Post-Menopausal Women Could Benefit from New Vibration Belt
A New Treatment Option for Low Bone Density
Post-menopausal women may soon have a new weapon in the fight against bone loss. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently granted clearance for a vibration belt known as Osteoboost. This prescription device, developed by Bone Health Technologies, is specifically intended for post-menopausal women with low bone density, a condition known as osteopenia.
Effective Bone Growth Stimulation
A study conducted at the University of Nebraska Medical Center showed the efficacy of Osteoboost in directly stimulating bone growth and preserving bone mineral density and strength in postmenopausal women with osteopenia by sending low-frequency vibrations directly to the lumbar spine and hips. Laura Yecies, CEO of Bone Health Technologies, explains that the Osteoboost technology is safe, medication-free, and easy to use at home.
Research Inspired by NASA
In 2013, Dr. Shane Mangrum, a physician and co-founder of Bone Health Technologies, developed the initial prototype of the Osteoboost belt. This technology was inspired by NASA’s research that showed mechanical stimulation of bones through whole-body vibration could improve bone density. Subsequent pivotal research, led by Dr. Laura Bilek from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, demonstrated that women between 50 and 60 years old who received active treatment with Osteoboost had significantly less bone loss compared to those in the control group.
Study Limitations
While the research is promising, it did not directly assess the participants’ risk of fractures after using the vibration belt. However, the technology has the potential to improve balance and mobility, ultimately reducing the risk of fractures in individuals at greater risk. The price of the Osteoboost device has not yet been set, but the company plans to begin shipping later this year.
Osteopenia vs. Osteoporosis
Osteopenia and osteoporosis both refer to the loss of calcium and the protein framework of bones. Women with low bone mass and low T-scores are at higher risk of fractures due to worsening bone weakness. Osteopenia occurs when bone loss is greater than bone formation, while osteoporosis is diagnosed when bone density falls below a certain threshold. Standard medication therapies have shown efficacy in reducing the risk of fractures.
The FDA clearance for Osteoboost provides a potential new treatment option for post-menopausal women with low bone density. By stimulating bone growth through low-frequency vibrations, this device has the potential to improve bone density and reduce the risk of fractures. Further research and assessments of fracture risk and long-term efficacy are needed to fully understand the benefits of this technology.
