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A Prospective Study of Human Bone Adaptation Using a Novel in Vivo Loading Model

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Bone Loss
Interventions
Other: voluntary forearm loading task
Registration Number
NCT04135196
Lead Sponsor
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to understand how different types of mechanical forces can influence bone adaptation (and make bones stronger, potentially). Forces acting on bones cause mechanical strain. In small animals, strain magnitude and rate have been shown to stimulate bone adaptation. This study is designed to test the degree to which strain magnitude and rate govern bone adaptation in healthy adult women.

Detailed Description

The study consists of three Aims:

Aim 1: compare the effect on bone structure of mechanical signals with low strain magnitude, high strain magnitude, and control groups over a 12-month prospective period.

Aim 2. Compare the effect on bone structure of mechanical signals with low strain rate, high strain rate, and control groups over a 12-month prospective period.

Aim 3: Examine the effect of withdrawing mechanical signals, by measuring bone structure during the 12 months after the intervention is withdrawn.

The intervention is a voluntary forearm compression task, consisting of leaning onto the palm of the hand to produce a target force.

The primary outcome measure is change in distal radius bone mineral content (BMC).

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
102
Inclusion Criteria
  • Female
  • Age 21-40
  • Body Mass Index [18-29]
  • 9-14 menstrual cycles/year
  • Dual energy X-ray Absorptiometry total radius bone mineral density (BMD) T-score [-2.5-+1]
  • Free of endocrinopathies
  • No known thyroid, vitamin D, or calcium abnormalities
Exclusion Criteria
  • Fracture to wrist <5 years ago
  • Wrist Arthritis
  • Injury to the non-dominant elbow or shoulder <5 years ago
  • Diabetes
  • Severe disabling conditions
  • Cancer <5 years ago
  • Metabolic bone disease
  • Androgen, estrogen, progesterone, calcitonin, Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators, Parathyroid hormone, gonadotropin-releasing hormone or analogs used <6 months ago
  • Corticosteroids <3 months ago
  • Bisphosphonates or fluoride <3 years ago
  • Cardiovascular/pulmonary disease
  • Uncontrolled hypertension
  • Regular Tobacco use
  • Marijuana use >1 time/week
  • Alcohol >4 drinks/day
  • Pregnancy or lactation <2 years ago
  • Plan to become pregnant or donate eggs within 1 year
  • Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate contraceptive <6 months ago
  • Current participation in upper extremity loading sports (gymnastics, tennis, softball, hockey) >2 times/month
  • Low calcium intake (avoiding dairy products without taking calcium supplement)

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
High Magnitudevoluntary forearm loading taskvoluntary forearm compression by leaning onto the palm of the hand with high target strain
Low Ratevoluntary forearm loading taskvoluntary forearm compression by leaning onto the palm of the hand with low strain rate (task performed "slowly and evenly")
Low Magnitudevoluntary forearm loading taskvoluntary forearm compression by leaning onto the palm of the hand with low target strain
High Ratevoluntary forearm loading taskvoluntary forearm compression by leaning onto the palm of the hand with high strain rate (task performed "as quickly as possible, with a bump")
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in UD iBMCbaseline and 12 months

12-month change in ultra-distal integral bone mineral content, measured with quantitative computed tomography (QCT)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in UD iBVbaseline and 12 months

12-month change in ultra-distal integral bone volume, measured with quantitative computed tomography (QCT)

Change in UD tBVbaseline and 12 months

12-month change in ultra-distal trabecular bone volume, measured with quantitative computed tomography (QCT)

Change in UD cBVbaseline and 12 months

12-month change in ultra-distal cortical bone volume, measured with quantitative computed tomography (QCT)

Change in UD cBMDbaseline and 12 months

12-month change in ultra-distal cortical volumetric bone mineral density, measured with quantitative computed tomography (QCT)

Change in UD ecBMCbaseline and 12 months

12-month change in ultra-distal endocortical bone mineral content, measured with quantitative computed tomography (QCT)

Change in UD cBMCbaseline and 12 months

12-month change in ultra-distal cortical bone mineral content, measured with quantitative computed tomography (QCT)

Change in UD tBMCbaseline and 12 months

12-month change in ultra-distal trabecular bone mineral content, measured with quantitative computed tomography (QCT)

Change in UD iBMDbaseline and 12 months

12-month change in ultra-distal integral volumetric bone mineral density, measured with quantitative computed tomography (QCT)

Change in UD ecBMDbaseline and 12 months

12-month change in ultra-distal endocortical bone mineral density, measured with quantitative computed tomography (QCT)

Change in UD tBMDbaseline and 12 months

12-month change in ultra-distal trabecular bone mineral density, measured with quantitative computed tomography (QCT)

Change in UD ecBVbaseline and 12 months

12-month change in ultra-distal cortical bone volume, measured with quantitative computed tomography (QCT)

Change in Trabecular BV/TVmeasurements repeated at 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months from enrollment

trabecular bone volume fraction expressed as the ratio of bone volume (BV) to total volume (TV) using: (BV/TV). This quantity is measured with high resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HRpQCT). It is expressed as a ratio, ranging from 0 (none of the volume is occupied by bone) to 1 (all of the volume is occupied by bone).

Change in Cortical Thicknessmeasurements repeated at 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months from enrollment

Changes in cortical thickness at 3-month intervals, measured with high resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HRpQCT)

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