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Osteoporosis in Post-menopausal WomenNCT06687889

Effect of Muscle Stiffness on Vertebral Fractures in Women Over 60

An observational study of Osteoporosis in Post-menopausal Women and Vertebral Body Fractures, run by Ankara City Hospital Bilkent at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

This study aims to assess the quality of lumbar and abdominal core muscles through elastography and evaluate its impact on vertebral fracture risk. This tudy's secondary objective is to investigate the relationship between muscle quality, as measured by elastography, and balance and quality of life. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 60 years and older, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
What is being tested?
Elastography Measurements, Bone Mineral Density Measurement (DEXA) and Berg balance scale
How many people
81 participants
Where
1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
Study dates
24 Nov 2024to 15 May 2025
Phase
Observational
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 60 years and older
  • Women only
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult, Older adult

Study population: Female, aged ≥ 60 years

Who may be able to join

  • Female, aged ≥ 60 years

Who cannot join

  • History of lumbar spine surgery
  • Cancer
  • Spinal infection
  • Severe degenerative scoliosis
  • Chronic kidney failure
  • Liver cirrhosis
  • Bilateral hip arthroplasty

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
  • Samsun Education and Research Hospital

    Samsun, İlkadım, 55090

Other trials in Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Official title: The Effect of Abdominal and Lumbar Muscle Stiffness Assessed by Elastography on Vertebral Fractures: A Cross-Sectional Study in Women Over 60

This study aims to assess the quality of lumbar and abdominal core muscles through elastography and evaluate its impact on vertebral fracture risk. This tudy's secondary objective is to investigate the relationship between muscle quality, as measured by elastography, and balance and quality of life.

The fundamental questions that this study aims to answer are as follows:

Does the quality of lumbar and abdominal core muscles, as assessed by elastography, affect the risk of vertebral fractures? Is there a relationship between muscle quality (as measured by elastography) and balance and quality of life in older adults?

Read the detailed description

Osteoporosis, a systemic bone disease marked by reduced bone mass and deteriorating bone structure, increases fracture risk, especially in the spine. Vertebral fractures, most common in the lower thoracic and upper lumbar regions, can impair motor function, limit daily activities, and raise disability and mortality risks. With aging, decreasing bone mineral density (BMD) and muscle quality contribute to structural changes like kyphosis and lordosis, further reducing balance and increasing fracture risk. While DEXA remains the standard for BMD assessment, ultrasound (USG) and shear wave elastography (SWE) offer non-invasive imaging for muscle quality without radiation exposure. Despite muscle degeneration's impact on spinal stability, most osteoporosis studies focus on bones, with few examining muscles. Recognizing this gap, our study uses elastography to assess lumbar and abdominal muscle quality and its impact on vertebral fracture risk, while also exploring the relationship between muscle quality, balance, and quality of life in older adults.

Being tested
Elastography Measurements, Bone Mineral Density Measurement (DEXA), Berg balance scale, Functional reach test, Timed Up and Go Test
Keywords
vertebral fractures, osteoporosis, abdominal muscles
Medical subject headings
Spinal Fractures, Osteoporosis

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Elastography MeasurementsOther

    Elastography Measurements

  • Bone Mineral Density Measurement (DEXA)Other

    Bone Mineral Density Measurement (DEXA)

  • Berg balance scaleOther

    Berg balance scale

  • Functional reach testOther

    Functional reach test

  • Timed Up and Go TestOther

    Timed Up and Go Test

Study groups in NCT06687889
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
vertebral fractures groupvertebral fractures group
Receives: Other: Elastography Measurements; Other: Bone Mineral Density Measurement (DEXA); Other: Berg balance scale; Other: Functional reach test; Other: Timed Up and Go Test
non vertebral fractures groupnon vertebral fractures group
Receives: Other: Elastography Measurements; Other: Bone Mineral Density Measurement (DEXA); Other: Berg balance scale; Other: Functional reach test; Other: Timed Up and Go Test

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Elastography Measurements

    Measurements were performed using a Mindray ultrasound device (Shenzhen Mindray Biomedical Electronics Co., Ltd., Shenzhen, China) with a 15-3 MHz linear probe in Shear Wave Elastography mode. Ultrasound gel was applied between the probe and the skin to enhance contact. The probe was positioned in line with the muscle fibers and perpendicular to the skin, allowing 2D maps of each muscle's shear modulus to be obtained with a spatial resolution of 1 mm and a sampling rate of 1 sample per second. Images obtained during elastography measurements were analyzed using Q-Box to evaluate Young's modulus (kPa) and SWW (m/s). Shear modulus measurements were taken at rest and at the end of contraction. Muscle thickness measurements were recorded in mm by measuring the distance between the two fascias. All measurements were performed three times, and the average of these measurements will be used for statistical analysis

    Measured: 8 weeks

Secondary outcomes (4)
  1. Bone Mineral Density Measurement (DEXA)

    All participants will undergo bone mineral density (BMD) measurements of the lumbar vertebrae (L1-L4) and left proximal femur (femur neck) at the same center using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA; HOLOGIC, QDR 2000, EXPLORER S1N 90910). Currently, DEXA is the standard method for diagnosing osteoporosis. Osteoporosis and osteopenia are defined according to the criteria set by the World Health Organization (WHO) for postmenopausal women: T-scores of -2.5 or lower indicate osteoporosis, while T-scores between -1.0 and -2.49 represent osteopenia. The T-score reflects bone mass by comparing it to that of a younger individual of the same sex with peak bone mass

    Measured: 8 weeks

  2. Berg balance scale

    The Berg Balance Scale is a test with proven reliability and validity in Turkish, used to assess balance in the elderly. It consists of 14 items, each scored from 0 to 4 based on observed performance. The maximum score is 56, where 0-20 points indicate balance impairment, 21-40 points suggest acceptable balance, and 41-56 points reflect good balance.

