Does standing protect bone density in patients with chronic spinal cord injury?

Effectiveness of FES-supported leg exercise for promotion of paralysed lower limb muscle and bone health-a systematic review

Leg exercises through standing, cycling and walking with/without FES may be used to preserve lower limb muscle and bone health in persons with physical disability due to SCI. This study sought to examine the effectiveness of leg exercises on bone mineral density and muscle cross-sectional area based on their clinical efficacy in persons with SCI. Several literature databases were searched for potential eligible studies from the earliest return date to January 2022. The primary outcome targeted was the change in muscle mass/volume and bone mineral density as measured by CT, MRI and similar devices. Relevant studies indicated that persons with SCI that undertook FES- and frame-supported leg exercise exhibited better improvement in muscle and bone health preservation in comparison to those who were confined to frame-assisted leg exercise only. However, this observation is only valid for exercise initiated early (i.e., within 3 months after injury) and for ≥30 min/day for ≥ thrice a week and for up to 24 months or as long as desired and/or tolerable. Consequently, apart from the positive psychological effects on the users, leg exercise may reduce fracture rate and its effectiveness may be improved if augmented with FES.

Sclerostin Concentration and Bone Biomarker Trends in Patients with Spinal Cord Injury: A Prospective Study

Patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) experience a high osteoporosis incidence, which increases fracture risk. Recently, a sclerostin antibody was introduced as a target biomarker to treat osteoporosis. We aimed to determine the serum concentration of sclerostin and factors affecting its concentration over time. This was a prospective cross-sectional study. The inclusion criteria were (1) SCI patients with a grade 3 modified functional ambulatory category score (FAC—patients requiring firm continuous support) and (2) patients whose injury occurred >1 month ago. The exclusion criterion was a history of osteoporosis medication administration within 6 months. The collected data included bone biomarkers (carboxy-terminal collagen crosslinks (CTX), procollagen type 1 intact N-terminal propeptide, and sclerostin), clinical data (FAC, lower extremity motor score), body mass index, SCI duration, and hip bone mineral density (BMD). This study recruited 62 patients with SCI. Sclerostin levels significantly correlated with age, CTX level, and hip BMD. SCI duration was negatively correlated with sclerostin levels. Lower extremity motor scores were not significantly correlated with sclerostin levels. The acute SCI state showed a higher sclerostin level than the chronic SCI state. Sclerostin showed a significant relationship with CTX. In conclusion, age and BMD affect sclerostin concentration in patients with SCI.

The Effects of Exercise and Activity-Based Physical Therapy on Bone after Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) produces paralysis and a unique form of neurogenic disuse osteoporosis that dramatically increases fracture risk at the distal femur and proximal tibia. This bone loss is driven by heightened bone resorption and near-absent bone formation during the acute post-SCI recovery phase and by a more traditional high-turnover osteopenia that emerges more chronically, which is likely influenced by the continual neural impairment and musculoskeletal unloading. These observations have stimulated interest in specialized exercise or activity-based physical therapy (ABPT) modalities (e.g., neuromuscular or functional electrical stimulation cycling, rowing, or resistance training, as well as other standing, walking, or partial weight-bearing interventions) that reload the paralyzed limbs and promote muscle recovery and use-dependent neuroplasticity. However, only sparse and relatively inconsistent evidence supports the ability of these physical rehabilitation regimens to influence bone metabolism or to increase bone mineral density (BMD) at the most fracture-prone sites in persons with severe SCI. This review discusses the pathophysiology and cellular/molecular mechanisms that influence bone loss after SCI, describes studies evaluating bone turnover and BMD responses to ABPTs during acute versus chronic SCI, identifies factors that may impact the bone responses to ABPT, and provides recommendations to optimize ABPTs for bone recovery.

