Influence of Physical Therapy Modalities on Pain in Osteoporosis Patients: initial results of the treatment with physical therapy

Abstract Introduction. Osteoporosis causes chronic back pain leading to restriction of functional capacity and quality of life. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of physical therapy modalities on pain in patients with osteoporosis. Methods. This is a prospective study of patients with osteoporosis, randomly chosen and followed for three months in the Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (IPMR). Physical therapy consisted of physical modalities and therapeutic exercises. Physical therapy modalities included interferential currents and pulsed low-frequency electromagnetic field conducted each day with weekend breaks, 21 in total. Patients had therapeutic exercises 3 times a week during the entire follow-up period. Patients were assigned into two groups. The first group consisted of nine patients who underwent physical procedures and the second group consisted of nine patients who did not receive physical therapy modalities. Two check-ups were made on day 21 and at the end of the third month. Assessment of pain intensity was made by the use of a numeric pain rating scale. Results. No significant difference between the groups was observed regarding mean age of patients (p<0.21). The first check-up showed a significantly higher pain score in the second group of patients (p=0.0003). There was no significant difference in pain intensity between both groups of patients in the three-month period of investigation (p<0.63). Conclusion. Physical therapy modalities influence on pain in patients with osteoporosis. Our investigation included a small number of patients and hence further studies are necessary.