Efficiency of back muscles training and balance therapy in rehabilitation of patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures

Medical rehabilitation of patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures (VF) remains an insufficiently developed topic and requires additional research. Aim of the study was to assess the efficiency of back muscles training and balance therapy in rehabilitation of patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures. Prospective, interventional, open-label, controlled study in two parallel groups, performed in inpatient department settings at “National Medical Research Center of Rehabilitation and Balneology” during 2018. The study involved 120 patients (11 men and 109 women) aged 40-80 (mean age 65.4±9.1 years) who were admitted for medical rehabilitation for systemic OP and VF. The rehabilitation program in the main group included: 1) Mechanotherapy on the Back-Therapy-Center Dr. Wolf complex with biofeedback (Germany); 2) Balance therapy on a double unstable COBS platform, with biofeedback (Germany); 3) Hydrokinesiotherapy in a pool; 4) Gymnastic exercises (Gorinevskaya-Dreving method). Results. The use of the three-week program of physical rehabilitation using mechanotherapy, balance therapy and special complexes of physiotherapy exercises in the gym and in the pool in patients with osteoporotic VF significantly increases the strength of the muscle corset, helps to eliminate the existing muscle deficit in TE and TF and results in a more physiological distribution of the strength ratio between TE and TF. The rehabilitation program improves the function of static and dynamic balance, both with closed and open eyes, which can be observed in the return of the center of gravity to a physiological position and in improved reaction speed to changes in body position. Usage of mechanotherapeutic methods in rehabilitation of patients with osteoporotic VF is effective for basic motor function improvement and disability reduction.