S1 Guidelines on Bone Impairment in Spinal Cord Injury

During the acute and chronic phase of spinal cord injury (SCI) bone turnover and structure are affected. Bone mineral density of lower limbs is decreased up to 28%-50% below that of age-matched peers at 12-18 mo post injury. Coexisting secondary etiologies of osteoporosis may be present, and during ageing additional loss of bone occurs. All these compose a complex canvas of bone impairment after spinal cord injury and make the therapeutical approach challenging. The risk of fragility fractures is increased after the 2nd decade post SCI affecting the functionality and quality of life of individuals with SCI. Diagnostic flaws, lack of a ranking system to categorize the degree of bone impairment similar to the one of World Health Organization, and evidence-based clinical guidelines for management in SCI requires interdisciplinary cooperation and appropriate planning of future research and interventions. Spinal Cord Section of Hellenic Society of Physical Rehabilitation Medicine convened an expert panel working group on bone and spinal cord injury at the Pan-Hellenic Congress 2018 of PRM in Athens Greece, to establish an evidence-based position statement for bone loss in individuals with SCI of traumatic or non-traumatic etiology. This was reviewed by an International Task Force and used to create S1 Guidelines. This first version S1 guideline will work towards to provide help with prophylactic basic osteoporosis therapy diagnostic and therapeutic decisions in acute and chronic phase and rehabilitation countermeasures against osteoporosis related with spinal cord injury.

Osteoporosis after spinal cord injury: aetiology, effects and therapeutic approaches

Osteoporosis is a long-term consequence of spinal cord injury (SCI) that leads to a high risk of fragility fractures. The fracture rate in people with SCI is twice that of the general population. At least 50% of these fractures are associated with clinical complications such as infections. This review article presents key features of osteoporosis after SCI, starting with its aetiology, a description of temporal and spatial changes in the long bones and the subsequent fragility fractures. It then describes the physical and pharmacological approaches that have been used to attenuate the bone loss. Bone loss after SCI has been found to be highly site-specific and characterised by large inter-variability and site-specific changes. The assessment of the available interventions is limited by the quality of the studies and the lack of information on their effect on fractures, but this evaluation suggests that current approaches do not appear to be effective. More studies are required to identify factors influencing rate and magnitude of bone loss following SCI. In addition, it is important to test these interventions at the sites that are most prone to fracture, using detailed imaging techniques, and to associate bone changes with fracture risk. In summary, bone loss following SCI presents a substantial clinical problem. Identification of at-risk individuals and development of more effective interventions are urgently required to reduce this burden.

Prevention and management of osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures in persons with a spinal cord injury or disorder: A systematic scoping review

Objectives: The primary objective was to review the literature regarding methodologies to assess fracture risk, to prevent and treat osteoporosis and to manage osteoporotic fractures in SCI/D.Study Design: Scoping review.Settings/Participants: Human adult subjects with a SCI/D.Outcome measures: Strategies to identify persons with SCI/D at risk for osteoporotic fractures, nonpharmacological and pharmacological therapies for osteoporosis and management of appendicular fractures.Results: 226 articles were included in the scoping review. Risk of osteoporotic fractures in SCI is predicted by a combination of DXA-defined low BMD plus clinical and demographic characteristics. Screening for secondary causes of osteoporosis, in particular hyperparathyroidism, hyperthyroidism, vitamin D insufficiency and hypogonadism, should be considered. Current antiresorptive therapies for treatment of osteoporosis have limited efficacy. Use of surgery to treat fractures has increased and outcomes are good and comparable to conservative treatment in most cases. A common adverse event following fracture was delayed healing.Conclusions: Most of the research in this area is limited by small sample sizes, weak study designs, and significant variation in populations studied. Future research needs to address cohort definition and study design issues.

Bone Mineral Density Testing in Spinal Cord Injury: 2019 ISCD Official Position

Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes rapid osteoporosis that is most severe below the level of injury. More than half of those with motor complete SCI will experience an osteoporotic fracture at some point following their injury, with most fractures occurring at the distal femur and proximal tibia. These fractures have devastating consequences, including delayed union or nonunion, cellulitis, skin breakdown, lower extremity amputation, and premature death. Maintaining skeletal integrity and preventing fractures is imperative following SCI to fully benefit from future advances in paralysis cure research and robotic-exoskeletons, brain computer interfaces and other evolving technologies. Clinical care has been previously limited by the lack of consensus derived guidelines or standards regarding dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry-based diagnosis of osteoporosis, fracture risk prediction, or monitoring response to therapies. The International Society of Clinical Densitometry convened a task force to establish Official Positions for bone density assessment by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in individuals with SCI of traumatic or nontraumatic etiology. This task force conducted a series of systematic reviews to guide the development of evidence-based position statements that were reviewed by an expert panel at the 2019 Position Development Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The resulting the International Society of Clinical Densitometry Official Positions are intended to inform clinical care and guide the diagnosis of osteoporosis as well as fracture risk management of osteoporosis following SCI.

