Abstract
A randomized controlled trial was conducted to ascertain whether bone mineral density (BMD) in the proximal femur and L2-4 could be increased by instructing elderly persons to stand on one leg for 1 min 3 times/day to apply mechanical stress, i.e., body weight applied to the femoral head. Subjects were 47 outpatients ≥ 60 years old (3 men, 44 women). Data were analyzed for 18 women who performed the exercise and 13 women who did not. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was performed to measure BMD. No significant differences were seen in the percent change in BMD in L2-4 or proximal femur between groups. Comparing the number of subjects with increased BMD from L2-4 to Ward's triangle at month 6 of the study revealed the only significant difference to be in the neck BMD (7 of 11 women in the exercise group vs. 2 of 10 women in the control group; P = 0.0436). One-minute unipedal standing with eyes open seemed effective for improving femoral neck BMD in patients with osteoporosis and preventing hip fractures, particularly in elderly individuals.
