Article

Osteoporosis is one of the major health problems in aging population
and may lead to osteoporotic vertebral fracture that causes severe back pain and
reduced functional independency. OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy of
SpinoMed(R) and soft lumbar orthosis at the subacute stage (the second and third
weeks of disease onset) of the patients with osteoporotic vertebral fracture.
STUDY DESIGN: Prospective randomized trial, pilot trial. METHODS: A total of 51
female subjects aged 55 years or above with osteoporotic vertebral fracture were
randomly distributed to the soft lumbar orthosis (control group, n = 24) and
SpinoMed(R) (test group, n = 27) groups after the acute stage (the first week of
disease onset). The pain level was assessed by obtaining verbally feedback in
10-point scale scoring, while functional mobility level was estimated with
Functional Independence Measure-motor Scores, Elderly Mobility Scale, and
Modified Functional Ambulation Category. The thoracic kyphosis angle was measured
from standing X-ray on 10 out of 51 subjects. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Both groups
showed significant reduction in the patients' pain level and limitations of daily
life (p < 0.05). The effect of the two types of spinal orthoses on the pain level
reduction and functional mobility level gain did not show significant difference
(p > 0.05) at the subacute stage. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In this study, SpinoMed(R)
could not provide additional treatment benefits to patients with osteoporotic
vertebral fracture regarding pain relief and functional independence improvement
at the subacute stage. The effects of SpinoMed(R) in muscle-strengthening and
thoracic kyphotic angle reduction for patients with osteoporotic vertebral
fracture need to be further verified in a more intensive and longer-term training
program.
CI - (c) The International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics 2014.

Langue : ANGLAIS