Osteoporosis drug may also preserve muscle in the elderly

NCT ID NCT06118905

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Recruitment status, easiest to join first

Recruiting now This study
This trial is taking on new participants right now.
Not yet recruiting
Registered, but not yet taking participants.
By invitation only
Not open to general applications. Only people the study team invites can take part.
Paused
Paused for now. It may or may not start again.
Ongoing
Running, but no longer taking on new participants.
Completed
The trial has finished. Results may not be published yet.
Stopped early
Stopped early, before it reached the end. That can be for many reasons, including safety.
Cancelled
Cancelled before anyone took part.

Expanded access (not trials)

Expanded access
Not a trial. This treatment can be requested outside a study, case by case, for people who qualify.
Expanded access (paused)
Not a trial. The treatment can normally be requested outside a study, but is unavailable right now.
Expanded access (ended)
Not a trial. The treatment could once be requested outside a study, but no longer can.
Approved
The treatment has been approved, so it is available normally rather than through this programme.

When the status isn't known

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Status unknown
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First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether Denosumab, a drug used for osteoporosis, can help preserve muscle strength and mobility in frail adults aged 65 and older living in nursing homes or assisted living. Participants will receive either Denosumab or Zoledronic Acid, and researchers will measure changes in knee extension strength over time. The goal is to see if this medication can improve muscle health and function in a vulnerable population.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
Denosumab (Prolia) and Zoledronic Acid (Reclast)
What this could lead to
If it works, this could show that an existing osteoporosis drug also helps maintain muscle strength and mobility in older adults, potentially reducing falls and frailty.
What could go wrong
This is a phase 4 trial with 155 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The primary focus is on muscle strength, not fracture prevention, and benefits may be modest or not clinically significant.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Phase 4

Runs after approval, following long-term safety and how well the treatment works in everyday use.

Participants

About 155 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

Feb 2024

Expected to finish

Mar 2029

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

65 years and older

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: Ambulatory male and female residents with osteoporosis or low bone mass (at risk for fracture) age 65 and older will be considered if: 1) they reside in an institution (nursing home, assisted living facility or senior community) and; 2) they have osteoporosis as diagnosed by a) BMD (spine, hip or forearm BMD T-score ≤ -2.5 SD), b) a previous adult fragility spine or hip fracture, or c) have osteopenia but would be treated based on FRAX and the BHOF treatment thresholds of a 10-year major fracture risk of ≥ 20% or ≥ 3% hip fracture risk using femoral neck BMD. Exclusion Criteria: We will exclude residents with subacute illnesses surviving or those with life expectancy \<1 year. We will exclude those currently on a related therapy (including a bisphosphonate, Denosumab, teriparatide, abaloparatide, or romosozumab) or who have been on a bisphosphonate for \>1 year during the previous 2 years because some bisphosphonates are long acting. We will exclude subjects with a history of hypocalcemia or contraindication for treatment or those who are on systemic glucocorticoids that may lower muscle strength. We will screen for these conditions by detailed history, chart review, and baseline laboratory analyses. Participants with 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels \<25 ng/mL will be treated with vitamin D 50,000 IU/wk for 8 weeks. The patient will be enrolled if the follow-up vitamin D level is 25 ng/mL or more. Patients will be allowed to continue on anticonvulsants because use is common in this population. Women on hormone replacement, raloxifene, or residents prescribed protective hip pads will be allowed to participate and continue on these therapies. We will suggest participants stop calcitonin due to cancer concerns.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

How to take part

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  1. The places running it

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  2. The official record

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Contacts and locations

Locations

  • St. Barnabas Woodlands

    RECRUITING

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 16059, United States

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