Kolling Institute researchers Dr. Shejil Kumar and Professor Rory Clifton-Bligh have embarked on a pioneering study to enhance bone health in postmenopausal women.
The study, titled “Combining Osteoanabolic Pharmacotherapy with Osteogenic Exercise in Postmenopausal Women with Osteoporosis and Osteopenia “The ROLEX-DUO Study,” is set to recruit 100 women aged 50 and above.
The primary focus of the study is to assess the effectiveness of combining exercise plus medication in improving bone and muscle health.
"We know that exercise has benefits for bone and muscle health, and there are effective treatments available to strengthen bones,” Dr. Kumar said.
“However, what we don’t know is whether combining exercise plus medication at the same time can lead to even greater improvements in bone and muscle health than treating with either alone.”
The study will utilise a medication that has been shown to increase bone density and reduce fracture risk in previous international studies. Participants will be randomly assigned to different treatment groups, including a supervised group class focusing on weightbearing exercises and a home-based exercise program concentrating on mobility and balance.
“We are investigating if this combination will be more effective and could change the way we treat and prevent osteoporosis going forward.”
Postmenopausal women between the ages of 50 and 80 are encouraged to participate, as they are at high risk of poor bone health. The study aims to assess how different combinations of treatment improve bone density, muscle strength, body composition, physical function and risk of falls.
The study will primarily be based at Royal North Shore Hospital.
If you would like to be part of the study, you can register here:
If you have any queries, you can email Dr. Kumar at shejil.kumar@health.nsw.gov.au
The study has obtained ethics approval from the NSLHD ethics committee (2022/ETH01794).