Date of Award

2021

Degree Type

Selective Evidence-Based Medicine Review

Degree Name

Master of Science in Health Sciences - Physician Assistant

Department

Physician Assistant Studies

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not balance training improves quality of life in adults with osteoporosis.

Study Design: Review of two randomized controlled trials and one case series.

Data Sources: All three studies were found using Pubmed. They were originally published in peer-reviewed journals between 2010 and 2017.

Outcomes Measured: The outcome measured was quality of life. The randomized controlled trials measured quality of life using frequency of falling, and the case series measured it using the Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale (ABC-6).

Results: Mikó et al. was a RCT that showed balance training could reduce falls in a statistically significant number of people (p<0.05). The other RCT, Madureira et al., also found that balance training reduced frequency of falling in a statistically significant percentage of people (p=0.025). Konak et al. was a case series which revealed that balance training increased balance self-confidence when performing the daily activities measured via the ABC-6 scale by a statistically significant amount (p<0.001).

Conclusions: All three of the studies examined in this EBM review suggest that adults with osteoporosis who undergo a balance training program can improve their quality of life, as balance training can prevent or reduce falls in addition to increasing self-confidence in performing daily activities. Future studies should include more men and younger patients at risk for fragility fractures so that the results can be more generalizable. Additionally, future studies should investigate the optimal length of time that a balance training regimen needs to last in order to have the most benefit, as well as how long the benefit from the training lasts after the program stops.

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