Effects of FES-Rowing Exercise on the Time-Dependent Changes in Bone Microarchitecture After Spinal Cord Injury: A Cross-Sectional Investigation

Disuse osteoporosis is a serious, secondary consequence of spinal cord injury (SCI). Numerous pharmacological and exercise therapies have been implemented to mitigate bone loss after SCI. However, these therapies have not been shown to improve bone density, potentially because of insufficient duration and magnitude of loading and/or inability of imaging modalities to capture changes in bone microarchitecture. In this cross‐sectional study, we evaluated bone microstructure of the distal tibia and radius using HR‐pQCT in men with SCI (N = 13) who regularly trained with functional electrical stimulation‐ (FES‐) rowing. We aimed to determine whether the amount of FES‐rowing (total distance rowed and peak foot force) and/or time since injury (TSI) predict bone loss after SCI. We assessed volumetric density of the total, cortical, and trabecular compartments, cortical thickness, and trabecular thickness. Using linear regression analysis, we found that TSI was not associated with any of the tibial bone metrics. In fact, none of the variables (TSI, total distance rowed, and peak foot force) independently predicted bone loss. Using stepwise regression, when all three variables were considered together, we found a strong prediction for trabecular microstructure (trabecular vBMD: R² = 0.53; p = 0.06; trabecular thickness: R² = 0.72; p < 0.01), but not cortical bone metrics. In particular, trabecular vBMD and thickness were negatively associated with TSI and positively associated with distance rowed. Foot force contributed markedly less to trabecular bone than distance rowed or TSI. Our results suggest that regular FES‐rowing may have the capacity to alter the time‐dependent bone negative effects of SCI on trabecular bone density and microstructure. © 2019 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Hip Mobilization at Preterm Age May Accelerate Developmental Dysplasia Recovery

PURPOSE

Few studies have described mobilization approaches in developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). The present study describes the hip mobilization of a preterm infant (born at 33 6/7 weeks of gestational age) diagnosed with DDH.

DESIGN AND METHODS

During the 43-day hospital stay, the infant was seen twice a week (ten sessions, 20 minutes each). All sessions included hip approximation maneuvers, with the hip positioned in abduction, lateral rotation and flexion, and lower limbs passive mobilization, which were taught to the mother. Early intervention with auditory, tactile, visual, and vestibular stimulations was also performed. The infant was assessed with hip ultrasound before and after treatment.

RESULTS

At 34 2/7 weeks of gestational age, she was classified as Graf IIa (left: alpha: 55°, beta: 68°; right: alpha: 59°, beta: 64°). At 40 5/7 weeks, she was classified as Graf I for left (alpha: 67°; beta: 42°) and right (alpha: 66°; beta: 42°) hips.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

The intervention seemed to accelerate the acquisition of stability of dysplasic hips in a preterm infant. The outcome supports further investigation of hip approximation maneuvers as part of early stimulation in preterm infants with DDH during hospital stay.

Special considerations in the urological management of the older spinal cord injury patient

PURPOSE

This paper reports the key findings of Committee 8 of the Joint SIU-ICUD Consultation on Urologic Management of the Spinal Cord Injured Patient and address issues pertaining to the older person with a SCI and the time-related changes relevant to their urological, gastrointestinal and functional management.

METHODS

A literature review using the Pubmed and Ovid search engines was performed examining pertinent literature regarding SCI in the older patient.

RESULTS

There is a rising incidence of both traumatic and non-traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) in older people and improvements in healthcare and nutrition mean patients with SCI are living longer. Outcomes after a SCI in the older person are a sum of the effects of injury and its management compounded by specific effects of ageing and the emergence of unrelated comorbidities. Changes in health, comorbidities, cognition and dexterity with ageing have an impact on function and are important considerations in the management of the older patient with SCI. Treatment decisions are thus increasingly complex due to the need to take into account these changes and accompanying polypharmacy. For the person living with a SCI, changes in circumstances (social and financial) have an impact on quality of life and influence management and support strategies.

CONCLUSIONS

Older patients with SCI face additional challenges both in the acute setting and with ageing. Clinicians should take into account comorbid conditions, mental health, physical function, cognition and social support in making management decisions. With the global ageing population, health services planning will need to allow for increase in resources required to care for older patients with SCI.

