Effects of a Home-Based Exercise Intervention (E-Fit) on Bone Density, Muscle Function, and Quality of Life in Girls with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS): A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

• Published in: International journal of environmental research and public health Vol. 18; no. 20; p. 10899
• Main Authors: Lau, Rufina Wing-Lum, Cheuk, Ka-Yee, Ng, Bobby Kin-Wah, Tam, Elisa Man-Shan, Hung, Alec Lik-Hang, Cheng, Jack Chun-Yiu, Hui, Stanley Sai-Chuen, Lam, Tsz-Ping
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 17.10.2021; MDPI
• Subjects: Adolescents; Body mass index; Bone density; Bone mineral density; Compliance; Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry; Exercise; Fatigue tests; Females; Home environment; Interval training; Metabolism; Muscle function; Muscle strength; Osteoporosis; Patients; Physical activity; Physical fitness; Quality of life; Questionnaires; Rest; Scoliosis; Standard deviation; Statistical analysis; Teenagers
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827; 1660-4601
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182010899

Background: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients have lower physical activity levels than normal adolescents, and there is an association with poorer bone and muscle health. This study evaluated the effects of a home-based exercise intervention (E-Fit) on bone mineral density (BMD), muscle function, and quality of life (QoL) in AIS-affected girls. Methods: A total of 40 AIS females aged 11 to 14 years were randomly assigned to the E-Fit or control group. The E-Fit group performed modified 7-min high-intensity interval training (HIIT) 5 days per week for 6 months. Outcome measures including BMD using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), muscle strength and endurance tests, physical activity levels, and QoL using self-reported questionnaires were assessed at baseline and at 6-month and 12-month follow-up. Results: In total, 14 patients in the E-Fit and 16 in the control group completed the study. The E-Fit group showed a marginally significant interaction effect in the whole body areal BMD at the 6- (p = 0.096) and 12-month follow-ups (p = 0.085). The left arm lean mass in the E-Fit group showed a statistically significant interaction effect between the 6- and 12-month follow-ups (p = 0.046). The E-Fit group showed improvements in physical activity participation, as measured by the Modified Baecke Questionnaire (MBQ), with a significant interaction effect in work index (p = 0.043), sport index (p = 0.050), and total score (p = 0.016) from baseline to the 12-month follow-up. Improvement on self-image were noted in E-Fit group across time. Conclusions: The present results provided some evidence to support the positive benefits of E-Fit for bone health and muscle function in AIS girls.