intervention. The results from a limited number of studies examining follow-up after cessation of exercise in older women with osteoporosis and vertebral fracture were promising. In these individual studies (ranging from 12 weeks to 12 months of follow-up), the sustained effects of exercise were reported on QoL [16]; maximum walking speed, mobility and HRQoL [15]; functional leg muscle strength [18]; and fear of falling [17]
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