Ann-Charlotte Grahn Kronhed

Effects of physical exercise on bone mass, balance skill and aerobic capacity in women and men with low bone mineral density, after one year of training - a prospective study

Grahn Kronhed AC, Möller M. Effects of physical exercise on bone mass, balance skill and aerobic capacity in women and men with low bone mineral density, after one year of training ‐ a prospective study.

Effect of training on health-related quality of life, pain and falls in osteoporotic women

Physical inactivity is a risk factor for osteoporosis and fractures. The aim of the study was to see if supervised training would improve health-related quality of life (HRQL), reduce pain and falls in osteoporotic women. Women with established osteoporosis (n=124) were invited to a 1-year, follow-up study. Seventy-three women aged 60–81 years met the inclusion criteria and were randomized to an exercise (E) or control (C) group. A 4-month, supervised group training programme was designed. Participants were studied using HRQL questionnaires, clinical tests and dynamic posturography. Thirty-one women in the E-group and 34 women in the C-group completed the study. The E-group improved in six SF-36 domains and mental component summary (MCsum) index and also in worst pain intensity (p<0.01) after the supervised exercise training. Differences were found between the groups when comparing changes in four SF-36 domains, MCsum and worst pain (p=0.001). Physical activity level decreased in the E-group after the supervised period. Mean time to first fall occurred earlier in the C-group than in the E-group for the first 4 months but the trend did not last for the 1-year follow-up. The study suggests that supervised group training is beneficial for women with established osteoporosis.

Impact of a community-based osteoporosis and fall prevention program on fracture incidence

Associations between a 10-year community-based osteoporosis and fall prevention program and fracture incidence amongst middle-aged and elderly residents in an intervention community are studied, and comparisons are made with a control community. A health-education program was provided to all residents in the intervention community, which addressed dietary intake, physical activity, smoking habits and environmental risk factors for osteoporosis and falls. Both communities are small, semi-rural and situated in Östergötland County in southern Sweden. The analysis is based on incidences of forearm fractures in the population 40 years of age or older, and hip fractures in the population 50 years of age or older. Data for three 5-year periods (pre-, early and late intervention) are accumulated and compared. In the intervention community, forearm fracture incidence decreased in women. There are also tendencies towards decreasing forearm fracture incidence in men, and towards decreasing trochanteric hip fracture incidences in women and in men in the late intervention period. No such changes in fracture incidences are found in the control community. Cervical hip fracture incidence did not change in the intervention and the control communities. Although the reported numbers of fractures are small (a total of 451 forearm and 357 hip fractures), the numbers are based on total community populations and thus represent a true difference. The decrease in forearm fracture incidence among women, and the tendency towards decreasing trochanteric hip fractures, in contrast to the absence of change in cervical hip fractures, might be mainly due to a more rapid effect of fall preventive measures than an increase in bone strength in the population. For the younger age groups an expected time lag between intervention and effect might invalidate the short follow-up period for outcome measurements. Thus, the effect of the 10-year intervention program on fracture incidence should be followed during an extended post-intervention period.

Logics and Logistics of Community Intervention Against Osteoporosis: An Evidence Basis

Under designations like small areas action research and intervention, directed ‘ground-up’ health promotion and prevention in the population form an important part of the ongoing medical systems development. There is recent evidence of the success of community intervention against cardiovascular disease. In osteoporosis, however, there is still a lack of conclusive data on both the logics and logistics of such an approach. Since 1988, a county health policy program has been formulated and implemented in Östergötland, Sweden, following the principles and guidelines of the WHO HFA 2000 declaration. Vadstena (n ≍ 7,600) was chosen for a local and generalizable osteoporosis prevention project mediated by the primary care organization by means of health promotion and education in the community. In the present report we emphasize that community intervention is an important new advancement of the medical systems, where the basic research questions include operational and management aspects as equally vital and measurable requisites and results as other performance and outcome variables. We found that a community intervention trial against osteoporosis is both motivated and feasible and in this report wish to provide evidence on these crucial issues of logics and logistics.

