A study that claims the popular OsteoStrong program can help strengthen bones in post-menopausal women is 'misleading', and 'should never have been published', say bone health researchers.
On average, women lose up to 10 per cent of their bone density in the five years after menopause, leading to an increased risk of fractures.A study accepted for publication in February this year claims the OsteoStrong exercise program increases bone density in post-menopausal women with osteoporosis.
Experts have criticised the study, stating problems with the research design and data analysis, with some saying it should never have been published.The journal has since confirmed the study authors have been requested to make revisions and submit a corrected version of the paper.A study claiming a popular exercise regimen called OsteoStrong can help strengthen bones in post-menopausal women has been criticised by scientists, with some saying it should never have been published., which was accepted for publication in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism in February this year, was hailed as"The acceptance of this research in a prestigious, peer-reviewed medical journal like JCEM is a monumental step in validating OsteoStrong as a science-backed solution for osteoporosis management," the company said in a press release at the time. But the study has since attracted international criticism, with questions being raised about its design, data analysis and conclusions. "We really questioned the editor on how this paper got through the peer-review process," said Robin Daly, a researcher in exercise and ageing at Deakin University.The study examined the effectiveness of the OsteoStrong program, which was described as "a bone-strengthening system implementing four devices and incorporating brief , weekly, low-impact, and high-intensity osteogenic loading exercises" in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. The researchers separated 147 women into two groups. One group did the program and the other did not. The group that did the exercise program was further divided into two groups,Measures of bone strength were carried out at the start and end of the 12-month trial. The study claimed bone density was improved in women who did OsteoStrong , and that among participants who were also on medication, it enhanced the effect of the drugs. "This is the first study that clearly demonstrates benefit" from the OsteoStrong program, the researchers wrote. This graph on the OsteoStrong Australia website suggests the program is more effective than drugs at increasing bone mineral density, which is contrary to mainstream understanding.But among numerous concerns expressed by critics are that the clinical trial had no clear statistical plan, failed to reduce the risk of bias, had no ethical approval and was not registered online for transparency. According to Professor Daly, "the claims are totally misleading. They're not supported by the data". He said the way the study was designed and its results were analysed made it difficult to conclude anything."There's no way that you can make a claim that it's an effective program." Professor Daly and University of Waterloo bone researcher Lora Giangregorio sent a letter to the editor of the journal calling for the study's retraction. Professor Giangregorio was concerned that publicity of the study's findings would lead people to make uninformed decisions about the OsteoStrong program."The claims made in the study were not appropriate."Other experts have also expressed concern about the failure of the study to adhere to normal standards and guidelines for clinical trials.In a statement, also co-authored by Professor Giangregorio, the organisation said:Chris Maher, director of the University of Sydney Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, agreed with the concerns raised about the study. "That study is flawed and does not provide believable evidence on the effect of OsteoStrong," Professor Maher said.Maria Fiatarone Singh, a University of Sydney geriatrician who researches the impacts of exercise, was also highly critical of the study."It is shocking that the editors allowed this to be published in a peer-reviewed journal and it indeed should be retracted and re-analysed at the very least."Shoshana Sztal-Mazer, an endocrinologist and expert in bone disease at Alfred Health in Melbourne, said the principle behind OsteoStrong was "plausible". The company states its system relies on "osteogenic loading", which is where force on your bones stimulates them to grow stronger.But she agreed there were concerns about the study."I think that study was not of a standard that we would normally expect to read in that journal."One of the major sources of bias in the study, according to critics, was allowing patients to choose which group they were in, Professor Fiatarone Singh said. "It is well known that people who choose exercise are healthier and at less risk of disease for numerous reasons than sedentary individuals or those who choose a non-exercise control condition when given a choice."We talked to experts about healthy bones and how to keep them healthy for as long as possible. In a statement provided to the ABC, the Endocrine Society, which publishes the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, said "we recognise the shortcomings in the research's design and analyses as reported in the online accepted manuscript.The authors of the study are in the process of submitting a corrected version of the paper, the statement added. OsteoStrong was approached for comment, but did not respond specifically to concerns raised by Osteoporosis Canada and others. Instead, Perry Eckert, managing director of OsteoStrong Australia, pointed to recent unpublished research partly sponsored by the company. According to Mr Eckert, the study showed "a significant improvement" in bone mineral density and overall strength in 38 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.But most trials on exercise programs to strengthen bones are small compared to those studying pharmaceuticals, so the evidence for exercise is not as strong as that for drugs. The majority of experts the ABC spoke to were not convinced at this stage exercise could reverse bone mineral density loss that occurs in post-menopausal women, although it might slow down the rate of loss.Photo shows Woman in a pink dress in a DEXA machine scanning her bone density with a person in a white coat standing nearby.But despite there being better evidence behind the use of medications to increase bone density, Dr Sztal-Mazer prescribes exercise as well as medications to help stave off bone loss in this age group.right kind of exercise Exercise can also improve strength and balance, which can also help prevent falls, the main cause of bone fragility fractures.by physiotherapists and exercise physiologists to manage osteoporosis suggests a much bigger time commitment is required than that proposed by OsteoStrong. "So if somebody's going to propose a 10-minute-a-week quick fix, it really does need to be proven by rigorous studies."Photo shows Black smoke rises over a city skyline after an explosionPhoto shows The orange glow of fire highlights dark clouds of smoke rising behind blocks of flats and other multistorey buildings.Photo shows A picture showing the bones under the kneeWeather
Osteopenia Bone Health Fractures Exercise High-Intensity Impact Resistance Strength Weight-Bearing Vitamin D Osteostrong Research
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