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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2009 Oct 31;50(5):683-8.
doi: 10.3349/ymj.2009.50.5.683. Epub 2009 Oct 21.

The efficacy of physical therapy and physical therapy plus calcitonin in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis

Fusun Sahin  1 , Figen Yilmaz, Nurdan Kotevoglu, Banu Kuran
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

The efficacy of physical therapy and physical therapy plus calcitonin in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis

Fusun Sahin et al. Yonsei Med J. .

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of our study was to compare the efficacy of physical therapy alone and in combination with calcitonin in patients with neurogenic claudication (NC).

Materials and methods: In this single blind, and randomized study, patients with lumbar spinal canal stenosis who were diagnosed by clinical findings and MRI and having NC were included. Patients were observed for 8 weeks and evaluated before and after treatment. Patients were randomized between the salmon calcitonin 200 U/day + physical therapy (n = 23) (Group 1) and paracetamol 1,500 mg/day + physical therapy (n = 22) (Group 2) treatment groups. Both groups received the same physical therapy (interferential current + hot pack + short wave diathermy) and exercise protocol. The association of various clinical and functional parameters was assessed statistically by using paired and unpaired t test, chi square test and McNemar's test. p < 0.05 indicated statistical significant.

Results: Mean age of the patients in Group 1 was 57.6 +/- 11.2 and in Group 2 54.5 +/- 10.6 years. Before treatment, there were no significant differences between groups with respect to age, body mass index, spinal axial diameter, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), spinal mobility, functional status and walking distance (p > 0.05). After 8 weeks of treatment, both groups benefited significantly with respect to VAS, functional status and walking distance (p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: In 45 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis who received 8 weeks of treatment, concomitant use of calcitonin with physical therapy and exercise did not have any benefical effect on the patient's pain, functional status, lumbar mobility and walking distance.

Keywords: Lumbar spinal stenosis; calcitonin; physical therapy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no financial conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Level of disease in patients.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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