Evaluation of an osteoporosis and fall risk intervention program for community-dwelling elderly. A quasi-experimental study of behavioral modifications

Background and aims: Osteoporosis and fall fractures are increasing problems amongst the elderly. The aim of this study was to explore whether combined population-based and individual interventions directed at risk factors for osteoporosis and falls result in behavioral changes in an elderly population. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was used for the study. Persons aged ≥65 years were randomly selected in the intervention and control community. An intervention program was managed from the primary health care center and delivered to the community. Health education was designed to increase awareness of risk factors for the development of osteoporosis and falling. Questionnaires about lifestyle, health, previous fractures, safety behavior and physical activity level were distributed at baseline in 1989 and at the follow-ups in 1992 and 1994 in both communities. Results: There was a difference of 17.7% between the dual intervention (receiving both population-based and individual interventions) and the control samples regarding the self-reported use of shoe/cane spikes, and a difference of 20.5% regarding the reported “moderate level” of physical activity in 1994. There was an increase in the number of participants in the dual intervention sample who, at baseline, had not reported equipping their homes with non-slip mats and removing loose rugs but who did report these changes in 1994. The increase in the reported use of shoe/cane spikes in the dual intervention sample was observed mainly for the period 1992–1994. Conclusions: A public health intervention model, including both population-based and individual inter- ventions, can contribute to behavioral changes in the prevention of falls and changed physical activity patterns amongst elderly people.

Is calcaneal stiffness more sensitive to physical activity than forearm bone mineral density?: A population-based study of persons aged 20-79 years

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between forearm bone mineral density (BMD), calcaneal stiffness, and physical activity levels in a normal population using different non-invasive methods. Methods: The participants were invited to undergo bone measurements using single photon absorptiometry of the forearm and quantitative ultrasound (QUS) of the calcaneal bone, and also to complete a questionnaire. Physical activity levels were designated low, moderate, and high in the question on leisure-time activity. Results: There were 956 participants included in the present study. Forearm BMD in the eighth age decade was 0.40 g/cm2 (95% CI 0.33 - 0.46 g/cm2) lower than in the third decade among women and 0.28 g/cm2 (95% CI 0.18 - 0.37 g/cm2) lower among men. The differences in calcaneal stiffness between the same age decades were 22.4 (95% CI 17.5 - 27.4) among women and 15.8 (95% CI 8.0 - 23.5) among men. The correlation between forearm BMD and calcaneal stiffness was 0.58 (95% CI 0.52 - 0.64) in women and 0.34 (95% CI 0.25 - 0.42) in men. Reported moderate and high leisure-time activity levels in both genders were associated with higher calcaneal stiffness but not with forearm BMD. Conclusions: The QUS may be used to measure the effect of present physical activity levels on calcaneal bone at the population level. Further longitudinal studies are warranted in order to determine the most appropriate non-invasive method in population-based studies.

Back extensor training increases muscle strength in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, kyphosis and vertebral fractures

Abstract We determined the efficacy of a back muscle extensor strengthening program on the back muscle extensor strength, kyphosis, height and thoracic expansion in women with at least one vertebral fracture, kyphosis and osteoporosis. Thirty-six patients were included and randomized to a control or a training group. The training focused on back muscle extensor strengthening program for 1 h, twice a week for 4 months and was performed by a physiotherapist. The main outcome measure was the back muscle extensor strength. In an intention-to-treat analysis no significant effects on back muscle strength in the training group vs. controls could be seen (p = 0.74). In a per-protocol analysis (n = 28), the training group increased back muscle strength from 290 ± 87 to 331 ± 89 N while the control group showed no improvement. After adjusting for the strength at baseline, a significant effect of training could be demonstrated (p = 0.029). When comparing the heights between the groups a significant group × time interaction was observed (p = 0.012) where the training women increased their mean height with 0.3 cm (p = 0.101) and controls decreased 0.44 cm (p = 0.045). The training group improved their thoracic expansion compared with baseline (p = 0.03). No effect of training on kyphosis was seen. In conclusion, a 4-months back extensor training program can improve back strength and seems to maintain height and thoracic expansion.

