Scottish Centre for Innovation in Spinal Cord Injury

Early diagnosis and intervention of osteoporosis using nanovibrational stimulation

The study aims to achieve early detection of the initial phases of bone loss, followed by preventative treatment intervention using nanovibrational stimuli, to slow/prevent osteoporosis disease progression and avoid fragility fractures (and morbidity and mortality associated with fractures). Disuse-related bone loss after SCI is greatly accelerated, compared to postmenopausal osteoporosis or ageing-related bone loss. The impact of early detection and disease diagnosis, and the efficacy of preventative intervention can be demonstrated in a shorter timeframe in this patient cohort.  Device development for patients was completed by the collaborative team of researchers, with in vitro studies ongoing to better understand the optimal therapy times/doses.  Alongside additional cellular-level investigations, collaborative work is also underway with ESA (led by Dr Peter Childs), relevant to astronauts, who are susceptible to bone loss after exposure to a weightless environment.