Dynamic wheelchair seating positions impact cardiovascular function after spinal cord injury

BACKGROUND

Innovative wheelchairs allow individuals to change position easily for comfort and social situations. While these wheelchairs are beneficial in multiple ways, the effects of position changes on blood pressure might exacerbate hypotension and cerebral hypoperfusion, particularly in those with spinal cord injury (SCI) who can have injury to autonomic nerves that regulate cardiovascular control. Conversely, cardiovascular benefits may be obtained with lowered seating. Here we investigate the effect of moderate changes in wheelchair position on orthostatic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular reflex control.

METHODS

Nineteen individuals with SCI and ten neurologically-intact controls were tested in supine and seated positions (neutral, lowered, and elevated) in the Elevation™ wheelchair. Participants with SCI were stratified into two groups by the severity of injury to cardiovascular autonomic pathways. Beat-to-beat blood pressure, heart rate and middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity (MCAv) were recorded non-invasively.

RESULTS

Supine blood pressure and MCAv were reduced in individuals with lesions to autonomic pathways, and declined further with standard seating compared to those with preserved autonomic control. Movement to the elevated position triggered pronounced blood pressure and MCAv falls in those with autonomic lesions, with minimum values significantly reduced compared to the seated and lowered positions. The cumulative duration spent below supine blood pressure was greatest in this group. Lowered seating bolstered blood pressure in those with lesions to autonomic pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

Integrity of the autonomic nervous system is an important variable that affects cardiovascular responses to orthostatic stress and should be considered when individuals with SCI or autonomic dysfunction are selecting wheelchairs.

SPONSORSHIP

This work was supported in part by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of British Columbia and the Yukon (V.E.C).

Evidence-based prevention and treatment of osteoporosis after spinal cord injury: a systematic review

PURPOSE

Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in accelerated bone mineral density (BMD) loss and disorganization of trabecular bone architecture. The mechanisms underlying post-SCI osteoporosis are complex and different from other types of osteoporosis. Findings of studies investigating efficacy of pharmacological or rehabilitative interventions in SCI-related osteoporosis are controversial. The aim of this study was to review the literature pertaining to prevention and evidence-based treatments of SCI-related osteoporosis.

METHODS

In this systematic review, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library were used to identify papers from 1946 to December 31, 2015. The search strategy involved the following keywords: spinal cord injury, osteoporosis, and bone loss.

RESULTS

Finally, 56 studies were included according to the inclusion criteria. Only 16 randomized controlled trials (involving 368 patients) were found. We found following evidences for effectiveness of bisphosphonates in prevention of BMD loss in acute SCI: very low-quality evidence for clodronate and etidronate, low-quality evidence for alendronate, and moderate-quality evidence for zoledronic acid. Low-quality evidence showed no effectiveness for tiludronate. In chronic SCI cases, we found low-quality evidence for effectiveness of vitamin D₃ analogs combined with 1-alpha vitamin D₂. However, low-quality inconsistent evidence exists for alendronate. For non-pharmacologic interventions, very low-quality evidence exists for effectiveness of standing with or without treadmill walking in acute SCI. Other low-quality evidences indicated that electrical stimulation, tilt-table standing, and ultrasound provide no significant effects. Very low-quality evidence did not show any benefit for low-intensity (3 days per week) cycling with functional electrical stimulator in chronic SCI.

CONCLUSIONS

No recommendations can be made from this review, regarding overall low quality of evidence as a result of high risk of bias, low sample size in most of the studies, and notable heterogeneity in type of intervention, outcome measurement, and duration of treatment. Therefore, future high-quality RCT studies with higher sample sizes and more homogeneity are strongly recommended to provide high-quality evidence and make applicable recommendations for prevention and treatment of SCI-related bone loss.

Systematic review and clinical recommendations for dosage of supported home-based standing programs for adults with stroke, spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions

Background

Sitting for more than 8 h a day has been shown to negatively impact health and mortality while standing is the recommended healthier alternative. Home-based standing programs are commonly recommended for adults who cannot stand and/or walk independently. The aim of this systematic review is to review effectiveness of home-based standing programs for adults with neurological conditions including stroke and spinal cord injury; and to provide dosage guidelines to address body structure and function, activity and participation outcomes.

Methods

Eight electronic databases were searched, including Cochrane Library databases, MEDLINE, CINAHL and EMBASE. From 376 articles, 36 studies addressing impact of a standing intervention on adults with sub-acute or chronic neurological conditions and published between 1980 and September 2015 were included. Two reviewers independently screened titles, reviewed abstracts, evaluated full-text articles and rated quality and strength of evidence. Evidence level was rated using Oxford Centre for Evidence Based Medicine Levels and quality evaluated using a domain-based risk-of-bias rating. Outcomes were divided according to ICF components, diagnoses and dosage amounts from individual studies. GRADE and the Evidence-Alert Traffic-Lighting system were used to determine strength of recommendation and adjusted in accordance with risk-of-bias rating.

