Effect of exercise on mobility, balance, and health-related quality of life in osteoporotic women with a history of vertebral fracture: a randomized, controlled trial

Summary The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the effect of a 3-month course of exercises on mobility, balance, disease-specific, and generic healthrelated quality of life (HRQOL) for women with osteoporosis and a history of vertebral fractures. Our results showed that exercises improved their mobility, balance, and HRQOL. Introduction The aim was to evaluate the effect of a 3- month course of circuit exercises plus a 3-h lesson on how to cope with osteoporosis on mobility, balance, and the HRQOL for postmenopausal women (60–84 years) with osteoporosis and a history of vertebral fracture. Our hypothesis was that a 3-month course would have a significantly positive effect on the women's mobility and balance as well as on their HRQOL. Methods The participants (89) were randomized to an intervention group (IT) or a control group (CT) and assessed at baseline at 3 months and at 12 months with measurement of maximum walking speed (MWS), Timed Up and GO (TUG), Functional Reach (FR), the Quality of Life Questionnaire issued by the European Foundation for Osteoporosis (‘QUALEFFO-41’) and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-20). The sample size was calculated with reference to walking speed (primary outcome), and the statistical approaches used were Student's t test or the chi-square test. Results At 3 months, better results were registered on the primary outcome, MWS as well as TUG, FR, sum score of GHQ-20, and “QUALEFFO-41: mental function” in the IT compared with the CT. At 12 months, those in the IT had a better result on the primary outcome, MWS as well as TUG, “QUALEFFO-41: total score” “QUALEFFO-41: mental function”, “QUALEFFO-41: physical function”, and “QULEFFO-41: pain” compared with CT. Conclusion Circuit exercises will improve mobility and health-related quality of life of elderly women with osteoporosis and a history of vertebral fractures.