The effectiveness of mechanotherapeutic methods for spine deep stabilization system training in patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures

Abstract

The aim of the study was to estimate the effect of new physical rehabilitation complex using of mechanotherapeutic methods on spine muscle strength in patients with osteoporosis (OP) and vertebral fractures (VF). Material and methods: Study comprised of 90 osteoporotic patients aged 50-80 years old (65.4±9.1 years) with OP VFs who were randomized as 2:1 into intervention group (group1, n=60) and control group (group2, n=30). Patients in group 1 received an intensive rehabilitation course including back muscle training with mechanical loads #10; sensorimotor training on double unstable platform #10; kinesohydrotherapy in a pool #15; physical exercises in a gym #10. Group 2 was prescribed only physical exercises in a gym #15. All patients undergo tenzodynamometry on BackCheck diagnostic unit (Dr. Wolff, Germany) at baseline, in 3 weeks at the end of rehabilitation course and in a month of follow-up. Results: In group 1 after the rehabilitation course muscle strength improved in trunk extensors (TE) from 15.8±10.1 to 21.7±13.1 kg (p<0.001), trunk flexors (TF) from 14.5±9.1 to 18.9±10.2 kg (p<0.001), left lateral flexors (LLF) from 12.8±7.2 to 17.5±9.6kg (p<0.001) and right lateral flexors (RLF) from 13.2 ± 7.1 to 17.8 ± 9.2 kg (p<0.01). Strength deficiency significantly decreased in all muscles (p<0.001 for TE and TF, p<0.05 for LLF, p<0.01 for RLF). The achieved effect lasted for a month of follow-up. In group 2 positive dynamics of strength was observed after 3 weeks only in TE and TF (p<0.05), however, after a month of observation, the strength of all the studied muscles did not differ from the baseline (p>0.05). Conclusion: The new 3-week complex of physical rehabilitation using of mechanotherapeutic methods lead to increase of spine muscle strength and improvement of muscle strength deficiency in patients with osteoporotic VFs. Rehabilitation effect lasts for at least a month after the treatment completion.