    Measured: 8 weeks

  3. Functional Reach Test

    The Functional Reach Test is a reliable and valid measure of anterior stability . The patient stands close to, but not touching, a wall with their arm extended forward at 90° flexion and fist closed. The evaluator marks the position of the third metacarpal head on the wall. The patient is then asked to reach forward as far as possible without stepping. The evaluator marks the new position of the third metacarpal head, and the difference between the initial and final marks is measured using a tape measure. Three trials are conducted, and the average is recorded. A reach of 15 cm or less indicates a significantly increased fall risk, while 15-25 cm indicates a moderate fall risk.

    Measured: 8 weeks

  4. Timed Up and Go Test

    This test, with proven reliability and validity, assesses fall risk in the elderly population. The patient is given verbal instructions to stand up from a chair, walk 3 meters following a marked line on the floor as quickly and safely as possible, turn, walk back, and sit down. Times are interpreted as follows: 10 seconds or less-patient walks independently with very low fall risk; 11-19 seconds-patient walks independently with low to moderate fall risk; 20-29 seconds-patient may occasionally need assistance, with moderate to high fall risk; over 30 seconds-patient often needs assistance and has a high fall risk.

    Measured: 8 weeks

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted14 Nov 2024
  2. Study start24 Nov 2024
  3. Primary completion15 Jan 2025
  4. Study completion15 May 2025

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Observational
Observational model
Other
Time perspective
Cross-sectional
Enrolment
81 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06687889
Sponsor's protocol ID
Samsun-PMR-DRHENY-01
Status last verified
Aug 2025
First submitted
10 Nov 2024
Last updated
28 Aug 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Undecided

Publications

  • Koppenhaver SL, Scutella D, Sorrell BA, Yahalom J, Fernandez-de-Las-Penas C, Childs JD, Shaffer SW, Shinohara M. Normative parameters and anthropometric variability of lumbar muscle stiffness using ultrasound shear-wave elastography. Clin Biomech (Bristol). 2019 Feb;62:113-120. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2019.01.010. Epub 2019 Jan 30.

    PubMed 30721824
  • MacDonald D, Wan A, McPhee M, Tucker K, Hug F. Reliability of Abdominal Muscle Stiffness Measured Using Elastography during Trunk Rehabilitation Exercises. Ultrasound Med Biol. 2016 Apr;42(4):1018-25. doi: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2015.12.002. Epub 2015 Dec 30.

    PubMed 26746381
  • Koppenhaver SL, Weaver AM, Randall TL, Hollins RJ, Young BA, Hebert JJ, Proulx L, Fernandez-de-Las-Penas C. Effect of dry needling on lumbar muscle stiffness in patients with low back pain: A double blind, randomized controlled trial using shear wave elastography. J Man Manip Ther. 2022 Jun;30(3):154-164. doi: 10.1080/10669817.2021.1977069. Epub 2021 Sep 16.

    PubMed 34525901
  • Lems WF, Paccou J, Zhang J, Fuggle NR, Chandran M, Harvey NC, Cooper C, Javaid K, Ferrari S, Akesson KE; International Osteoporosis Foundation Fracture Working Group. Vertebral fracture: epidemiology, impact and use of DXA vertebral fracture assessment in fracture liaison services. Osteoporos Int. 2021 Mar;32(3):399-411. doi: 10.1007/s00198-020-05804-3. Epub 2021 Jan 21.

    PubMed 33475820
  • Ciloglu O, Karaali E, Gorgulu FF, Ekiz T. Diaphragm thickness and stiffness in patients with hyperkyphosis due to osteoporotic vertebral fracture: an ultrasonographic and elastographic study. Pol J Radiol. 2020 Oct 5;85:e575-e580. doi: 10.5114/pjr.2020.99751. eCollection 2020.

    PubMed 33204371
  • Hug F, Tucker K, Gennisson JL, Tanter M, Nordez A. Elastography for Muscle Biomechanics: Toward the Estimation of Individual Muscle Force. Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 2015 Jul;43(3):125-33. doi: 10.1249/JES.0000000000000049.

    PubMed 25906424
  • Bedewi MA, Elsifey AA, Alfaifi T, Saleh AK, Swify SM, Sandougah KJ. Shearwave elastography of the Sartorius muscle. Medicine (Baltimore). 2021 Mar 19;100(11):e25196. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000025196.

    PubMed 33726013
  • Lee DG, Bae JH. Fatty infiltration of the multifidus muscle independently increases osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture risk. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2023 Jun 22;24(1):508. doi: 10.1186/s12891-023-06640-2.

    PubMed 37349814
  • Jeon I, Kim SW, Yu D. Paraspinal muscle fatty degeneration as a predictor of progressive vertebral collapse in osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. Spine J. 2022 Feb;22(2):313-320. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2021.07.020. Epub 2021 Jul 31.

    PubMed 34343666
  • Luo Y, Yue W, Li Z, Chen L, Wang P, Sun K. An initial study of core muscles using ultrasound in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Ann Palliat Med. 2022 Apr;11(4):1482-1490. doi: 10.21037/apm-22-314.

    PubMed 35523756
  • Ozmen T, Gafuroglu U, Aliyeva A, Elverici E. Relationship between core stability and dynamic balance in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis. Turk J Phys Med Rehabil. 2017 Oct 6;64(3):239-245. doi: 10.5606/tftrd.2018.1674. eCollection 2018 Sep.

    PubMed 31453517

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

An observational study of Osteoporosis in Post-menopausal Women and Vertebral Body Fractures, run by Ankara City Hospital Bilkent at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 28 Aug 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Elastography Measurements (time frame: 8 weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06687889, which also lists 11 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 28 Aug 2025.

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