Early body weight-supported treadmill training retards osteoporosis after a stroke

Objective To observe any effect of early-stage body weight-supported treadmill training on the progression of osteoporosis after a stroke. Methods Sixty stroke survivors with osteoporosis were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group, each of 30. Both groups were given routine medication including Miacalcic, α-D3 and Fosamax, along with standard rehabilitation training. The treatment group was additionally subjected to body weight-supported treadmill training. The bone mineral density (BMD), serum osteoprotegerin (OPG) and serum NF-κ B ligand receptor activator (RAKNL) levels were measured for both groups before and after 3, 6 and 12 months of treatment. Results The average BMD, OPG and RAKNL levels and the RANKL/OPG ratio in both groups improved with treatment. After 3, 6 and 12 months of treatment, all four average indicators were superior to those of the control group at the same time points. Conclusion Body weight-supported treadmill training can significantly retard the development of osteoporosis. Key words: Treadmill training; Stroke; Osteoporosis