Isometric Muscle Training in Patients With Spinal Bony Metastases Under Radiation Therapy

Standard indications for palliative radiation of bony metastases include pain, spinal cord compression, and impending pathologic fractures.

Palliative radiation therapy serves to reduce pain, improve quality of life, and avoid complications. Tailored training of the paravertebral musculature may support radiation therapy and improve above named factors. DISPO was designed to investigate the impact of tailored physical exercise in patients with vertebral metastases as compared to manual therapy (massage etc.). The trial includes patients with painful bony metastases, patients with spinal cord compression or impending pathological fractures are excluded. The investigations are carried out in a prospective randomized controlled phase-II parallel group design.

Patients are randomized to one of the following groups: patients in arm A carry out daily physical training consisting of three different isometric exercises under the guidance and supervision of a physiotherapist. Training starts day one (first radiotherapy session), 10 daily units of 30 min each are scheduled during radiotherapy. Patients are expected to continue training until 12 weeks post completion of radiotherapy at home.

Patients in arm B (control group) receive 10 daily sessions of 15 min manual therapy (i.e. massage, etc) starting from day one of radiotherapy.

Follow-up of the patients is scheduled at 12 weeks post completion of radiotherapy incl. CT of the spine and physical examination.

Inclusion criteria

• solitary or multiple vertebral metastases
• thoracic spine
• lumbar spine
• sacrum
• indication for palliative radiation therapy
• age: 18 - 80 years
• Karnofsky index > 70%
• bisphosphonate therapy inititated

Exclusion criteria

• bony metastases of cervical spine or pelvis
• impending fracture
• other serious illnesses or medical conditions: therapy-refractory unstable heart disease, congestive heart failure NYHA °III and °IV; coagulopathies
• Significant neurological or psychiatric condition including dementia or seizures or other serious medical condition prohibiting the patient's participation in the trial by judgement of the investigators
• Legal incapacity or limited legal capacity
• Positive serum/ urine beta-HCG/ pregnancy