Active clinical trials for "Osteoporosis"

RATIONALE: Zoledronate may prevent bone loss in patients with prostate cancer undergoing radiation therapy and hormone therapy. It is not yet known whether zoledronate is more effective than calcium and vitamin D alone in preventing osteoporosis and bone fractures in patients with prostate cancer. PURPOSE: This randomized phase III trial is studying zoledronate to see how well it works compared to calcium and vitamin D alone in preventing osteoporosis and bone fractures in patients with locally advanced nonmetastatic prostate cancer undergoing radiation therapy and hormone therapy.

The objective of this study is to determine if an intervention with a fracture manager to arrange bone densitometry after a hip fracture is more effective in diagnosing and treating osteoporosis when compared to "usual care". "Usual care" consists of no intervention to arrange bone mineral density (BMD) testing or therapy other than what normally occurs in the community. The investigators postulate that a fracture manager will be more effective in getting BMD done and in starting appropriate therapy.

RATIONALE: Raloxifene and exercise may improve bone health and quality of life in breast cancer survivors. Assessing bone health and quality of life may improve the ability to plan treatment. PURPOSE: Randomized clinical trial to study the effectiveness of raloxifene with or without exercise compared with exercise alone in women who have been previously treated for breast cancer.

RATIONALE: Assessing the effect of androgen suppression on bone loss in prostate cancer patients may improve the ability to plan treatment, may decrease the risk of fractures and bony pain, and may help patients live more comfortably. PURPOSE: Clinical trial to determine the effect of androgen suppression on bone loss in patients who have prostate cancer.

The study will be single blinded since professionals who will evaluate patients will not know to which exercise group patients have been assigned. The investigators hypothesize that effectiveness and safety of the exercise program are equal when administered as gym trainer or individual home trainer. However, the investigators expect differences in adherence among the two groups which may cause different impact on the outcome measures. Given the large amount of evidence on the efficacy of Physical Activity in women with Osteoporosis, the investigators considered it ethically unacceptable to advise a control group inactivity. On the other hand, it seemed particularly relevant for the purpose of addressing the advice to the improvement of the active lifestyle, to evaluate the impact of the ACTLIFE exercise program when administered as gym trainer or individual home trainer

There is strong evidence that specific types of exercise can improve health and physical function in older adults. While community exercise classes exist, many older adults with chronic conditions may need guidance from credentialed exercise professionals to ensure sufficient dose and progression and to address fears or low exercise self-efficacy. Furthermore, low protein intake among older adults is common and initiating exercise when nutrition is inadequate may cause weight loss and limit gains in muscle strength. The primary goal is to determine the feasibility of implementing the MoveSTroNg program under real-world conditions, measured through referral and recruitment to the program and study retention and adherence rates.

The principal goal of this study is to determine parameters of walking in terms of peak mechanical vertical force, bout duration, and bout spacing that can preserve or increase bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women. Release of pulses of parathyroid hormone (PTH), growth hormone (GH), and of markers of bone resorption and bone formation will be used as indicators of the osteogenic effects of a short exposure to exercise. When secreted in pulsatile fashion, GH stimulates osteoblast proliferation, particularly in cortical bone (27, 28). Like GH, the pattern of PTH secretion determines the nature of its effect on bone. When it is secreted in pulsatile manner, PTH contributes to bone formation through activation of bone lining cells, differentiation of osteoprogenitor cells, and suppression of bone cell apoptosis .

The overarching aim of this project is to implement and evaluate a proven cognitive training regimen in combination with a community exercise program among older adults who attend wellness exercise programs at the YMCA. To support this aim, the investigators have developed a collaboration with the YMCA of Kitchener-Waterloo, which offer exercise programs targeted to older adults. The specific objectives are: (1) to evaluate the feasibility of a combined exercise and cognitive training in a community-setting among older adults; and (2) to conduct a preliminary evaluation and comparison of changes in cognitive function, physical function, well-being and self-efficacy with 12-weeks of combined exercise and cognitive training versus exercise alone. The hypothesis for each objective are as follows: (1) It is anticipated that this program will be feasible to implement and will be well accepted by the participants and exercise providers. (2) The investigators may not have the power to find statistically significant differences between the control and experimental groups for physical and cognitive function. However, the investigators expect to observe positive changes between the pre- and post-assessments, suggesting improved cognitive function and mobility as a result of the 12-week program.

Shatavari is a plant that grows in Nepal, Sri Lanka, India and the Himalayas and its root has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine. Its traditional uses include supporting women's health, particularly during breastfeeding and during the perimenopausal period. Shatavari has been found to contain substances that have similar chemical properties to estrogen. A decrease in the amount of ovarian estrogen production causes the menopause and this reduction in circulating estrogen has widespread effects, including promoting a decrease in bone density. This increases the risk of bone fractures. Having less oestrogen is also thought to contribute to a loss of muscle strength in postmenopausal women. As shatavari may act on the body's tissues in a similar way to estrogen, shatavari supplementation may represent one way of preventing postmenopausal bone and muscle loss. This study will investigate these questions. 24 healthy postmenopausal women aged 60 years or older will be recruited. The participants will be randomly assigned to consume shatavari (1000 mg per day, equivalent to 26,500 mg per day fresh weight shatavari) or placebo (1000 mg per day magnesium stearate) for 6 weeks. Handgrip and knee extensor strength will be measured at baseline and at 6 weeks. Vastus lateralis (VL) muscle biopsy samples will be obtained at baseline and at 6 weeks and analysed for markers of muscle function and protein turnover. Plasma and serum samples will be collected via venepuncture and markers of bone turnover (P1NP, β-CTX) will be measured at baseline and at 6 weeks. Primary human osteoblasts (not obtained from these participants) will be stimulated with pooled sera from the placebo and shatavari supplementation conditions to assess markers of osteoblast (bone-building) activity.

Osteoporosis is a highly prevalent disease in which non-adherence is a well-recognized problem. Non-adherence may be due to patients´ lack of knowledge, understanding, and involvement. In this study the investigators aimed to determine the effect of an educational video displayed on a tablet-device. The investigators hypothesized that an educational video would increase patients´ knowledge on osteoporosis and treatment at a two week follow up.