Neurophysiological assessment of bone mechanosensitivity using the bone myoregulation reflex

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Orthopedics
• Neurophysiology

Background:

• Mechanical loading is crucial for bone health, mediated by osteocytes.
• Aging and osteoporosis compromise osteocyte function, leading to bone fragility.
• The bone myoregulation reflex offers a potential noninvasive assessment of bone mechanosensitivity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a noninvasive neurophysiological method based on the bone myoregulation reflex.
• To determine its applicability in assessing bone mechanosensitivity and quality.

Main Methods:

• Defined mechanical threshold as the minimum force to activate osteocytes.
• Estimated thresholds using cumulative averaging during whole-body vibration.
• Measured thresholds in healthy young adults and older adults with osteoporosis.

Main Results:

• Healthy young adults had normalized mechanical thresholds of 2.9-4.7%.
• Osteoporosis patients showed significantly higher thresholds (9.0-15.5%).
• This demonstrates the method's ability to detect bone loss-related changes.

Conclusions:

• A neurophysiological method using the bone myoregulation reflex is feasible for assessing bone mechanosensitivity.
• Higher thresholds in osteoporosis suggest impaired osteocyte function.
• Future clinical validation should account for BMI, sex, and appropriate control groups.