Patient Education Improves Pain and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Established Spinal Osteoporosis in Primary Care-A Pilot Study of Short- and Long-Term Effects.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to investigate the short- and long-term effects of patient education combined with mindfulness/medical yoga on pain, physical function, and quality of life in older adults with spinal osteoporosis.
Results Summary
The study found significant improvements in pain, painkiller use, social function, balance, and theoretical knowledge, which were maintained at the 1-year follow-up. Mindfulness/medical yoga combined with patient education showed positive effects on physical function and quality of life.
Population
Osteoporotic individuals aged 60+ with one or more vertebral fractures.
Effective Dosage
Once a week for ten weeks.
Duration
10 weeks (intervention), 1-year follow-up.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
patient education, including interdisciplinary themes, with physical training or mindfulness/medical yoga | decrease | pain during the last week | patients with established spinal osteoporosis | - | significant improvements | #1 |
patient education, including interdisciplinary themes, with physical training or mindfulness/medical yoga | decrease | worst pain | patients with established spinal osteoporosis | - | significant improvements | #2 |
patient education, including interdisciplinary themes, with physical training or mindfulness/medical yoga | decrease | painkiller use | patients with established spinal osteoporosis | any painkillers at baseline 70% [opioids 25%] vs. post-intervention 52% [opioids 14%] | reduced | #3 |
patient education, including interdisciplinary themes, with physical training or mindfulness/medical yoga | increase | RAND-36 social function | patients with established spinal osteoporosis | - | significant improvements | #4 |
patient education, including interdisciplinary themes, with physical training or mindfulness/medical yoga | increase | Qualeffo-41 social function | patients with established spinal osteoporosis | - | significant improvements | #5 |
patient education, including interdisciplinary themes, with physical training or mindfulness/medical yoga | increase | balance | patients with established spinal osteoporosis | - | significant improvements | #6 |
patient education, including interdisciplinary themes, with physical training or mindfulness/medical yoga | increase | tandem walking backwards | patients with established spinal osteoporosis | - | significant improvements | #7 |
patient education, including interdisciplinary themes, with physical training or mindfulness/medical yoga | increase | theoretical knowledge | patients with established spinal osteoporosis | - | significant improvements | #8 |
patient education, including interdisciplinary themes, with physical training or mindfulness/medical yoga | no change | changes | patients with established spinal osteoporosis | at the 1-year follow-up | maintained | #9 |
patient group education combined with supervised training | decrease | pain | persons with established spinal osteoporosis | - | positive effects | #10 |
patient group education combined with supervised training | increase | physical function | persons with established spinal osteoporosis | - | positive effects | #11 |
patient education, including interdisciplinary themes, with physical training or mindfulness/medical yoga | increase | quality of life | patients with established spinal osteoporosis | - | improved | #12 |
patient education, including interdisciplinary themes, with physical training or mindfulness/medical yoga | no change | improved quality of life | patients with established spinal osteoporosis | at the 1-year follow-up | maintained | #13 |
Fragility fractures, in particular vertebral fractures, are associated with high morbidity, including chronic pain and reduced health-related quality of life. We aimed to investigate the short- and long-term effects of patient education, including interdisciplinary themes, with or without physical training or mindfulness/medical yoga for patients with established spinal osteoporosis in primary care. Osteoporotic persons aged sixty years or older with one or more vertebral fractures were randomized to theory only, theory and physical exercise, or theory and mindfulness/medical yoga and were scheduled to once a week for ten weeks. Participants were followed up by clinical tests and questionnaires. Twenty-one participants completed the interventions and the one-year follow-up. Adherence to interventions was 90%. Pooled data from all participants showed significant improvements after intervention on pain during the last week and worst pain, and reduced painkiller use (any painkillers at baseline 70% [opioids 25%] vs. post-intervention 52% [opioids 14%]). Significant improvements were seen regarding RAND-36 social function, Qualeffo-41 social function, balance, tandem walking backwards, and theoretical knowledge. These changes were maintained at the 1-year follow-up. Patient group education combined with supervised training seems to have positive effects on pain, and physical function in persons with established spinal osteoporosis. The improved quality of life was maintained at the 1-year follow-up.