Results

Stronger evidence supports the impact of home-based supported standing programs on range of motion and activity, primarily for individuals with stroke or spinal cord injury while mixed evidence supports impact on bone mineral density. Evidence for other outcomes and populations is weak or very weak.

Conclusions

Standing should occur 30 min 5 times a week for a positive impact on most outcomes while 60 min daily is suggested for mental function and bone mineral density.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12891-015-0813-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Bone mass and hormone analysis in patients with spinal cord injury: evidence for a gonadal axis disruption

CONTEXT

Bone loss is a constant finding in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI).

OBJECTIVE

We sought to evaluate potential modifiable factors that could lead to bone loss in complete motor paraplegia by examining gonadal axis hormones, vitamin D status, and bone markers.

DESIGN

This is a cross sectional.

SETTING

It includes SCI Outpatient.

PATIENTS AND OTHER PARTICIPANTS

Twenty-nine chronic male patients with SCI were compared with 17 age-matched, able-bodied men.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

The bone mineral density (BMD) of lower limbs and lumbar spine were measured using dual x-ray absorptiometry. Parathormone, 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], collagen type I C-terminal telopeptide (CTX), and sexual hormone were measured.

RESULTS

Patients with SCI had lower BMD at the inferior limbs sites. CTX showed an inverse relationship with the time since injury. Patients had lower free T levels (SCI, 12.00 ± 2.91 vs controls, 19.51 ± 5.72; P ≤ .001), and the majority (72%) had normal/low levels of gonadotropins. Low T, however, was not related to low bone mass in patients with SCI. In the controls, the 25(OH)D level was positively correlated with the T and with the lumbar spine BMD, but these correlations were not observed in the SCI.

CONCLUSIONS

Impairment of testicular function after SCI was indicated by the low levels of T and the loss of correlation between T and 25(OH)D levels; this correlation was present in the able-bodied controls. Inappropriate levels of gonadotropins were identified in most patients, featuring a hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and suggesting a disruption of the pituitary-gonadal axis. T concentrations might not be an effective target for bone loss therapy.

The frequency of osteogenic activities and the pattern of intermittence between periods of physical activity and sedentary behaviour affects bone mineral content: the cross-sectional NHANES study

BACKGROUND

Sedentary behaviours, defined as non exercising seated activities, have been shown to have deleterious effects on health. It has been hypothesised that too much sitting time can have a detrimental effect on bone health in youth. The aim of this study is to test this hypothesis by exploring the association between objectively measured volume and patterns of time spent in sedentary behaviours, time spent in specific screen-based sedentary pursuits and bone mineral content (BMC) accrual in youth.

METHODS

NHANES 2005-2006 cycle data includes BMC of the femoral and spinal region via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), assessment of physical activity and sedentary behaviour patterns through accelerometry, self reported time spent in screen based pursuits (watching TV and using a computer), and frequency of vigorous playtime and strengthening activities. Multiple regression analysis, stratified by gender was performed on N = 671 males and N = 677 females aged from 8 to 22 years.

RESULTS

Time spent in screen-based sedentary behaviours is negatively associated with femoral BMC (males and females) and spinal BMC (females only) after correction for time spent in moderate and vigorous activity. Regression coefficients indicate that an additional hour per day of screen-based sitting corresponds to a difference of -0.77 g femoral BMC in females [95% CI: -1.31 to -0.22] and of -0.45 g femoral BMC in males [95% CI: -0.83 to -0.06]. This association is attenuated when self-reported engagement in regular (average 5 times per week) strengthening exercise (for males) and vigorous playing (for both males and females) is taken into account. Total sitting time and non screen-based sitting do not appear to have a negative association with BMC, whereas screen based sedentary time does. Patterns of intermittence between periods of sitting and moderate to vigorous activity appears to be positively associated with bone health when activity is clustered in time and inter-spaced with long continuous bouts of sitting.

