Physiotherapy post Vertebral Fragility Fracture: A Scoping Review.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Orthopedics
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Vertebral fragility fractures (VFF) incidence is increasing, posing a significant health burden.
• A comprehensive understanding of existing physiotherapy research for VFF patients is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review of physiotherapy interventions for patients with VFF.
• To identify the types of physiotherapy interventions and outcome measures used in VFF management.
• To summarize the current evidence base for physiotherapy post-VFF.

Main Methods:

• Adherence to Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines for a scoping review.
• Searched multiple databases (PubMed, PEDro, CINAHL, Cochrane, Embase) and grey literature (2005-2021).
• Narrative synthesis of data from included studies.

Main Results:

• Thirteen studies were included, comprising various designs including RCTs and qualitative studies.
• Commonly reported physiotherapy interventions included exercise, education, and manual therapy.
• A wide range of outcome measures were utilized, focusing on spinal deformity, physical performance, balance, pain, and quality of life.

Conclusions:

• Current evidence guiding physiotherapy management of VFF is limited.
• Exercise, manual therapy, and education are the most explored interventions.
• High-quality research, including clinical trials and studies on patient experiences, is urgently needed.