Positive effects of physiotherapy on chronic pain and performance in osteoporosis

The aim of this placebo-controlled, randomized, single-masked study was to establish the effects of a 10-week ambulatory exercise programme for osteop orotic patients on pain, use of analgesics, functional status, quality of l ife, balance and muscle strength. Fifty-three ambulatory postmenopausal wom en with at least one spinal crush fracture and pains within the last 3 year s were randomized for physiotherapeutic training twice a week for 10 weeks or no training. The training included general training of balance and muscl e strength, with stabilization of the lumbar spine. The participants were t ested at baseline, week 5 and week 10 with a balance test, muscle strength test and questionnaires on pain, use of analgesics, functional status and q uality of life. Twelve weeks after the supervised training had finished (we ek 22) they answered the same questionnaires. The study groups were compara ble at baseline. The training group had a significant reduction in use of a nalgesics (p = 0.02) and pain level (p = 0.01) during the training period. Distribution of functional score improved; the improvement was reduced at w eek 22. Quality of life score improved significantly throughout the study ( p=0.0008), even after week 22. Balance improved non-significantly (p = 0.08 ). Quadriceps muscle strength improved significantly after 5 weeks (p = 0.0 4). Back extensor muscle strength improved almost significantly (p = 0.09). In conclusion, this training programme for osteoporotic patients improved balance and level of daily function and decreased experience of pain and us e of analgesics. Quality of life was improved even beyond the active traini ng period.