CONCLUSIONS

Some specific sedentary pursuits (screen-based) are negatively associated with bone health in youth. This association is specific to gender and anatomical area. This relationship between screen-based time and bone health is independent of the total amount of physical activity measured objectively, but not independent of self-reported frequency of strengthening and vigorous play activities. The data clearly suggests that the frequency, rather than the volume, of osteogenic activities is important in counteracting the effect of sedentary behaviour on bone health. The pattern of intermittence between sedentary periods and activity also plays a role in bone accrual, with clustered short bouts of activity interspaced with long periods of sedentary behaviours appearing to be more beneficial than activities more evenly spread in time.

Treatments for osteoporosis in people with a disability

The morbidity from osteoporotic fractures for people with a disability is considerable because of the increased risk of medical complications, loss of independence and mobility, and prolonged hospitalization. The frequency with which low bone mineral density occurs in people with a disability is now well recognized, and professionals have a greater awareness of the need to investigate bone mineral density levels with a view to preventing fragility fractures. After patients with osteoporosis are identified, the challenge is to treat them appropriately. This article reviews the physical and pharmacologic measures that have been researched in the prevention and treatment of low bone mineral density in people with a disability.

Bone and muscle loss after spinal cord injury: organ interactions

Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in paralysis and marked loss of skeletal muscle and bone below the level of injury. Modest muscle activity prevents atrophy, whereas much larger--and as yet poorly defined--bone loading seems necessary to prevent bone loss. Once established, bone loss may be irreversible. SCI is associated with reductions in growth hormone, IGF-1, and testosterone, deficiencies likely to exacerbate further loss of muscle and bone. Reduced muscle mass and inactivity are assumed to be contributors to the high prevalence of insulin resistance and diabetes in this population. Alterations in muscle gene expression after SCI share common features with other muscle loss states, but even so, show distinct profiles, possibly reflecting influences of neuromuscular activity due to spasticity. Changes in bone cells and markers after SCI have similarities with other conditions of unloading, although after SCI these changes are much more dramatic, perhaps reflecting the much greater magnitude of unloading. Adiposity and marrow fat are increased after SCI with intriguing, though poorly understood, implications for the function of skeletal muscle and bone cells.

Diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis in spinal cord injury patients: A literature review

OBJECTIVE

To present an up-to-date literature review of osteoporosis in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients, in view of the seriousness of this complication (with a high risk of fractures) and the complexity of its diagnosis, evaluation and treatment.

METHODS

A Medline search with the following keywords: immobilization osteoporosis, spinal cord injury, bone loss, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), bisphosphonate.

RESULTS

Our analysis of the literature noted a bone metabolism imbalance in SCI patients, with accelerated early bone resorption (particularly during the first 6 months post-injury). Although dual energy X-ray absorptiometry constitutes the "gold standard" diagnostic method, the decrease in bone mineral density only becomes significant 12 months after the injury. Bisphosphonate therapy has proven efficacy. Despite the frequent use of various physical therapies, these methods have not been found to be effective.

CONCLUSION

Although our literature review did not identify any guidelines on the strategy for diagnosing and treating osteoporosis in SCI patients, several findings provide guidance on procedures for early diagnosis and preventive treatment.

Non-pharmacological treatment and prevention of bone loss after spinal cord injury: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Review the literature on non-pharmacological prevention and treatment of osteoporosis after spinal cord injury (SCI).

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register were searched. All identified papers were read by title, abstract and full-length article when relevant. Hand search of the articles' sources identified additional papers. For included studies, the level of evidence was determined.

RESULTS

No studies conclusively showed an effective intervention. However, there are few randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and those that exist assess interventions and outcome measures that could be improved. Five studies on weight-bearing early post-injury are conflicting, but standing or walking may help retain bone mineral. In the chronic phase, there was no effect of weight bearing (12 studies). One study found that an early commencement of sports after SCI improved bone mineral, and the longer the period of athletic career, the higher the (leg) bone mineral. Early after SCI, there may be some effects of electrical stimulation (ES) (five studies). Chronic-phase ES studies vary (14 studies, including mixed periods after injury), but improvement is seen with longer period of training, or higher frequency or stimulus intensity. Improvements correspond to trabecular bone in the distal femur or proximal tibia. Impact vibration and pulsed electromagnetic fields may have some positive effects, whereas pulsed ultrasound does not. Six studies on the influence of spasticity show inconsistent results.

CONCLUSIONS

Bone mineral should be measured around the knee; the length and intensity of the treatment should be sufficiently long and high, respectively, and should commence early after SCI. If bone mineral is to remain, the stimulation has to be possibly continued for long term. In addition, RCTs are necessary.