Empowering the fragile body: Experiences of a back muscle group training program in postmenopausal women with vertebral fractures. A qualitative interview study

Abstract This study was undertaken to explore the experiences of a professionally supervised back muscle exercise group training program (BMTP) in women with osteoporosis-related vertebral fractures and increased thoracic kyphosis. Method: A qualitative interview study was carried out with 11 women, aged 60–93 years (median age 68 years), participating in the BMTP for 4 months. Analysis of the open interviews was supported by qualitative content analysis. Findings: Two categories and four sub-categories were constructed from the analysis: Awareness and experiences of the body through back muscle exercise (sub-categories; Sense and awareness of straightening the back and The usefulness of increased bodily strength and mobility) and Social dimensions of group training (sub-categories: Affinity and support and Sense of trust and safety). The women experienced both bodily and social benefits from participation in the BMTP, including improved mobility, increased strength, physical activity, better sleep, reduced pain and uncertainty as well as positive experiences of training in a group under professional supervision. Conclusion: The study showed that professionally supervised specific back exercise training brought benefits to everyday life, increased well-being and quality of life, and provided an empowering complement to pharmacological therapy in this group of women.

Association Between Physical Activity and Forearm Bone Mineral Density in 20-72-year-olds

Physical activity may influence bone mineral density (BMD) in different ways. In the present study the amount of physical activity and the associations between forearm BMD, body mass index, physical activity and several other lifestyle factors were explored. A random sample of the population in a Swedish municipality was invited to the study and examined by a questionnaire and by forearm bone mineral measurements using single photon absorptiometry. Forearm BMD was measured in 880 subjects. Forearm BMD was stable from 20 to 50 years of age in women and from 20 to 60 years of age in men. Reported moderate leisure-time physical activity levels in men were significantly associated with higher forearm BMD than low leisure-time physical activity levels ( p = 0.042). The findings that moderate levels of leisure-time physical activity in men were associated with higher forearm BMD, give some support to the hypothesis that increased amount of physical activity in a population might be of benefit in the prevention of osteoporosis. Further longitudinal studies of the effect of physical activity in the prevention of osteoporosis, falls and fractures are warranted.

Long-term effects of a ten-year osteoporosis intervention program in a Swedish population—A cross-sectional study

The aim of the study was to explore long-term effects seven years after the completion of a ten-year community-based osteoporosis intervention program in Vadstena, Sweden. The association between calcaneal bone mineral density and several life style factors, and the impact of risk factors for sustaining a fracture after the age of 50 were also studied. Previous participants in the intervention group, and matched subjects were invited to calcaneal bone mass measurement by a portable device including the dual X-ray and laser (DXL) technology by Calscan, and to complete a questionnaire in 2006. A total of 417 persons (63% of those invited) in the intervention (I) group, and 120 persons (47% of those invited) in the control (C) group participated. Mean age was 63 years (37–94 years). There was somewhat more knowledge of osteoporosis in the I-group (M = 18) than in the C-group (M = 17) (p < 0.05), and more use of shoe/cane spikes in elderly women in the I-group (67%) than in the C-group (40.5%). The fully adjusted model of logistic regression showed that participants with an osteoporotic DXL T-score (≤− 2.5) had a 3-fold increased risk (95%CI 1.48–6.89) of having a history of a self-reported fracture after the age of fifty compared to women with a calcaneal T-score >− 2.5. The long-term effects of a ten-year, community-based, osteoporosis intervention program on knowledge and behavior were modest seven years after its completion.