Effects of an exercise program on respiratory function, posture and on quality of life in osteoporotic women: a pilot study

Objectives To investigate the effects of an exercise program on respiratory function, thoracic kyphosis, tolerance to exercise and quality of life in women with osteoporosis. Design Pilot observational study. Setting Department of Physiotherapy, Federal University of Sao Carlos, Brazil. Participants Fourteen women with densitometric diagnosis of osteoporosis in the spine. Interventions An exercise program comprising of three sessions per week, lasting 1 hour each, over an 8-week period. Each session incorporated: 5 minutes of stretching exercises, including the lower limb and upper limb muscles; 15 minutes of posture exercises; 20 minutes of walking; 15 minutes of exercises to improve the strength of respiratory muscles and a 5-minutes, cool-down and relaxation. Main outcome measures Respiratory function evaluation, submaximal exercise tolerance test measurement of the thoracic kyphosis angle, and the Osteoporosis Assessment Questionnaire (OPAQ) to measure the quality of life at baseline and at 8-week follow-up. Results At follow-up, increases of between 12% and 23% in respiratory pressures were noted. The results also suggest an increase of 13% in submaximal exercise tolerance and a small increase of approximately 5% in the magnitude of thoracic curvature. The value of the OPAQ for this group of subjects is questionable. Sample size calculations based on the results of this pilot study are provided. Conclusions After an 8-week exercise program, benefits to the fitness of the participants were observed. The results suggest that exercise may have a role in the management of this group of patients. The outcome measures, with the possible exception of the OPAQ, and the protocol used in this pilot study would be feasible for a definitive study. Further research is recommended in a sufficiently powered study and should include an appropriate control group. (c) 2004 Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.