Abstract

Background. The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of various models of comprehensive rehabilitation in patients with senile osteoporosis, concentrating on the correction of thoracic kyphosis and increasing the strength of the knee extensor muscles. Material and methods. The prospective and randomized study was conducted in the group of female patients with known senile osteoporosis (n=37, average age – 72.7 yrs, SD – 5.79, range 65-84 yrs), divided into two groups of 17 and 20 patients, respectively. To take part in the rehabilitation, all patients were hospitalized at the department of rehabilitation for 3 weeks. The programme of rehabilitation applied in respective groups was different only with regard to walking training, with forward walking training applied in the first group and backward gait in the second group. The measurement of thoracic kyphosis was performed using a plurimeter-V. The strength of the knee extensor muscles was measured in both lower limbs by tensometry. Results. A degree of correction of thoracic kyphosis was seen in both groups. Additionally we observed a statistically significant increase in the knee extensor torque. The increase was significantly higher in the second group in comparison to the first group. Conclusion. The use of backward walking training in the comprehensive rehabilitation of female senile osteoporosis patients contributed to a greater increase in the torque of the knee extensors compared to forward walking training over the same period.

Key words:

senile osteoporosis, backward gait, physiotherapy, tensometry